Abstract: A system and method for a hybridized control architecture for a liquid handler system. The hybridized control system can control the movement of the vessel movers of the liquid handler system using a hybridized movement control approach that incorporates both position, velocity and current-based control outputs. The control system can further dynamically control the relative degree to which velocity or position-based control is applied to the vessel movers based on the vessel movers' relative positions along the track system.

Abstract: A method for detecting an abnormal operating condition of a heat exchanger is provided. The method includes determining the actual current through a heat exchanger, using the actual current to indicate an abnormal operating condition, and declaring a fault state. A step of comparing the baseline current to the actual current includes normalizing the actual current, calculating a difference between the normalized actual current and the baseline current, and determining that difference is less than zero.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking vessel movers within a liquid handler system using sparse sensor assemblies. The method includes mapping received sensor signals to pre-characterized functions and determining the positions of the vessel movers with respect to a single sensor from the sensor assembly accordingly. The sensors in the sparse sensor assembly can be positioned to have no or minimal overlap between their sensing ranges.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking vessel movers within a liquid handler system using sparse sensor assemblies. The method includes mapping received sensor signals to pre-characterized functions and determining the positions of the vessel movers with respect to a single sensor from the sensor assembly accordingly. The sensors in the sparse sensor assembly can be positioned to have no or minimal overlap between their sensing ranges.

Abstract: Systems and methods for passively redirecting liquid contaminants from the active region of riding surfaces of track systems for liquid handler systems, including surface energy gradient, channels, and roughness gradients. The described techniques redirect liquids in a passive manner, without requiring any additional electromechanical components or active control systems that would draw additional power and require additional layers of control architecture to manage.

Abstract: Methods of real-time detection of short-sample aspiration faults in an automated diagnostic analysis system include spectral analysis of a pressure slope waveform based on aspiration pressure measurement signals. The spectral analysis may include using a moving average filter or a wavelet transform, such as, e.g., a continuous wavelet transform (CWT) or a discrete wavelet transform (DWT), to identify distinct transient behavior in the pressure slope waveform. These methods accurately identify short-sample aspiration faults such that an automated diagnostic analysis system can timely terminate an analysis of a detected short sample to avoid a possibly erroneous sample test result. Apparatus for real-time detection of short-sample aspiration faults is also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Methods of early real-time detection or prediction of aspiration faults in an automated diagnostic analysis system include an artificial intelligence algorithm configured to use either cluster analysis or probabilistic graphical modeling based on an aspiration pressure measurement signal waveform. Aspiration faults may include short-volume aspiration and unwanted gel pick-up. These methods may allow for timely termination of an aspiration process so as to avoid or minimize possible detrimental downstream consequences such as faulty sample test results and/or instrument downtime for servicing and cleanup. Apparatus for early real-time detection or prediction of aspiration faults are provided as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method for detecting an abnormal operating condition of a heat exchanger is provided. The method includes determining the actual current through a heat exchanger, using the actual current to indicate an abnormal operating condition, and declaring a fault state. A step of comparing the baseline current to the actual current includes normalizing the actual current, calculating a difference between the normalized actual current and the baseline current, and determining that difference is less than zero.

Abstract: A method for backlash compensation in motion control systems includes homing a payload of a motion control system, and performing a tooth-pitch non-uniformity procedure on the motion control system to identify a non-uniformity correction. A backlash lookup table is generated for use in backlash correction during normal operation of the motion control system. The backlash lookup table is generated using a training process that includes selecting a move sequence for operating the motion control system, and executing the move sequence with the non-uniformity correction. The training process further includes computing a backlash measurement describing backlash of one or more components of the motion control system during the move sequence, and storing the backlash measurement in the backlash lookup table.

Abstract: A method for backlash compensation in motion control systems includes homing a payload of a motion control system, and performing a tooth-pitch non-uniformity procedure on the motion control system to identify a non-uniformity correction. A backlash lookup table is generated for use in backlash correction during normal operation of the motion control system. The backlash lookup table is generated using a training process that includes selecting a move sequence for operating the motion control system, and executing the move sequence with the non-uniformity correction. The training process further includes computing a backlash measurement describing backlash of one or more components of the motion control system during the move sequence, and storing the backlash measurement in the backlash lookup table.

Abstract: A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Abstract: A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Abstract: A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Abstract: A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Abstract: A head slider for use in a disk drive is movably positionable relative to a magnetic recording disk and includes at least one write element for writing data to the magnetic recording disk. The write element includes a writer coil electrically connected between a first bond pad and a second bond pad, where the connection between the first bond pad and the second bond pad includes a center tap located proximate to a voltage null point. The head slider also includes at least one read element for reading data from the magnetic recording disk, the read element electrically connected between the center tap and a third bond pad, where the write element and the read element are configured to be selectively activated based on biased inputs to the first bond pad, the second bond pad, and the third bond pad.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating an in-situ test method for a head gimbal assembly (HGA). The method includes individually exciting a pair of opposing-effect microactuators supporting the read/write head adjacent a data storage media; summing the outputs from the microactuators to derive a spectral frequency response of the HGA; determining a resonant frequency from the spectral frequency response; driving the microactuators at the resonant frequency; and varying the read/write fly height apart from the data storage media to correlate contact with a maximum response of the microactuators.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating an in-situ test method for a head gimbal assembly (HGA). The method includes individually exciting a pair of opposing-effect microactuators supporting the read/write head adjacent a data storage media; summing the outputs from the microactuators to derive a spectral frequency response of the HGA; determining a resonant frequency from the spectral frequency response; driving the microactuators at the resonant frequency; and varying the read/write fly height apart from the data storage media to correlate contact with a maximum response of the microactuators.

Abstract: A slider of a magnetic recording head includes a ground pad and a plurality of electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources. The plurality of electrical bond pads includes a plurality of shared bond pads. A first component of the slider is coupled to a first bond pad and one of the shared bond pads. The slider includes one or more additional components each coupled to a respective pair of the shared bond pads. A first ground-coupled component of the slider is coupled between one of the shared bond pads and the ground pad. A first diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the first ground-coupled component. A first Zener diode can be disposed on the slider and coupled between the first diode and the ground pad for enhanced ground noise immunity of the powered devices.

Abstract: A slider of a magnetic recording head comprises a ground pad and a plurality of electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources. A component of the slider is coupled between first and second bond pads. A first heater of the slider is coupled between the first bond pad and the ground pad. A second heater of the slider is coupled between the second bond pad and the ground pad. A first diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the first heater. A second diode is disposed on the slider and coupled in series with the second heater.

Abstract: A slider of a magnetic recording head comprises a plurality of electrical bond pads coupled to bias sources and a ground pad. Each of a plurality of electrical components of the slider is coupled one or more of the electrical bond pads, wherein at least one of the electrical bond pads is a shared electrical bond pad coupled to at least a first electrical component and a second electrical component. A switching transistor is coupled to the first and second components and the ground pad. The switching transistor is arranged to control powering of the second component in response to biasing of the first component.