Patents by Inventor Ralph A. Proud

Ralph A. Proud has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6934114
    Abstract: Reduced bit number wedge identification techniques for use within a rotating media storage device (RMSD) are disclosed. The RMSD includes a disk having a circumferential track that includes a plurality of embedded servo wedges utilized in track following. A substantial majority of the plurality of wedges include a reduced bit wedge ID field that does not have a sufficient number of bits to uniquely identify the wedge within the track. A combined wedge ID code is formed from reading at least first and second reduced bit wedge ID numbers from first and second wedges, respectively, which is used to uniquely identifying a wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffi Codilian, Ralph A. Proud
  • Patent number: 5710675
    Abstract: A disk drive circuit that includes a configuration resistor, a reference resistor, a capacitor and a processor. The processor is mounted on a first circuit assembly in the disk drive, such as the controller circuit board, and the configuration resistor is mounted on a second circuit assembly, such as the head-disk assembly (I-IDA). The resistance of the configuration resistor corresponds to the configuration of the second circuit assembly. The configuration may represent the number of heads or the type of preamplifier in the IDA. The processor calculates the resistance of the configuration resistor to determine the configuration of the second circuit assembly in the following manner. The processor charges the capacitor. The processor then allows the capacitor to discharge through a first circuit that includes both the configuration resistor and the reference resistor and measures the discharge time or time constant. The processor again charges the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Western Digital Corporation
    Inventors: Marc B. Goldstone, Kenneth D. Donner, Ralph A. Proud, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4546542
    Abstract: A method of making a planar fork contact initially having plural tines with respective coplanar surfaces and gold inlay material integral with such coplanar surfaces, to bring them into substantially confronting relation with each other within the plane of the contact. Other steps include setting the twist to maintain such inlay containing areas in such confronting relation, controlling such twisting and the location of the respective twists for contact uniformity, and using cut-away tabs on the tines to facilitate twisting. The invention also relates to an apparatus for making such planar fork contacts, especially by utilizing the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Symbex Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph A. Proud
  • Patent number: 3967255
    Abstract: A flame detection system comprising two light responsive photovoltaic photocell sensors in combination with corresponding light filters, a photovoltaic sensing amplifier, a control amplifier, and a power source. The photocell/filter combinations are responsive to spectral energy in two different regions of the spectrum, said regions being such that illumination from a hydrocarbon flame causes a reversal in voltage polarity of the signal from the pair of photovoltaic photocells. The photovoltaic photocells are serially connected in voltage opposition and the voltage produced by the combination is applied as an input coupled to the sensing amplifier. The latter is arranged and configured to respond to a selected voltage polarity generated by the photovoltaic combination, when illuminated by a hydrocarbon flame, by providing a control signal to the control amplifier. The control amplifier is typically coupled to a relay and/or solenoid valve which controls the turn-on of a fire alarm and/or extinguishing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignees: The Delphian Foundation, Q.sup.2 Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart M. Oliver, Ralph A. Proud, Jr., Sanford J. Parsons