Abstract: A seal assembly adapted for use in creating a seal between an axially extending shaft and a support member. The seal assembly defines an axial passage through which the shaft extends, wherein a bearing assembly is mounted to the support member and includes a stationary outer race and an inner race which rotates along with the shaft. The seal assembly includes a rigid ring defining an axial passage through which the shaft extends and a resilient material carried by the ring. The resilient material defines an inner sealing section adapted to engage the shaft and an outer sealing section located radially outwardly of the inner sealing section and adapted to engage an outer sealing surface associated with the support member.

Abstract: A MEMS-based fuel cell has a substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the substrate, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, an anode spaced apart from the cathode and in contact with the electrolyte, and an integral manifold for supplying either a fuel or an oxidant or both together, the integral manifold extending over at least a portion of the electrolyte and over at least one of the anode and cathode. Methods for making and using arrays of the fuel cells are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-contained, maintenance free, rechargeable lighting system for use with a canopy to provide illumination in the absence of sunlight. By utilizing solar energy, the system is free of electrical cords, thereby making it usable in a variety of applications where electrical outlets are either not readily accessible or may present a safety concern.

Abstract: A touch screen such as an electronic whiteboard that detects the size of a touch as well as the touch's location on the touch screen. The size of the touch or a stylus mode based on the size of the touch is then reported to an application program by the touch screen and the application program uses the size or mode to determine what operation is to be performed at the location of the touch. In the exemplary implementation, the size of the touch determines whether the stylus mode is erasing or non-erasing. A user of the touch screen can thus switch from writing to erasing simply by switching from a marking pen to an eraser that is broader than the marking pen. In the exemplary implementation, the touch panel is a resistive membrane touch panel and touch size is detected from a touch resistance that is determined by subtracting other components of the total resistance of a circuit that arises when the touch panel is touched.

Abstract: The slider and method of the present invention relate to a slider for a disc drive. The slider includes a substrate having a cavity and a filler within the cavity. The slider further includes a transducer that is positioned near the filler. The design facilitates controlling the relative thermal expansion between the transducer and substrate of the slider that is near the transducer. Compensating for the thermal expansion of the transducer provides a more consistent fly height of the slider during operation of the disc drive. In addition, the design adjusts the air-bearing surface of the slider such that the transducer does not extend below the rest of the slider as the transducer expands.

Abstract: Touch panel systems and methods are disclosed that can distinguish temporally overlapping touch inputs from single touch inputs so that valid touch position coordinates can be determined. Touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can distinguish overlapping touches by comparing signal magnitudes to specified thresholds, by comparing the rates of change of signal magnitudes or measured positions to determined parameters, by locating the proximity a calculated location to icons or other such active areas, and the like. Because touch panel systems and methods of the present invention can discriminate single touches from double touches, they can be used in multiple user applications such as multiplayer games as well as in applications that may be subject to rapidly successive or overlapping touch inputs.

Abstract: The slider and method of the present invention relate to a slider for a disc drive. The slider includes a substrate having a cavity and a filler within the cavity. The slider further includes a transducer that is positioned near the filler. The design facilitates controlling the relative thermal expansion between the transducer and substrate of the slider that is near the transducer. Compensating for the thermal expansion of the transducer provides a more consistent fly height of the slider during operation of the disc drive. In addition, the design adjusts the air-bearing surface of the slider such that the transducer does not extend below the rest of the slider as the transducer expands.

Abstract: A system for preferable use in gravel packing is disclosed which includes a plurality of transport tubes which are mounted outside of gravel pack screens. The multiplicity of shunt tubes cover a particular zone so that the tubes have a varying length to deposit gravel at different portions of the zone. The tops of the tubes are preferably sealed until ready for use and activated by applied pressure. In the preferred embodiment, rupture discs are found at the tops of each of the tubes, set for different pressures so as to open up the transport tubes to the lower most portion of a particular zone and later in sequence to the higher-most portion. The transport tubes are affixed to each section of pipe and are made up when two sections of pipe are made up to alignment marks. When the marks are aligned, the transport tube segments from each pipe section are in an aligned and sealed relation while the tool joint is properly torqued.

Abstract: A method for producing magneto resistive heads includes the steps of positioning at least two magneto resistive elements in spaced relation to one another and placing the at least two magneto resistive elements in an ion milling environment where material is removed nonselectively from items in the environment. A property of at least two of the plurality of magneto resistive elements is monitored. In response to monitoring, one of the at least two magneto resistive elements is dynamically covered to prevent additional removal of material from the covered magneto resistive element.

Abstract: The invention relates to adhesive compositions comprising polymers comprising C.sub.6 to C.sub.12 saturated .alpha.-olefin monomers and C.sub.2 to C.sub.5 .alpha.-olefin monomers and an effective amount of photoactive crosslinking agent to crosslink composition upon radiation from a source of actinic radiation.

Abstract: A method permitting a fine artist to transfer a computer generated image to a lithographic plate is provided. Any computer image may be utilized including photographs or drawings which have been electronically scanned into the computer. The computer image transfer method includes the use of a petroleum distillate as a solvent. The solvent acts as a transfer agent to transfer the toner from a laser printed image to the lithographic plate. A computer image is generated and printed on a sheet (separation) through the use of a laser printer. Four separations are laser printed in accordance with the CMYK protocols. A RBG separation may alternatively be employed. Each separation has the following steps performed thereon. The separation is placed face down on the lithographic limestone or the like. A porous sheet, with sufficient quantities of solvent entrained therein, is placed on the plate. A piece of metal foil is then placed on the porous sheet. The tympan is then placed.

Abstract: 1.3-imidazole prevents the corrosion of metal surfaces in contact with boiler waters and the condensates produced from these waters.

Abstract: A modular luminaire assembly for receiving assorted optical assemblies and assorted electrical assemblies. The modular luminaire assembly includes a base unit having an opening on one side and a platform for receiving and supporting a selected optical assembly, and a removable panel assembly mountable within the base opening. The panel assembly is adapted to receive and support a selected electrical assembly. The base unit, optical assembly, and panel assembly form respective first, second and third unitary modules.

Abstract: A manually operable position lock for a hydraulic actuator (10) adding a cylinder (20) and a piston rod (22) with a stop finger (61) for actuating a push rod (60) to close a valve (32) and prevent fluid egress from the cylinder. The lock includes a pivot bracket (110) carried by a push rod, a control lever (111) pivoted to the pivot bracket, a link (114) pivoted to the control lever and slidably receiving the push rod, and a helical spring (120) carried by the push rod and engaging one end of the link.

Abstract: A wideband, passive detector of electromagnetic fields in free space is disclosed. The apparatus is especially designed to minimize amplitude perturbations of the electromagnetic field being monitored. The apparatus includes an electro-optic modulator having first and second surfaces with electrodes attached thereto and a third and fourth surfaces intersecting an optical path. An electrically small dipole or loop antenna has a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the modulator and a second electrode connected to the second electrode of the modulator, for converting electromagnetic fields intercepted in free space to a voltage signal to be applied to the first and second electrodes of the modulator. A loading resistor may be added in parallel with the electrodes to improve system bandwidth. A light source is located along the optical path, for transmitting light into the modulator through the third surface.