Abstract: A disc clamp made from a shape memory alloy is configured for tight fit between an upper ledge of a spindle hub and the upper surface of a disc when the disc clamp is in an austenitic phase. In a martensitic phase, the disc clamp is configured for easy assembly over the spindle hub. The disc of the present invention provides for uniform distribution of clamping forces on the disc, and avoids the need for threaded holes in the spindle hub.

Abstract: A bearing structure for a spindle motor is disclosed. The bearing structure provides a fluid bearing seal and support structure that may simultaneously addresses the problems of preventing oil leakage, of maintaining the bearing integrity under shock, of reducing oil evaporation and of minimizing distortion of the active bearing surface. The bearing structure includes a thrust plate coupled to a shaft and a bearing plate and load plate coupled to a sleeve, wherein the load plate urges the bearing plate towards the thrust plate, and wherein an adhesive is interposed between the load plate and the thrust plate. The adhesive may be an UV epoxy. The sleeve is operatively coupled to a stator, and the stator rotates the sleeve upon receiving a drive signal. The bearing further includes a diffusion barrier disposed between the sleeve and the stator. A second diffusion barrier is disposed between the load plate and the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an MR element and a thin film magnetic head that do not cause an increase in the electrical resistance value due to the presence of dead zones. When forming passive areas that include magnetic domain control films and conductive films at the two sides of a central active area through a vacuum film formation method, the magnetic domain control films are formed under film forming conditions that are different from the film forming conditions under which the conductive films are formed to ensure that the degree to which the conductive films overlap the central active area is set larger than the degree to which the magnetic domain control films overlap the central active area.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc and a read/write head accessing the disc. The head includes a thermally conductive substrate and a write coil window surrounded by a shared pole piece thermally coupled to the substrate, a central core, a write pole piece and a write gap. A bottom coil adjacent the shared pole piece has multiple turns that have bottom narrowed regions passing through the window. A top coil adjacent the write pole piece has multiple turns that have top narrowed regions passing through the window. The top turns are fewer in number and flattened relative to the bottom turns.

Abstract: A recording head is a magnetic head in which ends on one side of opposed first and second magnetic cores form a recording gap, said other ends form a magnetic joint, coils insulated by an insulating material are provided between said first and second magnetic cores, magnetic fluxes of said first and second magnetic cores excited by said coils leak from said recording gap so that recording onto a recording medium is carried out. In said recording head, a distance from said end of said recording gap close to said magnetic medium to a contact point of said magnetic joint (hereinafter, yoke length) is not more than 20 &mgr;m. A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus has this head.

Abstract: A flying head slider includes a slider body. The upstream or leading end of a bottom surface on the slider body is defined along a first datum line extending in the lateral direction of the slider body. The first datum line may be set perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the slider body. The upstream or leading end of the front air bearing surface is defined along a second datum line intersecting the first datum line at a predetermined inclined angle. As the incidence angle of an airflow colliding against a step defined at the leading end of the front air bearing surface gets decreased, the pitch angle of the slider body also gets decreased in the flying head slider during flight.

Abstract: An actuator assembly of a disc drive having an actuator arm rotatably mounted adjacent a data disc. The actuator arm has a top surface and a bottom surface, and includes a head gimbal assembly support portion located at one end of the actuator arm. The actuator assembly further includes an arm circuit fastened to the top surface of the actuator arm. The actuator assembly may additionally include a head gimbal assembly that electrically couples the data transducer and the arm circuit. The gimbal circuit is partially routed along the head gimbal assembly and over the top surface of the actuator arm. Alignment apertures on the arm circuit and the head gimbal circuit and alignment pins on the actuator arm may be used for positioning of the circuits over the top surface of the actuator arm.

Abstract: An actuator includes a coil support that is integral with the hub. The support includes a flange disposed between two support arms. Joining the flange to the hub is a base that defines a groove in which resides a proximal leg of a voice coil. The voice coil is attached to the flange and the support arms, as well as to the base.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information storage apparatus in which movement of a carriage is smooth, and precision of a recording reproduction position is high. Both a gravity center G of a carriage 120, and an application point H at which a slider 126 receives a force exist inside a triangle T whose respective vertexes are formed by a first support member 122 and second support members 123, 124.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc, a voice coil motor with an arm and a beam having a first end attached to the arm and a second end including a window frame and a gimbal region. A bridge of a gimbal strut underlies the gimbal region. A flex circuit is attached to the gimbal strut. A read/write head has a preload region under the bridge and a slider surface on the disc. A microactuator has a main body and has microactuator arms bonded to the read/write head and mount arms bonded to the bridge. The microactuator has electrical contacts connected to the flex circuit. The electrical contacts are disposed between the microactuator main body and the gimbal region.

Abstract: The thin film magnetic head has insulating layers and a MR element section, which has uniform thickness and which can be formed on a surface of a megnetizable substrate with enough insulating strength. In the thin film magnetic head, a magnetizable metal layer is formed on a surface of the magnetizable substrate. A first insulating layer is formed on a surface of the magnetizable metal layer. The MR element section for reproducing data is formed on a surface of the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed on the MR element section so as to sandwich the MR element section between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. A shielding layer is formed on a surface of the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for reproducing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium senses an external magnetic field using a spin-filtered sensor current flowing through a non-magnetic layer.

Abstract: An exchange coupling film has an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, and a seed layer provided on the side of the antiferromagnetic layer 4 opposite to the pinned magnetic layer. The seed layer has a crystalline structure constituted mainly by face-centered cubic crystals with (111) planes substantially aligned. The seed layer is preferably non-magnetic. A laminate structure including the antiferromagnetic layer and a free layer inclusive of the intervening layers have crystalline orientations with their (111) planes substantially aligned, so that large crystal grains and, hence, large ratio of resistance variation can be achieved.

Abstract: In an electrostatic protection circuit of the present invention, a trigger voltage for causing snapback operation in MOSFET is reduced and circuit elements with low breakdown voltages can be protected. A protection nMOSFET having a drain connected to an input/output terminal and a source and a substrate that are grounded is provided. A diode array, composed of at least one diode, is connected in series in a forward direction between the gate of the protection nMOSFET and the input/output terminal. Finally, a resistor is connected between the gate of the protection nMOSFET and ground.

Abstract: A monitor for detecting failures in the installation of neon gas sign transformers has an electronic circuit in the transformer compartment to turn the transformer off in the event any failure occurs. The monitor uses a programmed digital micro-controller connected to the transformer and supplies an exciting current to a “TRIAC” that turns on/off the primary coil of the transformer under an AC voltage of the distribution network and also supplies a current to turn on a red LED when failures occur and a green LED that indicates if any power is being fed from the distribution network. When the sign lights properly, the TRIAC is activated, the transformer remains activated and the red LED remains inactivated while the green LED remains activated. When there is any failure the monitor detects the failure immediately and the transformer is turned off and six seconds later it is automatically turned on again. If the cause of the failure disappears, the transformer continues operating regularly.

Abstract: In the fabrication of a surge protector device which utilizes breakdown phenomena of a resistive film, a case which fixes metal bars in it, makes electrical contacts with said metal bars and contains oxidizing and refractory agents, a cap, metal bars and oxidizing and refractory agents are prepared in advance. In the fabrication process of said surge protector device using these elements, a step to control the force applied to said cap, said metal bars and said case so that the force applied to the interface between the resistive films and the mechanical contacts which form electrodes to said metal bars can be controlled. Automation process to fabricate the surge protector device will be realized and efficient fabrication of the precise surge protector device will be also realized. A surge protector device whose breakdown voltage is precisely controlled will be realized reproducibly.

Abstract: Capacitors and methods of forming capacitors are disclosed. In one implementation, a capacitor comprises a capacitor dielectric layer comprising Ta2O5 formed over a first capacitor electrode. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the Ta2O5 capacitor dielectric layer. Preferably, at least a portion of the second capacitor electrode is formed over and in contact with the Ta2O5 in an oxygen containing environment at a temperature of at least about 175° C. Chemical vapor deposition is one example forming method. The preferred second capacitor electrode comprises a conductive metal oxide. A more preferred second capacitor electrode comprises a conductive silicon comprising layer, over a conductive titanium comprising layer, over a conductive metal oxide layer. A preferred first capacitor electrode comprises a conductively doped Si—Ge alloy. Preferably, a Si3N4 layer is formed over the first capacitor electrode. DRAM cells and methods of forming DRAM cells are disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitor having a storage electrode and a plate electrode, wherein both are made of metal or metal oxide, a high dielectric film formed between the electrodes, and a method of manufacturing the same. A diffusion prevention film is found at the side of the storage electrode and on the plate electrode. Therefore, the invention prevents deterioration of the property in the dielectric film due to penetration of hydrogen ions during a subsequent thermal process thereby improving the reliability of a device.

Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) has a laminated overcoat encapsulating a stacked body including a plurality of basic cells and a pair of terminals sandwiching therebetween the stacked body. The innermost film of the laminated overcoat is thermally fused onto the exposed surfaces of the terminal plates and the stacked body substantially without a gap. The fusing step is conducted by an equal-pressure pressing using a hot water while the internal of the laminated overcoat is evacuated.

Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a rear panel (20) and a fastener (40) detachably and rotatably mounted to the rear panel. The rear panel defines a plurality of parallel slots (23) for receiving expansion cards (80). A pair of limbs (25) is formed on the rear panel for locking the fastener in place. The rear panel forms semi-circular pivots (21) to which the fastener is pivotally attached. The fastener is thus rotatably movable between a first position and a second position during assembly. In assembly, each expansion card is attached to its corresponding cover (81) by conventional means. When located at the first position, the fastener does not engage with the covers, thereby allowing the expansion card covers to be attached to or detached from the rear panel. When located at the second position, the fastener is secured to the rear panel by the limbs, and engages with the covers. The fastener thereby securely attaches the covers to the rear panel.

Abstract: A push-button switch having an overload protection function and a circular type actuation mechanism is disclosed. The switch comprises a conduction lead to be actuated by circularly rotating actuators. The actuators rotate in response of each sliding cycle of the button. Thus, a switch that occupies least space, reduces wearing and increases lifetime, is obtained.

Abstract: A thermal resistance variable heat sink structure is provided that can improve the quality during operation and that can change the shape of a heat sink and reduce the number of steps attaching and detaching. Solder balls 1 are disposed for connection of a LSI 2. A mounting plate 3 on which a heat sink is mounted, screws 4 for mounting the heat sink, a radiation fin 5, and a thermal resistance adjuster 6 are disposed on the back surface of the LSI 2. The thermal resistance adjuster 6 is placed on the middle of the back surface to cut the cooling air.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting heat from electrical devices mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. A heat sink for conducting the heat is provided that includes a pair of substantially parallel vertical legs and a horizontal member coupled between the pair of substantially parallel vertical legs to form a “U” shape. The horizontal member includes an outer surface and an inner surface both having a layer of thermal interface material. The heat sink is surface mountable to a heat sink mounting pad on a surface of a printed circuit board. The heat sink mounting pad is adjacent to and thermally coupled to a heat transfer pad of an electronic device. The heat sink is thermally coupled to the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided with an electric part which can be attached to an outer wall of the apparatus body. The electric part has terminals for accomplishing electric connection of the electric part with the apparatus body, and a heat radiating structure for radiating heat generated in the apparatus body. The heat radiating structure is formed by an uneven wall structure, a heat radiating member, a fan and so forth. Accordingly, the electric part can be attached to the electronic apparatus from the outside thereof, and heat generated in the apparatus body of the electronic apparatus can be radiated by the heat radiating structure arranged in the electric parts, so that an electronic part arranged in the electronic apparatus can operate normally without being excessively heated.

Abstract: The electronic apparatus (1) has an enclosure (10), which has a terminal compartment (12) and an electronics compartment (11). These two compartments are separated by an internal wall (13) which has a longitudinal slot (131) of depth T in which a bushing (14) is fitted. The bushing is to be flameproof designed. To this the enclosure (10) comprises: 1) A baseboard (141) which extends into and is mounted in the electronics compartment, has a stop (142), and can be fitted with electronic components (143); 2) a lead arrangement (144) extending into the terminal compartment (12) and contacting the components on the baseboard; and 3) a plastic part (146) which surrounds the lead arrangement, is formed integrally with the stop (142), and has the shape of, and thus fills, the longitudinal slot (131).

Abstract: A central unit for grouping electronic and electrical components of refrigerators, freezers and similar appliances, comprising a housing containing at least one electronic card provided with electrical connection means and socket means for connecting the appliance to the electrical power supply.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: In an electronic circuit device having such a structure that a plurality of circuit boards are stacked, when the circuit boards are stacked, one ends of metal pieces serving as spacers are joined to one circuit board by solder while the other ends of the metal pieces are joined to the other circuit by conductive adhesive agent, whereby the circuit boards can be easily separated from each other at the connection portion and a rework of the parts sandwiched between the circuit boards can be easily performed.

Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.

Abstract: An electronic unit having an electronic circuit board, electronic components mounted on the electronic circuit board, and an electromagnetic shielding plate for blocking electromagnetic radiation emitted by one or more electronic components mounted on the electronic circuit board. The electromagnetic shielding plate having a sidewall that is formed with slits, is formed at a lower edge thereof with leg portions for connecting the electronic circuit board and is formed with gap portions for passing patterned wiring of the electronic circuit board by cutting away portions of the lower edge other than the leg portions. With this, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic shielding plate that does not interfere with the patterned wiring of the circuit board, does not reduce the mounting area of the circuit board and is excellent in heat dissipation property owing to excellent air-flow property in its inner space, thereby improving the reliability and packing density.

Abstract: An indication lamp for, for instance, aircraft passenger cabins comprising light sources housed in lamp chambers defined by a housing and a front cover. Translucent indication portions of the shapes indicative of non-smoking and fasten-seatbelt signs in red, for instance, are formed in the front cover; and the light sources, each comprising a set of light emitting diodes of different colors, such as green and red, are installed behind the translucent indication portions so that each light source emits a mixture of colors that is similar to an incandescent light, thus illuminating the sings with an enhanced visibility.

Abstract: A planar light source apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of illumination units. The plurality of illumination units are arranged adjacently to each other between the plurality of light sources and a target illuminated by the plurality of light sources. The plurality of light sources are arranged to illuminate edge portions of the plurality of illumination units, respectively.

Abstract: To provide a planar light source device capable of preventing abnormal light emittance at a vicinity of a lamp without causing deterioration in brightness and disadvantage in view of structure and a liquid crystal display having high display grade, by projecting a reflection sheet 4 from a light guiding plate 3 to inside of a lamp reflector 2 and providing notch portions 5 at both end portions of the reflection sheet 4 projected to inside of the lamp reflector 2, interference between the projected reflection sheet 4 and electrode portions or lamp holders 1a at both ends of the lamp 1 is prevented from causing.

Abstract: A planar light source device includes a light source 2, a reflector shade 8, a light guide member 3 having at least one side face 1 positioned adjacent the light source for receiving light from the light source and reflected by the reflector shade, and a light output plate 4 positioned adjacent the light guide member 3 with a first surface positioned adjacent a light exit surface of the light guide member 3. The first surface is formed with a multiplicity of projections 7 having respective tips held in tight contact with the light exit surface of the light guide member 3, at least a portion of each of the projections 7 having a curved facet. Of a function descriptive of a sectional shape of each of the projections 7 that is parallel to a direction of travel of light and also a direction normal to the light output plate 4, the maximum value of the absolute value of a linear differential of a portion representative of a facet counter to the light source is chosen to be within the range of 1 to 3.

Abstract: Light redirecting films include a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on the light exit surface of the films for refracting the light entering the entrance surface of the films from a backlight toward a direction normal to the exit surface. The individual optical elements overlap and intersect each other. Also, the orientation, size and/or shape of the optical elements may be tailored to redirect more of the incident light from the backlight within a desired viewing angle.

Abstract: A light includes an electro-luminescent element (14) connected to an electrical plug by conductive elements (23) in the form of flexible or elastic conductor rubber elements, or conductive elements compressed between contact areas (16) on the electrodes of the electro-luminescent element and prongs of the electrical plug.

Abstract: Electric torches especially for use as bicycle lamps comprising a housing and two light sources (2, 4). A first of the light sources comprises a filament bulb (2) and a second of the light sources comprises an LED (4). Preferably the LED is a white light LED. The light sources may be arranged inline with one another or side by side one another.

Abstract: An illuminating-light controller includes a light modulator for projecting light on a corresponding area by tilting a reflecting surface. A first light source emits a first light that is projected on the corresponding area by illuminating the first light to the reflecting surface of the spatial light modulator being tilted at a first angle. A second light source for emits a second light that is projected on the corresponding area by illuminating the second light to the reflecting surface of the light modulator being tilted at a second angle. Still further, included is a control section for controlling the first light emitted from the first light source and the second light emitted from said second light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of a light-emitting tubular device (25) and a support pillar (15) for retaining and electrically connecting the device, the light emitting device comprising a translucent outer sheath comprising braided filaments (8) and a light emitter (2) arranged within the tubular hollow body (1), the combination comprising retaining hooks (20, 36, 41) for retaining the device in the pillar, and power connectors (19, 26, 38, 43) for connecting the device and the pillar and providing power to the light emitter. The invention also relates to a light emitting device and a pillar for mounting the device with purposes of delimiting pedestrians walking areas, performing towing functions, rescuing activities, signaling.

Abstract: The electric lamp/reflector unit has a molded reflector body (1) comprising a hollow neck-shaped portion (5). An electric lamp (10) having a lamp vessel (11), having a space (12) in which an electric element (13) is arranged, and provided with a first (14) and a second, opposed end portion (15) is fixed with its first end portion (14) within the neck-shaped portion (5). The molded reflector body (1) is made of a temperature shock resistant glass-ceramic material and offers the advantages that the reflector body (1) is better resistant to a possible explosion of the lamp (10) and that an improved positioning of the electric element (13) in the reflector body (1) is obtained.

Abstract: The rotatable and mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a tens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp.

Abstract: An electroluminescent vehicle lamp made with a lens plate, a back plate, electroluminescent sheet, first electrical connector, second electrical connector is disclosed. The lamp has decreased volume and weight due to its small thickness. The electroluminescent vehicle lamp provides a vehicle signal lamp with a small thickness that is otherwise conformal with the surface of a vehicle. A particular advantage of the lamp structure is that the vehicle body needs only minimal forming to accommodate the positioning of the lamp, and little interior space in the vehicle is required. Two or more color regions can be formed in one housing. Two different states of appearance such that the device can exhibit a bright operating color (red, yellow, etc.) and yet blend in with the rest of the vehicle exterior in the non-operating mode.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that functions as a letter display panel 1. The display panel 1 is a body 2 that is a relatively thin piece of material having front and rear surfaces 4 and 6 with an edge 5 that extends between the front and rear surfaces, 4 and 6. In a preferred embodiment, a kit having a plurality of identical display panels 1 is provided for use with ornamental light strings. Each separate display panel 1 is capable of forming an individual lighted letter when used with the ornamental light string, as will be described below. The separate display panels 1 may be then coupled together to form written messages and the like.

Abstract: Resonant switched power converter in which the end of a resonant period coincides with the start of a conducting period of a first switching element, undesirable dead times being avoided during the operation of a self-excited synchronous rectifier.

Abstract: Pursuant to the invention, the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor in the direct current intermediate circuit, which normally must be designed relatively large in a main supplied direct current regulator, is divided into two capacitances, of which one capacitance (K1), responsible for the smoothing, continues to bridge the direct current side of rectifier (G), while the other capacitance (K2), which absorbs the demagnetizing energy of an inductive load (L), bridges the half-bridge of the bridge circuit, which is remote from the rectifier, wherein the connecting point between the two half-bridges of the bridge circuit is decoupled from a feeding point of the intermediate circuit by an additional third diode (D3).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of array blocks including word lines, memory cells, bit lines, dummy word lines and transistors. In a test mode, rather than a word line a dummy word line is selected. Selectively turning on either one of the transistors allows a bit line connected thereto to be driven to a ground potential. Thus, a channel leak can be detected. In a mode other than the test mode, a defective word line is substituted by a spare word line included in a spare block.

Abstract: In a method for driving a semiconductor memory including a ferroelectric capacitor for storing a multi-valued data in accordance with a displacement of polarization of a ferroelectric film and a detector connected to one of an upper electrode and a lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor for detecting the displacement of the polarization of the ferroelectric film, the multi-valued data is read by detecting the displacement of the polarization of the ferroelectric film by the detector under application of a reading voltage to the other of the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor, and then, the reading voltage applied to the latter electrode is removed. The reading voltage has such magnitude that the displacement of the polarization of the ferroelectric film is restored to that obtained before reading the multi-valued data by removing the reading voltage.

Abstract: A memory device is described which has an n-channel field effect transistor coupled between a memory cell and a data communication line. An NPN bipolar junction transistor is also coupled between the memory cell and the data communication line in parallel to the n-channel access transistor. A base connection of the NPN bipolar junction transistor is described as coupled to a body of the n-channel access transistor. During operation the n-channel field effect transistor is used for writing data to a memory cell, while the NPN bipolar junction transistor is used for read operations in conjunction with a current sense amplifier circuit. The access transistors are described as fabricated as a single vertical pillar.

Abstract: A memory cell. The memory cell has a flip-flop that includes a cross-coupled pair of inverters. The inverters each include a pair of complementary, vertical transistors. A gate contact interconnects the gates of the inverters and acts as the input of the inverter. A shunt interconnects a first source/drain region of the complementary transistors and acts as the output of the inverter. A first vertical, access transistor is also included. The first vertical, access transistor has a gate that is coupled to a word line, a first source/drain region that is coupled to the output of one of the inverters, and a second source/drain region that is coupled to a first bit line. A second vertical, access transistor is also provided. The second vertical, access transistor has a gate that is coupled to the word line, a first source/drain region that is coupled to the output of the other inverter, and a second source/drain region that is coupled to a second bit line.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes: a plurality of first memory arrays each including a plurality of semiconductor storage elements, in which data from an external device is written, and from which the data is read out to the external device, a second memory array which operates separately from the plurality of first memory arrays and which includes at least one block including a plurality of non-volatile semiconductor storage elements; and a data transfer section for transferring the data between the plurality of first memory arrays and the second memory array.