Abstract: A representation of the signal level on a data head is obtained by combining the signal level values corresponding to more than one sector of a track on a disc surface. This makes it much easier to lock on to a relatively accurate representation of the actual head signal amplitude, even in the presence of servo disturbances.

Abstract: A system and method for performing write operations in a disk drive having a write stack drive is disclosed. The disk drive has two drives, a normal drive and a write stack drive. The write stack receives a write command from an array controller and performs write stack operations to store data from the write operations of the write command. The write stack drive includes a non-volatile stack cache memory comprising tracks to store the data. A metadata file identifies the current data stored within the write stack drive. The normal drive then executes the write operations of the write command.

Abstract: A magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus has a magnetic recording medium having a nonmagnetic substrate, and a functional layer and a recording layer formed on the nonmagnetic substrate, the recording layer exhibiting a magnetic anisotropy energy density KuRL, the functional layer developing ferromagnetism upon irradiation with light so as to exhibit a magnetic anisotropy energy density KuFL lower than the magnetic anisotropy energy density KuRL and the functional layer serving to lower the magnetic anisotropy energy density of the recording layer through exchange coupling interaction with the recording layer when the functional layer is irradiated with light, a light source which irradiates the functional layer with light, and a magnetic head having a writing head writing signal magnetization by applying a magnetic field to the recording layer and a reading head reading the signal magnetization recorded in the recording layer.

Abstract: A circuit and method are presented for detecting a fault in a magneto-resistive head (18). The circuit includes a bias circuit (50) to produce a bias voltage across the head (18) and a pair of resistors (68,70) in series with the head (18) connected to the bias circuit (50) to carry a current (IVMR) from the bias circuit (50) in common with the head. A circuit (102,102′) is provided to determine a ratio of a voltage across the head (18) with respect to a voltage across the head (18) and the pair of resistors (68,70), and a circuit (104,106,104′,106′) is provided for indicating a fault if the ratio falls outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A digital Storage Element is described. A device is configured including a Storage Element for access by a user responsive to a native control code. A processing arrangement executes a control program for controlling the overall device and executing at least a portion of the native control code as part of the control program for interfacing with the Storage Element. A programming arrangement is provided separate from the device for customizing a read channel within the Storage Element. Command, user interaction and data transfer execution are discussed for mitigation of potential mechanical shock effects. Status indications relating to the Storage Element are provided including head position and mechanical shock. Calibration, test and operational monitoring procedures, for using head position status, are described. Failure configuration monitoring is provided in tracking overall performance and design considerations.

Abstract: A digital magnetic recorder having a recording compatibility with respect to formats similar to each other in the basic parts. Conventionally, an MP tape (metal-coated tape) is used for the DVCPRO format: and an ME tape (metal-evaporation tape) is used for the DV format. When a format recognizing section (800) outputs a format recognizing signal Sf (dvcpro), equalizing characteristic selecting section (27,28) select recording amplifiers (22p,25p) adapted to the DVCPRO format to select recording equalizers (21p,24p) adapted to the DVCPRO format.

Abstract: A method of reducing read/write head wear and disc wear through controlling fly height of the read/write head to improve reliability of a disc drive is disclosed. Absent data transfer operations, a fly height adjusted sweep cycle routine executes a sweep cycle sub-routine that positions the read/write head at an inner most data track, lowers the fly height of the read/write head and performs a seek to the outer most data track to sweep debris from a recording surface and then raises the fly height above an operating fly height for the read/write head, oscillates the read/write head to dislodge debris accumulated on the read/write head and holds the read/write head at the raised fly height while awaiting a new data transfer operation.

Abstract: A positioning control apparatus for controlling a moving member to trace the position of a target member which almost equally repeats the position shift at a predetermined period comprises a position detector for detecting a relative position error, a first adder for adding a delay signal and a position error signal, a signal delay unit for outputting the delay signal which is obtained by delaying an output signal of the first adder at a period corresponding to the position shift of the target member, a second adder for adding the position error signal and the delay signal, a third adder for adding an output of the second adder and the delay signal via a filter, a compensating unit for performing the compensation for offset and/or the compensation for stabilization of the positioning control apparatus based on an output of the third adder, a drive unit for driving the moving member based on an output of the compensating unit, and a delay-amount setting unit for setting the amount of delay of a signal delayed

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a light source (110), such as an LED, mounted on the magnetic head. The LED (110) is patterned to form a fine pitched mask. The diverging light off the LED radiates toward a fixed, faceted optical reflector (112). The faceted array includes a plurality of spaced aspherical reflectors. The faceted array projects a portion of the light to a diffraction limited focus detector (114).

Abstract: A servo circuit includes a servo channel and a processor. The servo channel recovers servo data from servo wedges that identify respective data sectors on a data-storage disk. The processor detects one of the servo wedges on spin up of the disk, i.e., while the disk is attaining or after the disk attains an operating speed. By detecting a servo wedge instead of a spin-up wedge to determine an initial head position on disk spin up, such a servo circuit allows one to increase the disk's storage capacity by reducing the number of, or altogether eliminating, spin-up servo wedges from the disk.

Abstract: A data storing device of the present invention includes a cylindrical or hollow cylindrical data storing medium rotatable about its own axis and having a storage layer formed on its circumferential surface for storing data. A head adjoins the storage layer for writing or reading data in or out of the storage layer. A head moving mechanism causes the head to move back and forth along the axis of the data storing medium. A drive motor includes a stator and a rotor spaced from the stator and directly coaxially connected to the data storing medium.

Abstract: A flexible disk drive comprises a magnetic head, a head carriage, and a guide rod, attached by a metal fitting on a main frame of the flexible disk drive, guiding the head carriage in the tracking direction. The metal fitting has a longitudinal member which has first and second ends and is provided with a protruding/caved portion and a hole portion at opposite ends, respectively. The protruding/caved portion is formed on the first end of the metal fitting and engaged with a caved/protruding portion formed on the main frame. The hole portion is formed on the second end of the metal fitting and a male screw is screwed into a female screw formed on the main frame through the hole portion.

Abstract: In a disk drive for using a disk cartridge including a magnetic disk, a reinforcing arrangement is coupled to a main frame, a main board, and a disk receiving/ejecting mechanism which is for receiving and ejecting the disk cartridge. The reinforcing arrangement resists an external stress, applied between the main frame and a cover opposite to the main frame, to protect a head assembly which is movable between the man frame and the cover in a radial direction of the magnetic disk. The main board and the disk receiving/ejecting mechanism are placed between the main frame and the cover and is coupled to the main frame.

Abstract: In a disk drive for using a disk cartridge including a magnetic disk, a reinforcing arrangement is coupled to a main frame, a main board fixed to the main frame, and a head assembly which is movable in a radial direction of the magnetic disk. The reinforcing arrangement inhibits internal collision in the head assembly even when the disk drive is subjected to a mechanical shock. The main board and the head assembly is placed between the main frame and a cover which is opposite to the main frame.

Abstract: A ceramic dynamic-pressure bearing includes a first member 14 having a cylindrical outer surface and a second member 15 having a cylindrical reception hole formed therein. The first member 14 is inserted into the reception hole. A radial dynamic-pressure gap is formed between the inner surface of the reception hole of the second member 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the first member 14. The first member 14 and the second member 15 are formed of an alumina ceramic which contains an Al component in an amount of 90-99.5% by mass as reduced to Al2O3 and an oxide-type sintering aid component in an amount of 0.5-10% by mass as reduced to an oxide thereof. The thrust dynamic-pressure gap definition surface of the second member which faces the thrust plate has a flatness of not greater than 3 &mgr;m or the thrust dynamic-pressure gap definition surface of the thrust plate which faces the second member has a flatness of not greater than 3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: There is provided a thin film magnetic head, with letting a distance of a portion, where a width of a track portion in an upper magnetic pole changes, from a flying plane from a medium be Ly, and letting a distance of a portion, where a distance between right and left of a surface portion in a lower magnetic pole in a track width direction is wider than the width of the upper magnetic pole in the track width direction, from the flying plane from a medium be Tp, by creating a thin film magnetic head that is equipped with a recording head that has a relation of Tp≦Ly, it becomes possible to reduce a needless leakage magnetic field in the track width direction with securing magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A bottom pole is divided into a bottom pole tip and a bottom pole layer. The bottom pole tip is formed on a flat surface of the bottom pole layer, and insulating layers made of inorganic materials are buried in a concave part between the bottom pole tip and a bottom connecting portion. The throat height is determined by the end close to the bottom pole tip of the insulating layer. An top pole tip is formed to be longer than the bottom pole tip on a write gap layer and is extended to a position facing part of a thin film coil. Magnetomotive force from the thin film coil is conducted to the top pole tip efficiently, and a write characteristic of a thin film magnetic head is improved.

Abstract: A disc head slider supports a transducer relative to a moving media in a data storage system. The slider includes a slider body having a media opposing face with a leading slider edge, a trailing slider edge, a recessed area and a bearing surface formed by at least one positive pressurization area. The pressurization area is raised relative to the recessed area. A wearable airflow-blocking pad is positioned upstream of the positive pressurization area, between the positive pressurization area and the recessed area. The pad is wearable from a first height to a second, lower height relative to the positive pressurization area during normal operation of the data storage system. The airflow-blocking pad substantially disrupts fluid flow from reaching the positive pressurization area when at the first height and allows progressively increasing fluid flow to reach the positive pressurization area as the pad wears toward the second height.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a slider which can maintain a uniform flying posture and a predetermined flying height by suppressing variations of roll angle and flying height of the slider.

Abstract: A magnetic head supporting apparatus having a magnetic head for reading and writing information on a magnetic disc, a slider for mounting said magnetic head, and a suspension for supporting the slider. An IC chip for controlling a signal of the magnetic head is mounted on a heat insulating substrate, and the heat insulating substrate is mounted to the suspension.

Abstract: In a magnetic head having a slider provided with a thin-film element used for writing and/or reading, a flexure bonded to the slider and having a tongue which is resiliently deformable, and a conductive resin film electrically connecting the slider to the flexure, the conductive resin film has a conduction starting voltage of 2.0 V or less.

Abstract: A lead conductor member for a thin-film magnetic head, includes a plurality of head connection pads to be connected to a plurality of terminal electrodes of a thin-film magnetic head element, a plurality of external connection pads used for external connections, a plurality of trace conductors, one ends of the plurality of trace conductors being connected to the plurality of head connection pads and the other ends of the plurality of trace conductors being connected to the plurality of external connection pads, respectively, and at least one pair of test connection pads capable of being temporally and electrically short-circuited with at least one pair of trace conductors of the plurality of trace conductors, respectively.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly including an elongated polymeric base member having a plurality of traces formed directly on a first surface thereof and a reference voltage layer formed on a second surface thereof. A support member is formed directly on at least a portion of the reference voltage layer. The plurality of traces overlay at least a portion of the reference voltage layer. The reference voltage layer is formed from a first electrically conductive material and the support member is formed from a second electrically conductive material. The first electrically conductive material providing substantially greater electrical conductivity and substantially less tensile strength than the second electrically conductive material. The support member includes a head gimbal portion having a first thickness and a load beam portion having a second thickness. The second thickness is substantially greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A head lift body (42) with a head assembly (30) mounted thereon has a nut (45) engaged with a lead screw (41). The head lift body has an integral structure formed by resin molding with a through hole, a hollow opening, and a guide portion (47). The through hole receives the lead screw inserted therethrough. The hollow opening is formed at the center of the head lift body to accommodate a backlash preventing mechanism (43). The guide portion inhibits the rotation of the head lift body and guides the head lift body moving up and down along a rotation center axis of the lead screw. The backlash preventing mechanism comprises a preload bushing (431) and a preload spring (432). The preload bushing has an internal thread to be engaged with the external thread of the lead screw. The preload spring presses the head lift body against the preload bushing along the rotation center axis of the lead screw.

Abstract: The sleeve of an actuator bearing cartridge is provided with an inclined surface on its outer surface. A tolerance ring is placed around the sleeve, and the cartridge and ring are then press-fit into the actuator bore together. Axial slippage of the ring and actuator relative to the cartridge is prevented as the ring is effectively wedged between the inclined surface and the inner surface of the actuator bore.

Abstract: A disc drive with improved servo-mechanical frequency response includes a rotary actuator assembly incorporating stiffening members disposed along the sides of its actuator arms. In one embodiment the stiffening members comprises edge rails. The edge rails may rise from only the upper surface of the actuator arm or from both the upper and lower surfaces. In one embodiment the stiffening members comprise wings which project upward from the sides of the actuator arm.

Abstract: This invention provides a disk drive having an actuator for engaging and disengaging read/write heads with a recording medium, where the actuator comprises a head stack assembly, on which the heads are mounted, a guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on at least a portion of the guide track, wherein reduced actuator friction and increased wear resistance is achieved. The invention also provides an actuator, for mounting in a disk drive and for communicating with a recording medium, a head stack assembly having read/write heads thereon, a corrosion resistant, heat dissipating guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a DLC coating on at least a portion of the guide track, for reducing actuator friction and wear and wherein corrosion resistance and heat dissipation is achieved.

Abstract: An audio/control head assembly of a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes: a head base on which an audio/control head is mounted; a plurality of engaging parts formed at a main chassis, with which a plurality of adjustment bolts are engaged after passing the head base so that the head base can be engaged to be adjustable in its position; and a spring installed between the head base and the main chassis to elastically support the head base. Since the head base with the audio/control head mounted thereon is position-adjustably engaged at the main chassis directly, a unit for adjusting the position of the audio/control head is not necessary. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced, and accordingly, the fabrication cost can be reduced. In addition, since the number of the assembly parts is reduced, an assembly process can be reduced, an assembly workability can be improved, and an assembly time can be shortened.

Abstract: A slider assembly 60 for a data storage device, the assembly comprising a slider main body 110; a piezoelectric element 130 mounted on the slider main body 110; and a head 140 mounted on the piezoelectric element; wherein the slider main body can be moved and the piezoelectric element can be operated to adjust the position of the head with respect to a data storage medium.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effective film responds commensurate with an external magnetic field. Magnetic domain-controlling films apply a perpendicular biasing magnetic field to the magnetoresistive effective film. The forefronts of first electrode films constituting a pair of electrode films are overlaid on the magnetoresistive effective film, and the forefront surfaces of the first electrode films are risen at an inner angle of &thgr;1. Second electrode films are overlaid on the first electrode films, and the forefront surfaces of the second electrode films are risen at an inner angle of &thgr;2 smaller than the inner angle &thgr;1.

Abstract: Nano-oxide based current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor stacks are provided, together with methods for forming such stacks. Such stacks have increased resistance and enhanced magnetoresistive properties relative to CPP stacks made entirely of metallic layers. Said enhanced properties are provided by the insertion of magnetic nano-oxide layers between ferromagnetic layers and non-magnetic spacer layers, whereby said nano-oxide layers increase resistance and exhibit spin filtering properties. CPP sensor stacks of various types are provided, all having nano-oxide layers formed therein, including the spin-valve type and the synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer spin-valve type. Said stacks can also be formed upon each other to provide laminated stacks of different types.

Abstract: A method for forming top and bottom spin valve sensors and the sensors so formed, the sensors having a strongly coupled SyAP pinned layer and an ultra-thin antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The two strongly coupled ferromagnetic layers comprising the SyAP pinned layer in the top valve configuration are separated by a Ru spacer layer approximately 3 angstroms thick, while the two layers in the bottom spin valve configuration are separated by a Rh spacer layer approximately 5 angstroms thick. This allows the use of an ultra thin MnPt antiferromagnetic pinning layer of thickness between approximately 80 and approximately 150 angstroms. The sensor structure produced thereby is suitable for high density applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for forming a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) spin-valve sensor with one or more metallic oxide barrier layers in order to provide a low junction resistance and a high GMR coefficient. In disclosed embodiments, the metallic oxide barrier layers are formed with oxygen-doping/in-situ oxidation processes comprising depositing a metallic film in a first mixture of argon and oxygen gases and subsequent in-situ oxidization in a second mixture of argon and oxygen gases. The exposure to oxygen may be conducted at a low partial oxygen pressure and at a moderate temperature. Smaller, more sensitive CPP spin-valve sensors may be formed through the use of the oxygen-doping/in-situ oxidization processes of the present invention, thus allowing for greater densities of disk drive systems.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing element includes a composite film, a lower shield layer, and a lower electrode layer and an upper electrode layer for supplying a current perpendicular to the composite film. The composite film has an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer. The composite film has a top face and two side faces in a track width direction. Each of the two side faces has a bent position. The angle defined by the side face below the bent position and the top face is larger than the angle defined by the side face above the bent position and the top face. The bent portion preferably lies on the lower electrode layer or the lower shield layer.

Abstract: Spin valve (SV) and magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) magnetoresistive sensors are provided having magnetic layers with improved corrosion resistive properties. The SV and MTJ sensors include antiparallel (AP)-pinned layers formed of Co—Fe—X, where X is niobium (Nb), hafnium (Hf) or a mixture niobium and hafnium (NbHf) and laminated free layers formed of Co—Fe—X layers and Ni—Fe—Y layers, where Y is tantalum (Ta) or chromium (Cr). The addition of 5 to 10 atomic wt. % of Nb, Hf or NbHf to Co—Fe and 5 to 10 atomic wt. % Ta or Cr to Ni—Fe improves corrosion resistance by a self-passivation effect of the these metals. Addition of these metals to the magnetic layers reduces grain size of the layers resulting in increased electrical resistance leading to reduced sense current shunting and increased deltaR/R.

Abstract: A method of influencing variations in composition of thin films is described. The elemental plasma field distribution in sputtering systems is manipulated by generating a nonuniform electric field along a surface of the substrate to alter the composition by differentially re-sputtering the target elements. The nonuniform electric field is applied by one or more electrodes in contact with a conductive surface or by using an RF bias signal. The nonuniform electric field is used to modulate the kinetic energy of the ions generated in the plasma which strike the thin film's surface. Since the kinetic energy and the mass of the sputtering gas ions and neutrals affect the re-sputtering rate, the nonuniform electric field differentially affects the elements being deposited according to mass. By applying varying electric potentials at a plurality of points on a conductive surface of a substrate, the electric field across the surface of the substrate can be modulated in a variety of patterns.

Abstract: An electronic safety loop for the switching of safety-related devices of a printing press, which provides several safety switches for selective switching of the safety-related devices as a function of the accessibility of the safety-related devices by a person near the open housing of the printing press. The down time of the printing press is considerably reduced by these characteristics. In addition, the electronic safety loop increases personal safety.

Abstract: A depletion type n-channel MOS transistor (hereinafter referred to as “D-type NMOS”) as a MOS transistor of a SOI structure is disposed between a plus side power supply terminal of a CMOS circuit and a plus side terminal of a power supply unit so as to connect a source thereof to the pulse side power supply terminal of the CMOS circuit, to connect a drain thereof to the plus side terminal of the power supply unit, and to input to a gate thereof a voltage such that even if the voltage of the plus side terminal of the power supply unit exceeds the upper limit of the operation voltage of the CMOS circuit, the source of the D-type NMOS is equal to or lower than the upper limit of the operation voltage of the CMOS circuit, and the same voltage as the voltage of the plus side terminal of the power supply means when the voltage of the plus side terminal of the power supply means is the vicinity of the lower limit of the operation voltage of the CMOS circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of current upon the detection of excess current or temperature is provided which comprises a housing, a trip armature plate, a trip armature frame, and a bias spring. The trip armature plate has at least two pivot tabs extending laterally on opposite edges that are inserted into a pivot elongated slot, which is located at an open end of the trip armature frame, and a pivot aperture, which is located at the opposite end of the trip armature frame, respectively. A bias spring is used for securing the pivot tabs into the pivot elongated slot and the pivot aperture, and for urging the trip armature plate pivotably outwardly about the pivot tabs away from the trip armature frame. The circuit breaker also comprises a trip cross bar having at least two fingers that are used to engage optional circuit breaker accessories and that are located asymmetrically to allow the interchangeability of the accessories.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an electrical power control system (1) in an electrical power system, having: a power control unit (2) for setting electric state variables and/or parameters in a current conductor, to be controlled, of the electrical power system, having: means (3) for -detecting electric characteristic values (u1) of the current conductor; a function processor for applying a control function (F1(u1)) from a mathematical set of control functions to the electric characteristic values, and for determining controlled variables (y) for achieving the parameters; and coordination means for determining a control function (F1(u1)) from the set of control functions with the aid of operating states of the electrical power system. This system renders it possible to achieve a predictive tuned control of the electrical power control system which can also stabilize unusual operating states of the electrical power system.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a plurality of tip/ring SLIC cards during over current or over voltage conditions. A diode pair corresponding to each tip/ring pair provides positive voltage over voltage protection in a negative powering scheme.

Abstract: Text Integrated circuit device (20) comprising a silicon substrate (21), integrated devices (22) with contacts (23.1, 23.2), an isolating layer (24) at least partially covering the integrated devices (22) and comprising conducting areas (24.1, 24.2) which establish a conductive path to the contacts (23.1, 23.2) of the integrated devices (22). A metallization level (25) with metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) is provided which connect to one of the contacts (23.2). The metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) are situated above the isolating layer (24). A passivation layer (27)—situated above the metallization level (25)—comprises at least two contact areas (28.1, 28.2) for partially exposing at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4). A bump bridge (29) comprising a conductive, low-resistance material, is situated on the passivation layer (27). The bump bridge (29) has a high aspect ratio and provides for a conductive connection between at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4).

Abstract: A magnetic, electrical, gravitational, or electromagnetic field-producing device is used for non-contact type elevation, elevation maintenance, or manipulation of objects. This type of elevation, elevation maintenance, or manipulation of objects contributes to the present modes of flight and people and larger object transport including but not limited to rotary-wing or non-rotary-wing modes of flying and mechanical/electronic modes of object movement.

Abstract: An electrical device having a heat conductive housing has a flexible circuit board attached to the surface of the housing to control or take readings from the electrical. The flexible circuit board preferably has an adhesive coating on at least a portion of one side for adhering the flexible circuit board to the surface of the metal housing. At least one component mounted on the flexible circuit breaker generates heat, which is dissipated via the conductive housing. This arrangement provides a compact design that reduces the overall size of the electrical device and its associated circuitry, and also avoids the problem of dielectric separation between the electronic components and the heat sink. The electrical device may be a solenoid, a motor, a position detector, or a relay.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having a key sensing device that provides two or more levels of sensing by generating electrical signals depending on the force applied on the keys. The different levels of key sensing can be used to provide different functions, for instance, in a software application. The key sensing device comprises a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact spaced from one another by a low-force spacer element which includes a low-force aperture disposed between the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact. A third conductive contact and a fourth conductive contact are spaced from one another by a high-force spacer element which includes a high-force aperture disposed between the third conductive contact and the fourth conductive contact.

Abstract: While an on voltage or an off voltage for displacing an actuator is being applied to an electrode (column electrode) of the actuator, and an offset voltage is being applied to the other electrode (row electrode), the polarity of these voltages is periodically or temporarily switched to keep the magnitude of the displacement of the actuator for thereby extending the service life of the actuator.

Abstract: A unipolar electrostatic chuck includes a metal electrode receiving a power supply and a dielectric layer formed on the metal electrode, on which a wafer is mounted, a conductive material being doped on the dielectric layer. Silicon carbide or titanium oxide may be used as the conductive material, and alumina or AIN may be used as a material of the dielectric layer. Dechucking can be made for the wafer even without plasma.

Abstract: A bipolar electrostatic chuck containing apparatus, and a concomitant method, for balancing an electrostatic force that the bipolar electrostatic chuck imparts upon a workpiece. More specifically, the bipolar electrostatic chuck contains a chuck body having a pair of electrodes embedded therein, a primary power supply and an offset power supply. Each electrode within the bipolar electrostatic chuck is respectively connected to a terminal on the primary power. Based upon a voltage produced by the primary power supply and a bias voltage of the workpiece, an offset voltage is applied by the offset power supply to one of the terminals, thus balancing the electrostatic force applied to the workpiece.

Abstract: A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly for use in active implantable medical devices and a related process for manufacturing a monolithic ceramic capacitor utilizing dielectric materials having a dielectric constant greater than 7000, and preferably in the range of 8500 to 22,000. In the manufacture of the monolithic ceramic capacitor, one or more Curie point shifters and/or other dopants are added to the dielectric material to optimize the dielectric constant at the human body temperature of 37° C. For manufacturing purposes, dopants may be added to the dielectric material to broaden the Curie point peak or point of maximum dielectric constant thereof. The effect is that when such capacitors and terminal assemblies are utilized in a high-voltage defibrillator circuit of an implantable medical device, the dielectric material is optimized so that during the delivery of high-voltage electrical energy, capacitance value of the capacitor drops substantially.

Abstract: A process for extending the operating temperature limit of a polypropylene film capacitor to greater than 105° C., by use of a post assembly curing process of placing the capacitor in a 10 Torr or less pressure environment, preferably less than 1 Torr, and slowing heating it at a rate of less than an average rate of 5° C./hour to a peak temperature of about 10 to 20 degrees higher than the intended operating temperature, the peak temperature being not more than preferably 180° C.