Abstract: A light amount-adjusting device has a base plate with an optical path aperture, first and second blade members, and a driving unit for swinging open and close the blade members. Each blade member has a base-end portion and a front-end portion. The base-end portion is pivotally held on the base plate. The front-end portion faces the aperture. First and second boss-like protrusions project from the base plate and from the surfaces of the blade members. The protrusions are coupled to define the heightwise positions of the blade members in the direction of the optical axis. The vertically overlapping blade members pivotally supported on the base plate can be swung open and closed without interfering with each other. The device produces less frictional load when the aperture is opened and closed, and thus less noise.

Abstract: A lens barrel, including, a moving frame (2) to hold a lens (8), a direct-advance ring (4) provided on an outer periphery of the moving frame and movable relative to the moving frame in an optical direction, a resilient member (6) provided between the moving frame and the direct-advance ring, and a control part (10) provided on the moving frame to control an amount of movement of the direct-advance ring in the optical direction.

Abstract: A microscope objective has axially adjustable correction mounts for adapting to different parameters influencing the imaging quality. The axial adjustment of the correction mounts relative to a stationary barrel is realized by an adjusting ring arranged on the outer side of the barrel by means of a bolt or screw which is arranged in the respective correction mount, is directed radial to the optical axis of the objective and engages in through-openings of threaded rings. The objective has at least three correction mounts which are adjustable in direction of the optical axis of the objective by at least one adjusting ring without additional rotation around the optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective device for sensitive infrared sensors as Forward Looking Infrared imagers (FLIRs). A prior device using materials with higher order susceptibilities to electric polarization, which provides protection against extremely intense radiation from high-power lasers is combined with a low energy optical power limiters such as the chalcogenide glass and the vanadium dioxide which respond reversibly to infrared radiation.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus and method for transmitting a digital signal in which a time-base compressor compresses the digital signal, a bit compressor compresses the time-base compressed signal from the time-base so that a transmission rate of the time-base compressed signal from the time-base compressor is higher than a transmission rate of the bit-compressed signal from the bit-compressor, and a transmitter transmits the bit compressed signal.

Abstract: A hard disk drive comprising a plurality of read/write heads oriented to serially read data from the magnetic media of the disk drive. The head output signals are delayed and combined to provide a time aligned composite signal for determining the value of the data bits read from the disk drive. An improved signal-to-noise ratio is provided according to the teachings of the present invention by combining the signal components from the plurality of heads, as the signal components are added algebraically while the noise components are combined as root mean square values. Thus the overall signal-to-noise ratio is improved, resulting in a greater probability of correctly determining the stored data.

Abstract: Write control bits are associated with servo pattern data bits to selectively disable or enable a write gate in a HDD write channel for self-servo writing after being sealed but before being vended to a user. The write gate can be disabled and enabled without deenergizing the write channel. A single write delay is calculated from one timing mark to the next to enable writing the next timing mark and portions of the radial pattern and servo pattern between the timing marks.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a partial-response equalization circuit having frequency characteristic of cutting off low-frequency signal components inclusive of DC components; and a maximum-likelihood decoder, in which a reproduced signal outputted from the reproducing head is processed by the partial-response equalization circuit and then inputted into the maximum-likelihood decoder to be data-reproduced, thereby reducing a noise and distortion on the reproduced signal and reducing a data detection error rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a magnetic tape includes a writing head, a unit for generating pulse signal, a reading head and a unit for calculating transport speed. The writing head has at least two parallel and linear magnetic gaps spaced a predetermined distance in a tape transport direction. The unit for generating pulse signal cyclically sends a pulse signal to the writing head to write a magnetic pattern corresponding to the magnetic gaps on the magnetic tape. The reading head detects the magnetic pattern to generate a resulting pulse signal. The unit for calculating transport speed calculates a transport speed of the magnetic tape based on the pulse signal sent by the reading head. The unit incorporates a first time interval which is obtained from two parallel and linear pattern components within a magnetic pattern, and a second time interval obtained from adjacent magnetic patterns.

Abstract: An embodiment of a slider in accordance with the present invention for use in a hard disk drive having a rotatable disk can include a plurality of rails arranged across a surface of the slider such that an air bearing is formed when the slider is positioned over the disk and the disk is rotated such that the slider traverse a servo wedge of the disk. The surface of the slider further includes a trailing pad arranged near a trailing edge of the surface of the slider such that when the slider traverses debris having a height higher than minimum height, the air bearing increases such that the slider is not in communicative proximity with the disk for a time at least as long as a time for the slider to traverse the servo wedge.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk unit, a number of heads that is settable to a usable setting is less than a maximum number of heads providable in the magnetic disk unit. The magnetic disk unit includes a storage part to provide a buffer region that is usable as a data buffer, a reading part to read head information from a magnetic disk, and a control part to reserve a storage region in the storage part for storing the head information based on the maximum number of heads included in the head information. The control part also stores parameters with respect to the heads having the usable setting in reserved storage region, and releases a region of the storage part other than a storage region occupied by the parameters of the reserved storage region, when storing the head information in the storage part.

Abstract: A method for generating a velocity command for an actuator assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm, which is to move over a plurality of surfaces. The method begins by providing a compensation torque for each of the plurality of surfaces. A position of the actuator arm is determined so that it may be mapped to one of the plurality of surfaces, which is the present surface over which the actuator arm is moving. A target velocity is then provided for the actuator arm and input to a controller, which generates a velocity command from the target velocity and a selected compensation torque, which is the compensation torque of the present surface.

Abstract: In the present method for manufacturing a magnetic write head a focused ion beam (FIB) tool is utilized to mill the side edges of a P2pole, in order to provide a narrowed track width. Prior to milling, a thin film layer of material is deposited upon the P2pole tip. The milling boxes of the FIB tool are properly aligned upon the layer with reference to the location of the P2 pole tip. Milling of the lateral edges of the P2pole tip is then conducted to the appropriate depth, and the layer of material is removed. The resulting P2pole tip has sharp lateral edges, rather than the rounded edges that are produced in prior art FIB processing methods that do not utilize the thin film layer. In a preferred implementation, the FIB tool is utilized first to deposit the thin film layer and thereafter to perform the milling operation.

Abstract: A magnetic tape having a lower non-magnetic layer containing non-magnetic powder and a binder, and an upper magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and a binder, formed on a surface of a tape-form non-magnetic support. This magnetic tape has an intermediate binder layer, which is under the upper magnetic layer and has an average dry thickness of 10 to less than 50 nm. The average dry thickness of the upper magnetic layer is 5 to 100 nm, and the squareness ratio of the upper magnetic layer in the lengthwise direction is 0.8 or more. In this magnetic tape, the thickness of the magnetic layer and the fluctuation at the interface between the magnetic layer and the intermediate binder layer under the magnetic layer can be controlled. As a result, the PW50 value of a solitary waveform and modulation noise can be reduced. Thus, the magnetic tape shows excellent C/N characteristics.

Abstract: A glass substrate for a magnetic disk contains a transition metal. The substrate, which is subjected to formation of zone texturing by irradiating the substrate with a laser beam, has a high mechanical strength even if it is not chemically strengthened. The glass substrate contains a transition metal element and has a transmittance of 10% of less for light in a wavelength range of 300 to 2000 nm. The surface roughness of an information recording surface portion thereof is 2.0 nm or less. In addition to a transition metal element, the glass substrate may include a rare earth metal element.

Abstract: A head slider to which little amount of contaminants is adhered, that can form a uniform and flat head lubricant layer surface and that has excellent ultra-low floating properties, as well as a magnetic recording device equipped with the head slider are provided. The head slider is equipped with a head slider lubricant layer having an average film thickness of not more than 2.5 nm, and composed of a water-repellent resin, the lubricant layer being formed on the head slider surface and head slider protection layer surface facing the magnetic recording medium, and the surface tension of the head slider lubricant layer determined by the Fowkes equation is not more than those of the head slider surface and head slider protection layer surface.

Abstract: An actuator latch for a disk drive comprises at least one damping structure disposed at a wall within a recess of a latch body. Such a damping structure absorbs impact force between the latch body and a distal end of the actuator to minimize noise at a transducer on the actuator and to preserve the integrity of the transducer and actuator over time. The recess of the latch body engages with the distal end of the actuator for maintaining the position of the transducer within a parking zone. The damping structure exerts force on the distal end of the actuator with the force being used toward stopping rotation of the actuator.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, a connecting layer which connects the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core, a toroidal coil layer, and a shielding layer. The connecting layer extends in the height direction so as to face the back side in the height direction of the shielding layer. Alternatively, the width in the track width direction of the connecting layer is larger than the width in the track width direction of the toroidal coil layer. Consequently, the volume of the connecting layer is increased, and thereby the heat capacity is increased. Heat generated in the thin-film magnetic head can be properly dissipated via the connecting layer, and an increase in the temperature inside the thin-film magnetic head can be prevented. As a result, protrusion of the thin-film magnetic head due to thermal expansion can be prevented.

Abstract: A pair of domain control layers are disposed on both sides of the track width direction of the MR film so as to be separated from each other such that the MR film is held therebetween, and apply a longitudinal magnetic field to the MR film (free layer). The MR film is flanked by the domain control layers, each including a layer structure constituted by a base layer, a ferromagnetic layer, and a hard magnetic layer. The base layer causes the hard magnetic layer to have a magnetization direction aligning with an in-plane direction, so as to enhance the coercive force of the hard magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor having a hard bias structure having increased coercivity and squareness. The structure also allows the use of a thinner seed layer, which results in improved biasing by decreasing the spacing between the hard magnetic bias layer and the free layer of the sensor. The hard bias structure can be deposited over either a crystalline structure or over an amorphous material. The hard bias structure includes a hard bias material comprising CoPt deposited over a seed layer including a layer of NiTa and a layer of CrMo.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a three terminal magnetic sensor (TTM) suitable for use in a magnetic head has a base region, a collector region, and an emitter region. A first barrier layer is located between the emitter region and the base region, and a second barrier layer is located between the collector region and the base region. A sensing plane is defined along sides of the base region, the collector region, and the emitter region. The base region has a free layer structure, a pinned layer structure adjacent the first barrier layer, and a non-magnetic spacer layer located between the free layer structure and the pinned layer structure. The collector region comprises an in-stack longitudinal biasing layer (LBL) structure which magnetically biases the free layer structure, where the second barrier layer serves as a non-magnetic spacer layer for the in-stacking biasing layer structure. In one variation, the layers are inverted such that the emitter region has the in-stack LBL structure.

Abstract: A magnetic head using magnetoresistive effect comprising a magnetic sensing portion formed of a magnetoresistive effect element. The magnetic sensing portion includes a lamination layer structure portion which includes at least a free layer, a fixed layer made of a ferromagnetic material, an antiferromagnetic layer and a spacer layer interposed between the free layer and the fixed layer are laminated with each other. The lamination layer structure portion includes a magnetic flux introducing layer. The lamination layer structure portion has at its lamination layer direction opposing side surfaces formed of one flat surface or continuous one curved surface over at least the free layer, the spacer layer and the fixed layer. A hard magnetic layer for maintaining a magnetic stability of the free layer is disposed in direct contact with the opposing surfaces or through an insulating layer.

Abstract: Power switches are provided with measures for preventing a recommendation of the arc from the secondary current path to the main current path and/or measures for returning the current limiter during the recommutation of the light art. A corresponding arrangement for carrying out the method is provided with means in the power switch and/or current limiter for preventing a switch failure of the current limiter disposed in the secondary current path of the power switch. The current limiter can be especially a PTC current limiter.

Abstract: An active arc suppression circuit and systems and methods of use to suppress arcing in an electro-mechanical apparatus. The preferred circuit includes an electro-mechanical switch and a solid state shunt switch for temporarily shunting current around the electro-mechanical switch for a predetermined period of time. The preferred circuit also includes an electro-mechanical switch controller for delaying the activation of the electro-mechanical switch until after the predetermined period of time for shunting current through the solid state shunt switch has commenced. The preferred circuit may be used with power control equipment and systems, including in remotely controllable systems for telecommunications, computing, and other networks. In a particularly preferred embodiment, multiple such circuits may be disposed in a power controller housing to provide independent active arc suppression control of multiple power outputs also disposed in the power controller housing.

Abstract: An electrically and thermally protected electrical machine is disclosed. The electrical and thermal protection is provided by one or more control components placed in a conduit box of the electrical machine to disrupt power transmission to the electrical machine upon an excessive current or temperature occurrence. Other control components may also be added to the system to provide further current or thermal protection. These additional control components may or may not be located within the conduit box. A method for providing thermal and current protection, and an aftermarket kit for adding such protection, to an electrical machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: Respective contact terminals in respective arc-suppressing spaces of respective breakers are opened at a voltage zero point of any phase of three phases, simultaneously among the three phases. If current breaking is carried out for the three phases at the same time, when the breakers of the three phases are opened, the residual magnetic levels of the respective phases of a transformer can be controlled so that the residual magnetic flux level of the phase opened at the voltage zero point is maximum (for example, ?2K or +2K) and the residual magnetic flux level of the other two phases are opposite in polarity to the residual magnetic flux level of the phase concerned and equal to substantially the same residual magnetic flux (for example, +K and +K or ?K and ?K) which is equal to about one half of the residual magnetic flux level of the phase concerned.

Abstract: A power supply device for driving has a switching control circuit that switches a switching element for a power source, and an output voltage generation portion that generates a predetermined output voltage in accordance with the switching of the switching element for the power source. In addition, the output voltage generation portion includes an overvoltage detection circuit that detects an overvoltage. Furthermore, the switching control circuit includes an output voltage suppression processing unit that suppresses an increase in the output voltage when the overvoltage is detected. In this case, if the overvoltage is detected, the output voltage suppression processing unit suppresses an increase in the output voltage. In the period of time until an operation of a power supply circuit portion being stopped, the output voltage does not exceed a gate withstand voltage of a power element.

Abstract: An array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices conforms to the pitch defined by balanced signal lines on a printed wiring board (PWB) so that the array does not unduly affect the design impedance of the balanced lines.

Abstract: A load-protection control circuit of a power supply, which applies to the power supply that has a maximum power-limiting function. The power supply includes a power transformation circuit which outputs a direct current to drive loads and a control circuit which can switch the power transformation circuit electrically coupled to a power-protection circuit that has a voltage representing reference power. The direct current voltage driving the load is compared with the voltage representing reference power by the power-protection circuit to output a protection signal to the control circuit for switching the power transformation circuit. The power-protection circuit and the control circuit are electrically connected to a switcher circuit connected to a switch, wherein the switch can switch the switcher circuit to be in open-circuit or close-circuit state in order to determine whether the protection signal is transmitted to the control circuit. Thereby, the objective of load-protection control is accomplished.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises an output transistor for controlling current that flows between a first terminal and a second terminal, a detection transistor connected in parallel with the output transistor, a detection resistor connected in series with the detection transistor, for detecting current that flows through the detection transistor as detection voltage and of which the resistance value is set in proportion to the potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal and an over-current protection transistor for decreasing the ON current of the output transistor and the detection transistor according to the increase of the detection voltage.

Abstract: A process control instrument includes a circuit board having a control circuit for generating or receiving a high frequency signal. An antenna includes an electrical conductor. An intrinsic safety circuit couples the control circuit to the antenna and comprises a microstrip transmission line on the circuit board electrically connecting the control circuit to the electrical conductor. A safety stub has a first end electrically connected to the transmission line proximate the electrical conductor and a second end connected to a ground of the control circuit.

Abstract: An embedded control system is provided, which includes a generically applicable computer module, display module, keyboard module, power supply module, and at least one input/output module. The display module is coupled to the computer module by a first communication bus, and the keyboard module is coupled to the computer module by a second communication bus. The power supply module is coupled to the computer module by a third communication bus, and the at least one input/output module is coupled to the power supply module and the third communication bus. The input/output module is adapted for coupling at least one additional input/output module to the third communication bus. The computer module automatically identifies the input/output modules on the third communication bus in response to applying power to the embedded control system. The system is adapted for different applications using software resident in the computer module.

Abstract: An Electrical Static Discharge (ESD) system comprises a user-accessible subsystem (for example, a first gasoline pump), a local ground, a resistor-fuse element, and a main ground. The local ground dissipates a static electric charge from the user-accessible subsystem. The resistor-fuse element conducts the static electric charge from the local ground, and limits a reverse electric current to the local ground. A main ground receives and dissipates the static electric charge from the resistor-fuse element.

Abstract: An electrostatic holding device (100) in which an electrode group (103) having a plurality of electrodes covered with an insulating material (102) is used as a holding surface applies predetermined voltage to the electrode group (103) to hold a holding object (104) by an electrostatic force with a contact state or with a floating non-contact state. The electrostatic holding includes an internal polarization eliminating device (applied voltage control portion 105) to eliminate the internal polarization generating in the insulating material (102) by switching the polarity of voltage to be applied to the electrode group (103). There are provided with the electrostatic holding device in which the electrostatic attraction does not deteriorate by usability, and electrostatic tweezers in which the electrostatic attraction does not deteriorate when the tweezers are manually used.

Abstract: The present invention provides several scalable integrated circuit high density capacitors and their layout techniques. The capacitors are scaled, for example, by varying the number of metal layers and/or the area of the metal layers used to from the capacitors. The capacitors use different metallization patterns to form the metal layers, and different via patterns to couple adjacent metal layers. In embodiments, optional shields are included as the top-most and/or bottom-most layers of the capacitors, and/or as side shields, to reduce unwanted parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: The capacitor 10 (laminated ceramic capacitor) of the invention comprises a capacitor body 11 wherein internal electrodes 12 (electrodes) and a dielectric layer 14 are alternately laminated, and external electrodes 15 are provided on the end faces thereof. The dielectric layer 14 has a site containing particles of a dielectric material which is formed of only one of these particles in its thickness direction. Regions 24 comprising at least one element selected from a group comprising Si, Li and B are scattered between the internal electrodes 12 and dielectric layer 14.

Abstract: A display apparatus where external force concentrated on a chassis base via a boss is inhibited, and any stress applied to the boss is diffused. The display apparatus includes a display panel, a chassis base supporting the display panel, main brackets coupled to the chassis base opposite to the display panel to hold bosses, and sub-brackets provided at the chassis base adjacent to the main brackets. The boss held to the main bracket is inserted through the sub-bracket, and is supported thereby.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism includes a mounting seat mounted on a frame body, disposed at a mounting hole in a frame body, and configured with an accommodating space therein. The mounting seat has a mounting wall formed with an opening for access into the accommodating space, and an outer surrounding wall connected to a periphery of the mounting wall. An engaging member extends movably in the accommodating space in the mounting seat, and is operable so as to move from a releasing position, where the engaging member disengages a fastening hole in a peripheral device, to an anchoring position, where the engaging member engages the fastening hole in the peripheral device such that the peripheral device is fastened to the frame body. The engaging member can be retained releasably in a selected one of the anchoring and releasing positions.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a data storage device includes a drive bracket and a fixing plate. The data storage device has at least one locking hole in one sidewall. The drive bracket comprises a sidewall defining at least one through hole corresponding to the locking hole of the data storage device. The fixing plate is fixed on the drive bracket. The fixing plate comprises a first portion and a handling portion extending slantways from one end of the first portion. The other end of the first portion forms at least one insertion post which can extend through the through hole of the drive bracket and engage into the locking hole of the data storage device.

Abstract: A reconfigurable airflow director for modular blade chassis. The airflow director includes multiple duct channels having adjustable inlets and/or outlets. The airflow director may be reconfigured to adjust the amount of airflow across selected blades and selected zones on an individual blade. In one embodiment, snap-in airflow blockers are employed to block all or a portion of selected inlets or outlets to adjust the airflow through corresponding duct channels. In one embodiment, adjustable inlet vanes are employed to increase or decrease the size of adjacent inlets. In one embodiment, the airflow director is formed from multiple airflow director modules, each including an outer shell having multiple ribs extending therefrom to form multiple airflow channels, wherein the airflow director modules are stacked together to form a plurality of duct channels. Modular fan assemblies including multiple hot-swappable fans are employed to push and/or draw airflow through the duct channels of the airflow director.

Abstract: A fan module for use in a computer or server is disclosed to include a rack, which defines a holding chamber and has a plurality of guiding grooves symmetrically disposed at two sides inside the holding chamber, and a plurality of locating plates insertable into the rack at different elevations to carry a respective fan in the holding chamber, each locating plate having two guiding portions symmetrically disposed at two sides and insertable into two sliding grooves at same elevation inside the rack without the use of any tool.

Abstract: A data center includes an electronic equipment rack having a front face and a back face and a cooling unit positioned adjacent to the rack, the cooling unit having a front face and a back face, the cooling unit being configured to exhaust cooled air from the front face of the cooling unit to cool the rack. The cooling unit is configured to release the cooled air along a substantial portion of a height of the front face of the rack.

Abstract: A display device includes a main display unit including a casing, a display panel, a light source for emitting light as backlight, and a reflector for reflecting the light toward the display panel; a heat sink for cooling the light source, the heat sink having a plurality of fins; and a frame provided to cover at least an upper face and right and left side faces of the casing from the outside, and having a top plate disposed above the upper face and a pair of side plates disposed beside the right and left side faces. A radiation hole is provided in the upper face of the casing so that at least heat conducted from the light source to the heat sink radiates therethrough, and a radiation space is provided between the top plate of the frame and the upper face of the casing.

Abstract: A microchannel structure has microchannels formed therein. The microchannels are to transport a coolant and to be proximate to an integrated circuit to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the coolant. At least one of the microchannels has a length extent and has a first section at a first location along the length extent and a second section at a second location along the length extent. The first section of the microchannel has a first aspect ratio and the second section is divided into at least two sub-channels. Each sub-channel has a respective second aspect ratio that is greater than the first aspect ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing rotational vibration transmission within a data storage system. A storage device apparatus comprises a carrier having opposing first and second side plates. A support point may be disposed within the first side plate at about a longitudinal center region of the carrier. The support point is configured to contact an enclosure that mounts a plurality of carriers and is the sole support point in the first side plate. Preferably, the support point is positioned such that minimal rotational vibration is transmitted within the data storage system once the carrier is placed in an enclosure housing a plurality of carriers. A second support point may be disposed in the second side plate.

Abstract: A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) device includes a PCBA mounted inside a molded plastic housing structure such that metal contacts are exposed on a plug portion of the housing structure, and includes a plastic plug shell integrally molded to the housing structure such that an upper wall of the plug shell is spaced from the metal contacts by a predetermined gap distance. A USB controller IC is mounted onto a relatively narrow portion of the PCBA under the metal contacts to reduce overall length of the USB device. An optional locking collar strengthens a rear edge of the plastic plug shell and front handle wall of the housing structure. An optional rear cover is attached over a rear opening of the housing structure and secures a rear edge of the PCBA.

Abstract: A multi-layer circuit board includes a first layer having at least first and second conductive traces of different widths and the same impedance. One of a first power plane and first ground plane has a void region such that the first conductive trace is spaced apart from the first power plane by a first thickness, and the second conductive trace is spaced apart from the first ground plane by a second, different thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronic devices, kits, and connector assemblies for coupling an EMI shield to a ground trace. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising a printed circuit board and an EMI shield that has a flange around at least a portion of a perimeter of the EMI shield. One or more connectors coupled to the flange removably contact the flange to a ground trace of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A substrate has an electrical wiring pattern formed thereon, one or a plurality of electrical parts provided thereon, a first contacting part and a second contacting part provided thereon and electrically connected to the electronic parts, and one or a plurality of electrical connecting bodies. The electrical connecting bodies are different from the electrical wiring pattern, and electrically connect the first contacting part and the second contacting part.

Abstract: A self-contained and encapsulated AC to Voltage supplying module containing a complete set of AC circuitry components therein and directly connecting the components to the AC voltage source, an inrush protection circuit, a DC-DC converter and power control circuits which enable the encapsulation of AC and DC components within a module being directly mountable and DC electrically connected to a printed circuit board assembly.