Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110268450 | CROSS-TALK REDUCTION IN A BIDIRECTIONAL OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE - A bidirectional optoelectronic device comprises a photodetector, a light source, and a drive circuit for the light source. The light source has first and second electrical leads for receiving an input electrical signal, and the drive circuit can be arranged to apply first and second portions of the input electrical signal to the first and second electrical leads, respectively, wherein the second portion of the input electrical signal is a scaled, inverted substantial replica of the first portion of the input electrical signal. A protective encapsulant can be applied that includes hollow dielectric microspheres to reduce electrical cross-talk, and that can further include an optical absorber to reduce optical cross-talk. A waveguide substrate of the device can include light collector(s) or trap(s) for redirecting and attenuating portions of optical signals propagating in waveguide layers on the substrate but not guided by a waveguide. | 11-03-2011 |
20110318016 | CROSS-TALK REDUCTION IN A BIDIRECTIONAL OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE - A bidirectional optoelectronic device comprises a photodetector and a light source on a waveguide substrate, and a drive circuit for the light source. The waveguide substrate can include light collector(s) or trap(s) for redirecting and attenuating portions of optical signals propagating in waveguide layers on the substrate but not guided by a waveguide. A protective encapsulant can be applied that includes hollow dielectric microspheres to reduce electrical cross-talk, and that can further include an optical absorber to reduce optical cross-talk. | 12-29-2011 |
20120057880 | CROSS-TALK REDUCTION IN A BIDIRECTIONAL OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE - A multi-channel or bidirectional optoelectronic device comprises a two or more optoelectronic components, e.g., a photodetector and a light source. A protective encapsulant can be applied to the optoelectronic device that includes hollow dielectric microspheres to reduce electrical cross-talk, and that can further include an optical absorber to reduce optical cross-talk. | 03-08-2012 |
20140328600 | CROSS-TALK REDUCTION IN A BIDIRECTIONAL OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE - A multi-channel or bidirectional optoelectronic device comprises a two or more optoelectronic components, e.g., a photodetector and a light source. A protective encapsulant can be applied to the optoelectronic device that includes hollow dielectric microspheres to reduce electrical cross-talk, and that can further include an optical absorber to reduce optical cross-talk. | 11-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080247089 | Slider designed to reduce fly height sigma - Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a slider designed to reduce fly height sigma. According to one embodiment, a slider includes an air bearing surface, a front shallow step pad, a rear shallow step pad, and rear side pockets. The front shallow step pad and the rear shallow step pad are at a first level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are at a second level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are in close proximity to rear corners of the slider. | 10-09-2008 |
20100091406 | SLIDER WITH POCKETS IN FRONT OF AIR BEARING SURFACE - A slider for use with disk drive data storage devices includes a topography that defines features of the slider. The features facilitate in controlling peak pressure, providing stiffness, and/or inhibiting lubricant accumulation on the slider. For example, the features include an air bearing surface and a cavity disposed in front of the air bearing surface. The cavity is closed on all sides by sidewalls. | 04-15-2010 |
20100302684 | ASYMMETRICAL AIR BEARING SURFACE FOR A HEAD SLIDER IN HARD DISK DRIVES - A method and apparatus for a head slider air bearing surface (ABS) in hard disk drives that mitigate fly height deviations. The invention mitigates these problems by providing an ABS of the head slider with elongated asymmetrical features that extend substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow caused by the rotating magnetic disk, in one or both of the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) positions of the head slider with respect to the magnetic disk. The head slider may be produced with a two step etch process, as opposed to a three step etch process. By reducing the number of etching steps, the head slider of the invention can be produced at lower costs and in less time as fewer masks and chamber pump-down steps are required. | 12-02-2010 |
20120099225 | SERVO WRITE ROBUST AND GOOD ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE ABS - A head slider for a disk drive storage device. In general, the head slider should fly at the target height above the disk without crashing onto the hard disk. The head slider has an outside flange that encloses a plateau and an inside flange that encloses a plateau. The two plateaus may have the same surface area or the outside plateau may have a greater surface area. Because of the design of the outside flange, the likelihood that the head slider will crash on the hard disk is reduced. | 04-26-2012 |
20130083430 | MULTIPLE-SENSE THERMO-RESISTIVE SENSOR FOR CONTACT DETECTION OF READ-WRITE HEADS - Techniques of the present invention include detecting a touchdown between a read/write head of a disk drive and a surface of a magnetic disk using multiple touchdown sensors located at an air-bearing surface (ABS). The multiple sensors increase the likelihood that a touchdown event—i.e., a portion of the ABS of the head contacting the underlying magnetic disk surface—will be detected. During touchdown, the portion of the head contacting the magnetic disk generates frictional heat which changes a characteristic (e.g., the electrical resistance) of at least one of the sensors located at the ABS. When the sensors are connected to a detection circuit, the changing characteristic may be monitored to identify a touchdown event. The touchdown sensors may be, for example, electrically connected in either series or parallel to the detection circuit. Thus, as long as the electrical resistance of one of the sensors is changed, a touchdown event may be detected. | 04-04-2013 |
20130308223 | EXCITATION OF AIRBEARING OSCILLATION WITH TAR NEARFIELD DEVICE FOR TOUCHDOWN DETECTION - In one general embodiment, a magnetic head includes a slider having a media-facing surface; and a device coupled to the slider and being selectively extendible for selectively contacting a magnetic medium at a frequency of between about 200 and about 600 kHz. Other magnetic heads and methods of use are described according to additional embodiments. | 11-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120217220 | METHOD USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS FOR MAKING A MASTER MOLD FOR NANOIMPRINTING PATTERNED MAGNETIC RECORDING DISKS WITH CHEVRON SERVO PATTERNS - A method for making a master mold used to nanoimprint patterned magnetic recording disks that have chevron servo patterns with minimal defects uses directed self-assembly of block copolymers. A pattern of chemically modified polymer brush material is formed on the master mold substrate. The pattern includes sets of slanted stripes and interface strips between the sets of slanted stripes. A block copolymer material is deposited on the pattern, which results in directed self-assembly of the block copolymer as lamellae perpendicular to the substrate that are formed into alternating slanted stripes of alternating first and second components of the block copolymer. This component also forms on the interface strips, but as a lamella parallel to the substrate. One of the components is then removed, leaving the remaining component as a grid that acts as a mask for etching the substrate to form the master mold. The disks nanoimprinted by the master mold have reduced defective areas in the transition regions of the chevron servo patterns. | 08-30-2012 |
20130016444 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PATTERNED MAGNETIC MEDIA WITH OFFSET DATA AND SERVO REGIONSAANM Grobis; Michael K.AACI San JoseAAST CAAACO USAAGP Grobis; Michael K. San Jose CA USAANM Lille; Jeffrey S.AACI SunnyvaleAAST CAAACO USAAGP Lille; Jeffrey S. Sunnyvale CA USAANM Ruiz; RicardoAACI Santa ClaraAAST CAAACO USAAGP Ruiz; Ricardo Santa Clara CA US - A method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic media. The method allows both a data region and a servo region to be patterned without the patterning of one region adversely affecting the patterning of the other region. The method results in a patterned data region a patterned servo region and intermediate regions between the servo and data regions. The intermediate regions, which are most likely, but not necessarily, asymmetrical with one another indicate that the method has been used to pattern the media. | 01-17-2013 |
20130068719 | METHOD USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND A HARD ELECTROPLATED MASK FOR MAKING A MASTER DISK FOR NANOIMPRINTING PATTERNED MAGNETIC RECORDING DISKS - A method for making a master disk to be used in the nanoimprinting process to make patterned-media disks uses an electrically conductive substrate and guided self-assembly of a block copolymer to form patterns of generally radial lines and/or generally concentric rings of one of the block copolymer components. A metal is electroplated onto the substrate in the regions not protected by the lines and/or rings. After removal of the block copolymer component, the remaining metal pattern is used as an etch mask to fabricate either the final master disk or two separate molds that are then used to fabricate the master disk. | 03-21-2013 |
20130105437 | METHOD USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS FOR MAKING A MASTER DISK WITH RADIAL NONDATA MARKS FOR NANOIMPRINTING PATTERNED MAGNETIC RECORDING DISKS | 05-02-2013 |
20130154020 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEEDLESS ELECTROPLATED STRUCTURE ON A SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE - An integrated circuit has a doped silicon semiconductor with regions of insulators and bare silicon. The bare silicon regions are isolated from other bare silicon regions. A semiconductor device on the doped silicon semiconductor has at least two electrical connections to form regions of patterned metal. A metal is electroplated directly on each of the regions of patterned metal to form plated connections without a seed layer. A self-aligned silicide is located under each plated connection, formed by annealing, for the regions of plated metal on bare silicon. | 06-20-2013 |
20130170065 | SUBSTRATE PATTERNING IN PERPENDICULAR STORAGE MEDIA - According to one embodiment, a patterned magnetic storage medium is disclosed herein. The magnetic storage medium includes a pattern formed on a substrate. The pattern includes at least a first and second feature and an edge defined between the first and second features. Additionally, the magnetic storage medium includes a magnetic layer formed on the pattern. The magnetic layer includes grains separated by a non-magnetic segregant boundary. The segregant boundary is positioned above the edge of the pattern. | 07-04-2013 |
20130293979 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MASTER PATTERN GENERATION, INCLUDING SERVO PATTERNS, FOR ULTRA-HIGH DENSITY DISCRETE TRACK MEDIA USING E-BEAM AND SELF-ASSEMBLY OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MICRODOMAINS - A system, method, and apparatus for forming a high quality master pattern for patterned media, including features to support servo patterns, is disclosed. Block copolymer self-assembly is used to facilitate the formation of a track pattern with narrower tracks. E-beam lithography forms a chemical contrast pattern of concentric rings, where the spacing of the rings is equal to an integral multiple of the target track pitch. The rings include regions within each servo sector header where the rings are offset radially by a fraction of a track pitch. Self-assembly is performed to form a new ring pattern at the target track pitch on top of the chemical contrast pattern, including the radial offsets in the servo sector headers. When this pattern is transferred to disks via nanoimprinting and etching, it creates tracks separated by nonmagnetic grooves, with the grooves and tracks including the radial offset regions. | 11-07-2013 |
20140072830 | METHOD FOR SEPARATELY PROCESSING REGIONS ON A PATTERNED MEDIUM - The disclosure relates generally to a method for fabricating a patterned medium. The method includes providing a substrate with an exterior layer under a lithographically patterned surface layer, the lithographically patterned surface layer comprising a first pattern in a first region and a second pattern in a second region, applying a first masking material over the first region, transferring the second pattern into the exterior layer in the second region, forming self-assembled block copolymer structures over the lithographically patterned surface layer, the self-assembled block copolymer structures aligning with the first pattern in the first region, applying a second masking material over the second region, transferring the polymer block pattern into the exterior layer in the first region, and etching the substrate according to the second pattern transferred to the exterior layer in the second region and the polymer block pattern transferred to the exterior layer in the first region. | 03-13-2014 |
20140138352 | METHOD FOR MAKING A FILM OF UNIFORMLY ARRANGED CORE-SHELL NANOPARTICLES ON A SUBSTRATE - A method for making a film of core-shell nanoparticles generally uniformly arranged on a substrate uses atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form the shells. The nanoparticle cores are placed in a solution containing a polymer having an end group for attachment to the cores. The solution is then applied to a substrate and allowed to dry, resulting in the nanoparticle cores being uniformly arranged by the attached polymer chains. ALD is then used to grow the shell material on the cores, using two precursors for the shell material that are non-reactive with the polymer. The polymer chains also form between the cores and the substrate surface, so the ALD forms shell material completely surrounding the cores. The uniformly arranged core-shell nanoparticles can be used as an etch mask to etch the substrate. | 05-22-2014 |
20140231383 | METHOD FOR MAKING A PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING DISK WITH TEMPLATE LAYER FORMED OF NANOPARTICLES EMBEDDED IN A POLYMER MATERIAL - A method for making a perpendicular magnetic recording disk includes forming a template layer below a Ru or Ru alloy underlayer, with a granular Co alloy recording layer formed on the underlayer. The template layer is formed by depositing a solution of a polymer with a functional end group and nanoparticles, allowing the solution to dry, annealing the polymer layer to thereby form a polymer layer with embedded spaced-apart nanoparticles, and then etching the polymer layer to a depth sufficient to partially expose the nanoparticles so they protrude above the surface of the polymer layer. The protruding nanoparticles serve as controlled nucleation sites for the Ru or Ru alloy atoms. The nanoparticle-to-nanoparticle distances can be controlled during the formation of the template layer. This enables control of the Co alloy grain diameter distribution as well as grain-to-grain distance distribution. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234665 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING DISK WITH TEMPLATE LAYER FORMED OF NANOPARTICLES EMBEDDED IN A POLYMER MATERIAL - A perpendicular magnetic recording disk includes a template layer below a Ru or Ru alloy underlayer, with a granular Co alloy recording layer formed on the underlayer. substrate. The template layer comprises nanoparticles spaced-apart and partially embedded within a polymer material, with the nanoparticles protruding above the surface of the polymer material. A seed layer covers the surface of the polymer material and the protruding nanoparticles and an underlayer of Ru or a Ru alloy covers the seed layer. The protruding nanoparticles serve as the controlled nucleation sites for the Ru or Ru alloy atoms. The nanoparticle-to-nanoparticle distances can be controlled during the formation of the template layer. This enables control of the Co alloy grain diameter distribution as well as grain-to-grain distance distribution. | 08-21-2014 |
20140346142 | METHOD FOR MAKING A CHEMICAL CONTRAST PATTERN USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND SEQUENTIAL INFILTRATION SYNTHESIS - A method for making a chemical contrast pattern uses directed self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) and sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) of an inorganic material. For an example with poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) as the BCP and alumina as the inorganic material, the PS and PMMA self-assemble on a suitable substrate. The PMMA is removed and the PS is oxidized. A surface modification polymer (SMP) is deposited on the oxidized PS and the exposed substrate and the SMP not bound to the substrate is removed. The structure is placed in an atomic layer deposition chamber. Alumina precursors reactive with the oxidized PS are introduced and infuse by SIS into the oxidized PS, thereby forming on the substrate a chemical contrast pattern of SMP and alumina. The resulting chemical contrast pattern can be used for lithographic masks, for example to etch the underlying substrate to make an imprint template. | 11-27-2014 |
20150024597 | METHOD FOR SIDEWALL SPACER LINE DOUBLING USING POLYMER BRUSH MATERIAL AS A SACRIFICIAL LAYER - A method for sidewall spacer line doubling uses sacrificial sidewall spacers. A mandrel layer is deposited on a substrate and patterned into mandrel stripes with a pitch double that of the desired final line pitch. A functionalized polymer is deposited over the mandrel stripes and into the gaps between the stripes. The functionalized polymer has a functional group that reacts with the surface of the mandrel stripes when heated to graft a monolayer of polymer brush material onto the sidewalls of the mandrel stripes. A layer of etch mask material is deposited into the gaps between the polymer brush sidewall spacers to form interpolated stripes between the mandrel stripes. The polymer brush sidewall spacers are removed, leaving on the substrate a pattern of mandrel stripes and interpolated stripes with a pitch equal to the desired final line pitch. The stripes function as a mask to etch the substrate. | 01-22-2015 |
20150118851 | METHOD FOR DIRECTED SELF-ASSEMBLY (DSA) OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS - In directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP), a patterned sublayer on a substrate serves as a guiding chemical prepattern on which BCPs form more uniform and/or denser patterns. A layer of a blend of a BCP and functional homopolymers, referred to as inks, is deposited on the patterned sublayer and annealed to change the initial chemical prepattern to a 1:1-like chemical pattern that is more favorable to DSA. After annealing, the inks selectively distribute into blocks by DSA, and part of the inks graft on the substrate underneath the blocks. The BCP blend layer is then rinsed away, leaving the grafted inks A second layer of BCP is then deposited and annealed as a second DSA step to form alternating lines of the BCP components. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving lines of the other BCP component as a mask for patterning the substrate. | 04-30-2015 |
20150214038 | METHOD FOR DIRECTED SELF-ASSEMBLY (DSA) OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS - In directed self-assembly (DSA) of a block copolymer (BCP), a patterned sublayer on a substrate serves as a guiding chemical prepattern on which BCPs form more uniform and/or denser patterns. A layer of a blend of a BCP and functional homopolymers, referred to as inks, is deposited on the patterned sublayer and annealed to change the initial chemical prepattern to a 1:1-like chemical pattern that is more favorable to DSA. After annealing, the inks selectively distribute into blocks by DSA, and part of the inks graft on the substrate underneath the blocks. The BCP blend layer is then rinsed away, leaving the grafted inks. A second layer of BCP is then deposited and annealed as a second DSA step to form alternating lines of the BCP components. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving lines of the other BCP component as a mask for patterning the substrate. | 07-30-2015 |
20150221330 | PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING DISK WITH TEMPLATE LAYER FORMED OF A BLEND OF NANOPARTICLES - A continuous-media perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a granular recording layer (RL) with controlled grain pitch distribution and controlled long range ordering of the grains. The disk includes a substrate with a template layer for the RL that comprises a blend of at least two different sized nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a nanoparticle core with attached polymer ligands. The nanoparticle cores protrude above the surface of the template layer to provide a nonplanar surface topology. The blend of two sizes of nanoparticles causes the RL to have low grain pitch distribution and a disruption of long range ordering so that there are no large magnetic rafts. One of the nanoparticles types has a diameter greater than 105% of the diameter of the other nanoparticle type and is present in the total blend of nanoparticles of between about 5% and 35% or between about 55% and 90%. | 08-06-2015 |
20150225850 | METHOD FOR LINE DENSITY MULTIPLICATION USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND SEQUENTIAL INFILTRATION SYNTHESIS - Block copolymers (BCPs) and synthetic infiltration synthesis (SIS) are used to double the line density on a substrate. The BCP comprises first and second interconnected BCP components with a functional group at the junction or interface of the components. After deposition of the BCP on the substrate and annealing, a pattern of parallel stripes of first and second BCP components is formed with a pattern of functional group interfaces between the components. Each of the BCP components is non-reactive with atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursors, while the functional group is reactive with the ALD precursors. The ALD results in the infiltration of inorganic material into the interfaces where the reactive functional groups are located but without affecting the BCP components. After removal of the organic material, a pattern of parallel lines of inorganic material remains with a pitch half that of the stripes of BCP components. | 08-13-2015 |
20150239184 | SOLVENT ANNEALING OF BLOCK COPOLYMER FILMS UNDER SUPER-SATURATED ATMOSPHERES - In one embodiment, a system for solvent annealing of a block copolymer film includes a solvent annealing chamber, and a controller configured to control at least one processing parameter for inducing a super-saturation of a solvent in an atmosphere within the solvent annealing chamber. In another embodiment, a method for solvent annealing of a block copolymer film includes inducing a super-saturation of a solvent in an atmosphere within a solvent annealing chamber having a block copolymer film therein for inducing formation of polymeric domains. | 08-27-2015 |
20150243514 | METHOD FOR DIRECTED SELF-ASSEMBLY (DSA) OF A BLOCK COPOLYMER (BCP) USING A BLEND OF A BCP WITH FUNCTIONAL HOMOPOLYMERS - A method for directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) uses a BCP blend with a small portion of functional homopolymers, called “inks”, before deposition and annealing of the BCP. A substrate has a patterned sublayer formed on it. The BCP blend is deposited on the patterned sublayer and annealed. The BCP blend is guided by the sublayer pattern. The inks selectively distribute into blocks, and part of the inks graft on the substrate underneath the blocks. The BCP blend layer is rinsed away, leaving the grafted inks. The grafted inks form a chemical contrast pattern that has the same geometry with the BCP bulk morphology. This process is repeated, which results in the grafted inks forming a thicker and denser chemical contrast pattern. This chemical contrast pattern of grafted inks is used for the DSA of a BCP that self-assembles as lamellae perpendicular to the substrate. | 08-27-2015 |
20160064027 | METHOD FOR MAKING AN IMPRINT TEMPLATE WITH DATA REGIONS AND NON-DATA REGIONS USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS - A method to fabricate an imprint template for bit-patterned magnetic recording media using block copolymers (BCPs) integrates data region patterning and servo region patterning. A heat sink layer is formed on the imprint substrate only in the data regions. A sublayer for the BCP is deposited over both the data regions and the servo regions and patterned to form stripes in the data regions and servo features in the servo regions. A BCP is then deposited in both the data and servo regions. Only the BCP in the data regions is heated, which causes phase separation of the BCP in the data regions into the two BCP components. The selective heating may be accomplished by directed controlled laser radiation to only the data regions. The heat sink layer below the data regions absorbs the heat from the laser radiation, confining it to the data regions. | 03-03-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090321197 | Aerodynamic standoffs to air cool disc type auto brake rotors - The invention includes a mounting hat for a brake rotor having a lower section connected to an upper section. Also included is a plurality of aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes each having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a top and a bottom connected to the upper section. Further, a plurality of vents are formed between adjacent aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes. The vents are circumferentially distributed on the upper section. Air flow is induced to flow through the plurality of vents. Alternatively included is a mounting hat for a brake rotor having a lower section connected to an upper section. Also included is a plurality of first aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes each having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a top and a bottom connected to the upper section. Further, a plurality of second aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes each having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a top connected to the upper section is included. Additionally, a plurality of vents are formed between adjacent first aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes and second aerodynamically shaped standoff vanes. The vents are circumferentially distributed on the upper section. Air flow is induced to flow through the plurality of vents. | 12-31-2009 |
20120181123 | Brake Pistons and Piston Noses - Provided are, among other things, pistons and piston noses. One representative embodiment involves a brake piston that includes a piston body and a top surface, in which the top surface is wider than the piston body and has a small portion that is slightly raised, relative to the rest of the top surface, so that when in use only the small raised portion makes contact with a backing plate of a brake pad. | 07-19-2012 |
20120325600 | Monoblock Brake Caliper Having Crossover Reinforcement Elements - Provided is, among other things, a disc brake caliper that includes: a unitary main housing, a leading reinforcement element and a trailing reinforcement element. The unitary main housing is made of a first material and includes: (a) an inner portion, (b) an outer portion, (c) a leading crossover section that extends between the inner portion and the outer portion, forward of both the inner opening and the outer opening, and over the brake rotor when in use, and (d) a trailing crossover section that extends between the inner portion and the outer portion, behind both the inner opening and the outer opening, and over the brake rotor when in use. | 12-27-2012 |
20140154027 | Drive Pin Assembly - Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses, components and methods related to drive pin assemblies. One such assembly includes: a first pin component and a second pin component, each having an engagement end that opens to an interior space and has an angled surface that extends for at least a portion of the width and a portion of the length of such first pin component; and a tightening mechanism at least partially disposed within the interior spaces of the first pin component and the second pin component, for drawing the first pin component and the second pin component closer together, where the angled surface of the first pin component matches the angled surface of the second pin component such that the first pin component and the second pin component slide both vertically and laterally along each other when drawn together. | 06-05-2014 |
20140290477 | Brake Pistons and Piston Noses - Provided are, among other things, pistons and piston noses. One representative embodiment involves a brake piston that includes a piston body and a top surface, in which the top surface is wider than the piston body and has a small portion that is slightly raised, relative to the rest of the top surface, so that when in use only the small raised portion makes contact with a backing plate of a brake pad. | 10-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150013487 | Dual-mode torque transfer in laterally engaging drive couplers exhibiting axial misalignment with driven couplers - The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, such as a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, such as a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism of the first unit achieves a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment. The invention further pertains to a dual-mode torque delivery apparatus tolerant of imprecise alignment. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014114 | Torque Transfer in Laterally Engaging Drive Couplers Exhibiting Axial Misalignment with Driven Couplers - The present invention relates to transferring torque between a first unit, which is typically a mobile machine or a robot, and a second unit, which is typically a fixed or stationary machine. The units are arranged such that a drive coupler of the first unit designed for delivering torque about a drive axis can engage the driven coupler, which belongs to the second unit and has a driven axis, along an engagement direction that is nearly perpendicular to the direction of the driven axis. A lateral displacement mechanism in provided is in the first unit to achieve a first-order coaxial alignment between the drive and driven axes. Additional measures such as compliance mechanisms are provided for improving engagement, coupling and reducing the level of axial misalignment in the apparatus and methods of the invention. | 01-15-2015 |
20150073594 | Solar Tracking System Employing Multiple Mobile Robots - The present invention relates to a highly-available and fault-tolerant solar tracking system and the process required to manage such a system. A fleet of multiple, redundant mobile robots managed by a task coordinator is deployed to track solar panels in a solar farm in alignment with the sun. Each robot has a control unit for engaging with a coupler connected to one or multiple solar panels and adjusting their orientation, as well as communicating with the task coordinator to receive tasks. The task coordinator senses various events such as robot failure/deterioration, as well as various environmental conditions, and sends tasks reconciled with event types. The system is highly-available and fault-tolerant as it remains operational as long as there is one operational robot. The task coordinator assigns tasks to the mobile robots so as to optimize battery life or other factors, such as, e.g., overall maintenance costs across the fleet. | 03-12-2015 |
20150217788 | Monorail vehicle apparatus with trucks designed to accommodate movement along curved rail sections - The present invention teaches a monorail vehicle apparatus and method for controlling roll attitude, lateral location, and loading of a monorail vehicle traveling on a non-featured rail exhibiting substantial profile variation by the placement of the vehicle's center of gravity and without the use of additional mechanisms such as springs or suspensions. The design is especially well adapted for travelling along curves by using at least two trucks connected by a linkage mechanism. | 08-06-2015 |