Author: claimsbot

1. A magnetic disk drive comprising:
a headslider mounted to a magnetic head;
a ramp on which the headslider is unloaded;
a magnetic disk on which a loadunload area and a data area are defined, each of the loadunload area and the data area including data sectors; and
a controller to assign address numbers as a logical block address to each data sector in the loadunload area, the address numbers being inferior in addressing assign order to each address number of the logical block address assigned to each data sector in the data area.
2. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
the addressing assign order becomes inferior on an ascending order according to the address numbers, and the controller assigns an address number that is larger than a maximum value of address numbers of data sectors in the data area, to each data sector in the loadunload area as the logical block address.
3. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
the addressing assign order becomes inferior on an ascending order according to the address numbers, and the controller assigns a maximum value of all of the address numbers that are assigned to all data sectors on the magnetic disk, to a data sector in the loadunload area as the logical block address.
4. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 3, wherein:
the maximum value of the address numbers is assigned to a data track that is located on the outermost circumferential side or the innermost circumferential side among available data tracks that are defined in the loadunload area.
5. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
the loadunload area and the data area are defined so that the number of servo tracks written to the loadunload area ranges from 9% to 12% of the total number of servo tracks written to the magnetic disk.
6. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
an alternate sector to which a data sector of the loadunload area is reassigned is formed in the loadunload area.
7. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
when data is written to a data sector in the loadunload area, the data sector having no read hard error, the controller performs write verification.
8. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
when data is written to a data sector in the loadunload area, the controller writes the same data to another data sector in the loadunload area.
9. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
the controller executes error correction code offline correction of an error recovery procedure for data sectors in the loadunload area earlier than for data sectors in the data area.
10. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
after a read hard error occurs in a data sector of the loadunload area, upon receiving a command to write data to the data sector is received, the controller performs reassignment to an alternate sector automatically instead of writing the data to the data sector in question.
11. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 1, wherein:
the controller executes reassignment automatically for data sectors in the loadunload area earlier than for data sectors in the data area, the reassignment being executed when a read error is recovered by a specific step of error recovery procedure.
12. A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk drive, the magnetic disk drive including a head support mechanism having a lift tab and supporting a headslider; a magnetic disk; and a ramp, the method comprising:
writing servo data to the magnetic disk to define data sectors;
defining a loadunload area and a data area on the magnetic disk;
writing test data to data sectors in the loadunload area;
reading the test data to detect a read error, and then performing defect registration of the data sector of the loadunload area; and
assigning an address number as a logical block address to each data sector in the loadunload area in such a manner that the addressing order of addressing data sectors in the loadunload area by host equipment becomes later than the addressing order of addressing data sectors in the data area.
13. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein:
writing servo data includes writing servo data in a self-servo write method from the innermost circumferential side of the magnetic disk up to a position at which the lift tab touches the ramp.
14. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein:
writing test data includes a step of repeating loadingunloading of the headslider fromto the ramp, the number of times loadingunloading is repeated ranging from 7,000 times to 13,000 times.
15. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein:
performing the defect registration includes setting a criterion of defect identification for data sectors in the loadunload area at a value lower than a value for data sectors in the data area.
16. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, further comprising writing the test data to the data area,
wherein detecting a read error includes, in comparison with the number of symbols of an error correction code at the time of reading the test data from each data sector in the data area, making the number of symbols of the error correction code at the time of reading the test data from each data sector in the loadunload area smaller.
17. A magnetic disk drive comprising:
a headslider mounted to a magnetic head;
a ramp into which the headslider withdraws;
a magnetic disk that includes a plurality of cylinders ranging from an innermost circumferential cylinder to an outermost circumferential cylinder, the cylinders being defined over the whole recording surfaces of the magnetic disk, a plurality of data sectors being defined in each of the cylinders; and
a controller that, to a data sector located between a specific cylinder selected from among the plurality of cylinders and the outermost circumferential cylinder, assigns as a logical block address an address number whose order of addressing by host equipment is later than the order of addressing of an address number as a logical block address assigned to a data sector located between the specific cylinder and the innermost circumferential cylinder.
18. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 17, wherein:
the controller assigns, as a logical block address, an address number to each data sector in such a manner that the order of addressing the each data sector by host equipment becomes later in order of data tracks formed in lines from the specific cylinder towards the innermost circumferential cylinder.
19. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 17, wherein:
the controller partitions a plurality of cylinders defined between the specific cylinder and the innermost circumferential cylinder into a plurality of zones, and assigns as a logical block address an address number to each data sector included in each of the zones in such a manner that the order of addressing each data sector included in an inside zone by the host equipment becomes later than the order of addressing each data sector included in an outside zone by the host equipment.
20. The magnetic disk drive according to claim 17, wherein:
a loadunload area and a data area are defined on the magnetic disk, and the controller selects the specific cylinder as a cylinder that is defined at a position closest to the loadunload area among cylinders included in the data area.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A sheet feeding apparatus, in which a sheet accommodating unit is demountably provided in an apparatus body, the sheet accommodating unit having a sheet accommodating member, a lifting plate pivotably provided in the sheet accommodating member, and a pushing member configured to push the lifting plate toward a sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding apparatus comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to perform regulation of the lifting plate at a position to which the lifting plate descends against a pushing force of the pushing member, the locking mechanism including a pivotable locking member configured to regulate the lifting plate and a pivotable lock releasing lever configured to turn the locking member; and
a lock release member configured to release the regulation of the lifting plate by the locking mechanism in response to mounting of the sheet accommodating unit in the apparatus body,
wherein when the sheet accommodating unit is mounted in the apparatus body, the lock releasing lever is turned by the lock release member and turns the locking member to release the regulation of the lifting plate, and
wherein when the sheet accommodating unit is drawn out of the apparatus body, the lock releasing lever is turned by the lock release member independently in a state in which the locking member regulates the lifting plate.
2. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet accommodating member includes a regulation unit configured to regulate, when the locking member locks the lifting plate, turning of the locking member caused by the pushing force of the pushing member,
wherein the locking member includes a catching part configured to catch the lifting plate, and an abutting part configured to abut when the lifting plate is locked, against the regulation unit of the apparatus body, and
wherein the lock releasing lever includes an engaging part configured to engage, when moved in a lock releasing direction, with the locking member.
3. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further includes:
a first pushing member configured to push the abutting part of the locking member in a direction in which the abutting part of the locking member abuts against the regulation unit; and
a second pushing member configured to push the lock releasing lever in a direction in which the engaging part of the lock releasing lever is engaged with the locking member.
4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first pushing member and the second pushing member are constituted by a same pushing member.
5. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is provided below the lifting plate and at a central part in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction of the lifting plate.
6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus body includes a guide member adapted to lower, when the sheet accommodating unit is drawn out, the lifting plate against the pushing force of the pushing member to a position at which the lifting plate is locked by the locking mechanism.
7. An image forming apparatus including a sheet feeding apparatus in which a sheet accommodating unit is demountably provided, the sheet accommodating unit having a sheet accommodating member, a lifting plate pivotably provided in the sheet accommodating member, and a pushing member configured to push the lifting plate toward a sheet feeding unit, the image forming apparatus also including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to perform regulation of the lifting plate at a position to which the lifting plate descends against a pushing force of the pushing member, the locking mechanism including a pivotable locking member configured to regulate the lifting plate, and a pivotable lock releasing lever configured to turn the locking member; and
a lock release member configured to release the regulation of the lifting plate by the locking mechanism in response to mounting of the sheet accommodating unit in the apparatus body,
wherein when the sheet accommodating unit is mounted in the apparatus body, the lock releasing lever abuts against the lock release member and turns to cause the locking member to turn to release the regulation of the lifting plate, and
wherein when the sheet accommodating unit is drawn out of the apparatus body, the lock releasing lever is turned by the lock release member independently in a state in which the locking member regulates the lifting plate.

1. A compound turbocharger comprising:
at least one housing;
a first turbocharger including an outer shaft disposed at least partially within said at least one housing;
a second turbocharger including an inner shaft coaxial with and extending within said outer shaft; and
at least one displacement limiter disposed at a selected position along a length of said outer shaft.
2. The compound turbocharger of claim 1 wherein said at least one displacement limiter is disposed about said inner shaft.
3. The compound turbocharger of claim 2 wherein said at least one displacement limiter comprises a first plurality of annular members disposed between said inner and outer shafts, and a second plurality of annular members disposed about said outer shaft.
4. The compound turbocharger of claim 3 wherein said first plurality of annular members comprises a plurality of bearings.
5. The compound turbocharger of claim 4 wherein said first plurality of annular members comprises a plurality of hydrodynamic film bearings aligned one with each of said second plurality of annular members.
6. The compound turbocharger of claim 5 wherein:
said outer shaft is a relatively low speed shaft, said second plurality of annular members comprising a plurality of ball bearing sets about said outer shaft;
said inner shaft is a counter-rotating relatively high speed shaft;
said plurality of hydrodynamic film bearings being radially spaced from said inner shaft and fixed relative to said outer shaft.
7. The compound turbocharger of claim 1 wherein said at least one displacement limiter comprises a first component external of said outer shaft, and a second component internal of said outer shaft, said compound turbocharger further comprising:
an air inlet and an air outlet in said at least one housing;
a first radial compressor coupled with said inner turbine shaft and disposed downstream said air inlet;
a second radial compressor coupled with said outer shaft and disposed downstream said first compressor;
an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in said at least one housing;
a radial turbine coupled with said outer shaft, said radial turbine disposed downstream said exhaust inlet; and
an axial turbine coupled with said inner shaft and disposed downstream said radial turbine.
8. An engine comprising:
at least one housing;
a first turbocharger disposed within said at least one housing and including an outer shaft, said outer shaft coupled with a first turbine and a first compressor;
a second turbocharger disposed within said at least one housing, said second turbocharger including an inner shaft extending within said outer shaft and coupled with a second turbine and a second compressor; and
at least one displacement limiter disposed at a selected position along a length of said outer shaft, said at least one displacement limiter including a first component external of said outer shaft and a second component internal of said outer shaft.
9. The engine of claim 8 wherein said at least one displacement limiter comprises:
a plurality of internal annular members disposed between said inner shaft and said outer shaft;
a plurality of external annular members disposed about said outer shaft and aligned one with each of said internal annular members.
10. The engine of claim 9 wherein said at least one displacement limiter further comprises a plurality of displacement limiters disposed symmetrically about a midpoint of at least one of, a length of said outer shaft and a length of said inner shaft.
11. The engine of claim 9 wherein said plurality of internal annular members comprises a plurality of hydrodynamic film bearings fixed relative to said outer shaft.
12. The engine of claim 11 wherein said plurality of hydrodynamic film bearings are radially spaced from said inner shaft.
13. The engine of claim 12 wherein said plurality of external annular members comprises a plurality of ball bearing sets.
14. The engine of claim 13 wherein said first and second compressors are radial compressors, said engine further comprising:
an exhaust manifold fluidly connecting with said first turbine;
said first turbine being a radial turbine operable to re-orient an exhaust flow from said exhaust manifold about 90 degrees;
said second turbine being an axial turbine disposed downstream said first turbine and in line with an exhaust flow from the same.
15. A method of reducing vibrational amplitude in an inner shaft of a coaxial shaft system comprising the step of:
operably positioning at least one displacement limiter at a selected position along a length of an outer shaft of the system.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of operably positioning at least one displacement limiter comprises:
positioning at least one annular component about the outer shaft; and
positioning at least one annular component about the inner shaft.
17. The method of claim 16 comprising the step of aligning the respective annular components at the selected position.
18. The method of claim 17 comprising the step of spacing the first annular component a radial distance from the inner shaft.
19. The method of claim 17 comprising the step of:
coupling the outer shaft with a first turbine and a first compressor of a compound turbocharger; and
coupling the inner shaft with a second turbine and a second compressor of the compound turbocharger.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising the steps of:
rotating the outer shaft in a direction to drive the first compressor; and
rotating the inner shaft in an opposite direction to drive the second compressor.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a cyclone body comprising an air inflow port and an air outflow port for forming an air vortex of dust-laden air drawn into the air inflow port;
a dust-collecting receptacle removably connected to the cyclone body for separating dust and dirt from the air vortex of dust-laden air and for collecting the separated dust and dirt therein; and
a grill assembly disposed at the air outflow port of the cyclone body for preventing reverse flow of dust and dirt into the air outflow port of the cyclone body, the grill assembly further comprising:
a conically shaped first grill member having a first end and a second end that is smaller than said first end, said second end of said first grill member having a first connection groove, said first end coupled to the outflow port of the cyclone body;
a second grill member coupled to the second end of the first grill member, said second grill member having a grill portion that comprises a plurality of fine passage holes to provide fluid communication to the air outflow port and further having a second connection groove formed in an outer surface of the connection end of the second grill member; and
a connection member having a first connection protrusion shaped to accommodate the first connection groove and having a second connection protrusion shaped to accommodate the second connection groove by which the first grill member and the second grill member are separably connected to each other.
2. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection member is made from a flexible material, and wherein the second connection protrusion has a hemispherical shape are shaped in a semi-circle such that the second grill member is easily connectable to and separable from the connection member.
3. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connection member has a first tapered portion formed on an outer surface thereof, the diameter of the first tapered portion gradually increasing in a direction away from the first connection protrusion, the first tapered portion providing for prevention of reverse flow of dirt into the outflow port.
4. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first tapered portion has an upper end and a lower end and is formed on an outer surface of the connection member such that the diameter of the first tapered portion gradually increases toward the lower end.
5. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connection member has a second tapered portion formed on an inner surface thereof, the diameter of the second tapered portion gradually increasing in the direction away from the second connection protrusion, the second tapered portion providing for guiding the connection of the second grill member to the connection member.
6. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second tapered portion of the connection member having an upper end and a lower end is formed on an inner and lower side of the connection member such that the diameter along the upper end and the lower end of the second tapered portion gradually increases toward the lower end.
7. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second grill member includes an open part having a plurality of radially extending passage holes formed adjacent an upper side thereof and a closed part formed adjacent a lower side thereof, and further comprising a net attachable to the open part of the second grill member.
8. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grill assembly further comprises an air reverse flow prevention member connected to the second grill member for blocking the dust in the air current from ascending upwardly from the bottom of the dust-collecting receptacle.
9. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the air reverse flow prevention member further comprises:
a cylinder body having upper and lower supporters, each of which comprises at least two ribs, the cylinder body being inserted by interference fit into a lower side of the second grill member;
a shaft supported by the upper and lower supporters; and
a plate connected to an end of the shaft and separated from a lower end of the second grill member.
10. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cylinder body has a spiral guide formed therein for guiding movement of the air current.
11. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cylinder body and the plate are made of rubber.
12. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plate is conically shaped.
13. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cyclone body has a guide member disposed at a sidewall of the air inflow port of the cyclone body, including a guide surface having a predetermined radius of curvature, for guiding movement of air drawn into the air inflow port to and for increasing the stability and directionality of the air vortex.
14. The cyclone-type dust-collecting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the radius of curvature of the guide surface is smaller than the radius of that portion of the cyclone body in which the air vortex is maintained.