Richard H Mills

US Patent:

6339532, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Jun 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/590535

Inventors:

Steven G. Boulay - Shrewsbury MA
Stanley Walter Stefanick - Uxbridge MA
Richard Ellis Mills - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

Compaq Computer Corporation - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06F 116

US Classification:

361685, 361679, 361683, 361684, 361686, 361687, 361688, 361724, 361725, 361726, 361727, 3122231, 3123301, 3123321, 312333, 31233423, 31233424, 31233426, 31233427

Abstract:

A hard disk drive is damped in order to reduce tracking errors by isolating the drive from the enclosure it is mounted in using one or more pieces of adhesive viscoelastic material. The hard disk drive is mounted by means of a secondary mounting plate having ventilation holes. Vibrations introduced into the drive from the enclosure, as well as rotational vibrations introduced by the rotation of the drive itself, are substantially damped by the viscoelastic material. As a result, tracking errors are substantially reduced.

US Patent:

6905109, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jun 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/464275

Inventors:

Richard E. Mills - Wyandotte MI, US

International Classification:

E04H017/00

US Classification:

256 6502, 256 6512

Abstract:

Plastic fences where rails are inserted into holes in hollow posts are effectively stiffened by inserting into the hollow post a stiffening device which grips the rails extending into the post, and which is stabilized against movement so as to prevent angular deflection of the rails with the posts in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the post.

US Patent:

61341134, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Aug 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/927101

Inventors:

Richard E. Mills - Colorado Springs CO
Ewaryst Z. Polch - Monument CO
Nanjappa Bakthavachalam - Colorado Springs CO
Theodore Ernst Bruning - Colorado Springs CO

International Classification:

G06F 116
H05K 502
F16F 700

US Classification:

361725

Abstract:

The viscoelastic spacer is made of a layer of viscoelastic material and a layer of wear-resistant, low coefficient of friction material which together form a unitary structure for damping vibration. Spacers are placed at the top and bottom of a storage module containing a disk drive. Upon slidable insertion of the storage module into an enclosure, features on the inner surface of the enclosure engage with the spacer in a way which subjects the spacer to both compression and shear forces generated by vibration of the disk drive and of other vibration sources in the environment of the storage module.

US Patent:

55753558, Nov 19, 1996

Filed:

Apr 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/626880

Inventors:

Carl D. Williams - Colorado Springs CO
Jackie Cordova - Colorado Springs CO
Richard E. Mills - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

F16N 730

US Classification:

184 551

Abstract:

A method, and associated apparatus, or applying fluid lubricant to hydrodynamic bearing. Clearance spaces of the bearing which are to be filled with the fluid lubricant are evacuated. The fluid lubricant is then applied to the clearance spaces. Once the fluid lubricant has been applied to the clearance spaces, or concurrent therewith, the clearance spaces are returned to ambient pressure levels. Any pockets of air, or other gas, trapped within the bearing are collapsed as the clearance spaces are returned to the ambient pressure levels. The method is amenable to a high volume, assembly line-like process wherein large numbers of bearings may be filled with the fluid lubricant in a short period of time. A conveyor conveys the bearings into a pool of fluid lubricant in a vacuum tank having a pressure level adjustable between an ambient pressure level and an evacuated pressure level, through the pool of fluid lubricant, beyond the pool, and out of the vacuum tank.

US Patent:

55247288, Jun 11, 1996

Filed:

Jun 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/495822

Inventors:

Carl D. Williams - Colorado Springs CO
Jackie Cordova - Colorado Springs CO
Richard E. Mills - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

F16N 1110

US Classification:

184 29000

Abstract:

A method, and associated apparatus, of applying fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing. Clearance spaces of the bearing which are to be filled with the fluid lubricant are evacuated. The fluid lubricant is then applied to the clearance spaces. Once the fluid lubricant has been applied to the clearance spaces, or concurrent therewith, the clearance spaces are returned to ambient pressure levels. Any pockets of air, or other gas, trapped within the bearing are collapsed as the clearance spaces are returned to the ambient pressure levels. The method is amenable to a high volume, assembly line-like process wherein large numbers of bearings may be filled with the fluid lubricant in a short period of time.

US Patent:

60983515, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Apr 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/626275

Inventors:

Richard E. Mills - Trenton MI

International Classification:

E04C 336

US Classification:

5216914

Abstract:

A method for decreasing the ground-level rot of wooden fence posts involves shrink-wrapping the portion of the fence post located immediately above and below grade-level with a shrink-wrappable coating or a polymeric sleeve, optionally with an appearance and/or durability enhancing collar. The posts so treated are suitable for installation in high quality wooden fencing and other applications where grade-level rot is a suspected problem.

US Patent:

55405045, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Sep 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/524716

Inventors:

Jackie Cordova - Colorado Springs CO
Richard E. Mills - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

Quantum Corporation - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

F16C 3206

US Classification:

384100

Abstract:

A hydrodynamic bearing journaling a shaft includes a rotatable bushing journaling the shaft and thrust plates on the shaft at opposite ends of the bushing. The bushing is encased in a cylindrical sleeve. Lubricant containing clearance spaces are formed between the shaft, bushing, sleeve, and thrust plates. One or more internal helical passages are formed between the bushing and sleeve and open into the axial ends thereof adjacent to the thrust plates. An internal radial chamber between the bushing and sleeve opens into the helical channel through radial ports for providing lubricant between the journal bearing and the shaft and thrust plates.