Patents by Inventor Jeffry S. Bennin
Jeffry S. Bennin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10002629Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Publication number: 20180137884Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Publication number: 20180061442Abstract: A stainless steel dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension baseplate including a plated electrical contact area having nickel and gold. The baseplate can be heat treated. The nickel and gold can be in a mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
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Patent number: 9870792Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Patent number: 9812160Abstract: A stainless steel dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension baseplate including a plated electrical contact area having nickel and gold. The baseplate can be heat treated. The nickel and gold can be in a mixture.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
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Publication number: 20170098460Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Patent number: 9524739Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Publication number: 20160104503Abstract: A stainless steel dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension baseplate including a plated electrical contact area having nickel and gold. The baseplate can be heat treated. The nickel and gold can be in a mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Jeffry S. BENNIN, Jacob D. BJORSTROM, Shawn P. BOPP, Reed T. HENTGES, Michael T. HOFFLANDER, Richard R. JENNEKE, Craig A. LEABCH, Mark S. LEWANDOWSKI, Zachary A. POKORNOWSKI, Brian D. SCHAFER, Brian J. STEPIEN, John A. THEGET, John E. THEISEN, John L. WAGNER
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Patent number: 9245555Abstract: Stable, low resistance conductive adhesive ground connections between motor contacts and a gold-plated contact area on a stainless steel component of a dual stage actuated suspension. The stainless steel component can be a baseplate, load beam, hinge, motor plate, add-on feature or flexure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
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Publication number: 20150356987Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Patent number: 9007726Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Publication number: 20150055255Abstract: Stable, low resistance conductive adhesive ground connections between motor contacts and a gold-plated contact area on a stainless steel component of a dual stage actuated suspension. The stainless steel component can be a baseplate, load beam, hinge, motor plate, add-on feature or flexure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Jeffry S. BENNIN, Jacob D. BJORSTROM, Shawn P. BOPP, Reed T. HENTGES, Michael T. HOFFLANDER, Richard R. JENNEKE, Craig A. LEABCH, Mark S. LEWANDOWSKI, Zachary A. POKORNOWSKI, Brian D. SCHAFER, Brian J. STEPIEN, John A. THEGET, John E. THEISEN, John L. WAGNER
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Patent number: 8941951Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension component. Such methods can comprise providing a head suspension component comprising a layer of insulating material on a spring metal layer. Such methods can further comprise forming a strain gauge element and a trace seed layer by depositing a first metal on the insulating material layer, such as by sputtering. The strain gauge element and the trace seed layer can be formed simultaneously by the depositing of the first metal as part of the same process step. The first metal can be of a strain gauge class of metal having relatively high resistivity, such as constantan. Such methods can further comprise plating a second metal on the trace seed layer to form one or more traces.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Peter F. Ladwig, Paul V. Pesavento, Zachary A. Pokornowski
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Publication number: 20150016235Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Patent number: 8885299Abstract: Stable, low resistance conductive adhesive ground connections between motor contacts and a gold-plated contact area on a stainless steel component of a dual stage actuated suspension. The stainless steel component can be a baseplate, load beam, hinge, motor plate, add-on feature or flexure.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
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Publication number: 20140146649Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension component. Such methods can comprise providing a head suspension component comprising a layer of insulating material on a spring metal layer. Such methods can further comprise forming a strain gauge element and a trace seed layer by depositing a first metal on the insulating material layer, such as by sputtering. The strain gauge element and the trace seed layer can be formed simultaneously by the depositing of the first metal as part of the same process step. The first metal can be of a strain gauge class of metal having relatively high resistivity, such as constantan. Such methods can further comprise plating a second metal on the trace seed layer to form one or more traces.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Peter F. Ladwig, Paul V. Pesavento, Zachary A. Pokornowski
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Patent number: 8717712Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Rick R. Drape, Thomas J. Glaeser, Corey S. Hartmann, Haven A. Mercer, Daniel P. Noga
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Patent number: 7961434Abstract: A disk drive head suspension having a leaf-type gram load spring. One embodiment of the suspension includes a base plate and a load beam. The load beam is formed from a single piece of stainless steel and includes a mounting region, a beam region, a spring region between the mounting region and beam region, and a leaf spring extending from the beam region. The mounting region of the load beam is attached to the base plate, with a proximal end portion of the leaf spring overlaying the base plate. The leaf spring can have a formed bend in the z-height direction and is forced into a loaded state before the proximal end is welded to the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Richard G. Fiedler, John A. Theget, Michael R. Tiller, Allan D. Tokuda
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Patent number: 7440236Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Scott C. Giere, Jason S. Griesbach, Brett L. Haugen, Jason R. Heffelfinger, Dennis M. Ingle, Tony S. Peterson
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Patent number: 7313855Abstract: A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Shane J. Van Sloun, Mark R. Christianson, Stevenson J. Marek, James R. Mahoney, Mark A. Schmidt, Brandon K. Fraser, Jeffry S. Bennin