Patents by Inventor Mark A. Toffle
Mark A. Toffle 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).
-
Patent number: 10344889Abstract: A directional control valve comprising: a body, an actuator configured to switch the directional control valve between two or more states, a manual activation button configured to initiate actuation of the actuator when pressed, a safety member configured to slide along a guide of the body between a first position and a second position, a coupling member configured to couple the directional control valve to other directional control valves, and a guard removably disposed between the safety member and the coupling member. The safety member prevents the manual actuation button from being actuated when it is in the first position and the manual actuation button can be manually actuated when the safety member is in the second position. In addition, the guard is configured to prevent the safety member from sliding to the second position when the guard is disposed between the safety member and the coupling member.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Mark A. Toffle
-
Publication number: 20190093790Abstract: A directional control valve comprising: a body, an actuator configured to switch the directional control valve between two or more states, a manual activation button configured to initiate actuation of the actuator when pressed, a safety member configured to slide along a guide of the body between a first position and a second position, a coupling member configured to couple the directional control valve to other directional control valves, and a guard removably disposed between the safety member and the coupling member. The safety member prevents the manual actuation button from being actuated when it is in the first position and the manual actuation button can be manually actuated when the safety member is in the second position. In addition, the guard is configured to prevent the safety member from sliding to the second position when the guard is disposed between the safety member and the coupling member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventor: Mark A. Toffle
-
Patent number: 9466327Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a data recording medium adjacent a spindle motor hub. In some embodiments, an annular disc spacer has a plurality of nominal dimensions and is formed of a glass material and at least one additive to provide the disc spacer with a selected color. The color of the disc spacer is selected responsive to at least one of the plurality of nominal dimension of the disc spacer. The color may have a wavelength in the human detectable range of from about 350 nanometers, nm to about 700 nm.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Mark A. Toffle
-
Patent number: 9236083Abstract: Storing data to a storage medium with a device that has moving parts supported by a bearing and which maintains separation between opposing bearing surfaces in the bearing with a pressurized working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLCInventors: Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Brent M. Weichelt, Louis J. Fioravanti
-
Patent number: 8558146Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to establishing a desired position control over a workpiece by compensating for thermal cycling affecting a member supporting the workpiece during processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Steve Sheeran, Mark A. Toffle, Mark D. Anderson, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Colin G. Presly, Paul J. Poisson
-
Patent number: 8174796Abstract: An actuator and associated method is provided, the actuator having an arm defining an aperture, an electrical circuit supported by the arm and terminating at a contact, a flexure assembly defining a boss and supporting a second electrical circuit terminating at a second contact, wherein the contacts are resultingly positioned in operable mating engagement with each other placing the electrical circuit in electrical communication with the second electrical circuit when the boss is operably disposed within the aperture and there affixed to the arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLCInventors: Mark Toffle, Wayne Allen Bonin, Vincent John Reis, Brent Marvin Weichelt, Jason Paul Zimmerman
-
Publication number: 20090323225Abstract: An actuator and associated method is provided, the actuator having an arm defining an aperture, an electrical circuit supported by the arm and terminating at a contact, a flexure assembly defining a boss and supporting a second electrical circuit terminating at a second contact, wherein the contacts are resultingly positioned in operable mating engagement with each other placing the electrical circuit in electrical communication with the second electrical circuit when the boss is operably disposed within the aperture and there affixed to the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Mark Toffle, Wayne Allen Bonin, Vincent John Reis, Brent Marvin Weichelt, Jason Paul Zimmerman
-
Publication number: 20090230110Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to establishing a desired position control over a workpiece by compensating for thermal cycling affecting a member supporting the workpiece during processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Steve Sheeran, Mark A. Toffle, Mark D. Anderson, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Colin G. Presly, Paul J. Poisson
-
Patent number: 7535670Abstract: An apparatus including a cantilevered head assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control device to control flow proximate to the cantilevered head assembly. In one embodiment, the flow control device includes a blower assembly coupleable to a pressure source and/or vacuum assembly to limit flow disturbances proximate to the cantilevered head assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Yaling D. Fan, Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Srinivas Tadepalli
-
Publication number: 20080158728Abstract: Storing data to a storage medium with a device that has moving parts supported by a bearing and which maintains separation between opposing bearing surfaces in the bearing with a pressurized working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Brent M. Weichelt, Louis J. Fioravanti
-
Patent number: 7382571Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to attenuating excitation energy of a rotatable storage medium using one or more plates each having a plurality of parallel channels to buffer fluid flow across an associated medium surface. A preferred embodiment includes a plurality of channels in facing relation to a common surface of a rotatable storage medium. Further included in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of channels are sequentially arranged into a first, second, and third channels with differing sidewall characterizations. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of storage mediums which are axially aligned have a plurality of channels in facing relation to either a top or bottom surface of a rotatable storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Xu Zuo, Mark Toffle, Xiaohong Sun
-
Patent number: 7345844Abstract: A servo track writer assembly and method are provided for recording servo pattern information on a disc. The servo track writer assembly includes a spindle assembly, an actuator assembly and a servo recording head. The spindle assembly has a hub, which supports the disc and a spindle motor for rotating the hub. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm supported by an actuator bearing for positioning the actuator arm relative to the disc. At least one of the spindle motor and the actuator bearing has a gas-lubricated bearing with a working fluid, which includes helium. The servo recording head is supported by the actuator arm relative to the disc to record the servo pattern information on the disc as the spindle motor rotates the disc and the actuator bearing positions the actuator arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Brent M. Weichelt, Louis J. Fioravanti
-
Publication number: 20060288808Abstract: A mechanism provides compliance between a tool and a robotic arm and includes a base with a first face. The mechanism includes a post assembly with a thrust washer and a mounting post attached to the thrust washer. The thrust washer engages the first face to form a compliance joint that permits a compliance range of sliding translational motion along the first face. The mechanism comprises springs that slideably engage an outer rim surface of the post assembly and providing a compliance force resisting the sliding translational motion. A retainer is mounted to the base and compresses the thrust washer against the first face and limits rotational motion of the assembly out of a plane of the first face.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Mark Anderson, Mark Toffle
-
Publication number: 20060028760Abstract: A fluid flow stripper for attenuating excitation energy in a data writing device comprising a first zone defining opposing spatially disposed planar surfaces substantially parallel to the disc and comprising a second zone comprising a protuberant surface defining a radially disposed channel. A method for equalizing a static pressure of a fluid flow created by the rotating disc, comprising admitting the fluid flow to an inlet of the fluid stripper, and passing the fluid in the stripper past the radially extending baffle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2004Publication date: February 9, 2006Inventors: Xu Zuo, Mark Toffle, Xiaohong Sun
-
Publication number: 20050007704Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Mark Toffle, Lon Buske, Brent Weichelt, Thomas Sexton
-
Publication number: 20040257691Abstract: An apparatus including a cantilevered head assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control device to control flow proximate to the cantilevered head assembly. In one embodiment, the flow control device includes a blower assembly coupleable to a pressure source and/or vacuum assembly to limit flow disturbances proximate to the cantilevered head assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Yaling Fan, Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Srinivas Tadepalli
-
Publication number: 20040136114Abstract: A servo track writer assembly and method are provided for recording servo pattern information on a disc. The servo track writer assembly includes a spindle assembly, an actuator assembly and a servo recording head. The spindle assembly has a hub, which supports the disc and a spindle motor for rotating the hub. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm supported by an actuator bearing for positioning the actuator arm relative to the disc. At least one of the spindle motor and the actuator bearing has a gas-lubricated bearing with a working fluid, which includes helium. The servo recording head is supported by the actuator arm relative to the disc to record the servo pattern information on the disc as the spindle motor rotates the disc and the actuator bearing positions the actuator arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Mark A. Toffle, Xu Zuo, Brent M. Weichelt, Louis J. Fioravanti
-
Patent number: 6757136Abstract: An actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms, wherein each of the actuator arms defines a clasp hole and a clamp-opening hole and a slot running between the clasp hole and clamp-opening hole, and optionally, a second slot running from the clasp hole to a distal end of the actuator arm, thereby creating two clasp fingers. A flex suspension assembly is included with a protrusion, such as a boss and a head on a distal end. The flex suspension assembly is coupled to the actuator arm by resiliently increasing the diameter of the clasp hole so as to allow the boss on the flex suspension assembly to be inserted into the clasp hole. With the boss is inserted, the clasp hole is allowed to revert to its original diameter, thereby clamping the boss in the clasp hole. A method for assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Lon R. Buske, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Aldeen R. Goehring, Niandong Liu, Kevin Lambert Mayer, William J. Raphael, Daniel Richard Smith, Mark A. Toffle, Brent M. Weichelt
-
Publication number: 20020181161Abstract: An actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms, wherein each of the actuator arms defines a clasp hole and a clamp-opening hole and a slot running between the clasp hole and clamp-opening hole, and optionally, a second slot running from the clasp hole to a distal end of the actuator arm, thereby creating two clasp fingers. A flex suspension assembly is included with a protrusion, such as a boss and a head on a distal end. The flex suspension assembly is coupled to the actuator arm by resiliently increasing the diameter of the clasp hole so as to allow the boss on the flex suspension assembly to be inserted into the clasp hole. With the boss is inserted, the clasp hole is allowed to revert to its original diameter, thereby clamping the boss in the clasp hole. A method for assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Lon R. Buske, Rodney D. Dahlenburg, Aldeen R. Goehring, Niandong Liu, Kevin Lambert Mayer, William J. Raphael, Daniel Richard Smith, Mark A. Toffle, Brent M. Weichelt
-
Patent number: 6445540Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading and securing a disc drive head disk assembly (HDA) in a servo track writing apparatus. The HDA includes a base, a disc stack coupled to a spindle rotatably attached to the base by a spindle shaft, and an actuator assembly pivotally attached to the base at a pivot shaft. Attached to one end of the actuator assembly proximal the disc stack is at least one transducer for reading/writing information from/to the discs. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a vacuum block having an air bearing and a vacuum stiffener. The vacuum stiffener is selectively used simultaneously with the air bearing to preload the latter. Alternatively, the vacuum stiffener is used independently of the air bearing to vacuum couple the vacuum block to a guide surface. By allowing both vacuum preload and vacuum coupling, the vacuum block of the present invention provides precise HDA placement and retainment with little or no manual operator intervention.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Mark A. Toffle, Brent M. Weichelt