Patents by Inventor Todd M. Lammers

Todd M. Lammers 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: 10210887
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a providing a chirped current profile with an undershoot for a channel preamplifier are described. A method for writing bits in a magnetic recording disc may include applying an overshoot to a write current which is supplied to a magnetic writer of the magnetic recording disc and applying an undershoot to the write current after the overshoot is applied to at least partially de-saturate the magnetic writer. The method may also include writing a bit to the magnetic recording disc with the magnetic writer using the supplied write current. In some examples, the application of a short negative pulse after an overshoot portion of the write current waveform is delivered to the head during a write operation that writes the bit to the magnetic recording disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kirill A. Rivkin, Mourad Benakli, Todd M. Lammers, Ralph William Cross
  • Patent number: 9978401
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a providing a chirped current profile with an undershoot for a channel preamplifier are described. A method for writing bits in a magnetic recording disc may include applying an overshoot to a write current which is supplied to a magnetic writer of the magnetic recording disc and applying an undershoot to the write current after the overshoot is applied to at least partially de-saturate the magnetic writer. The method may also include writing a bit to the magnetic recording disc with the magnetic writer using the supplied write current. In some examples, the application of a short negative pulse after an overshoot portion of the write current waveform is delivered to the head during a write operation that writes the bit to the magnetic recording disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kirill A. Rivkin, Mourad Benakli, Todd M. Lammers, Ralph William Cross
  • Patent number: 9905251
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing write current switching efficiencies during data write operations in a data storage device. In some embodiments, write data are described in the form a sequence of symbols of nT length where T is a channel clock rate and n is an integer over a selected range. Bi-directional write currents are applied to a write element to record the sequence of symbols to a storage medium. The write currents are switched between a first rail current and a second rail current for alternating symbols. The write currents are further transitioned to an intermediate current value for at least one channel clock period immediately preceding a next occurrence of a symbol boundary between an adjacent pair of symbols in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Xiong Liu, Michael R. Montemorra, Ralph W. Cross, Todd M. Lammers, Quan Li, Beng Theam Ko, Kirill Rivkin, Mourad Benakli
  • Patent number: 9779763
    Abstract: A write signal may be adjusted, or modified, based on one or more read signals acquired, or read from, one or more portions proximate a target portion on a storage medium where the write signal is to be applied. The one or more read signals may be read from the storage medium in response to receiving a write data unit such that the read signals may not need to be buffered or later clock synchronized to the write signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Todd M. Lammers
  • Patent number: 9747934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a flexible dynamic loop having reduced impedance are described. The flexible dynamic loop may supply current from a preamplifier to another device, such as a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, a flexible dynamic loop comprises a flexible structure having a set of wire traces. The flexible dynamic loop may also comprise a set of impedance control structures on the flexible structure and perpendicular to a bend radius of the flexible structure, wherein the set of impedance control structures change an impedance level experienced by at least some of the set of wire traces. Some of the impedance control structures may be staggered. The flexible dynamic loop may also include a cover layer formed over the set of impedance control structures, which may be patterned with perforations. The flexible dynamic loop may also include one or more flexible rails connecting some of the impedance control structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Todd M. Lammers, Andrew R. Motzko, Chau Chin Low, Matthew S. Graeff
  • Publication number: 20170236534
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing write current switching efficiencies during data write operations in a data storage device. In some embodiments, write data are described in the form a sequence of symbols of nT length where T is a channel clock rate and n is an integer over a selected range. Bi-directional write currents are applied to a write element to record the sequence of symbols to a storage medium. The write currents are switched between a first rail current and a second rail current for alternating symbols. The write currents are further transitioned to an intermediate current value for at least one channel clock period immediately preceding a next occurrence of a symbol boundary between an adjacent pair of symbols in the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Xiong Liu, Michael R. Montemorra, Ralph W. Cross, Todd M. Lammers, Quan Li, Beng Theam Ko, Kirill Rivkin, Mourad Benakli
  • Patent number: 9530438
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating supply voltages in a data storage device. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a data transducer adjacent a rotatable magnetic recording medium, the data transducer having a write coil and an electromagnetic source for thermally assisted recording by the write coil. A preamplifier/driver circuit (preamp) has a write driver adapted to supply write currents to the write coil and a source driver adapted to supply source voltage to the electromagnetic source. A voltage regulation circuit applies a first positive supply voltage to the write driver and a different, second positive supply voltage to the source driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Trantham, Todd M. Lammers
  • Patent number: 9318153
    Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a controller capable of being coupled to a read/write head. The controller is configured to receive a fault signal from a sensor of the read/write head. The sensor indicates whether an energy source used to heat the recording medium is malfunctioning during a write operation. In response to the fault signal, the controller takes remedial action to protect the data associated with the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Trantham, Robert Matousek, Todd M. Lammers
  • Publication number: 20150279430
    Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a controller capable of being coupled to a read/write head. The controller is configured to receive a fault signal from a sensor of the read/write head. The sensor indicates whether an energy source used to heat the recording medium is malfunctioning during a write operation. In response to the fault signal, the controller takes remedial action to protect the data associated with the write operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Trantham, Robert Matousek, Todd M. Lammers