Patents by Inventor Yanchu Xu
Yanchu Xu 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: 11206470Abstract: An electronic speaker can include: a device housing that defines an interior housing cavity; an audio driver disposed within the interior housing cavity; and a foot assembly coupled to the device housing and operable to support the electronic speaker. The foot assembly can include: a foot assembly sidewall having an outer sidewall perimeter extending outwardly away from a central neck; a planar foot having an outer foot perimeter proximate the outer sidewall perimeter where an upper surface of the planar foot cooperates with an interior surface of the foot assembly sidewall to create an internal cavity within the foot assembly; a suspension system disposed within the foot assembly internal cavity and coupling the planar foot to the foot assembly sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander R. Gould, Jason C. Della Rosa, Glenn K. Trainer, Craig M. Stanley, Junyi Yang, Yin Yuan, Yanchu Xu
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Patent number: 10217332Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides. The haptic actuator may also include a respective flexure bearing mounting each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. At least one of the flexure bearings may include an arm and a damper body attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Yanchu Xu, Zhong-Qing Gong, Anping Guo, Alex M. Lee, Junyi Yang
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Publication number: 20190012884Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, at least one coil carried by the housing, and a field member having opposing first and second sides. The haptic actuator may also include a respective flexure bearing mounting each of the first and second sides of the field member to be reciprocally movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. At least one of the flexure bearings may include an arm and a damper body attached thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Yanchu XU, Zhong-Qing GONG, Anping GUO, Alex M. LEE, Junyi YANG
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Patent number: 9805867Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to printed circuit boards (PCBs) including a capacitor and more specifically to designs for mechanically isolating the capacitor from the PCB to reduce an acoustic noise produced when the capacitor imparts a piezoelectric force on the PCB. Conductive features can be mechanically and electrically coupled to electrodes located on two ends of the capacitor. The conductive features can be placed in corners where the amplitude of vibrations created by the piezoelectric forces is relatively small. The conductive features can then be soldered to a land pattern on the PCB to form a mechanical and electrical connection while reducing an amount of vibrational energy transferred from the capacitor to the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shawn X. Arnold, Jeffrey M. Thoma, Connor R. Duke, Yanchu Xu, Nelson J. Kottke
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Publication number: 20160351330Abstract: A multi-layer capacitor such as a multi-layer-ceramic-capacitor (MLCC) has upper and lower dielectric layers separating upper and lower electrode layers, where the lower dielectric layers have a lower dielectric constant than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces on a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the capacitor is mounted. Such an MLCC may include the upper dielectric and electrode layers in a top portion of the MLCC; and the lower dielectric and electrode layers in a bottom portion of the MLCC. A bottom portion of the MLCC may be mounted on a PCB. As an example, the dielectric constant value of the lower dielectric layers may be between 1.5 and 3.5 times less than that of the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces in the audio range of human hearing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Zhong-Qing Gong, Kevin R. Richardson, Connor R. Duke, Yanchu Xu, Benjamin A. Bard
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Patent number: 9330849Abstract: A Non-Uniform Dielectric Layer, Multi-Layer-Ceramic-Capacitor (MLCC) has upper and lower dielectric layers separating upper and lower electrode layers, where the lower dielectric layers have a greater vertical thickness than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces on a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the capacitor is mounted. Such an MLCC may include an upper set of dielectric layers that separate adjacent pairs of upper electrode layers in a top portion of the MLCC, and a lower set of dielectric layers that separate adjacent pairs of lower electrode layers in a bottom portion of the MLCC. A bottom portion of the MLCC may be mounted on a PCB. The thickness of the lower dielectric layers may be between 1.5 and 3.5 times greater than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces in the audio range of human hearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zhong-Qing Gong, Kevin R. Richardson, Yanchu Xu, Connor R. Duke, Benjamin A. Bard
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Publication number: 20150243440Abstract: A Non-Uniform Dielectric Layer, Multi-Layer-Ceramic-Capacitor (MLCC) has upper and lower dielectric layers separating upper and lower electrode layers, where the lower dielectric layers have a greater vertical thickness than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces on a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the capacitor is mounted. Such an MLCC may include an upper set of dielectric layers that separate adjacent pairs of upper electrode layers in a top portion of the MLCC, and a lower set of dielectric layers that separate adjacent pairs of lower electrode layers in a bottom portion of the MLCC. A bottom portion of the MLCC may be mounted on a PCB. The thickness of the lower dielectric layers may be between 1.5 and 3.5 times greater than the upper dielectric layers to reduce piezoelectric effect driven capacitor reaction forces in the audio range of human hearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zhong-Qing Gong, Kevin R. Richardson, Yanchu Xu, Connor R. Duke, Benjamin A. Bard
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Publication number: 20140076621Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to printed circuit boards (PCBs) including a capacitor and more specifically to designs for mechanically isolating the capacitor from the PCB to reduce an acoustic noise produced when the capacitor imparts a piezoelectric force on the PCB. Conductive features can be mechanically and electrically coupled to electrodes located on two ends of the capacitor. The conductive features can be placed in corners where the amplitude of vibrations created by the piezoelectric forces is relatively small. The conductive features can then be soldered to a land pattern on the PCB to form a mechanical and electrical connection while reducing an amount of vibrational energy transferred from the capacitor to the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shawn X. ARNOLD, Jeffrey M. THOMA, Connor R. DUKE, Yanchu XU, Nelson J. KOTTKE
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Patent number: 8520341Abstract: Swaging a suspension base plate to an actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A portion of material adjacent to a hole in the actuator arm is removed to create an opening to receive material. A flange of the suspension base plate is inserted into the hole in the actuator arm. The suspension base plate is swaged to the actuator arm, wherein the swaging causes material from the suspension base plate to flow into the opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Gregory Joseph Arnone, Zhong-Qing Gong, David John Loader, Yanchu Xu, Yiduo Zhang
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Patent number: 7990658Abstract: A voice coil motor for a disk drive includes a permanent magnet, a voice coil adapted to move in an arc proximate to the permanent magnet, a top plate positioned above the voice coil, and a bottom plate positioned below the voice coil. The permanent magnet has two halves that are magnetized in opposite direction. The two halves of the magnet are split into a right half magnet portion and a left half magnet portion. The right half magnet portion and the left half magnet portion are attached to the top plate and the bottom plate respectively at opposite sides of the voice coil motor. The invention also discloses a disk drive unit with such VCM.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: YanChu Xu, JianFeng Xu, LingJun Kong, Lei Yu, Qiang Zhao
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Patent number: 7813083Abstract: A load arm for a disk drive may include a base section that has an opening for receiving a spindle of a voice coil motor. The base section may have hinge arms that extend from the base section and terminate in tab portions. An arm section may be affixed to the tabs of the hinge arms of the base section such as by spot welding. A head suspension assembly may be affixed to a distal end of the arm section such as by spot welding. A sensor may be provided on a hinge arm of the base section. The sensor may comprise a piezoelectric polymer sensing element and an electrode formed over the piezoelectric polymer sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Wei Guo, Yanchu Xu, Jifang Tian
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Patent number: 7548391Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching an actuator arm assembly can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. A latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of an actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. A coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. A bias device is configured to provide a bias force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch operating current/voltages is controlled and modified according to environmental conditions such as temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLCInventors: Yanning Liu, Yanchu Xu, Mike Leis
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Publication number: 20090046392Abstract: A voice coil motor for a hard disk drive includes an inner core having an inner surface, an outer plate having an inner surface, a permanent magnet, and a coil of wire. The outer plate is positioned in spaced relation to the inner core such that a gap is defined between the inner surfaces of the inner core and the outer plate. The permanent magnet is located in the gap and attached to the inner surface of the outer plate. The coil of wire wraps around the inner core to form a solenoid coil. With such structure, the stiffness of the coil is increased. The invention also discloses a disk drive with such VCM in which the coil is directly bonded to the E-block of the hard disk drive. Therefore heat conduction of the hard disk drive is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: JianFeng Xu, YanChu Xu, LingJun Kong, LiXin Wu, Thao Nguyen
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Publication number: 20090015968Abstract: A voice coil motor for a disk drive includes a permanent magnet, a voice coil adapted to move in an arc proximate to the permanent magnet, a top plate positioned above the voice coil, and a bottom plate positioned below the voice coil. The permanent magnet has two halves that are magnetized in opposite direction. The two halves of the magnet are split into a right half magnet portion and a left half magnet portion. The right half magnet portion and the left half magnet portion are attached to the top plate and the bottom plate respectively at opposite sides of the voice coil motor. The invention also discloses a disk drive unit with such VCM.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: YanChu Xu, JianFeng Xu, LingJun Kong, Lei Yu, Qiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20080019053Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching an actuator arm assembly can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. A latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of an actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. A coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. A bias device is configured to provide a bias force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch operating current/voltages is controlled and modified according to environmental conditions such as temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Yanning Liu, Yanchu Xu, Mike Leis
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Publication number: 20070178746Abstract: A load arm for a disk drive may include a base section that has an opening for receiving a spindle of a voice coil motor. The base section may have hinge arms that extend from the base section and terminate in tab portions. An arm section may be affixed to the tabs of the hinge arms of the base section such as by spot welding. A head suspension assembly may be affixed to a distal end of the arm section such as by spot welding. A sensor may be provided on a hinge arm of the base section. The sensor may comprise a piezoelectric polymer sensing element and an electrode formed over the piezoelectric polymer sensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Wei Guo, Yanchu Xu, Jifang Tian
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Patent number: 7203019Abstract: A latch apparatus is configured to latch an actuator arm assembly that can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. The latch apparatus includes a latch arm, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a latch control circuit. The latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of the actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. The coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. The permanent magnet is configured to generate a magnetic force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch control circuit is configured to increase according to defined open current profiles over a defined opening time period the coil current to at least an upper defined level to cause the coil to move the latch arm from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Yanning Liu, Yanchu Xu, Michael McGrath, David Tung, Mark Heimbaugh
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Patent number: 6643914Abstract: A method for assembling a disk drive using a multifunctional push-pin hole is disclosed. A push-pin of a servo writer is directed through the push-pin hole of the disk drive for executing a servo writing operation. The push-pin is withdrawn from the push-pin hole at the completion of the servo writing operation. A filter is disposed within the push-pin hole so as to be disposed within an interior of the disk drive. This filter may provide one or more of a humidity control/adjustment function and a chemical filtering function (e.g., an integrated chemical filter). Moreover, this filter may work as a sound barrier. That is, this filter may be used to reduce sound intensity outside the disk drive on top of the push-pin hole in relation to those prior art push-pin holes which were sealed by only a piece of tape on an exterior surface of the disk drive.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventor: Yanchu Xu