Abstract: A punched gimbal dimple with a coined, frusto-conical base in a head suspension and a method for producing such a dimple. The dimple has an apex and a base, the base having outer and inner surfaces which generally conform to conical frustums. The conical frustum half-cone angles differ by at least 2 degrees. The dimple and its coined base are fabricated by a dimple punch and die with mismatched punch tangent and chamfer angles. The coined dimple base can be more easily seen by optical systems for aligning a slider to the dimple.

Abstract: A method is provided for reclaiming a suspension from a disk drive head gimbal assembly (HGA). An ultrasonic probe is applied to the HGA's read/write head slider on a side opposite that of its solder balls. Ultrasonic oscillations are transmitted through the ceramic slider to the side with the solder balls. The oscillations break the brittle intermetallic compound of the slider balls and free the slider. The ultrasonic energy also weakens the epoxy adhesive between the slider and suspension. The method can be used with heat to further weaken the solder balls and adhesive.

Abstract: A multi-step shock limiter in a disk drive suspension assembly has a load beam and a flexure, with a plurality of limiting pairs. A first limiting pair has a clearance less than that of any other limiting pair, and is flexible. During a shock condition, vertical movement of the flexure with respect to the load beam causes the first limiting pair to engage and absorb shock. Further movement engages at least one additional pair, redistributing the shock thereamong until all pairs engage, thereby substantially anchoring the flexure to the load beam and limiting further movement of the flexure. The limiters may comprise a double tee shape having two legs and a cross member, with the first limiter defined by the cross member between the legs, and two additional limiters defined by the ends of the cross member that extend beyond the legs. The limiters engage corresponding tabs or tongues.

Abstract: Windage is the sum of multifarious airflows induced and endured inside a disk drive. The invention provides a disk drive suspension and method for use in windage conditions within a disk drive. The suspension has a base portion carrying a hinge portion that carries a beam portion having oppositely facing first and second surfaces. The second surface supports a flexible circuit. Where the beam portion first surface has surface features inducing tracking error-causing perturbations of the beam portion from windage contact with the features, an airfoil profile-defining deflector is provided in operative association with the beam portion to block windage contact with those features and eliminate track misregistration error caused by interaction of the windage and the features.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reading and writing information onto a hard disk drive is provided. The apparatus includes a suspension assembly for a hard disk drive. The suspension assembly includes at least two spring extensions that couple to a proximal portion of a load beam. These spring extensions are disposed by a vertical offset and couple to the load beam on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the load beam. The method for operating a disk drive apparatus includes following by a suspension assembly from a reference position to a second position a vertical movement of a rotating disk. The suspension assembly is predisposed to move from the reference position to the second position by a vertical offset between a first and second spring extensions of the suspension assembly. A read/write head coupled to the suspension assembly is in closer alignment to a selected track during the vertical movement in the second position than if the first and second spring extensions are disposed to be co-planar.

Abstract: Static attitude (SA) adjustment of a disk drive suspension load beam is conducted before final alignment of a limiter to increase adjustment range, to avoid limiter damage, and to minimize unintended distortion of parts during adjustment. To have the SA adjustment before final alignment of the suspension, the limiter is carried by the load beam beam portion in first position in which the limiter is out of operative association with the flexure tongue during static attitude adjustment. The limiter is shifted into operative association with the tongue only following the static attitude adjustment, typically in a plane being generally parallel with the tongue plane.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD) and circuit noise are provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a method to prevent ESD damage during the assembly of computer disk commonly called a hard disk for memory applications. The coating mainly involves a ion-deposition process. Merely by way of example, the present invention is implemented by using filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) with a dissipative crystalline and/or amorphous carbon base thin film coating on a flexible circuit to drain the potential electrostatic charges during circuit assembly and interconnect processes, yet it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability on any electronic apparatus that is susceptible to electrostatic damage and static noise.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension component for carrying a slider at a disk is formed of a laminate of at least three metal layers of like mechanical and chemical formability, including a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and an intermediate layer, at least one of the layers having a void-containing interior and a surface area having an undivided series of local regions distributed across substantially the width and length thereof with each local region equaling less than 10% of the surface area. Each of the local regions have an overall pattern of discontinuities and lands between the discontinuities substantially the same as the overall pattern of discontinuities and lands in laterally and longitudinally adjacent local regions for local attachment of the layers at some and not all of the lands to adjacent layers to form a laminate having common formability properties, high rigidity and light weight.

Abstract: A microactuated disk drive suspension for supporting a slider at a disk includes a load beam extending in a plane and having on a common axis a base section adapted for mounting to an actuator, a spring section and a beam section carrying a flexure and the slider thereon. The suspension has relatively movable proximate and distal portions on the common axis that are joined by a bending system cantilevered from the proximate portion and including a cantilevered bending motor opposed to the common axis and having a laterally bendable unsupported region. A cantilevered laterally bendable load assist structure defined by the suspension edges is provided arranged to block undue loading of the bending motor unsupported region.

Abstract: Small radio frequency tags for use in a motion capture system include a power source, circuitry for generating radio frequency identification signals, an antenna for transmitting the signals, and means for automatically activating the tags so that the tags begin transmitting the signals including a tag identification code when a cover is removed. The activation means may include a release strip that, when removed, opens or closes an electrical circuit that activates the tag and also exposes an adhesive covered surface of the tag so that the tag can then be adhered to a clothed or unclothed human body or other object to be tracked. The activation means can also include an optical sensor, an oxygen sensor, or other sensors. The battery and the antenna may be printed or constructed of film, thus allowing the tag to be small, thin, and flexible.

Abstract: A vehicle immobilisation device (60) is provided for securing to a vehicle windscreen, comprising screening means (46a; 46b) which is changeable from a first, more compact configuration to a second configuration and which, when the device is in an in-use disposition on the vehicle windscreen, serves to impair a driver's view through the windscreen. Suction grip means (40a; 40b) are provided for holding said screening means in the in-use disposition on the windscreen by suction. Release means (51) are also provided to enable release of the suction of said suction grip means so as to allow removal of the device from the windscreen.

Abstract: A baseplate in a disk drive suspension system is configured with an integral anvil having a spring-forming edge that coincides with an optimal bend location on a linear flex spring. The spring attaches to upper surfaces of baseplate and load beam to allow for alignment of a rolling tool above the optimal bend location. During assembly, rolling tool pressure permanently bends the spring around the spring-forming edge to create a desired pre-load characteristic for the suspension system. The integral anvil may include a relief portion for reducing friction on the spring during the bending operation. A method for pre-loading a suspension assembly comprises forming an integral anvil on a baseplate, forming a spring-forming edge on the integral anvil, positioning an optimal bend location on the spring to coincide with the spring-forming edge, and forming a permanent bend in the spring by applying pressure on the spring around the spring-forming edge.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a load beam having a base, a flexure for carrying a slider, and a mount plate. The suspension mount plate has a first portion attachable to an actuator and movable by the actuator as the primary shifting force on the load beam, suitable for larger positioning movements. A second portion of the mount plate is attached to the load beam base and is movable relative to the mount plate first portion. A microactuator moves the second mount plate portion relative to the first mount plate portion as a secondary shifting force on the load beam, suitable for very small positioning movements.