Patents Assigned to Hutchinson Technologies, Inc.
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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
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Patent number: 7082670Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively controlling the gram load on a disk drive suspension assembly and to a disk drive using the present disk drive suspension assembly. The gram load can be actively changed by changing the applied voltage to one or more multi-layer piezoelectric actuators attached to the head suspension. The active gram control system allows the gram load to be changed on a non-permanent basis and to control the gram load to a much finer scale than can be accomplished using conventional techniques. By attaching the first and second ends of the piezoelectric actuator to discrete locations on the load beam, while the portion of the piezoelectric actuator between the first and second ends remains unattached to the load beam, a force non-parallel to the load beam can be applied to the head suspension.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dennis A. Boismier, Jason R. Heffelfinger
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Patent number: 6778362Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The head suspension has a load beam with a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a tether connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A hinge structure is located between the rigid region and the mounting region. The hinge structure comprises an interface with first pivot surfaces on the mounting region positively engaged with second pivot surfaces on the rigid region by the tether. A torsional spring is located between the rigid region and the mounting region.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Davis, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
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Patent number: 6762913Abstract: A method of adjusting the common mode impedance while enabling maintenance of the differential mode impedance of a pair of traces located with respect to a ground plane formed by a load beam or trace assembly of a disk drive head suspension. The method includes forming a ground plane having apertures with isolated conductive islands in the apertures for setting a desired common mode impedance. The method includes a cut and try approach using sample coupons to adjust the ratio of backed area to island area to adjust the common mode impedance while maintaining the differential mode impedance by maintaining the ratio of unbacked area to the sum of the backed and island areas.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Even, Larry C. Webb, Jr.
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Patent number: 6741424Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The load beam has a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A pair of rails extend along a portion of the rigid region. The rigid region has a railed region and a non-railed region adjacent to the spring region. A stiffener is attached to the load beam in a multi-layered structure. The stiffener has a proximal portion extending along at least a portion of the non-railed region without extending into the spring region, and a distal portion extending along 50% or less of a length of the railed region closest to the spring region.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Reid C. Danielson, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
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Patent number: 6728072Abstract: A head suspension assembly in a rigid disk drive having a load beam with a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting region and rigid region. The mounting region includes an integral boss tower having attachment features. A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive is also disclosed. 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: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 6723931Abstract: A switchable shunt has an insulating layer separating conductive lead and spring metal layers. The shunt includes a base region formed on the spring metal layer, one or more arms formed in the conductive lead layer and at least one of the insulating and spring metal layers, one or more pad regions electrically coupled to an arm and formed in at least the conductive lead layer, and one or more gaps. Each arm extends through a gap and is resiliently biased toward a shunted state with the pad region in electrical contact with the base region. The shunt is movable to an electrically open state where the pad and base regions are electrically isolated. A method of making the shunt includes etching the shunt from laminated material and pushing the arm and pad through the gap. The shunt may be operated by applying a force to the arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc.Inventors: Stevenson J. Marek, Craig A. Leabch, Larry C. Webb, Jr., Mark A. Miller, Anthony J. Liberko, Raymond R. Wolter, Steven R. Lagergren
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Patent number: 6714385Abstract: Apparatus and method of adjusting the common mode impedance while enabling maintenance of the differential mode impedance of a pair of traces located with respect to a ground plane formed by a load beam or trace assembly of a disk drive head suspension. The ground plane has apertures with isolated conductive islands in the apertures for setting a desired common mode impedance. The method includes a cut and try approach using sample coupons to adjust the ratio of backed area to island area to adjust the common mode impedance while maintaining the differential mode impedance by maintaining the ratio of unbacked area to the sum of the backed and island areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Even, Larry C. Webb, Jr.
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Patent number: 6667803Abstract: A spectrophotometric instrument including light signal sources, a detector, a processor/controller, a probe and a calibration device. The light signal sources include a source of measurement light signals having measurement light wavelengths and a source of a calibration light signal at a calibration detection wavelength which is different than the measurement light wavelengths. The probe has one or more send fibers coupled to the measurement and calibration light signal sources for transmitting the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal into tissue, and one or more receive fibers for receiving light including the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal. The calibration device is adapted to receive the probe and has an optical filter for transmitting the measurement light signals but not the calibration light signal. The detector is coupled to the receive fibers to generate electrical signals representative of the light received at the receive fibers.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Larry D. Flessland, Sergey I. Gritsenko, Mark S. Lewandowski, Dean E. Myers
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Patent number: 6639757Abstract: A head suspension or head suspension component that includes a spring metal support layer, an insulating layer and a conductive layer, into which three dimensional heat dissipation structures have been integrally formed to dissipate heat from the head suspension, especially in an area adjacent to an integrated circuit mounted on the head suspension. The heat dissipation structures may include a plurality of heat fins formed into or onto one or more conductive traces of the conductive layer, or may include a plurality of projections or indentations formed into or onto conductive traces. Use of a partial etching technique allows for simultaneous etching of both the traces and the heat fins within the traces, thereby decreasing production costs and increasing head suspension reliability. Heat fins may also be formed into the support layer in a region adjacent to the conductive layer heat fins, if desired in order to dissipate even more heat from the region.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc.Inventors: Catherine A. Morley, Todd A. Krinke, John H. Tangren
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Patent number: 6617542Abstract: A method of treating an operative surface on a head suspension with laser energy. A laser beam is patterned such that a single pulse extends across the entire operative surface. One or more pulses of the laser energy is applied to the operative surface sufficient to melt the operative surface. The melting serves to polish, smooth and/or reshape the operative surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fredrick V. Hayen, Nathan M. Kinkaid, Mark R. Christianson, Hryhory T. Koba
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Patent number: 6587310Abstract: A trace interconnect assembly designed for transmitting electrical signals to and from a head assembly in a hard disk drive is disclosed. The interconnect assembly includes one or more single-layer thin, elongated, and generally flat substrate-free trace interconnects. The trace interconnects are new conductors etched out of a planar length of preferably a high tensile and high yield strength metal such as beryllium copper. They are shaped to match the surface topology of the suspension assembly. Trace interconnects have a rigid region and flexible regions that match a rigid region and flexible regions in the suspension assembly. Different additional elements include support braces, standoffs, trace tangs, bond pads, and stacked interconnects. Coupling a head assembly to the interconnect assembly creates a head interconnect harness. Methods of manufacture for the trace interconnect assembly, a multi-conductor stacked version, a head suspension assembly, and the head interconnect harness are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien
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Patent number: 6556382Abstract: A disk drive suspension in which resonance characteristics are adjustable and a method for such adjustment. The disk drive suspension includes a load beam, a head mounting region and one or more mass balancing structures. The mass balancing structures are adapted for permanent displacement or removal to adjust mass distribution of the load beam. In this way, resonance characteristics of the load beam can be adjusted. A method of adjustment includes determination of an adjust location on the load beam at which a resonance characteristic to be adjusted is sensitive to changes in mass. The mass distribution of the load beam are adjusted at this adjust location.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventor: John H. Tangren
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Patent number: 6367144Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a head slider over a rigid disk in a dynamic storage device having a component that includes a compliant feature adapted to engage a first pin and a datum engaging surface spaced from the compliant feature. The component being locatable relative to a datum by manipulation of the component with respect to the datum and a first pin to cause the first pin to engage and deflect the compliant feature when the datum engaging surface of the component is engaged and positioned with respect to the datum. The head suspension also including a second component having a pin engaging feature and possibly a datum engaging surface alignable with the compliant feature and datum engaging surface of the first component, respectively. The pin engaging feature of the second component being compliant or non-compliant.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brett T. Holaway, Mark A. Miller, Eric O. Naatz, John A. Rickeman, Richard A. Schnitzler, Raymond R. Wolter, David J. Zachmeyer
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Patent number: 6154952Abstract: A method of adjusting the static attitude of a head slider attached to a head suspension for use in a rigid disk drive. The head suspension includes a load beam having a mounting region, a rigid region, and a spring region. The head suspension also includes a flexure for supporting a head slider having a read/write head. The flexure is attached to the load beam at at least an attachment isolation structure. The attachment isolation structure includes an attachment area at which the flexure is attached to the load beam; at least one slot surrounding the attachment area; and at least one junction tab traversing the slot to connect the attachment area to the remainder of the head suspension. The attachment area can be displaced by permanently deforming the junction tab. Displacement of the attachment area places a torque on the flexure which causes a displacement, e.g. adjustment, of the head slider attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventor: John H. Tangren
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Patent number: 6147839Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a read/write head adjacent a rotating data storage device is constructed with outriggers that enhance its lateral stiffness. The outriggers are formed integrally with the head suspension load region and support region and are laterally spaced on opposite sides of the spring region. By passing over the spring region in connecting the opposite lateral sides of the load region to the support region of the head suspension, the outriggers increase the lateral stiffness and sway frequency of the head suspension without appreciably affecting the spring rate or appreciably increasing the weight of the head suspension.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventor: Mark T. Girard
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Patent number: 6131273Abstract: An alignment tool for analyzing head suspension structures to minimize misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The tool includes a pain of pins that are inserted in apertures of the head suspension structures. That is, alignment tool engages a proximal perimeter edge of a distal alignment aperture on one of the load beam and the flexure and a proximal perimeter edge of a elongated alignment aperture or the other of the load beam and the flexure to provide longitudinal tension between the structures during the attachment of the structures.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Hutchinson, Technology, Inc.Inventors: Thomas F. Heeren, Kirk J. Van Dreel, Raymond R. Wolter
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Patent number: 6078470Abstract: A magnetic disk drive head suspension of the type having a load beam, a mounting region, and a flexure, includes an improved load point dimple. The load point dimple can be formed in either the load beam for contacting the flexure or the flexure for contacting the load beam. The dimple is characterized by a conical shape, including a conical base portion with generally planar surfaces of the dimple and a spherical tip of the dimple. The tip of the dimple is formed to have a height that is greater than the radius of curvature, and so that the radius of curvature of the tip is less than one-half the width of the dimple as measured at a surface of the material from which the dimple extends. In a preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of the tip is approximately equal to the protrusion of the dimple above the surface in which the dimple is formed to reduce the change in the high point location of the dimple caused by a deflection angle in the surface in which the dimple is formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Reid C. Danielson, Thomas F. Heeren, William D. Hovey
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Patent number: 5987733Abstract: A head suspension assembly includes a load beam, a flexure and a constraint structure for limiting range of motion of the flexure tongue. The constraint structure directly engages a free end of the flexure tongue to restrict the range of motion of the free end of the flexure tongue. This constraint structure is on the disk-confronting surface of the load beam to overlap the proximal end of the flexure tongue. The constraint structure may be formed in one piece with a proximal extension of the flexure.A method for manufacturing a head suspension assembly of the type including a load beam and a flexure, includes a step of incorporating into the suspension assembly a constraint structure for directly engaging the free end of the flexure tongue to restrict the range of motion of the flexure tongue.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventor: Lloyd C. Goss
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Patent number: 5973882Abstract: A moment-flex head suspension has a construction that reduces the pitch and roll stiffness of the read/write head support while maintaining the lateral stiffness of the flexure or gimbal of the head suspension sufficiently high.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.Inventor: John H. Tangren