Patents Examined by Angel A. Castro
  • Patent number: 9305599
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base; a voice coil motor assembly (VCM) comprising a VCM cover; a post extending from the base toward the VCM cover; and a latch movable mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the VCM cover, and prevent the VCM cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch to contact both the VCM cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the VCM cover above the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Daniel T. Nguyen, David K. Myers
  • Patent number: 9299378
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a base material which has flexibility, a lower coating layer, and a recording layer, in which, in X-ray diffraction peaks, a value of ??50 where a diffraction peak of magnetic atoms which are included in the recording layer is measured by a locking curve method is 5° or more to less than 10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Sekiguchi, Junichi Tachibana, Tetsuo Endo, Tomoe Ozaki, Hikaru Terui
  • Patent number: 9299384
    Abstract: A disk drive having a hub comprising a top surface and a non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface, a disk clamp comprising a wall portion and a non-circular opening formed through the clamp, the opening configured to receive the non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface of the hub; and at least one disk supported by the hub, wherein the non-circular protrusion extending upward from the top surface of the hub is inserted into the opening formed in the clamp, and wherein an outer annular portion of the clamp engages the disk to provide clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jifang Tian, Jian Yang, Qiang Yang
  • Patent number: 9288570
    Abstract: A portable system for enhancing communication between users in proximity to each other while listening to a common audio source includes headsets with an electroacoustic transducer for providing sound to a respective user's ear, and a voice microphone for detecting sound of the respective user's voice and providing a microphone input signal, and an electronic device integral to the first headset and in communication with the second headset. The electronic device generates a side-tone signal based on the microphone input signal from the first headset, generates a voice output signal based on the microphone input signal from the first headset, receives a content input signal, combines the side-tone signal with the content input signal and a far-end voice signal associated with the second headset to generate a combined output signal, and provides the combined output signal to the first headset for output by the first headset's transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Drew Stone Briggs, Tristan Edward Taylor
  • Patent number: 9275674
    Abstract: A spindle motor for a hard disk drive includes a base and a bearing assembly coupled to the base. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve configured to rotatably support a shaft therein. A rotor hub is affixed to the shaft so as to be rotatable with the shaft about a rotational axis. A stator is arranged in between the rotor hub and the base. A first magnet is arranged over the stator and on a bottom surface of the rotor hub. In particular, the rotor hub includes a body portion, a peripheral wall portion extending from the body portion in a direction towards the base, and a flange portion having a disk seating surface configured for supporting one or more disks thereon. The peripheral wall portion is configured to at least partially surround the stator in a radial direction. There is also provided a method of fabricating the spindle motor and a hard disk drive incorporating the spindle motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Chou Lin, Mengjun Liu, Quan Jiang
  • Patent number: 9269380
    Abstract: A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT); at least one cladding layer adjacent the NFT; and a carbon interlayer positioned between the NFT and the at least one cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Justin Glen Brons, Tong Zhao, Xiaoyue Huang, Michael C. Kautzky
  • Patent number: 9257137
    Abstract: A magnetic device according to one embodiment includes a source of flux; a magnetic pole having two or more gaps; and a low reluctance path positioned towards at least one of the gaps and riot positioned towards at least one other of the gaps for affecting a magnetic field formed at the at least one of the gaps when the source of flux is generating flux. Other disclosed embodiments include devices having coil turns with a non-uniform placement in the magnetic yoke for altering a magnetic field formed at the at least one of the gaps during writing. In further embodiments, a geometry of the magnetic pole near or at one of the gaps is different than a geometry of the magnetic pole near or at another of the gaps to help equalize fields formed at the gaps when the source of flux is generating flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Philipp Herget, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9254039
    Abstract: A portable, motorcycle mountable audio entertainment system is provided having a motorcycle-theme housing formed of a faring supporting stereo electronics, speakers and an power supply. A vertical support structure is further provided having a pair of tubular, angled uprights and handle bars for attachment of the fairing. A vertical support pillar and a support plate provide a structured to allow for free standing use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Rob Huey, Don Nagy
  • Patent number: 9251841
    Abstract: Technology is provided for a disc drive for use in a disc drive module having two or more opposed disc drives. The disc drive comprises a disc drive housing and a disc tray movable in and out of the disc drive housing between an open position and a closed position. A support tab is pivotably coupled to the disc tray and pivotable between an extended position and a stowed position. The support tab is biased toward the extended position and is mateable with an opposing disc drive when the disc tray is in the open position. A bumper is positioned in the disc drive housing to abut the support tab and rotate the support tab toward the stowed position when the disc tray is moved from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Brian Ehlen
  • Patent number: 9245581
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic head, a magnetic medium, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head, wherein the magnetic head has a write element, a read element, a substrate that is an alloy material having greater than about 50 at. % TiC, and a heater element positioned between the read element and the write element, the write element being positioned nearer to the substrate than the read element such that heat generated by the write element during write operations is dissipated by the substrate, and the heater element being adapted for inducing protrusion of portions of an air bearing surface (ABS) of the magnetic head to adjust a clearance between the portions of the ABS and the magnetic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Yoshinori Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9230572
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a magnetic head having a magnetic lip. The vertical sides and the bottom of the magnetic lip are covered by one or more conductive layers. In one embodiment, the bottom of the magnetic lip is covered by a first conductive layer and the vertical sides of the magnetic lip are covered by a second conductive layer. The conductive layers are made of a material that would not react with oxygen, thus no oxide films are formed on the vertical sides and the bottom of the magnetic lip during the manufacturing of the magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Hamid Balamane, Vijay Prakash Singh Rawat, Matteo Staffaroni
  • Patent number: 9230568
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a trailing shield, a gap section, a return path section, and a coil underlayer. The main pole has a top surface including a first inclined portion and a flat portion. The coil includes a specific coil element. The specific coil element has a bottom surface facing toward the top surface of the main pole, and a front end face inclined with respect to a medium facing surface. The coil underlayer lies under the specific coil element, and has a front end face. The trailing shield includes a portion interposed between the front end face of the coil underlayer and the medium facing surface. The bottom surface of the specific coil element includes a second inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HEADWAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yukinori Ikegawa, Yoshitaka Sasaki, Hiroyuki Ito, Kazuki Sato, Shigeki Tanemura, Hironori Araki
  • Patent number: 9218824
    Abstract: A data writer may be generally configured at least with a write pole that has a pole sidewall and a continuous first taper angle connecting leading and trailing edges. The write pole can be positioned adjacent to a side shield that is configured with first and second shield sidewalls tapered to a shield tip that is the closest point between the write pole and side shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Eric Shane Linville, Jianhua Xue, Eric Roger Meloche, Huaqing Yin, Yonghua Chen
  • Patent number: 9202490
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes a read transducer and a write transducer at a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes at least one heater that causes heat deformation at the media-facing surface in response to different first and second energizing currents. The first energizing current results in a first close point between the media-facing surface and a recording medium. The second energizing current results in a second close point between the media-facing surface and the recording medium. The second close point is at a different location in the media-facing surface than the first close point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Neil Zuckerman, Raul Horacio Andruet, James Gary Wessel, Chris Rea
  • Patent number: 9202528
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head. The MAMR head includes a main pole, a trailing shield, and a spin torque oscillator (STO) disposed between the main pole and the trailing shield. The STO is recessed from an air bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Masaru Furukawa, Jianhua Li, Masato Matsubara, Masato Shiimoto
  • Patent number: 9190086
    Abstract: A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension includes two PZT microactuators that are attached at their first ends to a non-gimbaled portion of the suspension, and are attached at their second ends to the gimbaled portion of the suspension such as the gimbal tongue through flexible connectors that can be formed integrally with the suspension's flexure. The flexible connectors are flexible enough so as not to interfere with the suspension's gimballing action. The flexible connectors transmit force from the PZTs to the gimbal as the PZTs expand and contract in order to rotate the gimbal and thus effect fine movements of the head slider. The flexible connectors are positioned laterally outwardly of the leading edge of the slider, thereby protecting both the connectors and the PZTs from damage induced by the slider striking the connectors during a shock event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNECOMP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuen Chee Ee, Peter Hahn, Long Zhang
  • Patent number: 9190084
    Abstract: A thermal assisted magnetic recording head of the present invention has an air bearing surface (ABS) opposite to a magnetic recording medium, a core that can propagate laser light as propagating light, a plasmon generator that includes a generator front end surface facing the ABS, and a main pole that faces the ABS and emits magnetic flux to the magnetic recording medium. The plasmon generator is opposite to a part of the core and extends to the generator front surface, is coupled with a portion of the propagating light that propagates through the core in the surface plasmon mode to generate a surface plasmon, propagates the surface plasmon to the generator front end surface, and generates near-field light (NF light) at the generator front end surface to irradiate the NF light to the magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: TDK Corporation, SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Hara, Kosuke Tanaka, Tetsuya Roppongi, Ryuji Fujii, Yasutoshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9190043
    Abstract: A portable system for enhancing communication between at least two users in proximity to each other includes first and second noise-reducing headsets, each headset including an electroacoustic transducer for providing sound to a respective user's ear and a voice microphone for detecting sound of the respective user's voice and providing a microphone input signal. A first electronic device integral to the first headset and in communication with the second headset generates a first side-tone signal based on the microphone input signal from the first headset, generates a first voice output signal based on the microphone input signal from the first headset, combines the first side-tone signal with a first far-end voice signal associated with the second headset to generate a first combined output signal, and provides the first combined output signal to the first headset for output by the first headset's electroacoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Krisch, Steven H. Isabelle
  • Patent number: 9190083
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic read-write head, including the steps of presenting a row bar to a processing location, the row bar including an air bearing surface, at least one read-write head, at least one electronic lapping guide, and at least one trigger device, wherein each electronic lapping guide is positioned at a different distance from the air bearing surface than each trigger device, and wherein the read-write head and at least one of the trigger devices include a multi-layer stack of materials; lapping the air bearing surface while measuring the electrical resistance of at least one electronic lapping guide and at least one trigger device until the resistance measurement of the trigger device provides an open circuit reading, and measuring an offset resistance value of the at least one electronic lapping guide concurrently with the measurement of the open circuit reading by the trigger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. O'Konski, Garrick F. Shurts, Greg A. Schmitz, Gregory P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9190081
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed generally relate to a read head sensor in a magnetic recording head. The read head sensor comprises side shields in addition to the upper and lower shields. The upper shield sensor is a multilayer structure with antiferromagnetic coupling. The side shield is a multilayer structure whereby a lower magnetic layer is separated from an upper magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer is ferromagnetically coupled to a bottom layer of the upper shield. The bias direction of the read head sensor is antiparallel to the bottom layer of the upper shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Jun Aoyama, Masato Shiimoto, Hiroyuki Katada, Kenichi Meguro, Nobuo Yoshida