Patents Examined by Carl E. Hall
  • Patent number: 6584674
    Abstract: A method of processing a rotor of a motor enabling to keep smooth rotation. After the ring-shaped magnet 34 is attached at inner circumference face 31B of an opening portion 31A of a cap-shaped rotor main body through a yoke 33, a rotor shaft portion 31C formed at outside of the main body of the rotor 31 and an attaching hole 31D of a shaft 32 fixed at the main body of the rotor are worked standardizing inner circumference face of the magnet 34. This process can match accurately center line of the magnet 34 and rotation axis of the main body of the rotor so as to keep smooth rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruo Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6446325
    Abstract: A method of forming a swagable metal actuator arm tip having a metal swage plug for ceramic actuator arms, the method comprising the formation of a metal swage plug within a tip opening in an actuator arm, the metal insert being an appropriate metal in either solid, thixoformable solid, or liquid (molten) form. The insert, once formed or adhered within the tip opening, constitutes the metal swage plug. There are six basic methods by which the metal insert can be formed or adhered into the tip opening to form the metal swage plug: cold forming, die casting, pressure infusion casting, forging, thixoforming, or the use of adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Walter L. Prater
  • Patent number: 6421908
    Abstract: A shallow etch at the trailing edge rail that allows the slider to fly closer to the recording medium and exhibit less sensitivity to roll. The slider includes a support structure and at least one rail having side edges and an air bearing surface raised above the support structure. At least one of the rails comprises a magnetic element disposed on the support structure. The edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are etched to minimize the fly height of the magnetic element over the disk while preventing collision of the rail with the disk during roll conditions. The etched features of the rail create relieved trailing edge portions where the edges of the rail adjacent to the magnetic element are lower than the air bearing surface but are higher than the support structure. The shallow etch in the air bearing surface minimizes the difference between the minimum mechanical slider/disk spacing and the magnetic head/disk spacing which in turn allows optimization of transducer spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sanford A. Bolasna, Laurence S. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 6418612
    Abstract: A method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Hong Chuang, Steve Gregory Horning, James Randal Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6415485
    Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array and the method of manufacturing thereof is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventor: Amin M. Hanafy
  • Patent number: 6405427
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine includes a hydraulic metering subassembly and a power group subassembly. The hydraulic metering subassembly includes a fuel path and an armature/needle assembly movable between valve closed and open positions and calibrated independent of the power group subassembly to meter the discharge of fuel from the injector. The power group subassembly provides a magnetic flux return path and electromagnetic forces that move the armature/needle assembly between the valve closed and open positions. By providing an independently operational, calibrated hydraulic subassembly, a variety of different types of power group subassemblies may be used with the hydraulic metering subassembly resulting in design flexibility and a manufacturing process that is more flexible and cost efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Philip A. Kummer
  • Patent number: 6405426
    Abstract: A first step portion is formed at a portion at which on an outer end portion of a facing surface of a surface of the slider meets the side panel of the slider. Furthermore, a second step portion is formed at the portion at which the outer end portion of the first step portion meets the side panel of the slider. An edge or the like due to machining occurs at an outer end portion of the second step portion. However, even if the magnetic head is steeply inclined, the outer end portion of the second step portion in which the edge or the like due to machining occurs is barely brought into contact with the recording medium because of the formation of the second step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 6401327
    Abstract: A magnet assembly including spacers having chamfered posts insertable in post holes of opposed spaced backirons. For assembly, chamfered posts are inserted into post holes on a first backiron. A second backiron is supported above the first backiron by an assembly slide to retain the second backiron against the magnetic attraction between the first and second backirons for preassembly alignment of the post holes relative to spacer posts. The assembly slide is withdrawn from the second backiron so that the second backiron is attracted toward the first backiron and spacer posts are inserted into post holes on the second backiron. A method for assembling a magnet assembly using an assembly slide to support a second backiron above a first backiron and withdrawing the slide from the second backiron to assemble components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Fahley, Paul L. Johnson, David L. Duvick
  • Patent number: 6397455
    Abstract: A gimbal formed integral with a load beam by through etching a H pattern at the end of the beam to define a pair of tabs connected by a pair of beams; half etching from the head direction one tab with an defined area masked to form a load button; and half etching the beam from the other direction to provide the proper gimbal stiffness. In practice, the head is glued to the other tab and load is applied through the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy Michael Hagen
  • Patent number: 6381834
    Abstract: A dry-type power transformer has a lower acoustical noise level by inserting sound absorbing pads at predetermined locations in an air gap formed longitudinally between a low voltage coil and its corresponding leg member of the transformer's iron core. The pads function as baffles to lower the acoustical noise caused by magnetostriction and other forces when the transformer is energized. The pads are arranged in alternate patterns between the top and the bottom of the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Scott Edwards May
  • Patent number: 6381820
    Abstract: A semiconductor bulk acoustic resonator (SBAR) with improved passband insertion loss and phase performance characteristics making it suitable for use in a wider variety of narrowband filtering applications. The SBAR is configured to suppress lateral propagating acoustical wave mode. The lateral acoustical wave modes are controlled by varying the lateral dimension of the resonator electrodes and or utilizing a viscous acoustic damping material, such as a viscoelastic material, such as polyimide, along at least~a portion of the perimeter of the electrodes to attenuate reflections of the lateral acoustic modes at the electrode edges back into the electrode region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Drew Cushman, Jay D. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6367134
    Abstract: A ceramic electronic part producing method, in which when a ceramic electronic part having an internal electrode in a ceramic sintered body and having an external electrode connected to the internal electrode at an outside surface thereof is to be produced, a ceramic sintered body is obtained, and then subjected to dry-type barrel polishing, which does not use water, using a centrifugal barrel device in order to expose the internal electrode from an outside surface of the ceramic sintered body. The method is one in which the problem of deterioration of electrical properties, such as insulation resistance property, caused by entrance of moisture during polishing, seldom occurs and in which a large number of highly reliable ceramic electronic parts can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Sanada, Shinichiro Kuroiwa, Kyoumi Tsukida, Masayuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6367133
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface acoustic wave apparatus including the steps of forming a first conductive film, depositing a first resist on the first conductive film and patterning the first resist, dry-etching the first conductive film using the patterned first resist to form IDT electrodes, a short-circuit wiring electrode for establishing electrical connection between IDT electrodes, and a second conductive film provided where the second surface acoustic wave device is constructed, removing the second conductive film, depositing a second resist and heating the second resist, patterning the second resist on the electrodes, forming a second conductive film having a thickness which is different from the first conductive film, removing the second resist to form the electrodes of the second surface acoustic wave device and to expose the electrodes of the first surface acoustic wave device, and disconnecting the short-circuit wiring electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ikada, Kenji Sakaguchi, Miki Takamiya
  • Patent number: 6367144
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 6367145
    Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Magnecomp Corp.
    Inventors: Warren Coon, Amanullah Khan, Gustavo Nuno, David Wolf
  • Patent number: 6367146
    Abstract: A method comprises the step of providing a read-write element on a wafer including at least one magnetoresistive stripe, providing a shared pole layer above the magnetoresistive stripe, and planarizing the shared pole layer. Thereafter, a top pole layer is formed above the shared pole layer. Together, the shared and top pole layers form the write element. Because the shared pole layer is planarized, the gap portion of the write element between the shared and top pole layers is flat. Because of this, improved recording density can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cherng-Chyi Han, David Hernandez, Jei-Wei Chang, Shou-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 6360424
    Abstract: Micromotors are fabricated with utilitarian features on their rotors. In some embodiments, the features are formed by the molded addition of material on top of a rotor surface. In other embodiments, the features are formed by the provision of an additional layer on top of the rotor, and the selective removal of material therefrom. In yet other embodiments, the features are defined by the selective removal of material from the rotor itself. The disclosure is particularly illustrated with reference to the fabrication of a polygon (nickel) mirror on a polysilicon, electrostatic micromotor rotor for use in scanning applications. However, the principles of the invention can likewise be applied to fabrication of a variety of other features, such as optical gratings, shutters, mechanical actuators, pump impellers and fins, and to a variety of different micromotor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Mehran Mehregany, Francis L. Merat
  • Patent number: 6360426
    Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Summers, Amanullah Khan
  • Patent number: 6360427
    Abstract: A support mechanism for magnetic head sliders moves between a read and write position and an offset position. A flexure includes a substrate and a wiring structure that includes an insulating layer on the disk side surface. A conductor layer extends on the insulating layer and a protection layer covers the conductor layer. A load beam is joined to the flexure substrate and constitutes a suspension together with the flexure. An arm is mounted on a rotational shaft and joined to the joining region of the load beam to support the load beam. The conductor layer has slider pads on the distal end portion of the substrate and is connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider, and terminal pads on the substrate. The load beam has an aperture extending from the disk side surface of the load beam to the opposite rear side surface of the load beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Suncall Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Takasugi
  • Patent number: RE38002
    Abstract: This invention relates to a surface acoustic wave device and a production process thereof. An electrode is formed by alternately laminating a film of an aluminum alloy containing at least copper added thereto and a copper film on a piezoelectric substrate. While the particle size of the multi-layered electrode materials is kept small, the occurrence of voids in the film is prevented and life time of the surface acoustic wave device is elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshio Satoh, Osamu Ikata, Hidema Uchishiba, Takashi Matsuda, Tokihiro Nishihara, Mitsuo Takamatsu, Hajime Taniguchi