Patents by Inventor Brian D. Boudreau

Brian D. Boudreau 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).

  • Process coupons used in manufacturing flexures
    Patent number: 11594249
    Abstract: A system and methods for manufacturing devices such as flexures using process coupons are described are described. The method including performing a test on at least one feature of a coupon, the coupon is included on an assembly sheet used in manufacturing flexures. The at least one feature is produced by a manufacturing processing step that is used to produce a portion of a flexure. And, the physical characteristics of the feature include at least one physical characteristic that is different than physical characteristics of the portion. The method also including determining the manufacturing processing step will produce an abnormal portion of a flexure based on the performed test. Further, the method includes adjusting the manufacturing processing step and manufacturing a portion of a flexure using the adjusted manufacturing processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Brian D. Boudreau
  • Process Coupons Used In Manufacturing Flexures
    Publication number: 20210225396
    Abstract: A system and methods for manufacturing devices such as flexures using process coupons are described are described. The method including performing a test on at least one feature of a coupon, the coupon is included on an assembly sheet used in manufacturing flexures. The at least one feature is produced by a manufacturing processing step that is used to produce a portion of a flexure. And, the physical characteristics of the feature include at least one physical characteristic that is different than physical characteristics of the portion. The method also including determining the manufacturing processing step will produce an abnormal portion of a flexure based on the performed test. Further, the method includes adjusting the manufacturing processing step and manufacturing a portion of a flexure using the adjusted manufacturing processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Brian D. Boudreau
  • Process coupons used in manufacturing flexures
    Patent number: 10910003
    Abstract: A system and methods for manufacturing devices such as flexures using process coupons are described are described. The method including performing a test on at least one feature of a coupon, the coupon is included on an assembly sheet used in manufacturing flexures. The at least one feature is produced by a manufacturing processing step that is used to produce a portion of a flexure. And, the physical characteristics of the feature include at least one physical characteristic that is different than physical characteristics of the portion. The method also including determining the manufacturing processing step will produce an abnormal portion of a flexure based on the performed test. Further, the method includes adjusting the manufacturing processing step and manufacturing a portion of a flexure using the adjusted manufacturing processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Brian D. Boudreau
  • Process Coupons Used In Manufacturing Flexures
    Publication number: 20180005655
    Abstract: A system and methods for manufacturing devices such as flexures using process coupons are described are described. The method including performing a test on at least one feature of a coupon, the coupon is included on an assembly sheet used in manufacturing flexures. The at least one feature is produced by a manufacturing processing step that is used to produce a portion of a flexure. And, the physical characteristics of the feature include at least one physical characteristic that is different than physical characteristics of the portion. The method also including determining the manufacturing processing step will produce an abnormal portion of a flexure based on the performed test. Further, the method includes adjusting the manufacturing processing step and manufacturing a portion of a flexure using the adjusted manufacturing processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Brian D. Boudreau