Abstract: A flexure is provided for a HGA suspension. The flexure includes a metal base layer, a trace layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the trace and base layers. The metal base layer includes a heat sink portion. The trace layer includes a plurality of conductive traces, each conductive trace having a curved section that terminates in a trace termination pad. The dielectric layer includes a portion that underlies the trace termination pads and overlies the heat sink portion. The base layer and the dielectric layer each also include a window. The curved section of each conductive trace extends over the window of the base layer. The curved section of each conductive trace may at least partially extend over the window of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A head suspension for a head/gimbal assembly comprises a flexure attached to a load beam. The load beam includes a lifter tab configured to engage a lifting surface of a load/unload ramp. The flexure includes a limiter tab, extending from a trailing edge thereof, that is configured to engage with a gimbal-limiting surface of the load/unload ramp. The limiter tab comprises a metallic base layer, a metallic stiffening layer, and a non-metallic intermediate layer disposed between the base and stiffening layers. The stiffening layer can include both conductive traces that terminate with a set of bonding pads and an appendage that extends along a length of the limiter tab. The appendage portion of the stiffening layer serves to increase the thickness of the limiter tab to increase the stiffness of the limiter tab.

Abstract: A head stack assembly (HSA) is disclosed for use in a disk drive comprising a disk, wherein a merge tool is used to merge the HSA with the disk. The HSA comprises at least one actuator arm with a suspension connected to the distal end of the actuator arm. A multi-level shipping comb attached to the actuator arm comprises a finger having a first surface and a second, raised surface. During shipping of the HSA, the first surface of the finger contacts the suspension to protect against overstressing. During manufacture of the disk drive, the shipping comb is actuated so that the second surface contacts the suspension thereby bending the suspension in a vertical direction to facilitate the insertion of the merge tool.

Abstract: A head stack assembly includes an actuator including an actuator arm, a load beam coupled to the actuator arm, and a gimbal coupled to the load beam. The gimbal is formed of an electrically conductive material. The head stack assembly further includes a dielectric layer disposed upon the gimbal. The head stack assembly further includes a slider supported by the gimbal. The head stack assembly further includes slider conductive pads disposed upon the dielectric layer with the dielectric layer interposed between the slider conductive pads and the gimbal. The slider conductive pads are electrically connected to the slider. The head stack assembly further includes a ground conductive pad disposed upon the dielectric layer with the dielectric layer interposed between the ground conductive pad and the gimbal. The ground conductive pad is electrically connected to the slider and the gimbal for electrically grounding the slider.

Abstract: A Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) for use in a disk drive and further includes a head having a read element and a write element; and a Trace Gimbal Assembly (TGA) attached to the head. The TGA includes a conductor array having a first end connected to the read element and the write element and a distal end for connecting the read element and the write element to a signal processing circuit, a conductive substrate supporting the head and the conductor array and a dielectric layer disposed between the conductor array and the conductive substrate. The TGA further includes a shunt connected at the distal end for shunting the read element; and an anti-static coating, covering a substantial portion of the conductor array for neutralizing electrostatic charge accumulation on the conductor array.

Abstract: A method for forming a head gimbal assembly in which the head gimbal assembly and a frame are formed from a continuous piece of laminated material comprised of a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A plurality of electrical lines are formed in the third layer of the head gimbal assembly and a plurality of electrical line extensions are formed in the third layer of the frame. The slider is positioned at an angle to the frame and a plurality of termination pads on the slider are bonded to the electrical lines. The frame is partially separated from the head gimbal assembly and the relative position of the slider to the head gimbal assembly is changed by an amount sufficient to separate the plurality of electrical lines from the plurality of electrical line extensions.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a magnetic read/write slider comprising a load beam, a slider support member and a flexure comprised of a first flexure arm and a second flexure arm. A plurality of electrical conductors extend along the edge of the load beam on the side of the load beam farthest away from the disk hub. The electrical conductors are positioned adjacent to, but outside of, the second flexure arm, so as not to contribute to the stiffness of the second flexure arm. The electrical conductors are comprised of a laminated material which includes a conductor layer, such as a high strength copper alloy, a dielectric layer and a support layer. In another embodiment, the flexure includes a first flexible finger recion and a second flexible finger region.

Abstract: A single piece head gimbal assembly comprised of a load beam, a pair of flexure arms, a slider support member and a plurality of electrical lines. The head gimbal assembly is formed from a laminated material comprised of a support layer, a dielectric layer and a high strength electrically conductive layer. The electrical lines are formed in the high strength electrically conductive layer and extend along the backside of the load beam. The backside surface of a slider is accessible through an aperture formed between the flexure arms and the electrical lines are terminated to the backside of the slider. Alternatively, the electrical lines extend along the backside or frontside of the load beam and are terminated to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A single piece head gimbal assembly comprised of a load beam, a pair of flexure arms, a slider support member and a plurality of electrical lines. The head gimbal assembly is formed from a laminated material comprised of a support layer, a dielectric layer and a high strength electrically conductive layer. The electrical lines are formed in the high strength electrically conductive layer and extend along the backside of the load beam. The backside surface of a slider is accessible through an aperture formed between the flexure arms and the electrical lines are terminated to the backside of the slider. Alternatively, the electrical lines extend along the backside or frontside of the load beam and are terminated to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A slider suspension assembly for a data-recording disk file is disclosed. The slider suspension assembly uses an improved mechanical and electrical attachment arrangement to attach the slider to the suspension. The slider suspension assembly utilizes a load beam having an integrated cable formed at least partially within the load beam along the length thereof wherein the integrated cable includes a dielectric layer and a plurality of conductors disposed upon the dielectric layer. A slider mounted to a flexure at the end of the load beam includes multiple conductive pads disposed along one edge thereof.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for use in a magnetic recording disk file comprised of a laminated suspension positioned between an actuator arm and a read/write slider. The laminated suspension is comprised of a conductor layer, a dielectric layer and a support layer. The conductor layer is comprised of a high strength conductive copper alloy selected from the group consisting of Cu--Ni--Si--Mg alloy, Be--Cu--Ni alloy, and Cu--Ti alloy, wherein the conductive layer has a thickness less than or equal to eighteen microns. The dielectric layer is comprised of an electrically insulating material such as a polyimide. The support layer is comprised of a rigid material such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A flexure for use in a head gimbal assembly comprising a single narrow torsion beam that connects a suspension load beam to a slider support member. The flexure is centered underneath a read/write slider and may be comprised of a laminated material having a conductor layer, a dielectric layer and a support layer. A plurality of electrical leads may be formed in the conductor layer for attachment the slider. The slider is mechanically attached to the slider support member by a first set of solder balls the height of which create a space for accommodating deflections of the flexure and allowing the electrical leads to pass underneath the slider. Electrical connections to the slider are made using a plurality of right angle fillet joints between the slider and a second set of solder balls on the slider support member. The shape of the torsion beam may be varied to yield different levels of stiffness to pitch, roll and yaw movement of the flexure.

Abstract: A disk drive has an improved electrical interconnect assembly for coupling one or more conductive paths leading from a read/write head with the conductive terminals of a flexible cable. The improved interconnect assembly includes an interconnect tab with a plurality of interconnect pads attached thereto. The interconnect tab is connected to a suspension assembly containing a planar suspension member which is located and secured on the actuator arm such that the interconnect tab extends beyond the peripheral edge of the actuator arm. The interconnect tab is inclined toward the side of the actuator arm opposite the side on which the suspension assembly is mounted. The end of the inclined interconnect tab extends to a distance from the planar suspension member approximately equal to half the thickness of the actuator arm. The flexible conductive cable has conductive paths connected to an array of terminals which is oriented at an incline wherein each terminal is aligned with a corresponding interconnect pad.

Abstract: A data recording disk file uses a laminated suspension for supporting a negative pressure slider in a manner which prevents the read/write transducer on the slider from contacting the disk surface and which eliminates the effect of stiction. The laminated suspension is a flat, flexible sheet of material bonded on both sides to patterned metal layers. The suspension comprises an arm portion for attachment to the actuator support arm, a slider portion to which the slider is attached, and a link portion interconnecting the arm and slider portions. The first metal layer is preferably stainless steel and the second metal layer is preferably copper. The arm and link portions of the stainless steel layer are spaced apart to form a hinge of flexible material. The portion of either the copper or stainless steel near the hinge region is prestressed or bent so that the link portion of the laminated suspension is biased toward the disk surface.