Abstract: A suspension system comprises an actuator arm and two suspensions. Each suspension has a load beam and a laminated member comprised of a support layer, an electrically insulating layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The laminated members are etched to form electrical lines for each suspension. The laminate member of each suspension is bent along the side of the arm such that they overlap one another in order to reduce the required space.

Abstract: A transducer suspension system is comprised of a load beam and a flexure. The flexure has a platform for receiving a transducer head. The platform has a forward portion which has a forward facing tab which engages an aperture in the load beam above. The rear portion of the platform has a pair of forward facing rear tabs which engage an aperture in the load beam above. The tabs limit the motion of the flexure during violent shocks, thereby preventing damage to the flexure.

Abstract: A transducer suspension system comprises an actuator arm and a suspension. The suspension is comprised of a load beam and a laminated member. The laminated member has an electrically conducting layer and electrical insulating layer, and an electrically conductive support layer. The electrical conducting layer is formed into electrical lines. The support layer is formed into a continuous underlying conductive plane. The conductive plane is connected to the arm by means of a frequency dependent shunt. The combination of the conductive plane and the shunt provide for higher frequency performance with reduced interference susceptibility.

Abstract: An integrated suspension for a slider in a magnetic storage system has a simplified structure that is relatively easy to manufacture. The novel integrated suspension may be assembled from separate pieces, including a load beam, a flexure and a mounting plate. The load beam provides rigid structural support of the flexure. The flexure includes a flexible member and leads integrally formed thereon. A section of the flexible member is fixedly attached to the load member, and another section having the slider mounted thereon presses against a pivot projection in the load beam for gimbal motions. An interlocking structure is provided to limit the extent of gimbal motions of the flexible member, comprising a tab extending from the flexible member into an aperture in the load beam. Alternatively, a tang is formed in the flexible member which is used to form a clip which serves to limit gimbal motions as it interacts with the load beam.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrical connection assembly for a data storage device and a method of fabricating the electrical connection between a transducer termination pad formed on a slider and a suspension having a conductive lead structure. A compliant cantilevered conductive pad is formed at the end of the conductive lead structure. A solder bump is formed on the transducer termination pad, and may be formed subsequent to dicing the sliders. The slider is placed in mechanical contact with the suspension for mechanical support such that the solder bump contacts the cantilevered conductive pad, which cantilevered conductive pad complies with the solder bump to absorb positional errors. Then, the solder bump is heated, preferably by a laser, so as to reflow the solder bump to make an approximately right angle solder fillet joint electrical connection with the cantilevered conductive pad.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly is provided using a laminated load beam with electrical conductors etched in a copper layer of the load beam. A stiffening member is provided attached to the laminated load beam, the stiffener member being capable of being fabricated into a desired shape by a stamping process.

Abstract: A suspension member has integral electrical conductor leads which extend along its length to a rear tail section. The leads extend beyond the tail section for electrical connection with a reception pad member. The distal ends of the leads have recessed areas in the terminal edge to encourage the flow of liquid solder into the joint. The tail section has a pair of tab members which are received in apertures in the reception pad member in order align the leads correctly.

Abstract: A radially and axially preloaded bearing that has a very low mass and axial profile and which can be used in a actuator pivot of a direct access storage device without the need for a second bearing to counter the preload. An outer race of the bearing is split in order to form an open ring. Three balls are placed between the outer race and an inner race. Both the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the inner race are formed such that two contact points exist between each ball and each race. Alternatively, the outer race is a closed toroid. The inner race is radially split to form a lower and an upper race, each being a closed toroid. In yet another alternative, the outer race is radially split into an upper outer race and a lower outer race. The inner race is a single closed toroid. A limiter is used to limit the movement of each of the balls. Alternatively, a conventional ball cage is used.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved slider-suspension electrical interconnect assembly and a method of manufacturing the same. The novel integrated suspension may be assembled from separate pieces, including a load beam, a flexure and a mounting plate. The load beam provides rigid structural support of the flexure. The flexure includes a flexible member and conductive leads integrally formed thereon. The flexible member has a gimbal area to which a slider is attached. At least one transducer is attached to the slider for reading data from and writing data to a disk surface. Each of the conductive leads terminates at one end on contact pads on the end face of the slider for electrical connection to the transducer. At the slider termination end, the conductive leads comprise an altered and an unaltered section. The altered section of the conductor has a lower yield strength than the conductor surrounding the altered section, and has a more uniform grain structure than the unaltered section.

Abstract: An integrated suspension for a disk drive having electro-static discharge protection using either physical barriers or suspension structures which substantially reduces or eliminates the possibility of electrostatic discharge to the suspension conductive lines through physical contact with another charged object. The various embodiments of this invention include a suspension structure having a flange member extending from its surface, a suspension structure wherein the electrical lead lines are recessed in a channel, a suspension where the electrical lead lines are covered by an enclosing metal member, and a suspension where the electrical lead lines are covered by a conformal insulating layer.