Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger, and the rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. The trace gimbal further includes a middle strut extending in a width direction of the trace gimbal and adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and an inner strut connecting the middle strut to a slider tongue. The inner strut and the middle strut adjoin the outer gimbal struts to the slider tongue.

Abstract: A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layer in a suspension assembly is described. The dielectric layer includes a tongue portion including a proximate end and a distal end, trace portions extending from the tongue portion, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portion. The aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of the void. The aperture further includes slits extending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partially aligned with slits of the void in the spring metal layer.

Abstract: A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layer in a suspension assembly is described. The dielectric layer includes a tongue portion including a proximate end and a distal end, trace portions extending from the tongue portion, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portion. The aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of the void. The aperture further includes slits extending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partially aligned with slits of the void in the spring metal layer.

Abstract: A suspension is described. The suspension includes a base plate and a load beam coupled to the base plate. The base plate includes a distal elongated element and a proximal elongated element. The distal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge and the proximal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge. The load beam includes a first mounting shelf and a second mounting shelf. The load beam is coupled to the base plate such that the first mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the distal elongated element, and the second mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the proximal elongated element. The first and second mounting shelves are configured to receive an actuator, such that an edge of the actuator and the at least one non-straight baseplate edge forms a gap.

Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger, and the rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. The trace gimbal further includes a middle strut extending in a width direction of the trace gimbal and adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and an inner strut connecting the middle strut to a slider tongue. The inner strut and the middle strut adjoin the outer gimbal struts to the slider tongue.

Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger, and the rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. The trace gimbal further includes a middle strut extending in a width direction of the trace gimbal and adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and an inner strut connecting the middle strut to a slider tongue. The inner strut and the middle strut adjoin the outer gimbal struts to the slider tongue.

Abstract: A suspension is described. The suspension includes a base plate and a load beam coupled to the base plate. The base plate includes a distal elongated element and a proximal elongated element. The distal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge and the proximal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge. The load beam includes a first mounting shelf and a second mounting shelf. The load beam is coupled to the base plate such that the first mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the distal elongated element, and the second mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the proximal elongated element. The first and second mounting shelves are configured to receive an actuator, such that an edge of the actuator and the at least one non-straight baseplate edge forms a gap.

Abstract: A suspension is described. The suspension includes a base plate and a load beam coupled to the base plate. The base plate includes a distal elongated element and a proximal elongated element. The distal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge and the proximal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge. The load beam includes a first mounting shelf and a second mounting shelf. The load beam is coupled to the base plate such that the first mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the distal elongated element, and the second mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the proximal elongated element. The first and second mounting shelves are configured to receive an actuator, such that an edge of the actuator and the at least one non-straight baseplate edge forms a gap.

Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger, and the rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. The trace gimbal further includes a middle strut extending in a width direction of the trace gimbal and adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and an inner strut connecting the middle strut to a slider tongue. The inner strut and the middle strut adjoin the outer gimbal struts to the slider tongue.

Abstract: A suspension is described. The suspension includes a base plate and a load beam coupled to the base plate. The base plate includes a distal elongated element and a proximal elongated element. The distal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge and the proximal elongated element includes at least one non-straight baseplate edge. The load beam includes a first mounting shelf and a second mounting shelf. The load beam is coupled to the base plate such that the first mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the distal elongated element, and the second mounting shelf is exposed adjacent to the proximal elongated element. The first and second mounting shelves are configured to receive an actuator, such that an edge of the actuator and the at least one non-straight baseplate edge forms a gap.

Abstract: A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layer in a suspension assembly is described. The dielectric layer includes a tongue portion including a proximate end and a distal end, trace portions extending from the tongue portion, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portion. The aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of the void. The aperture further includes slits extending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partially aligned with slits of the void in the spring metal layer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly is described. The piezoelectric actuator assembly includes a first, second and third active piezoelectric layers. The first layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The second layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface over the top surface of the first layer. The third layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface over the top surface of the second layer. The first and second layers can define a first effective electrode length. Similarly, the second and third layers can define a second effective electrode length configured to be longer than the first effective electrode length.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator assembly is described. The piezoelectric actuator assembly includes a first, second and third active piezoelectric layers. The first layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The second layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface over the top surface of the first layer. The third layer includes a top surface and a bottom surface over the top surface of the second layer. The first single and second layers can define a first effective electrode length. Similarly, the second and third layers can define a second effective electrode length configured to be longer than the first effective electrode length.