Patents by Inventor Ian A. Robson

Ian A. Robson 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).

  • Patent number: 11615804
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a storage medium and a head configured to access the storage medium, wherein the head comprises a first write assist element (WA1) comprising a first terminal and a second terminal and a second write assist element (WA2) comprising a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal of the WA1 and the second terminal of the WA2 are coupled together to form a common node. A first bias signal is applied to the first terminal of the WA1, a second bias signal is applied to the first terminal of the WA2, and a common mode voltage is applied to the common node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joey M. Poss, John T. Contreras, Ian Robson McFadyen, Yaw Shing Tang
  • Patent number: 11434435
    Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion emanating from a quenching process in production of ethylene that includes online monitoring of zeta potential of the hydrocarbon/water emulsion in a quench water tower and/or a quench water loop. In response to the online monitoring of zeta potential, the method changes the amount of demulsifier being added to the hydrocarbon/water emulsion such that the amount of demulsifier is effective in breaking the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Ian Robson, Fabrice Cuoq
  • Patent number: 11276424
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider comprising an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both (a) couple a slider bias voltage to a body of the slider to control a potential of the slider, and (b) provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor. The slider may also include a shunt circuit for mitigating radio-frequency interference by shunting it to ground. The slider may include a write element, which may include a write-field enhancement structure. The slider may include a read element for reading from a recording media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Publication number: 20210327462
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider comprising an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both (a) couple a slider bias voltage to a body of the slider to control a potential of the slider, and (b) provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor. The slider may also include a shunt circuit for mitigating radio-frequency interference by shunting it to ground. The slider may include a write element, which may include a write-field enhancement structure. The slider may include a read element for reading from a recording media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Patent number: 11087784
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a recording media, a slider comprising a write head having a write-field enhancement structure for recording data to the recording media, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and carry a bias current for the write-field enhancement structure. Also disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider with an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Patent number: 10891973
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits, architectures, and methods that provide for the control of a data storage device write head's trailing shield and main pole potential with respect to the disk using circuitry that is integrated with circuitry used to bias a spin torque oscillator (STO) apparatus. Various embodiments include slider connections with STO bias circuitry that resides in a read/write integrated circuit, which has a programmable circuit that generates a bias current with overshoot (bias kicks). Also disclosed are circuits that may be incorporated into a slider to mitigate radio-frequency interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Publication number: 20200349969
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a recording media, a slider comprising a write head having a write-field enhancement structure for recording data to the recording media, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and carry a bias current for the write-field enhancement structure. Also disclosed herein is a data storage device comprising a slider with an embedded contact sensor, an electronics module, and a plurality of lines disposed between and coupled to the slider and the electronics module, wherein at least one line of the plurality of lines is configured to both couple a bias voltage to a body of the slider, and provide a signal to the embedded contact sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John CONTRERAS, Yunfei DING, Kuok San HO, Ian Robson MCFADYEN, Joey Martin POSS
  • Patent number: 10825474
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first head actuated over a first disk surface, the first head comprising a plurality of elements including a first element. During a first write operation of the first head, a first bias signal having a first polarity is applied to the first element, and a write interval of the first write operation is measured. During a non-write mode of the first head, a second bias signal having a second polarity opposite the first polarity is applied to the first element during a reverse bias interval that is based on the write interval of the first write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joey M. Poss, Ian Robson McFadyen, Jih-shiuan Luo, Yunfei Ding
  • Publication number: 20200211584
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits, architectures, and methods that provide for the control of a data storage device write head's trailing shield and main pole potential with respect to the disk using circuitry that is integrated with circuitry used to bias a spin torque oscillator (STO) apparatus. Various embodiments include slider connections with STO bias circuitry that resides in a read/write integrated circuit, which has a programmable circuit that generates a bias current with overshoot (bias kicks). Also disclosed are circuits that may be incorporated into a slider to mitigate radio-frequency interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John CONTRERAS, Yunfei DING, Kuok San HO, Ian Robson MCFADYEN, Joey Martin POSS
  • Publication number: 20200168247
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first head actuated over a first disk surface, the first head comprising a plurality of elements including a first element. During a first write operation of the first head, a first bias signal having a first polarity is applied to the first element, and a write interval of the first write operation is measured. During a non-write mode of the first head, a second bias signal having a second polarity opposite the first polarity is applied to the first element during a reverse bias interval that is based on the write interval of the first write operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Joey M. POSS, Ian Robson MCFADYEN, Jih-shiuan LUO, Yunfei DING
  • Patent number: 10629229
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits, architectures, and methods that provide for the control of a data storage device write head's trailing shield and main pole potential with respect to the disk using circuitry that is integrated with circuitry used to bias a spin torque oscillator (STO) apparatus. Various embodiments include slider connections with STO bias circuitry that resides in a read/write integrated circuit, which has a programmable circuit that generates a bias current with overshoot (bias kicks). Also disclosed are circuits that may be incorporated into a slider to mitigate radio-frequency interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Publication number: 20190362744
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits, architectures, and methods that provide for the control of a data storage device write head's trailing shield and main pole potential with respect to the disk using circuitry that is integrated with circuitry used to bias a spin torque oscillator (STO) apparatus. Various embodiments include slider connections with STO bias circuitry that resides in a read/write integrated circuit, which has a programmable circuit that generates a bias current with overshoot (bias kicks). Also disclosed are circuits that may be incorporated into a slider to mitigate radio-frequency interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John CONTRERAS, Yunfei DING, Kuok San HO, Ian Robson MCFADYEN, Joey Martin POSS
  • Patent number: 10424323
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits, architectures, and methods that provide for the control of a data storage device write head's trailing shield and main pole potential with respect to the disk using circuitry that is integrated with circuitry used to bias a spin torque oscillator (STO) apparatus. Various embodiments include slider connections with STO bias circuitry that resides in a read/write integrated circuit, which has a programmable circuit that generates a bias current with overshoot (bias kicks). Also disclosed are circuits that may be incorporated into a slider to mitigate radio-frequency interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Yunfei Ding, Kuok San Ho, Ian Robson McFadyen, Joey Martin Poss
  • Publication number: 20190185763
    Abstract: A method for treating an emulsion emanating from a quenching process in production of ethylene that includes online monitoring of zeta potential of the hydrocarbon/water emulsion in a quench water tower and/or a quench water loop. In response to the online monitoring of zeta potential, the method changes the amount of demulsifier being added to the hydrocarbon/water emulsion such that the amount of demulsifier is effective in breaking the emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Ian ROBSON, Fabrice CUOQ
  • Patent number: 10047301
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for resolving emulsions formed from oils present in quench waters of ethylene manufacturing operations. The methods include adding a cationic oligomer to the base of a water quench tower having an emulsion formed therein, and collecting a water phase therefrom. The water phase can be applied to a water recycling loop within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: ECOLAB USA INC., SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Fabrice Cuoq, Steven Leen, Jerome Vachon, Anthoni van Zijl, Ian Robson, Roy van Lier, Theodore C. Arnst
  • Publication number: 20170101589
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for resolving emulsions formed from oils present in quench waters of ethylene manufacturing operations. The methods include adding a cationic oligomer to the base of a water quench tower having an emulsion formed therein, and collecting a water phase therefrom. The water phase can be applied to a water recycling loop within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Fabrice Cuoq, Steven Leen, Jerome Vachon, Anthoni van Zijl, Ian Robson, Roy van Lier, Theodore C. Arnst
  • Patent number: 9564163
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing dual partially independent flyheight control (TFC) for hard disk drives (HDDs). A dual thermal flyheight control (TFC) includes a series connected first heater resistor and a second heater resistor connected between a pair of wires. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the first heater resistor providing a frequency dependent shunt to the parallel connected first heater resistor. TFC electrical bias signals are applied to the first heater resistor and second heater resistor carried by the pair of wires. For example, the TFC electrical bias signals include high frequency electrical signals including a frequency range between 1 MHz and 100 MHz having a set amplitude in a voltage range between 0 and 7 Volts, and/or DC current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Contreras, Ian Robson McFadyen, Erhard Schreck
  • Publication number: 20160293194
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing dual partially independent flyheight control (TFC) for hard disk drives (HDDs). A dual thermal flyheight control (TFC) includes a series connected first heater resistor and a second heater resistor connected between a pair of wires. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the first heater resistor providing a frequency dependent shunt to the parallel connected first heater resistor. TFC electrical bias signals are applied to the first heater resistor and second heater resistor carried by the pair of wires. For example, the TFC electrical bias signals include high frequency electrical signals including a frequency range between 1 MHz and 100 MHz having a set amplitude in a voltage range between 0 and 7 Volts, and/or DC current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: John Contreras, Ian Robson McFadyen, Erhard Schreck
  • Patent number: 8514518
    Abstract: A magnetic write pole structure that is configured to greatly simplify the manufacture of a perpendicular magnetic write head. The write head has a magnetic yoke that is oriented along a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the data track. This allows the entire yoke to be formed in a single electroplating step, rather than being built up in several plated layers. The yoke can also be formed with magnetic side shields, or with a trailing or wrap around shield, which can be integral with the rest of the yoke and can be advantageously formed in the same, single electroplating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ian Robson McFadyen, Petrus Antonius Van Der Heijden
  • Patent number: 8337182
    Abstract: A skinned rotor 201 or skinned stator 305 of a progressive cavity apparatus is described. A rotor 201 can be skinned by threading a sleeve 210 with a profiled helical outer 212 and profiled helical inner 214 surface onto a core 202 with a profiled helical outer surface 204. A rotor (1301, 1401) can also be skinned by inserting a non-helical core (1302, 1402) into a non-helical longitudinal bore (1314, 1414) of a sleeve (1310, 1410) with a profiled helical outer surface (1312, 1412). A stator 305 can be skinned by threading a tubular liner 310 with profiled helical inner 314 and profiled helical outer 312 surfaces into a profiled helical bore 308 of a tube 306. A stator (2405, 2505) can also be skinned by inserting a tubular liner (2410, 2510) with a non-helical outer surface (2412, 2512) into a non-helical bore (2408, 2508) of a tube (2406, 2506).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Lee, Robert Ian Robson, Olivier Sindt, Michael Shepherd, Norman Ward