Patents by Inventor Jacob D. Bjorstrom

Jacob D. Bjorstrom 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).

  • Publication number: 20230044275
    Abstract: A suspension assembly is described. A suspension assembly including a support member configured to receive at least a first circuit member. The first circuit member including at least a trace. The first circuit member disposed on the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 11503211
    Abstract: A suspension assembly is described. A suspension assembly including a support member configured to receive at least a first circuit member. The first circuit member including at least a trace. The first circuit member disposed on the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 10957349
    Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Zachary A. Pokornowski, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Publication number: 20210051258
    Abstract: A suspension assembly is described. A suspension assembly including a support member configured to receive at least a first circuit member. The first circuit member including at least a trace. The first circuit member disposed on the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Mark A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190362745
    Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary A. Pokornowski, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Patent number: 10373634
    Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Zachary A. Pokornowski, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Patent number: 10339966
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10109305
    Abstract: A suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure includes a loadbeam and a flexure attached to the loadbeam. The flexure includes a metal layer with a pair of spring arms, a tongue including a slider mounting surface, and a pair of struts connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The suspension further includes a pair of traces including one or more insulated conductors and being routed around opposite sides of the slider mounting surface, over the pair of struts to a set of terminal contacts on a distal portion of the tongue. The suspension also includes a motor mounted on the flexure, the motor having opposite lateral ends, the motor orientated laterally across the flexure such that the opposite lateral ends of the motor are on opposite lateral sides of the flexure. Electrical activation of the motor rotates the slider mounting surface relative to the loadbeam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10002628
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first terminal, one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and a metal stiffener disposed directly on the first terminal. The stiffener comprises a layer of metal defining a majority of a top side of the motor. The first terminal can be gold sputtered on the piezoelectric material while the stiffener can be nickel plated on the gold. The stiffener can cause the motor, and the flexure on which it is mounted, to curl upon electrical activation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Publication number: 20180061442
    Abstract: A stainless steel dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension baseplate including a plated electrical contact area having nickel and gold. The baseplate can be heat treated. The nickel and gold can be in a mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180005653
    Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary A. Pokornowski, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Publication number: 20170330589
    Abstract: A suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure includes a loadbeam and a flexure attached to the loadbeam. The flexure includes a metal layer with a pair of spring arms, a tongue including a slider mounting surface, and a pair of struts connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The suspension further includes a pair of traces including one or more insulated conductors and being routed around opposite sides of the slider mounting surface, over the pair of struts to a set of terminal contacts on a distal portion of the tongue. The suspension also includes a motor mounted on the flexure, the motor having opposite lateral ends, the motor orientated laterally across the flexure such that the opposite lateral ends of the motor are on opposite lateral sides of the flexure. Electrical activation of the motor rotates the slider mounting surface relative to the loadbeam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9818437
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20170323658
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first terminal, one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and a metal stiffener disposed directly on the first terminal. The stiffener comprises a layer of metal defining a majority of a top side of the motor. The first terminal can be gold sputtered on the piezoelectric material while the stiffener can be nickel plated on the gold. The stiffener can cause the motor, and the flexure on which it is mounted, to curl upon electrical activation of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Patent number: 9812160
    Abstract: A stainless steel dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension baseplate including a plated electrical contact area having nickel and gold. The baseplate can be heat treated. The nickel and gold can be in a mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Shawn P. Bopp, Reed T. Hentges, Michael T. Hofflander, Richard R. Jenneke, Craig A. Leabch, Mark S. Lewandowski, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Brian D. Schafer, Brian J. Stepien, John A. Theget, John E. Theisen, John L. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9715890
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first terminal, one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and a metal stiffener disposed directly on the first terminal. The stiffener comprises a layer of metal defining a majority of a top side of the motor. The first terminal can be gold sputtered on the piezoelectric material while the stiffener can be nickel plated on the gold. The stiffener can cause the motor, and the flexure on which it is mounted, to curl upon electrical activation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Patent number: 9646638
    Abstract: A suspension having a DSA structure on a gimbaled flexure includes a loadbeam and a flexure attached to the loadbeam. The flexure includes a metal layer with a pair of spring arms, a tongue including a slider mounting surface, and a pair of struts connecting the pair of spring arms to the tongue. The suspension further includes a pair of traces including one or more insulated conductors and being routed around opposite sides of the slider mounting surface, over the pair of struts to a set of terminal contacts on a distal portion of the tongue. The suspension also includes a motor mounted on the flexure, the motor having opposite lateral ends, the motor orientated laterally across the flexure such that the opposite lateral ends of the motor are on opposite lateral sides of the flexure. Electrical activation of the motor rotates the slider mounting surface relative to the loadbeam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20170117008
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Joseph C. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20170117009
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first terminal, one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and a metal stiffener disposed directly on the first terminal. The stiffener comprises a layer of metal defining a majority of a top side of the motor. The first terminal can be gold sputtered on the piezoelectric material while the stiffener can be nickel plated on the gold. The stiffener can cause the motor, and the flexure on which it is mounted, to curl upon electrical activation of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: Jacob D. Bjorstrom
  • Patent number: 9564154
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Joseph C. Wheatley