Patents by Inventor Jeffry A. LeBlanc
Jeffry A. LeBlanc 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).
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Patent number: 9115758Abstract: In one example, an FDB motor having a shield member is provided. In one example, the method includes disposing a first member and a second member for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. An annular shield member is attached to the first member, the shield member disposed adjacent a fluid reservoir for containing a bearing fluid. The reservoir is filled through an aperture (e.g., a fill hole) in the shield member. Thereafter, the aperture is at least partially sealed. The aperture may be hermetically sealed via one or more laser pulses. In other examples, a two piece shield is provided for shielding a reservoir without a fill hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, James S. Lee, Jeffry A. Leblanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Thaveesinn Vasavakul, James S. Bowdoin, Christopher M. Woldemar, Jerry J. Weingord
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Publication number: 20120319516Abstract: In one example, an FDB motor having a shield member is provided. In one example, the method includes disposing a first member and a second member for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. An annular shield member is attached to the first member, the shield member disposed adjacent a fluid reservoir for containing a bearing fluid. The reservoir is filled through an aperture (e.g., a fill hole) in the shield member. Thereafter, the aperture is at least partially sealed. The aperture may be hermetically sealed via one or more laser pulses. In other examples, a two piece shield is provided for shielding a reservoir without a fill hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, James S. Lee, Jeffry A. Leblanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Thaveesinn Vasavakul, James S. Bowdoin, Christopher M. Woldemar, Jerry J. Weingord
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Patent number: 8181348Abstract: In one example, a fluid dynamic bearing motor having a shield member is provided. In one example, the method includes disposing a first member and a second member for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. An annular shield member is attached to the first member, the shield member disposed adjacent a fluid reservoir for containing a bearing fluid. The reservoir is filled through an aperture (e.g., a fill hole) in the shield member. Thereafter, the aperture is at least partially sealed. The aperture may be hermetically sealed via one or more laser pulses. In other examples, a two piece shield is provided for shielding a reservoir without a fill hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, James S. Lee, Jeffry A. Leblanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Thaveesinn Vasavakul, James S. Bowdoin, Christopher M. Woldemar, Jerry J. Weingord
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Patent number: 7944645Abstract: A component for restricting relative movement of a rotor and a shaft is disclosed. A motor may include a shaft and a rotor, where the rotor is disposed for relative rotation with respect to said shaft. A component is operable to restrict relative movement of the rotor and the shaft, where the component includes a first surface operable to receive a fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Lynn B. Le
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Patent number: 7892100Abstract: For motors having a journal with one or more groove regions and a shaft for relative rotation in the journal, aspects include providing a dual tapered shaft. The shaft may be tapered by the application of a wear resistant coating at least opposite the groove regions. The coating introduces a shaft taper from near a top end and from near a bottom end towards the shaft middle. The shaft taper may provide for improved pumping efficiency. The coating may be applied in various processes such as chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition to establish a thickness gradient of coating material from near the top end and near the bottom end towards the shaft middle. In one example, the coating includes a DLC coating. Additionally, shaft portions may be shielded to prevent coatings thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Seagate Technologies LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Troy M. Herndon, Mohammad M. Ameen, Raquib U. Kahn
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Publication number: 20100053807Abstract: A component for restricting relative movement of a rotor and a shaft is disclosed. A motor may include a shaft and a rotor, where the rotor is disposed for relative rotation with respect to said shaft. A component is operable to restrict relative movement of the rotor and the shaft, where the component includes a first surface operable to receive a fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Lynn B. Le
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Patent number: 7626783Abstract: In one example, a FDB motor having a top-cover attached, EM biased bearing system is provided. The motor includes a shaft and rotor disposed for relative rotation, and an axial limiter for restricting axial movement of the rotor with respect to the shaft, wherein the axial limiter is wet or lubricated during contact. The limiter is spatially fixed with respect to one of the shaft or the rotor and disposed with an axial end surface opposing a surface portion spatially fixed with respect to the other of the shaft or the rotor to form a gap therebetween. The gap may be filled with a fluid such as bearing lubricant, thereby providing a lubricated or wet contact surface to restrict axial movement of the shaft and rotor. Additionally, one or both surfaces may include a groove or slot to provide circulation of fluid through the gap.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Lynn B. Le
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Publication number: 20090079283Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having relatively rotatable facing surfaces that are reliably lubricated. A radial gap is defined between the relatively rotatable facing surfaces, wherein a first axial end of a fluid dynamic bearing has a larger radial gap as compared to a central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid recirculation passageway is established between the first axial end and the central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid reservoir is formed axially above the first axial end of the fluid dynamic bearing. Robustness of the FDB motor is increased, and sensitivity to external loads or mechanical shock events is reduced. Dry surface-to-surface contact of bearing surfaces and reduced performance or failure of the motor or disc drive components is averted. The use of diamond-like coating on relatively rotatable fluid bearing surfaces may also be reduced or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Troy M. Herndon, Robert A. Nottingham
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Publication number: 20080273263Abstract: In one example, a FDB motor having a top-cover attached, EM biased bearing system is provided. The motor includes a shaft and rotor disposed for relative rotation, and an axial limiter for restricting axial movement of the rotor with respect to the shaft, wherein the axial limiter is wet or lubricated during contact. The limiter is spatially fixed with respect to one of the shaft or the rotor and disposed with an axial end surface opposing a surface portion spatially fixed with respect to the other of the shaft or the rotor to form a gap therebetween. The gap may be filled with a fluid such as bearing lubricant, thereby providing a lubricated or wet contact surface to restrict axial movement of the shaft and rotor. Additionally, one or both surfaces may include a groove or slot to provide circulation of fluid through the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LEBLANC, Robert A. Nottingham, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Lynn B. Le
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Publication number: 20080261708Abstract: For motors having a journal with one or more groove regions and a shaft for relative rotation in the journal, aspects include providing a dual tapered shaft. The shaft may be tapered by the application of a wear resistant coating at least opposite the groove regions. The coating introduces a shaft taper from near a top end and from near a bottom end towards the shaft middle. The shaft taper may provide for improved pumping efficiency. The coating may be applied in various processes such as chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition to establish a thickness gradient of coating material from near the top end and near the bottom end towards the shaft middle. In one example, the coating includes a DLC coating. Additionally, shaft portions may be shielded to prevent coatings thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Troy M. Herndon, Mohammad M. Ameen, Raquib U. Khan
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Patent number: 7378771Abstract: For motors having a journal with one or more groove regions and a shaft for relative rotation in the journal, aspects include providing a dual tapered shaft. The shaft may be tapered by the application of a wear resistant coating at least opposite the groove regions. The coating introduces a shaft taper from near a top end and from near a bottom end towards the shaft middle. The shaft taper may provide for improved pumping efficiency. The coating may be applied in various processes such as chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition to establish a thickness gradient of coating material from near the top end and near the bottom end towards the shaft middle. In one example, the coating includes a DLC coating. Additionally, shaft portions may be shielded to prevent coatings thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. Leblanc, Troy M. Herndon, Mohammad M. Ameen, Raquib U. Khan
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Patent number: 7372663Abstract: In one example, a FDB motor having a top-cover attached, EM biased bearing system is provided. The motor includes a shaft and rotor disposed for relative rotation, and an axial limiter for restricting axial movement of the rotor with respect to the shaft, wherein the axial limiter is wet or lubricated during contact. The limiter is spatially fixed with respect to one of the shaft or the rotor and disposed with an axial end surface opposing a surface portion spatially fixed with respect to the other of the shaft or the rotor to form a gap therebetween. The gap may be filled with a fluid such as bearing lubricant, thereby providing a lubricated or wet contact surface to restrict axial movement of the shaft and rotor. Additionally, one or both surfaces may include a groove or slot to provide circulation of fluid through the gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jeffry A. Leblanc, Robert A. Nottingham, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Lynn B. Le
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Publication number: 20080101738Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing having a hub, a sleeve, and a sealing arrangement comprising a first capillary seal substantially retaining a first fluid and a second capillary seal comprising a second fluid. The second capillary seal is located between the first capillary seal and an opening between the hub and the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Norbert S. Parsoneault, Robert A. Nottingham, Alexander Parkhomovsky, Robert M. Pelstring, Jeffry A. Leblanc, Troy M. Herndon
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Patent number: 7262935Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a motor having improved stiffness is provided. In one embodiment, the motor includes a stationary shaft, a hub, a thrust plate and a counter plate. The thrust plate is coupled to the shaft. The hub is rotatable about a central axis of the shaft. The counter plate is coupled to the hub and has the shaft extending therethrough. The counter plate and the thrust plate define at least a portion of a fluid dynamic bearing, wherein at least a portion of counter plate and the thrust plate form a capillary seal therebetween. The capillary seal enhances motor performance by providing a fluid reservoir for the fluid dynamic bearing, allowing fluid to be added to the hydrodynamic bearing without motor disassembly and providing a passage for air to escape from between the bearing surfaces. In one embodiment, the motor is particularly suitable for disc drive applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Jeffry A. LeBlanc
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Publication number: 20070145837Abstract: Multifunctional components enable the construction of economical motor assemblies. A first embodiment of the present invention provides a hub, cup, spindle, and base assembly for a motor assembly having at least one journal bearing, at least one thrust bearing, and at least one fluid seal. A second embodiment of the present invention provides a hub, spindle, and base with integrated cup assembly for a disc drive bearing having at least one journal bearing, at least one thrust bearing, and at least one fluid seal. In a third embodiment, a hub is rotatably assembled with a spindle coupled to a thrust bearing, prior to assembly with a base. In further embodiments, motor assemblies comprise the above embodiments combined with stator and rotor assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Troy Herndon, Jeffry LeBlanc, Robert Nottingham, Norbert Steven Parsoneault, Paco Flores
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Patent number: 7224552Abstract: A robust spindle motor is provided having added shock resistance for fluid containment. In an aspect, a high-speed centrifugal capillary seal contains a fluid reservoir extending between similarly rotatable components. Fluid is recirculated through the motor and substantially around a counterplate. Proper axial positioning of motor components and stiffness is maintained in motors supporting heavy loads such as a disk drive memory system having a weighty disc pack. In an aspect, two separate thrust surfaces provide oppositely directed axial forces acting on motor components. In an aspect, a single thrust plate that is comparatively small is utilized, reducing power consumption. Also, a thrust bearing situated inboard of a capillary seal forms a comparatively small diameter thrust plate gap. The comparatively small diameter thrust plate gap increases efficiency and characteristics including surface flatness, run out and perpendicularity are improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Robert A. Nottingham
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Publication number: 20060291757Abstract: A rotating hub and fixed spindle assembly with first and second fluid dynamic journal bearings and first and second fluid dynamic thrust bearings for a disc drive memory system has a pump seal and a radial ring seal at a first axial terminus for lubricant containment, and a capillary seal and a labyrinth seal at a second axial terminus for lubricant containment and storage. Lubricant fluid pressure differences between first and second seals are minimized through one or more lubricant fluid communicating channels in the hub assembly, in order to minimize lubricant fluid loss through a seal. Lubricant fluid can also be purged of any air bubbles by lubricant fluid circulation through the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Jeffry LeBlanc, Troy Herndon, Robert Nottingham
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Publication number: 20050218735Abstract: In one example, an FDB motor having a shield member is provided. In one example, the method includes disposing a first member and a second member for relative rotation about an axis of rotation. An annular shield member is attached to the first member, the shield member disposed adjacent a fluid reservoir for containing a bearing fluid. The reservoir is filled through an aperture (e.g., a fill hole) in the shield member. Thereafter, the aperture is at least partially sealed. The aperture may be hermetically sealed via one or more laser pulses. In other examples, a two piece shield is provided for shielding a reservoir without a fill hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Troy Herndon, James Lee, Jeffry Leblanc, Robert Nottingham, Norbert Parsoneault, Thaveesinn Vasavakul, James Bowdoin, Christopher Woldemar, Jerry Weingord
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Publication number: 20050207060Abstract: In one example, a FDB motor having a top-cover attached, EM biased bearing system is provided. The motor includes a shaft and rotor disposed for relative rotation, and an axial limiter for restricting axial movement of the rotor with respect to the shaft, wherein the axial limiter is wet or lubricated during contact. The limiter is spatially fixed with respect to one of the shaft or the rotor and disposed with an axial end surface opposing a surface portion spatially fixed with respect to the other of the shaft or the rotor to form a gap therebetween. The gap may be filled with a fluid such as bearing lubricant, thereby providing a lubricated or wet contact surface to restrict axial movement of the shaft and rotor. Additionally, one or both surfaces may include a groove or slot to provide circulation of fluid through the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Jeffry Leblanc, Robert Nottingham, Troy Herndon, Norbert Parsoneault, Lynn Le
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Publication number: 20050207913Abstract: For motors having a journal with one or more groove regions and a shaft for relative rotation in the journal, aspects include providing a dual tapered shaft. The shaft may be tapered by the application of a wear resistant coating at least opposite the groove regions. The coating introduces a shaft taper from near a top end and from near a bottom end towards the shaft middle. The shaft taper may provide for improved pumping efficiency. The coating may be applied in various processes such as chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition to establish a thickness gradient of coating material from near the top end and near the bottom end towards the shaft middle. In one example, the coating includes a DLC coating. Additionally, shaft portions may be shielded to prevent coatings thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Jeffry Leblanc, Troy Herndon, Mohammad Ameen, Raquib Khan