Patents by Inventor John S. Putnam

John S. Putnam 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: 6728057
    Abstract: A disc drive storage system and device is provided in which distortion in a drive signal due to a mismatch between a signal source impedance and a write head impedance is minimized. A write head that writes on a disc surface and a signal source that provides a drive signal to the write head are coupled by an electrical interconnect path. A connection device that minimizes the mismatch between the signal source impedance and the write head impedance is introduced in the electrical interconnect path. In addition, a method of coupling a signal source to a write head in a disc drive storage system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: John S. Putnam
  • Patent number: 6671118
    Abstract: A disc drive storage system and device is provided in which uncharacteristic behavior of a signal source caused by having to drive a very low impedance due a common mode component of the drive signal is eliminated. A write head that has a first and second end writes on a disc surface. A signal source provides a drive signal to the write head. The drive signal has a differential signal component and a common mode signal component. An electrical interconnect path couples the write head and the signal source. The electrical interconnect path provides a return path for the differential signal component and an open circuit for the common mode signal component. A common mode termination network with a first node, second node and a center tap is included. The first node is connected to the first end of the write head, the second node connected to the second end of the write head and the center tap connected to ground to provide a return path for the common mode signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: John S. Putnam, Gary D. Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20010046102
    Abstract: A disc drive storage system and device is provided in which distortion in a drive signal due to a mismatch between a signal source impedance and a write head impedance is minimized. A write head that writes on a disc surface and a signal source that provides a drive signal to the write head are coupled by an electrical interconnect path. A connection device that minimizes the mismatch between the signal source impedance and the write head impedance is introduced in the electrical interconnect path. In addition, a method of coupling a signal source to a write head in a disc drive storage system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: John S. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20010036028
    Abstract: A disc drive storage system and device is provided in which uncharacteristic behavior of a signal source caused by having to drive a very low impedance due a common mode component of the drive signal is eliminated. A write head that has a first and second end writes on a disc surface. A signal source provides a drive signal to the write head. The drive signal has a differential signal component and a common mode signal component. An electrical interconnect path couples the write head and the signal source. The electrical interconnect path provides a return path for the differential signal component and an open circuit for the common mode signal component. A common mode termination network with a first node, second node and a center tap is included. The first node is connected to the first end of the write head, the second node connected to the second end of the write head and the center tap connected to ground to provide a return path for the common mode signal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: John S. Putnam, Gary D. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 5982578
    Abstract: An electrical circuit package including disk drive operation and control circuitry is formed in multiple layers, including a compliant circuitry layer coextensive with the package, and additional conductive and dielectric layers to form relatively stiff circuit panels bonded to the compliant layer and spaced apart from one another. Portions of the compliant layer, between confronting edges of adjacent circuit panels, provide compliant joinder segments. Each joinder segment electrically couples its associated pair of circuit panels, and structurally couples the panels in a manner that permits a selective, non-coplanar orientation of the panels relative to each other. Thus, the panels are electrically and structurally coupled in a manner that facilitates testing the circuit package as a single unit, followed by installation of the package to a disk drive housing with the circuit panels integral with the housing and in the desired non-coplanar arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent J. Forbord, Brian W. Sudman, John S. Putnam, Robert J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5909342
    Abstract: A rotary actuator for disk drives includes a carriage rotatable on a vertical axis, and multiple transducing head suspensions extended horizontally away from the carriage in cantilever fashion. Data reading and writing circuitry includes an electrical circuit package mounted at the carriage, and multiple flexible printed circuits extending horizontally away from the circuit package, each for electrical coupling to one of the transducing heads. A series of slots, formed through the circuit package along one edge, support the flexible printed circuits to achieve an electrical and mechanical coupling that orients the flexible printed circuits with their major planes horizontal throughout their respective lengths, avoiding any twists of the flexible circuitry while providing improved damping and electrical performance. Alternative connecting structures, in lieu of the slots, include rigid rails on one or both sides of each flexible printed circuit, and bendable tabs incorporated into the printed circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent J. Forbord, Kevin J. Schulz, Kenneth R. Fastner, John S. Putnam
  • Patent number: 5606473
    Abstract: An electrical circuit package including disk drive operation and control circuitry is formed in multiple layers, including a compliant circuitry layer coextensive with the package, and additional conductive and dielectric layers to form relatively stiff circuit panels bonded to the compliant layer and spaced apart from one another. Portions of the compliant layer, between confronting edges of adjacent circuit panels, provide compliant joinder segments. Each joinder segment electrically couples its associated pair of circuit panels, and structurally couples the panels in a manner that permits a selective, non-coplanar orientation of the panels relative to each other. Thus, the panels are electrically and structurally coupled in a manner that facilitates testing the circuit package as a single unit, followed by installation of the package to a disk drive housing with the circuit panels integral with the housing and in the desired non-coplanar arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent J. Forbord, Brian W. Sudman, John S. Putnam, Robert J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5095396
    Abstract: An E-block assembly is used in a disk drive which reads and writes information to a plurality of magnetic disks. The E-block assembly includes a plurality of sliders, each slider including a magnetic transducer for reading information from one of the plurality of magnetic disks. A plurality of load beams are each coupled to one of the plurality of sliders. A unitary E-block has a first side and a second side and a plurality of load beams is coupled to an arm. The unitary E-block is suitable for being coupled to an actuator for moving the arms relative to the magnetic disks. A plurality of component support members mounted to one of the first or second sides of the unitary E-block has a plurality of component support members. The component support members support electrical components for use in reading information from and writing information to the magnetic disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Putnam, Hugh A. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 5055969
    Abstract: An improved multilayer flexible circuit for use in a disk storage device actuator arm supporting a data head and a servo head includes a first ground plane and a second electrically floating ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Putnam