Patents by Inventor Kevin Dale McKinstry

Kevin Dale McKinstry 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: 20110298567
    Abstract: A system for matching impedance in a flexible trace interconnect array. The array comprising a flexible dielectric film, a plurality of trace conductors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the dielectric film, and a shield disposed along a section of the array, wherein at least one parameter of at least one of an unshielded section and of the shielded section is selected such that impedance of the unshielded section and impedance of the shielded section are substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Oracle America, Inc., formerly known as Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dale McKinstry, Otto Richard Buhler, Jeffrey Glenn Villiard, Forest Dillinger
  • Patent number: 7751148
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a magnetic recording head comprising first and second linear levels of magnetic recording devices is provided. Each device in the first linear level is aligned adjacently in a row and is spaced apart from another device in the first linear level. The first linear level is perpendicular to a comparative direction of a recording media travel. The second linear level of magnetic recording devices being connected to the first linear level of magnetic recording devices. Each device in the second linear level is aligned adjacently in a row and is spaced apart from another device in the second linear level. Each device in the second linear level is aligned with an insulating gap between the each device in the first linear level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: April L. Alstrin, Francis Campos, Carl Anthony Helms, Kevin Dale McKinstry
  • Publication number: 20100033871
    Abstract: The aspects of the present invention provide a magnetic recording head, a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording head, and a magnetic recording head drive. The magnetic recording head includes a substrate and a first magnetic device connected to the substrate. The magnetic recording head also includes a second magnetic device connected to the first magnetic device. The first magnetic device is aligned with the second magnetic device. The first and second magnetic devices are supported by the same side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis Campos, Kevin Dale McKinstry
  • Patent number: 7656610
    Abstract: The aspects of the present invention provide a magnetic recording head, a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording head, and a magnetic recording head drive. The magnetic recording head includes a substrate and a first magnetic device connected to the substrate. The magnetic recording head also includes a second magnetic device connected to the first magnetic device. The first magnetic device is aligned with the second magnetic device. The first and second magnetic devices are supported by the same side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Campos, Kevin Dale McKinstry
  • Patent number: 7436630
    Abstract: A data storage device head having reduced media induced micro-discharge events. The data storage device head includes a support structure, and a wafer. A mitigation voltage, other than a ground potential, is presented to the wafer at a level sufficient to suppress media induced micro-discharge events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Lee Watson, Kevin Dale McKinstry, Jeffrey Glenn Villiard
  • Patent number: 7271985
    Abstract: A system for reducing signal crosstalk in a flexible trace interconnect array includes a flexible dielectric material base, and a plurality of conductors longitudinally arranged as pairs in a signal layer array on the base. At least one of the pairs of conductors comprises a twisted pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Otto Richard Buhler, Jeffrey Glenn Villiard, Kevin Dale McKinstry, Ricky Lee Ewasko
  • Patent number: 7050272
    Abstract: A single-element magnetoresistive (MR) read head with reduced susceptibility to noise is disclosed. In particular, the present invention addresses the problem of noise generated thermally through contact with the recording medium. The present invention solves this problem by keeping the temperature of the read head at a level that minimizes the noise level. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shielding material used in the read head is recessed with respect to the magnetic-medium-bearing surface. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a thin coating of metal on the read head surface is applied. In yet another embodiment, the read element is operated with a low bias current so as to minimize the thermal effect of power consumption due to electrical resistance. In still another embodiment, the read element makes use of insulating material that is both an electrical insulator and a high quality thermal insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Dale McKinstry, Carl Stephen Arnold, Yi Shung Chaug
  • Patent number: 6570738
    Abstract: A module for a tape head assembly includes a first substrate having active elements and a second substrate having active elements. The active elements on the first and second substrates can be read elements, write elements, or a combination of read and write elements. The second substrate is positioned over the first substrate. In one embodiment, the active elements of the first substrate are aligned between the active elements of the second substrate when the second substrate is positioned over the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Dale McKinstry
  • Patent number: 6445538
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling electrostatic discharge in magnetic tape heads is, provided. This method includes using a conductive adhesive to electrically connect the substrate and closure of each read/write module as well as connect the read/write modules in the head. The conductive adhesive can be used as an adjunct or a replacement for adhesives used during the normal assembly process. The modules are then connected to ground. In one embodiment, the read modules are electrically tied to the write module, which is then connected to ground through a high resistance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Dale McKinstry, Steven Castle Sanders, Joseph Edward Torline