Abstract: An electrical connection between a first element and a second element formed by a solder ball bridge having at least three solder balls in physical contact with each other extending to electrically connect the first element and the second element. The solder ball bridge is particularly suitable for a disc drive system, to form an electrical connection between two elements such as between a piezoelectric microactuator element and the suspension assembly. Methods of making a solder ball bridge are also provided.

Abstract: A slider includes a slider body having a first side and edges defined adjacent to the first side, at least two separate insulators each adjacent to the first side of the slider body and supported by the slider body, and a conductive trace adjacent to each of the at least two separate insulators and opposite the first side of the slider body. The at least two separate insulators each are in physical contact with the slider body along the first side of the slider body such that the at least two separate insulators are physically attached to the slider body to electrically insulate each conductive trace from the slider body.

Abstract: A slider includes a slider body having a first side and edges defined adjacent to the first side, at least two separate insulators each adjacent to the first side of the slider body and supported by the slider body, and a conductive trace adjacent to each of the at least two separate insulators and opposite the first side of the slider body. The at least two separate insulators each are in physical contact with the slider body along the first side of the slider body such that the at least two separate insulators are physically attached to the slider body to electrically insulate each conductive trace from the slider body.

Abstract: A slider according to the present invention includes a slider body, a plurality of insulators, and conductive traces. The slider body has a first side and edges defined substantially perpendicular to the first side. The plurality of insulators are each adjacent to the first side of the slider body. The conductive traces are adjacent to each of the plurality of insulators and opposite the slider body.

Abstract: A slider according to the present invention includes a slider body, a plurality of insulators, and conductive traces. The slider body has a first side and edges defined substantially perpendicular to the first side. The plurality of insulators are each adjacent to the first side of the slider body. The conductive traces are adjacent to each of the plurality of insulators and opposite the slider body.

Abstract: A suspension including a load beam, a flex gimbal, and a displacement limiter. The load beam includes a distal end having a dimple extending downwardly therefrom and an aperture. The flex gimbal includes a base dielectric layer and a plurality of electrical conductors coupled to the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top side that is attached to a bottom side load beam at a first location. The displacement limiter is attached to the dielectric layer and includes a limiter member having a first portion extending through the aperture of the load beam and a second portion extending over a top surface of the load beam. Displacement of the flex gimbal relative to the load beam is limited by the second limiter portion.

Abstract: A suspension for a storage device includes a metal layer and one or more composite stiffeners bonded to the metal layer to stiffen part but not all of the suspension. The composite stiffeners are made of a composite material and are bonded to the metal layer by an adhesive. Under most embodiments, the composite material has a higher stiffness to weight ratio than a metal.

Abstract: A suspension including a load beam, a flex gimbal, and a displacement limiter. The load beam includes a distal end having a dimple extending downwardly therefrom and an aperture. The flex gimbal includes a base dielectric layer and a plurality of electrical conductors coupled to the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top side that is attached to a bottom side load beam at a first location. The displacement limiter is attached to the dielectric layer and includes a limiter member having a first portion extending through the aperture of the load beam and a second portion extending over a top surface of the load beam. Displacement of the flex gimbal relative to the load beam is limited by the second limiter portion.

Abstract: An improved suspension assembly comprises a suspension, a slider and a ground trace. The suspension includes a load beam and a gimbal connected to a distal end of the load beam, the gimbal having a slider opposing face. The slider supports a transducing head and the slider supported by the slider opposing face of the gimbal. The slider includes a slider body having a gimbal opposing face and a disc opposing face, the slider body having a forward face extending between the gimbal opposing face and the disc opposing face. A slider bond pad and a slider ground pad are located on the forward face of the slider body. A ground trace is interconnected with the slider ground pad.

Abstract: A suspension for a storage device includes a metal layer and one or more composite stiffeners bonded to the metal layer to stiffen part but not all of the suspension. The composite stiffeners are made of a composite material and are bonded to the metal layer by an adhesive. Under most embodiments, the composite material has a higher stiffness to weight ratio than a metal.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly that includes a bleed resistor applied over a specified area of the reader, writer and ground leads in order to protect from ESD damage is disclosed. The present invention address the need for an ESD protection system that includes a consistent and secure connection with leads, that does not contaminate the drive environment and applies a consistent resistivity to both the reader and writer element by providing a head gimbal assembly with strategically placed bleed resistors that will protect the read element from transient charge produced any time during the fabrication, assembly, testing and shipment of the disc drive.

Abstract: A disc drive flex circuit head interconnect includes a base insulating layer. At least one flexible electrical conductor is attached to the base insulating layer. The electrical conductor has first and second ends, the first end is adapted to couple to a head, and a second end adapted to couple to an actuator board through a slot in the actuator board. An insulating spacer covers at least a portion of the electrical conductor and extends beyond at least one edge of the base insulating layer near the second end of the conductor. A disc drive incorporating the interconnect and a method of interconnection is also provided.

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.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for electrically connecting a magnetic head and read/write circuitry in a disc drive includes a dielectric substrate, a first conductive trace layer deposited upon the substrate, a dielectric layer deposited upon at least a portion of the first conductive trace layer and a second conductive trace layer deposited upon the dielectric layer. The first and second conductive trace layers have ends configured for being electrically coupled to the magnetic head and the read/write circuitry. The first and second conductive trace layers at least partially overlap one another and are sufficiently proximate to one another to reduce inductance of the interconnect.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head assembly includes a magnetoresistive sensor element, detection circuitry and first and second electrical conductors electrically connecting the magnetoresistive sensor element and the detection circuitry. A device exhibiting a non-linear voltage-current relationship is electrically coupled between the first and second electrical conductors. The device has a resistance which varies in relationship to an electrical potential between the first and second electrical conductors.