Patents by Inventor Kirk J. Van Dreel

Kirk J. Van Dreel 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).

  • Method for aligning head suspension structures
    Patent number: 6625870
    Abstract: A method for aligning head suspension structures minimize to misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The load beam and the flexure of the head suspension include a first aperture formed near a load point dimple of the head suspension to provide a reference datum. An elongated alignment aperture is formed in the rigid region of the load beam, and a proximal alignment aperture and a distal alignment aperture are formed in the flexure. The elongated the aperture overlaps at least a portion of the proximal and distal alignment apertures in such a manner that the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated aperture encroaches on the proximal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture encroaches upon the elongated alignment aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heeren, Kirk J. Van Dreel, Raymond R. Wolter
  • Method for aligning head suspension structures
    Patent number: 6134770
    Abstract: A method for aligning head suspension structures minimize to misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The load beam and the flexure of the head suspension include a first aperture formed near a load point dimple of the head suspension to provide a reference datum. An elongated alignment aperture is formed in the rigid region of the load beam, and a proximal alignment aperture and a distal alignment aperture are formed in the flexure. The elongated the aperture overlaps at least a portion of the proximal and distal alignment apertures in such a manner that the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated aperture encroaches on the proximal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture encroaches upon the elongated alignment aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heeren, Kirk J. Van Dreel, Raymond R. Wolter
  • Tool for aligning head suspension structures
    Patent number: 6131273
    Abstract: An alignment tool for analyzing head suspension structures to minimize misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The tool includes a pain of pins that are inserted in apertures of the head suspension structures. That is, alignment tool engages a proximal perimeter edge of a distal alignment aperture on one of the load beam and the flexure and a proximal perimeter edge of a elongated alignment aperture or the other of the load beam and the flexure to provide longitudinal tension between the structures during the attachment of the structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchinson, Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heeren, Kirk J. Van Dreel, Raymond R. Wolter
  • Flexure and load point alignment structure in a head suspension
    Patent number: 5920444
    Abstract: A head suspension having an alignment structure for minimizing misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The load beam and the flexure of the head suspension include a first aperture formed near a load point dimple of the head suspension to provide a reference datum. An elongated alignment aperture is formed in the rigid region of the load beam, and a proximal alignment aperture and a distal alignment aperture are formed in the flexure. The elongated the aperture overlaps at least a portion of the proximal and distal alignment apertures in such a manner that the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated aperture encroaches on the proximal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture encroaches upon the elongated alignment aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas F. Heeren, Kirk J. Van Dreel, Raymond R. Wolter