Patents by Inventor Lynn B. Le
Lynn B. Le 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: 9644675Abstract: A system and method are provided for sealing a fluid dynamic bearing motor. A first and a second folded fluid channel are shaped for maximizing bearing axial span and establishing angular stiffness, to resist gyroscopic rocking of the facing bearing surfaces. The first folded fluid channel is limited to occupying at least a portion of the same axial space as the bearing. A first and a second fluid sealing system are connected to opposite axial ends of the bearing. The first fluid sealing system forms an active pumping seal to pump fluid during motor rotation. In an aspect, a top cover attached shaft, and a single thrust surface are employed, allowing for a rigid motor structure and power reduction in applications including high rotational speed disc drives. Also, by employing a rigid shaft design, significantly lower amplitude radial vibration responses are exhibited at higher frequencies than prior art motor designs.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Lynn B. Le, Alan L. Grantz
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Patent number: 9366289Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary shaft and a sleeve rotatable with respect to the shaft. A fluid dynamic bearing is defined by the stationary shaft and the sleeve. A fluid channel includes a first axially extending portion in the fluid dynamic bearing, and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the first axially extending portion. In addition the fluid channel includes a second axially extending portion extending axially downward from the radially extending portion. The apparatus further includes a pump seal including grooves formed in the second axially extending portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Lynn B Le, Alan Lyndon Grantz
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Patent number: 9099903Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, having a cylindrical structure extending from a base; a stator assembly having a stator ring and a plurality of stator teeth extending from an outer diameter of the stator ring; and a stator assembly support having a supporting means for supporting at least one of the stator ring or the plurality of stator teeth, wherein the stator assembly support is configured to dampen mechanical vibrations in the base.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, Hans Leuthold, Lynn B. Le, Chris Woldemar, Matthew M. McConnell, Paco G. Flores
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Publication number: 20140133789Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary shaft and a sleeve rotatable with respect to the shaft. A fluid dynamic bearing is defined by the stationary shaft and the sleeve. A fluid channel includes a first axially extending portion in the fluid dynamic bearing, and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the first axially extending portion. In addition the fluid channel includes a second axially extending portion extending axially downward from the radially extending portion. The apparatus further includes a pump seal including grooves formed in the second axially extending portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Lynn B. Le, Alan Lyndon Grantz
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Patent number: 8618706Abstract: A motor includes a rotatable component rotatable relative to a stationary component, a fluid operable to flow between the rotatable and stationary component, and a capillary sealing component. The capillary sealing component provides a capillary seal and includes at least one tapered slot configured to pump the fluid between the rotatable and stationary components.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Alan L. Grantz, Lynn B. Le, Klaus Kloeppel
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Publication number: 20130241323Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, having a cylindrical structure extending from a base; a stator assembly having a stator ring and a plurality of stator teeth extending from an outer diameter of the stator ring; and a stator assembly support having a supporting means for supporting at least one of the stator ring or the plurality of stator teeth, wherein the stator assembly support is configured to dampen mechanical vibrations in the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Troy M. Herndon, Hans Leuthold, Lynn B. Le, Chris Woldemar, Matthew M. McConnell, Paco G. Flores
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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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Publication number: 20100142869Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a robust and shock resistant fluid dynamic bearing. A fluid sealing system with fluid pumping and capillary features provides increased reliability and performance for small form factor disc drive memory systems. Concerns of motor jog are addressed, jog being the rapid and repeated opening and closing of spaces between relatively rotatable components that can dispel oil from, or draw air into, these spaces. The fluid pumping capillary sealing system includes a fluid pumping groove with a rib portion and a slot portion for pumping fluid. The fluid pumping capillary sealing system also includes a capillary seal. In an aspect, a sweeping rib sweeps fluid toward the bearing. A truncated rib is situated adjacent to the sweeping rib, the truncated rib extending a shorter radial distance as compared to the sweeping rib and forming a plenum region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Alan L. Grantz, Lynn B. Le, Klaus Kloeppel
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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: 20090279818Abstract: A system and method are provided for sealing a fluid dynamic bearing motor. A first and a second folded fluid channel are shaped for maximizing bearing axial span and establishing angular stiffness, to resist gyroscopic rocking of the facing bearing surfaces. The first folded fluid channel is limited to occupying at least a portion of the same axial space as the bearing. A first and a second fluid sealing system are connected to opposite axial ends of the bearing. The first fluid sealing system forms an active pumping seal to pump fluid during motor rotation. In an aspect, a top cover attached shaft, and a single thrust surface are employed, allowing for a rigid motor structure and power reduction in applications including high rotational speed disc drives. Also, by employing a rigid shaft design, significantly lower amplitude radial vibration responses are exhibited at higher frequencies than prior art motor designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Lynn B. Le, Alan L. Grantz
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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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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