Patents by Inventor Mark David Thomas

Mark David Thomas 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: 7054113
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reader/writer is provided having a substrate with an undercoat formed thereon. A first shield is formed over a portion of the undercoat and a pair of reader leads is formed over the first shield and undercoat. A read sensor is formed between the reader leads and a first pole/second shield is formed over the reader leads. A mid coat is formed over the undercoat and the reader leads. A second pole is formed over and in contact with the mid coat. A lead is formed over the second pole. A pedestal is formed over the reader lead and an overcoat is formed over the second pole and the lead and around the pedestal. A pad is then formed over the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.
    Inventors: David John Seagle, Mark David Thomas, Sandra Sankar, Pei Zou, Carlos Corona
  • Patent number: 6944938
    Abstract: A method of forming a head comprises forming a write transducer on a wafer, cutting the wafer to produce a slider bar with a cut surface, and planarizing the cut surface of the slider bar. Forming the write transducer can include forming a first pole layer and forming a first pole pedestal layer over the first pole layer, where the first pole pedestal layer includes a tapered portion defined by a first end having a nose width less than a desired final nose width, and a second end having a zero throat width greater than the desired final nose width. Planarizing the cut surface of the slider bar exposes the first pole pedestal layer until a width thereof approximately equals the desired final nose width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.
    Inventors: Billy W. Crue, Jr., Mark David Thomas, Zhupei Shi, Renuka Apparao
  • Patent number: 6829819
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive device having a first pole, a second pole, and a first tapered pole pedestal therebetween and magnetically connected to the second pole. The first tapered pole has a width that increases with increasing distance away from the air bearing surface, ABS. The magnetoresistive device can also include a second tapered pole pedestal magnetically connected to the first pole, and separated from the first tapered pole pedestal by a write gap. The second tapered pole pedestal has a width that increases with increasing distance away from the air bearing surface. A method of the present invention includes defining the trackwidth of a write element by lapping a tapered pole pedestal. More specifically, the trackwidth is given by a known taper angle, a zero throat width, and a throat height, wherein the throat height is controlled precisely by lapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.
    Inventors: Billy W. Crue, Jr., Mark David Thomas, Zhupei Shi, Renuka Apparao
  • Patent number: 6496330
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive head having a split coil structure including multiple, similar coil layers separated by an insulator and joined at their ends to define parallel electrical paths. The coil passes through a magnetic yoke having an open end and a closed end and is electrically insulated from the yoke. The parallel electrical paths of the separate coil layers can each be modeled as a resistor in series with an inductor, each of the paths also being in parallel with a capacitor. The split coil has a much faster current rise time than a comparable single layer coil or than multiple coils connected in series. Since the coil current provides the magneto-motive force for imparting a signal on a passing recording medium, the decreased current rise time corresponds to an increased data recording rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Billy W. Crue, Jr., Zhupei Shi, Mark David Thomas, Lien-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6396660
    Abstract: A magnetic read/write head having improved thermal characteristics. The read/write head includes a read element and a write element formed there over. The read element includes a read sensor embedded within a dielectric material and sandwiched between first and second shields. The write element includes first and second poles joined to form a yoke. The yoke is closed at one end and defines a write gap at the other. A coil having windings which extend through the yoke generates a magnetic flux within the yoke. This magnetic flux causes a magnetic fringe field at the location of the write gap, the fringe field being capable of imparting a magnetic signal onto a passing magnetic medium. The coil sits atop a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material which electrically isolates the coil from surrounding structure. When a current flows through the coil, heat will be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: William Jensen, Mark David Thomas, Zhupei Shi, Billy W. Crue, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6204999
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a write head is disclosed. The write head includes a first pole and a write gap. At least a portion of the write gap is on a portion of the first pole. The method and system include providing a coil layer including a plurality of turns on the write gap. Each of the plurality of turns is separated by a pitch. The method and system further include depositing an insulator to provide an insulating layer and providing a second pole above the insulating layer. The insulating layer has a first profile substantially conforming to the plurality of turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Billy Wayne Crue, Kenneth Everett Knapp, Zhupei Shi, Mark David Thomas