Patents by Inventor Masashi Shiraishi

Masashi Shiraishi 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 manufacturing a suspension design for a co-located PZT micro-actuator
    Patent number: 7159300
    Abstract: A micro-actuator that reduces suspension tongue stiffness and a method of manufacturing the micro-actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the micro-actuator has a base piece with two arms extending from the base piece. The electric contact pads for the arms are situated on the exterior of the arms at the end opposite the base piece. In one embodiment, the electric contact pads are electrically coupled to the same connection plate that the magnetic read/write head is coupled to, reducing the number of connection traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Gao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Ru Xie
  • System and method for damage prevention by improving the shock resistance of a hard disk actuator arm
    Publication number: 20060291103
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the vibration/ mechanical shock-resistance of a hard disk actuator arm. A guide block is located behind the actuator arm's angular range of motion, preventing over-flexure/vibration during operation, and/or the drive's actuator screw head diameter is increased to minimize arm vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Minggao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yiru Xie
  • System and method for damage prevention by improving the shock resistance of a hard disk actuator arm
    Patent number: 7142396
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the vibration/mechanical shock-resistance of a hard disk actuator arm. A guide block is located behind the actuator arm's angular range of motion, preventing over-flexure/vibration during operation, and/or the drive's actuator screw head diameter is increased to minimize arm vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Minggao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yiru Xie
  • Micro-actuator, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the micro-actuator
    Publication number: 20060256479
    Abstract: A micro-actuator of the invention includes a support frame having a base, a moving plate, a leading beam to connect the base with the moving plate; and two slider holding arms extending from both sides of the moving plate; at least one piezoelectric elements bonding to the support frame to connect a free end of the base with the moving plate; wherein the moving plate sways in a first direction or in a second direction when the at least one piezoelectric elements being actuated. The invention also discloses a head gimbal assembly and a disk drive unit using the micro-actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: MingGao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • System and method for preventing computer storage media surface contaminant accumulation and for preventing impact-related head/slider damage
    Patent number: 7119991
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for preventing computer storage media surface contaminant accumulation and for preventing impact-related head/slider damage. Such a system may include a component having a plurality of pads, where the component is to collect contaminants between a media surface and the component as the media and component move with respect to each other: and the contaminants are collected by the component via interaction between the number of pads and an airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Gao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Ru Xie
  • Method and mechanism of PZT micro-actuator attachment for the hard disk driver arm
    Publication number: 20060220493
    Abstract: A fixture with a shaped molding may hold a first micro-actuator part and a second micro-actuator part in place for coupling while maintaining the structure of the first micro-actuator part. The first micro-actuator part and the second micro-actuator part may be a frame or a strip of piezoelectric material. A vacuum nozzle system embedded in the fixture may hold the first micro-actuator part in place. A mobile vacuum nozzle system may hold the second micro-actuator in place and positions the second micro-actuator part relative to the first micro-actuator part. A camera system may monitor the process. A dispense may apply epoxy between the first and second micro-actuator part. An ultraviolet source may provide ultraviolet radiation for curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Ming Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Xie
  • System and method for manufacturing a hard disk drive suspension flexure and for preventing damage due to electrical arcing
    Publication number: 20060218772
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for manufacturing a hard disk drive suspension flexure and for preventing damage due to electrical arcing between traces and between a trace and a grounding structure. In one embodiment, one or more portions of the suspension flexure is etched and laminated with an insulative coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Ming Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Xie
  • Fabrication method for a multi-layer suspension
    Patent number: 7114238
    Abstract: A multi-layer suspension comprised of a rectangular base plate section, a load beam and a flexure, said load beam can be further divided into a bending area adjacent to the base plate and a rigid area contiguous to said bending section, said suspension assembly is made up of three layers, wherein an adhesive layer is sandwiched between two stainless steel layers with parts of one of said stainless steel layers being etched off. The method for making such suspension including the steps of making three layer raw material, etching off parts of the stainless steel, etching off parts of the polyimide, and the forming and de-tab. The structure of multi-layer suspension of the present invention overcomes the problems of etching variations and misalignment exist in the traditional production of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Shiraishi
  • Electronic device and it's manufacturing method
    Publication number: 20060205105
    Abstract: A microelectronic device and a method for producing the device can overcome the disadvantages of known electronic devices composed of carbon molecules, and can deliver performance superior to the known devices. An insulated-gate field-effect transistor includes a multi-walled carbon nanotube (10) having an outer semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) and an inner metallic carbon nanotube layer (2) that is partially covered by the outer semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1). A metal source electrode (3) and a metal drain electrode (5) are brought into contact with both ends of the semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) while a metal gate electrode (4) is brought into contact with the metallic carbon nanotube layer (2). The space between the semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) and the metallic carbon nanotube layer (2) is used as a gate insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Maruyama, Masafumi Ata, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Rotational PZT micro-actuator, head gimbal assembly, and disk drive unit with the same
    Publication number: 20060193087
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for a disk drive unit that includes a micro-actuator, a slider and a suspension to load the slider and the micro-actuator. The micro-actuator includes a pair of actuator side arms, a PZT element extending between and connecting the actuator side arms; a rotatable plate positioned between the actuator side arms, wherein the slider is mounted on the rotatable plate; and a pair of connection elements that connect the rotatable plate to the actuator side arms, respectively. The rotatable plate rotates in a first direction when the PZT element contracts and a second direction when the PZT element expands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Gao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Micro-actuator, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the same
    Publication number: 20060193086
    Abstract: A HGA of the invention includes a slider; a micro-actuator to adjust the position of the slider; and a suspension to load the slider and the micro-actuator. The micro-actuator includes two side arms; a load plate for supporting the slider, which is connected with at least one of the side arms; a piezoelectric element connected with the side arms; and a base shaft to couple with the suspension, which is connected with the side arms and positioned between the load plate and the piezoelectric element. The invention also discloses a disk drive unit using such a HGA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K) Ltd
    Inventors: Li Zhu, Ming Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Head gimbal assembly with precise positioning actuator for head element, disk drive apparatus with the head gimbal assembly, and manufacturing method of the head gimbal assembly
    Patent number: 7099115
    Abstract: An HGA includes a head slider with at least one head element, a precise positioning actuator fixed to the head slider for precisely positioning the at least one head element, and a support for supporting the actuator. The actuator has a pair of movable arms capable of displacing in response to a drive signal applied to the actuator. The head slider is mounted between the pair of movable arms. The head slider and the actuator are adhered by at least one adhesive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Gao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Tamon Kasajima
  • System and method for manufacture of a hard disk drive arm and bonding of magnetic head to suspension on a drive arm
    Patent number: 7083078
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the manufacture of a hard disk drive arm and the bonding of magnetic head to suspension on the drive arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Gao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Ru Xie
  • Micro-actuator unit, head gimbal assembly, and disk drive unit with vibration canceller
    Publication number: 20060164763
    Abstract: A HGA of the invention includes a slider, a micro-actuator for adjusting the position of the slider; a suspension to load the slider and the micro-actuator; and a vibration canceller interposed between the micro-actuator and the suspension. The micro-actuator includes a first base-part plate, a pair of actuator side arms extending from the first base-part plate in a first direction, and at least one of side arms has a piezoelectric element thereon. The vibration canceller includes a second base-part plate to connect with the micro-actuator and the suspension; and at least one canceling arm extending from the second base-part plate in the first direction or in a second direction, wherein at least one of canceling arms has a piezoelectric element thereon. The invention also discloses a disk drive with the vibration canceller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: MingGao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Manufacturing method of thin-film magnetic head with magnetoresistive effect element and manufacturing method of head gimbal assembly with the thin-film magnetic head
    Patent number: 7081367
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin-film magnetic head with an MR element or a manufacturing method of an HGA with the head includes a step of forming a plurality of MR elements on a substrate or wafer, a step of forming a plurality of pairs of connection pads, each pair of connection pads being electrically connected across each MR element, a step of forming a plurality of thin-film short-circuit patterns on a surface of the wafer, each short-circuit electrically short-circuiting between each pair of connection pads, and a step of thereafter breaking each short-circuit pattern by laser radiation during a predetermined manufacturing process of the magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Shiraishi
  • Hard disk drive device and method of assembling the hard disk drive device
    Publication number: 20060158776
    Abstract: A hard disk drive device and method for assembling such a device are provided. The hard disk drive device includes storage medium components comprising a drive motor and disk for digital data storage, which are attached to a section of a casing that encloses the drive's mechanical components. Opposite the storage medium components, the read/write components including the actuator assembly, and heads are attached to a different section of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Ming Yao, Masashi Shiraishi, Yi Xie
  • Head arm assembly and disk drive apparatus with the head arm assembly
    Patent number: 7079356
    Abstract: An HAA includes a head slider having at least one head element, a high-stiffness arm member for supporting the head slider at one end section, an actuator, mounted to the other end section of the arm member, for rotationally moving the arm member in a direction substantially parallel with a recording medium surface around a horizontal rotation axis of the arm member, and a resilient plate spring for generating a load, the plate spring having one end section fixed to the arm member and the other end section provided with a load point for energizing the head slider in a direction to the recording medium surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamon Kasajima, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Micro-actuator, vibration canceller, head gimbal assembly, and disk drive unit with the same
    Publication number: 20060146449
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for a disk drive unit that includes a micro-actuator, a slider and a suspension to load the slider and the micro-actuator. The micro-actuator is provided with a vibration canceller that counteracts forces generated by activation of the micro-actuator when making fine head position adjustments. The vibration canceller incorporates PZT elements that generate counteracting forces in the bottom plate of the micro-actuator to cancel the vibration generated by the micro-actuator, thereby providing improved resonance performance for a disk drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: MingGao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Method for preventing operational and manufacturing imperfections in piezoelectric micro-actuators
    Patent number: 7065845
    Abstract: A method for preventing operational and manufacturing imperfections in piezoelectric micro-actuators by physically and electrically isolating conductive layers of the piezoelectric material. At least one layer of electrically-conductive material and at least one layer of electrically-insulative material are applied to an actuator finger. The conductive material and the insulative material are applied one layer upon another in an alternating manner. The layer of insulative material is larger in area than the layer of conductive material. An insulative layer, applied to the actuator finger and sandwiching a conductive layer between the insulative layer and the actuator finger, at least partially encloses and electrically isolates the conductive layer by covering the conductive material on at least three sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Minggao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Method and apparatus for electrically and physically coupling a micro-actuator and slider to a hard drive arm suspension for component replacement after detachment from the suspension
    Patent number: 7051424
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for coupling a replacement micro-actuator to a drive arm suspension after a micro-actuator, such as a defective micro-actuator, has been detached from the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Minggao Yao, Masashi Shiraishi