Patents by Inventor Randall George Simmons
Randall George Simmons 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: 10748561Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive head carrier or slider has a contact pad that protects the disk drive's write pole during touchdown of the slider with the disk. The contact pad is located in a window region of the slider's disk-facing surface that includes the write pole end. The contact pad includes a layer of silicon that surrounds the write pole end but does not cover it. The silicon does not cover the write pole end because it has diffused into the ferromagnetic material of the write pole end. This removes the silicon over the write pole end. The contact pad includes a protective overcoat on the silicon-containing write pole end and surrounding silicon layer. The protective overcoat thus has a recess over the write pole due to the absence of silicon, so that the protective overcoat surrounding the recess provides protection to the recessed write pole end during touchdown.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Cherngye Hwang, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 10083713Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head has a protective multilayer confined to a window of the disk-facing surface of the slider that surrounds the near-field transducer (NFT) end and write pole end. The protective multilayer is made up of alternating films of a metal and diamond-like carbon (DLC). All of the metal films are formed of the same metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and W, with the preferred metal being zirconium (Zr). A slider protective overcoat may be formed over the entire disk-facing surface in both the window region and the non-window region, with the protective multilayer formed on the slider overcoat in the window region. The overcoat may be absent in the window region, in which case an adhesion film is on the NFT and write pole ends in the window region, with the protective multilayer being formed on the adhesion film.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Randall George Simmons, Cherngye Hwang, Dung Thi Nguyen, Mousumi Mani Biswas
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Patent number: 9899049Abstract: A magnetic write head having trailing magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic return pole that are recessed from the media facing surface. The magnetic write head includes a write pole, a trailing shield that is separated from the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer and a trailing magnetic return pole that is connected with the trailing magnetic shield. The trailing magnetic return pole and at least a portion of the trailing magnetic shield have surfaces that face the media facing surface. The surface of the trailing magnetic return pole and at least a portion of the surface of the trailing magnetic shield taper away from the media facing surface. This recess prevents far track interference by preventing stray magnetic fields from the trailing magnetic shield and trailing magnetic return pole from inadvertently affecting the magnetic media.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Masayoshi Endo, Cherngye Hwang, Randall George Simmons, Suping Song
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Publication number: 20170278531Abstract: A magnetic write head having trailing magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic return pole that are recessed from the media facing surface. The magnetic write head includes a write pole, a trailing shield that is separated from the write pole by a non-magnetic trailing gap layer and a trailing magnetic return pole that is connected with the trailing magnetic shield. The trailing magnetic return pole and at least a portion of the trailing magnetic shield have surfaces that face the media facing surface. The surface of the trailing magnetic return pole and at least a portion of the surface of the trailing magnetic shield taper away from the media facing surface. This recess prevents far track interference by preventing stray magnetic fields from the trailing magnetic shield and trailing magnetic return pole from inadvertently affecting the magnetic media.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Masayoshi Endo, Cherngye Hwang, Randall George Simmons, Suping Song
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Publication number: 20090244787Abstract: A system according to one embodiment comprises a head having a perpendicular writer, the writer comprising: a first pole structure having a pole tip positioned towards an air bearing surface of the head, the first pole structure having a portion that is recessed from an extent of the pole tip closest the air bearing surface; a return pole having an end positioned towards the air bearing surface of the head; and a gap between the first pole structure and the return pole, wherein the recessed portion is recessed less than about 1.25 microns relative to the extent of the pole tip closest the air bearing surface. Additional embodiments as well as methods are presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Alan Paul Giorgi, Wesley LeRoy Hillman, Wen-Chien David Hsiao, Edward Hin Pong Lee, Tony Mello, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 7116523Abstract: A lead routing module for interconnecting two devices in a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly including at least a suspension, a slider/head assembly, and a lead routing module. The suspension assembly may also include a microactuator. The lead routing module routes electrical signals between at least two devices in the suspension assembly such that the termination leads and/or pads of each device may be conveniently located. The suspension assembly may be used in a disk drive system, or alternatively, in a disk test system used for testing disks.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Francis Chee-Shuen Lee, Michael Lee McGhee, Salvador Navarro, Ullai Vasant Nayak, Eric Christian O'Brien, Wing Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6861177Abstract: A method of forming a read sensor that has a very narrow track width is disclosed. The method involves forming a thin lift-off mask over a central region of a sensor layer, which is subsequently ion-milled and deposited with hard bias and lead layers. The thin lift-off mask is made by forming a release layer over the sensor layer; forming a hardmask layer over the release layer; forming a photoresist layer over the hardmask layer; imaging and developing the photoresist layer such that end portions of the photoresist layer are removed and a central portion of the photoresist layer remains; reactive ion etching (RIE) the hardmask layer such that end portions of the hardmask layer are removed and a central portion of the hardmask layer remains; stripping the central portion of the photoresist layer; and etching the release layer such that end portions of the release layer are removed and a central portion of the release layer remains.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Mustafa Pinarbasi, Ian Robson McFadyen, Alfred Floyd Renaldo, Randall George Simmons, Douglas Johnson Werner
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Publication number: 20030157803Abstract: A method of forming a read sensor that has a very narrow track width is disclosed. The method involves forming a thin lift-off mask over a central region of a sensor layer, which is subsequently ion-milled and deposited with hard bias and lead layers. The thin lift-off mask is made by forming a release layer over the sensor layer; forming a hardmask layer over the release layer; forming a photoresist layer over the hardmask layer; imaging and developing the photoresist layer such that end portions of the photoresist layer are removed and a central portion of the photoresist layer remains; reactive ion etching (RIE) the hardmask layer such that end portions of the hardmask layer are removed and a central portion of the hardmask layer remains; stripping the central portion of the photoresist layer; and etching the release layer such that end portions of the release layer are removed and a central portion of the release layer remains.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Mustafa Pinarbasi, Ian Robson McFadyen, Alfred Floyd Renaldo, Randall George Simmons, Douglas Johnson Werner
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Patent number: 6596184Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. The voids can be used to eliminate the need for double-sided etching or to make small features which would otherwise be unavailable with conventional manufacturing processes.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Victor Wing-Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6585902Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a five layer laminate of stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Prior to lamination, the steel layer has preformed voids which may have various configurations. The voids are provided for intentionally weakening high strain flexure areas in the suspension so that strain energy can be dissipated more effectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Victor Wing-Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6576148Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. The voids allow dielectric material to be removed from the area beneath the conductors to simplify processing and reduce the cost of the suspensions. The voids can also form a window through which conductors can be shorted to other conductive layers to form an electrostatic discharge shunt. Alternatively, the shorting of conductors can be used as a cross-over for various conductors.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Victor Wing-Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6533950Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. After the copper layer is etched to form a tab which overhangs the steel layer, the suspension is welded to a load beam. The load beam prevents the downward motion of the suspension. The tab acts as a flexure motion limiter for upward motion of the suspension. The voids allow a precise amount of polyimide undercut between the steel and copper layers which otherwise could not be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Victor Wing-Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6532134Abstract: A silicon coating on an air bearing surface for magnetic thin film heads. A thick silicon layer is provided to replace metallic layers such as TiW as an overcoat for thin film heads. The silicon layer will provide a durable head-disk interface and act as a reflective surface for fly height measurement. The silicon layer can be planarized with the pole tips to avoid any magnetic spacing loss. The thickness of the silicon coating is preferably between 125 and 6500 angstroms thick. The slider body may be fabricated from silicon such that the silicon coating is substantially identical to the silicon slider body, thereby preventing thermal mismatch therebetween. The silicon coating is preferably applied using a magnetron sputtering technique which provides a high rate of deposition of silicon to form a dense, low stress silicon layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Pei C. Chen, Grace Lim Gorman, Cherngye Hwang, Vedantham Raman, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6411469Abstract: A transducer suspension system has a transducer head, layered member, and a load beam. The layered member is comprised of a support layer, an electrically insulating layer, an electrically lead base layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The electrical leads are formed from the combination of the base layer and electrically conducting layer. The resulting electrical leads are both flexible and highly conductive.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Edward Hin Pong Lee, Randall George Simmons
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Publication number: 20010001587Abstract: A lead routing module for interconnecting two devices in a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly including at least a suspension, a slider/head assembly, and a lead routing module. The suspension assembly may also include a microactuator. The lead routing module routes electrical signals between at least two devices in the suspension assembly such that the termination leads and/or pads of each device may be conveniently located. The suspension assembly may be used in a disk drive system, or alternatively, in a disk test system used for testing disks.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 1998Publication date: May 24, 2001Inventors: FRANCIS CHEE-SHUEN LEE, MICHAEL LEE MCGHEE, SALVADOR NAVARRO, ULLAI VASANT NAYAK, ERIC CHRISTIAN O'BRIEN, WING CHUN SHUM, RANDALL GEORGE SIMMONS
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Patent number: 6117283Abstract: A silicon coating on an air bearing surface for magnetic thin film heads. A thick silicon layer is provided to replace metallic layers such as TiW as an overcoat for thin film heads. The silicon layer will provide a durable head-disk interface and act as a reflective surface for fly height measurement. The silicon layer can be planarized with the pole tips to avoid any magnetic spacing loss. The thickness of the silicon coating is preferably between 125 and 6500 Angstroms thick. The slider body may be fabricated from silicon such that the silicon coating is substantially identical to the silicon slider body, thereby preventing thermal mismatch therebetween. The silicon coating is preferably applied using a magnetron sputtering technique which provides a high rate of deposition of silicon to form a dense, low stress silicon layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1996Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Pei C. Chen, Grace Lim Gorman, Cherngye Hwang, Vedantham Raman, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 6023840Abstract: A single layer wear coating is provided for a magnetic head assembly. The single layer is silicon or silicon-based material with a thickness in the range of 30-75 .ANG.. The single layer may be formed by a single step of deposition employing a DC magnetron. The single layer wear coating improves the wear performance of the magnetic head assembly and protects one or more sensitive elements of a magnetic head without significant reduction of spacing loss.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Pei C. Chen, Grace Lim Gorman, Cherngye Hwang, Vedantham Raman, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 5986853Abstract: A transducer suspension system has a transducer head, laminated member and a load beam. The laminated member is comprised of a support layer, at least two electrically insulating layers, and at least two electrically conducting layers. The electrical leads are formed directly into the laminated member such that each electrical lead is directly above or below at least one other electrical lead. The overlying leads have noise cancellation similar to that for twisted wire pairs. In addition, by stacking the electrical leads, more electrical leads can be accommodated in the same suspension width.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Randall George Simmons, Victor Wing Chun Shum
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Patent number: 5969906Abstract: A transducer suspension system has a transducer head, laminated member, and a load beam. The laminated member is comprised of a support layer, an electrically insulating layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The electrical lines are formed directly into the laminated member. A first end of the support layer has an aperture into which a tongue section protrudes. The transducer head is attached to the tongue section. A platform section is formed between the aperture and the end of the support layer. The electrical lines run to the transducer head along the platform section. The load beam is attached to the laminated member and provides rigid support. The load beam has an aperture located directly above the platform section and provides access to allow clamping of the electrical lines and the platform section during electrical attachment of the lines to the transducer head. Precise electrical attachment is achieved without unwanted bending of the delicate flexure section of the suspension.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Satya Prakash Arya, William W. Brooks, Jr., Wesley L. Hillman, Tzong-Shii Pan, John E. Sell, Victor Wing Chun Shum, Randall George Simmons
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Patent number: 5926350Abstract: A dual gap horizontal thin film inductive head is provided which writes wide and reads narrow so as to avoid noise problems when reading an information track on a magnetic medium. The head has first and second gap layers between first and second horizontal pole tips. The pole tips and the corresponding pole pieces of the head are constructed of a high magnetic moment material, such as NiFe (Permalloy). The first gap layer is constructed of a magnetic insulator, such as tungsten, and the second gap layer is constructed of a low magnetic moment material, such as NiFeCr. Accordingly, the magnetic moment of the second gap layer is lower than the magnetic moment of the first and second pole tips and the corresponding first and second pole pieces. During recording both gap layers function as a gap because the second gap layer is saturated and behaves as a magnetic insulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1996Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew Chiu, Cherngye Hwang, Randall George Simmons