Patents by Inventor Richard G. Ramsdell

Richard G. Ramsdell 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: 7236331
    Abstract: Methods to provide a ramp to remove a read/write head connected with a suspension from a media in accordance with the present invention can comprise calculating a grade of one or more surfaces having a plurality of progressively shallower grades. A transition between a steep grade and a less steep grade can occur at a nominal location at which the read/write head is removed from communicative proximity with the media. By shaping a ramp such that it includes a maximum steep grade, a surface of the media can have an optimized data region, potentially increasing the spacing of tracks or alternatively increasing the capacity of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 7031117
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and spacer, an arm stack connected with the top surface of the spacer, and a bottom arm connected with the bottom surface of the spacer. The arm stack comprises module(s) stacked on a top arm. The arm stack and bottom arm are designed such that either can be disconnected from the mounting block without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm stack and bottom arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost without deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 7023666
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can replace cumbersome and potentially contaminating bearing assemblies for rotary actuators. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the rotary actuator for rework without damaging or contaminating the rotary actuator or bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 6989970
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and at least one arm connected with the mounting block. A flexible member is connected with the at least one arm and a head is associated with the flexible member. The head is positioned over the surface of the disk. The arm is designed such that it can be disconnected from the mount without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost and without misalignment and deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Joseph T. Castagna, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 6925715
    Abstract: Methods in accordance with the present invention can eliminate cumbersome and potentially contaminating methods for connecting a bearing assembly with an actuator assembly. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with such methods as glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the actuator assembly for rework without damaging or contaminating the actuator assembly or bearing assembly. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
    Inventor: Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040123463
    Abstract: Methods in accordance with the present invention can eliminate cumbersome and potentially contaminating methods for connecting a bearing assembly with an actuator assembly. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with such methods as glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the actuator assembly for rework without damaging or contaminating the actuator assembly or bearing assembly. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040125506
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and spacer, an arm stack connected with the top surface of the spacer, and a bottom arm connected with the bottom surface of the spacer. The arm stack comprises module(s) stacked on a top arm. The arm stack and bottom arm are designed such that either can be disconnected from the mounting block without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm stack and bottom arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost without deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040123448
    Abstract: Methods in accordance with the present invention can be used to assemble or rework a modular rotary actuator assembly for a media data storage device having one or more disks. One such method for assembling a modular rotary actuator assembly includes assembling a module, assembling an arm stack by connecting a first arm with the module, connecting the arm stack to the top surface of a spacer of a mounting block by one or more screws, connecting a second arm with the bottom surface of the spacer by one or more screws, and inserting a bearing arrangement into a bore of the mounting block. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040123440
    Abstract: Methods in accordance with the present invention can be used to assemble or rework a rotary actuator assembly for a media data storage device having one or more disks. One such method for assembling a rotary actuator assembly includes connecting at least one arm to a mounting block wherein the mounting block includes a bore and a spacer, the spacer having threaded holes on a top surface and a bottom surface in order to receive screws. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Joseph T. Castagna, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040125504
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can replace cumbersome and potentially contaminating bearing assemblies for rotary actuators. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the rotary actuator for rework without damaging or contaminating the rotary actuator or bearing assembly. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Publication number: 20040125505
    Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and at least one arm connected with the mounting block. A flexible member is connected with the at least one arm and a head is associated with the flexible member. The head is positioned over the surface of the disk. The arm is designed such that it can be disconnected from the mount without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost and without misalignment and deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Nguyen, Joseph T. Castagna, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 5754372
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for mounting a rotary actuator bearing cartridge between a disk drive base and cover, are disclosed. The mounting arrangement minimizes any possible deformations to bearing sleeve as well as any effects to bearing preload and friction while enabling a top down assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Ramsdell, John D. Treder, Jon Ikegami, Raghu Gururangan
  • Patent number: 5631787
    Abstract: In a disk drive including a conventional head and disk assembly containing a spindle motor for rotating a disk hub at a constant angular velocity and at least one rotating disk mounted to the hub, apparatus comprising a base having a peripheral sidewall surrounding the base. The base supports the head and disk assembly within an interior space defined by the peripheral sidewalls in combination with the base. To reduce the power consumption as well as the operating temperature of the disk drive by controlling and confining the air mass proximate the disk, a shroud is positioned within the interior space and proximate the disk such that the shroud substantially circumscribes the circumference of the disk for an arc of approximately 320 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Huang, Richard G. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 5396384
    Abstract: A hard disk drive architecture includes a housing including a continuous base wall and continuous sidewalls extending from the base wall, and cooperating with a cover structure for enclosing and sealing an interior space for a plurality of rigid data storage disks mounted on a spindle, and a rotary actuator structure for positioning a stack of data transducer heads relative to concentric track locations defined on storage surfaces of the disks. The spindle includes a spindle motor for rotating the spindle and the disks. The housing defines an exterior recess region of the base wall. The recess region includes an opening for a connector pin array. A seal is provided for sealing the opening after the connector pin array is in place. A flex circuit mounting bracket within the interior space is provided for positioning and connecting to a flex circuit connecting to the rotary actuator structure and to the connector pin array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Caldeira, John C. Fravel, Richard G. Ramsdell, Romeo N. Nolasco