Patents by Inventor Robert E. Fontana

Robert E. Fontana 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: 9691425
    Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9607635
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having a lower shield and an upper shield above the lower shield, the upper and lower shields providing magnetic shielding. A current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor is positioned between the upper and lower shields. An electrical lead layer is positioned between the sensor and one of the shields. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A spacer layer is positioned between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Publication number: 20170062111
    Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, JR., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9564165
    Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9495989
    Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Publication number: 20160260451
    Abstract: A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, JR., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Publication number: 20160203904
    Abstract: A thin film inductor with top and bottom pole pieces that are mechanically connected to each other at at least two via zones, to create a magnetically permeable yoke that defines at least one interior space. Enclosed portion(s) of a winding member pass through the interior space(s) of the yoke. The enclosed portion(s) of the winding member define an axial direction and a transverse direction. The pole pieces extend beyond the via zones in the axial and/or transverse direction. The extended pole pieces improve magnetic performance of the thin film inductor, by effectively moving pole piece edges away from locations of high magnetic flux density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, JR., Philipp Herget
  • Publication number: 20160196841
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield having recesses in an upper surface thereof; an upper shield formed above the lower shield; a sensor between the upper and lower shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and a first insulating layer in the recesses in the upper surface of the lower shield. An upper surface of the first insulating layer is coplanar with an uppermost portion of the upper surface of the lower shield. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield having recesses in an upper surface thereof; an upper shield formed above the lower shield, the upper shield having recesses in a lower surface thereof; a sensor between the shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and insulating layers in the recesses in the shields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, JR., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 9355656
    Abstract: A tape write transducer includes a first yoke member, a second yoke member and a shield member arranged in a row so that row includes two gaps: an inter-yoke-member gap (between the two yoke members), and a shield-member gap (between one of the yoke members and the shield member). In operations using an underlayerless tape, the magnetic field in the inter-yoke member gap causes magnetic transitions to be written to the underlayerless recording medium in a point along the tape that is in vicinity to the inter-yoke-member gap. In operations using an underlayer tape, the magnetic field in the shield-member gap causes magnetic transitions to be written to the underlayer tape recording layer at a point along the tape that is in vicinity to the shield-member gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Pierre-Olivier Jubert
  • Publication number: 20160133282
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, and an insulating layer between the at least one lead and the shield closest thereto. At least one lead is selected from a group including: an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield and a lower electrical lead between the sensor and the lower shield. The at least one lead is in electrical communication with the sensor. A width of one or more of the at least one lead in a cross track direction is about equal to a width of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, JR., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 9324495
    Abstract: A planar closed-magnetic-loop inductor and a method of fabricating the inductor are described. The inductor includes a first material comprising a cross-sectional shape including at least four segments, at least one of the at least four segments including a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of an axial line through the at least one of the at least four segments. The first edge and the second edge are not parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9324489
    Abstract: A thin film inductor with top and bottom pole pieces that are mechanically connected to each other at at least two via zones, to create a magnetically permeable yoke that defines at least one interior space. Enclosed portion(s) of a winding member pass through the interior space(s) of the yoke. The enclosed portion(s) of the winding member define an axial direction and a transverse direction. The pole pieces extend beyond the via zones in the axial and/or transverse direction. The extended pole pieces improve magnetic performance of the thin film inductor, by effectively moving pole piece edges away from locations of high magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Philipp Herget
  • Patent number: 9280991
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield having recesses in an upper surface thereof; an upper shield formed above the lower shield; a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and a first insulating layer in the recesses in the upper surface of the lower shield. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield; an upper shield formed above the lower shield, the upper shield having recesses in a lower surface thereof; a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, the recesses being positioned on opposite sides of the sensor; and a first insulating layer in the recesses in the lower surface of the upper shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 9263068
    Abstract: An apparatus having a transducer structure with: a lower shield; an upper shield above the lower shield, the shields providing magnetic shielding; a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields; at least one of an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield and a lower electrical lead between the sensor and the lower shield, the at least one lead being in electrical communication with the sensor; and an insulating layer between the at least one of the leads and the shield closest thereto. Another embodiment includes a transducer structure having: a lower shield; an upper shield above the lower shield; a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields; an upper electrical lead between the sensor and the upper shield, the upper electrical lead being in electrical communication with the sensor; and an insulating layer between at upper electrical lead and the upper shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • Publication number: 20150279546
    Abstract: A thin film inductor with top and bottom pole pieces that are mechanically connected to each other at at least two via zones, to create a magnetically permeable yoke that defines at least one interior space. Enclosed portion(s) of a winding member pass through the interior space(s) of the yoke. The enclosed portion(s) of the winding member define an axial direction and a transverse direction. The pole pieces extend beyond the via zones in the axial and/or transverse direction. The extended pole pieces improve magnetic performance of the thin film inductor, by effectively moving pole piece edges away from locations of high magnetic flux density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Philipp Herget
  • Patent number: 9093087
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having an array of transducers. An axis of the array is defined between outermost ones of the transducers. The transducers are arranged in at least two clusters of adjacent transducers, and the transducers in each respective cluster have about a same transducer pitch. A gap is defined between proximally adjacent clusters. A width of the gap measured along the axis of the array is greater than the transducer pitch of one of the clusters. An electrical lapping guide (ELG) located in the gap or aligned with the gap orthogonally to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 9064628
    Abstract: A thin film coupled inductor, a thin film spiral inductor, and a system that includes an electronic device and a power supply or power converter incorporating one or more such inductors. A thin film coupled inductor includes a wafer substrate; a bottom yoke comprising a magnetic material above the wafer substrate; a first insulating layer above the bottom yoke; a first conductor above the bottom yoke and separated therefrom by the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer above the first conductor; a second conductor above the second insulating layer; a third insulating layer above the second conductor; and a non-planar top yoke above the third insulating layer, the top yoke comprising a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Publication number: 20150077881
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having an array of transducers. An axis of the array is defined between outermost ones of the transducers. The transducers are arranged in at least two clusters of adjacent transducers, and the transducers in each respective cluster have about a same transducer pitch. A gap is defined between proximally adjacent clusters. A width of the gap measured along the axis of the array is greater than the transducer pitch of one of the clusters. An electrical lapping guide (ELG) located in the gap or aligned with the gap orthogonally to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Calvin S. Lo
  • Publication number: 20150064362
    Abstract: A planar closed-magnetic-loop inductor and a method of fabricating the inductor are described. The inductor includes a first material comprising a cross-sectional shape including at least four segments, at least one of the at least four segments including a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of an axial line through the at least one of the at least four segments. The first edge and the second edge are not parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, JR., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Publication number: 20150061815
    Abstract: A planar closed-magnetic-loop inductor and a method of fabricating the inductor are described. The inductor includes a first material comprising a cross-sectional shape including at least four segments, at least one of the at least four segments including a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of an axial line through the at least one of the at least four segments. The first edge and the second edge are not parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fontana, JR., William J. Gallagher, Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb