Patents by Inventor Ryan J. Schmidt

Ryan J. Schmidt 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: 10367135
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a base plate for piezoelectric actuation, comprises providing a plate having a major surface, striking a first removable portion of the plate in a first direction substantially normal to the major surface to shear the first removable portion relative to the plate by a shear distance that is less than the plate thickness. Striking the first removable portion in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to reduce the shear distance by a reduction in shear that is less than the plate thickness. Leaving it the first removable portion in place rather than removing. Alternately, the removable portion may be created by lancing one or more portions spanning at least one opening through a base plate adjacent a first side of at least one opening and adjacent a second side of the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: INTRI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Django Dexter, Damon Douglas Brink, Ryan J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9536571
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTRI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Adam D. Sutton, David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Robert J. Tench
  • Publication number: 20160247546
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Adam D. Sutton, David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Robert J. Tench
  • Publication number: 20160248000
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a base plate for piezoelectric actuation, comprises providing a plate having a major surface, striking a first removable portion of the plate in a first direction substantially normal to the major surface to shear the first removable portion relative to the plate by a shear distance that is less than the plate thickness. Striking the first removable portion in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to reduce the shear distance by a reduction in shear that is less than the plate thickness. Leaving it the first removable portion in place rather than removing. Alternately, the removable portion may be created by lancing one or more portions spanning at least one opening through a base plate adjacent a first side of at least one opening and adjacent a second side of the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID DJANGO DEXTER, Damon Douglas Brink, Ryan J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9361929
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: INTRI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Adam D. Sutton, Robert J. Tench
  • Patent number: 8824099
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a number of magnetic hard disks within a disk drive has a plurality of balance weight holes and a coined index mark for use as a reference in balancing the hard disks after assembly. The disk clamp also has a coined profile located adjacent or around the balance weight holes in order to provide uniform circumferential clamp force by the disk clamp. The disk clamp has a profile that places the inner region of the disk clamp in the plastic deformation region at a certain specified clamping force at the center of the disk clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Adam D. Sutton
  • Publication number: 20140139950
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Adam D. Sutton, Robert J. Tench
  • Patent number: 8675306
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Sutton, David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Robert J. Tench
  • Publication number: 20130272108
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a number of magnetic hard disks within a disk drive has a plurality of balance weight holes and a coined index mark for use as a reference in balancing the hard disks after assembly. The disk clamp also has a coined profile located adjacent or around the balance weight holes in order to provide uniform circumferential clamp force by the disk clamp. The disk clamp has a profile that places the inner region of the disk clamp in the plastic deformation region at a certain specified clamping force at the center of the disk clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Adam D. Sutton
  • Publication number: 20130272107
    Abstract: A disk clamp for clamping a plurality of disks within a disk drive has a single fastening hole located at its symmetrical center sized to pass the shaft of a screw having a head diameter larger than the fastening hole. The screw fastens the disk clamp to a motor hub supporting the plurality of disks. The disk clamp has a moat around the fastening hole, at a maximum diameter that is smaller than the head diameter of the head on the fastening screw. The moat may be circular, have spike trenches angled toward the fastening hole, or be spiral. The diameter of the spiral moat decreases in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction toward the fastening hole. The midsection of the disk which the screw head covers is biased at a negative angle toward the fastening hole forcing particles generated during assembly toward the fastening hole of the disk clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Erlach, Frederic C. Petersen, Ryan J. Schmidt, Paul W. Smith, Adam D. Sutton, Robert J. Tench
  • Patent number: 8416534
    Abstract: Described herein is a tolerance ring for a disk drive that includes a substantially cylindrical body having outer surface. The tolerance ring can be positioned between a rotational bearing and an actuator for providing rotational movement of the actuator. The tolerance ring can also include a contact member, positioned along the outer surface, that protrudes outward from the outer surface. The contact member can be connected to the outer surface by first and second angulated arms that extend from the outer surface to the contact member at different angles relative to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Baekho Heo, Scott E. Watson, Ryan J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7978437
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to improve mass eccentricity of an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a predetermined length between two ends, with a gap along the predetermined length of the cylinder, the gap having a first and a second edge, the cylinder having an aperture in the surface of the cylinder at the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: IntriPlex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter
  • Patent number: 7850389
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to prevent interlocking during shipping and handling. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a first radius about an axis of rotation and a gap in the cylinder surface having a first edge and second edge extending along the axis. The gap in the cylindrical base has a first tab on the first edge and a second tab on the second edge. The first tab is adapted for coupling to the second tab and thereby prevents the interlocking of one tolerance ring with another. The gap can be configured to be non-linear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: IntriPlex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter, Damon D. Brink
  • Publication number: 20090296282
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to improve mass eccentricity of an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a predetermined length between two ends, with a gap along the predetermined length of the cylinder, the gap having a first and a second edge, the cylinder having an aperture in the surface of the cylinder at the second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: INTRI-PLEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN P. HANRAHAN, RYAN J. SCHMIDT, DAVID D. DEXTER
  • Patent number: 7611303
    Abstract: A tolerance ring for applications requiring high axial static friction has contacting portions having a novel profile. The use of multiple contacting portions having a smaller size that are wedge-shaped increases rigidity and provides a directional grip that increases axial static function. Using multiple wedge-shaped contacting portions with appropriate opposite slants provides a balanced and symmetrical grip. Using inter-level wedge-shaped contacting portions with opposite slants provides a more aggressive grip while providing a tolerance ring that is more dynamically stable and has a high resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, David D. Dexter, Ryan J. Schmidt, Matthew S. Sprankle
  • Patent number: 7583476
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to improve mass eccentricity of an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a predetermined length between two ends, with a gap along the predetermined length of the cylinder, the gap having a first and a second edge, the cylinder having an aperture in the surface of the cylinder at the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter
  • Patent number: 7580225
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to reduce torque ripple for a pivot bearing in an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring comprises a cylinder having a predetermined length, and a first and a second row of contacting portions arranged around the surface of the cylinder, the contacting portions of the second row are circumferentially displaced with respect to the first row by a distance greater than zero but less than the distance of the contacting portion and the spacing between adjacent contacting portions in the first row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter
  • Patent number: 7554771
    Abstract: A tolerance ring for coupling an actuator arm to a pivot bearing while maintaining mass eccentricity of the actuator arm. The tolerance ring having a substantially cylindrical base portion with a first radius about a central axis and extending a length parallel to the central axis, the cylindrical base portion has a first tab and a second tab extending along the length of the cylindrical base portion, the first tab being positioned proximate to the second tab. The tolerance ring improves mass eccentricity by radially displacing the first tab at a second radius about the axis such that a radial gap is formed between the first tab and second tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20080062572
    Abstract: A tolerance ring for coupling an actuator arm to a pivot bearing while maintaining mass eccentricity of the actuator arm. The tolerance ring having a substantially cylindrical base portion with a first radius about a central axis and extending a length parallel to the central axis, the cylindrical base portion has a first tab and a second tab extending along the length of the cylindrical base portion, the first tab being positioned proximate to the second tab. The tolerance ring improves mass eccentricity by radially displacing the first tab at a second radius about the axis such that a radial gap is formed between the first tab and second tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20080049362
    Abstract: A tolerance ring configured to improve mass eccentricity of an actuator arm assembly. The tolerance ring has a cylinder with a predetermined length between two ends, with a gap along the predetermined length of the cylinder, the gap having a first and a second edge, the cylinder having an aperture in the surface of the cylinder at the second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hanrahan, Ryan J. Schmidt, David D. Dexter