Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.

Abstract: SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

Abstract: An assembly includes a support structure including attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a moving structure including attach structures and flexure arms configured to couple the moving structure to the support structure, the flexure arms are configured to enable movement of the moving structure with respect to the support structure. The suspension assembly includes optical-image stabilizer shape memory alloy wires, each coupled with and extending between one of the attach structures and one of the moving wire attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a lens holder mounted to the moving structure and a first pair of attach structures; and auto focus shape memory alloy wires, each wire coupled to the lens holder and coupled to and extending between attach structures of the first pair of attach structures configured to actuate the lens holder with respect to the moving structure.

Abstract: Devices including a substrate and a plurality of coil portions disposed on the substrate. The plurality of coil portions electrically coupled to form a coil structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Embodiments of disk drive head suspensions are described that include a spring metal layer. The spring metal layer includes a base region, support arms extending from the base region, and a slider mounting region. The slider mounting region includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a pair of motor openings. The motor openings are configured to receive motors such that the longitudinal axes of the motors are non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slider mounting region. The suspensions include traces that include a base portion on the base region of the spring metal layer, a spring metal-unsupported portion extending from the base region to the slider mounting region, and a slider mounting portion extending from the spring metal-unsupported portion onto the slider mounting region. And, the suspensions include an insulating layer between portions of the spring metal layer and the conductor layer.

Abstract: An assembly includes a support structure including attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a moving structure including attach structures and flexure arms configured to couple the moving structure to the support structure, the flexure arms are configured to enable movement of the moving structure with respect to the support structure. The suspension assembly includes optical-image stabilizer shape memory alloy wires, each coupled with and extending between one of the attach structures and one of the moving wire attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a lens holder mounted to the moving structure and a first pair of attach structures; and auto focus shape memory alloy wires, each wire coupled to the lens holder and coupled to and extending between attach structures of the first pair of attach structures configured to actuate the lens holder with respect to the moving structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first and second terminals and a plurality of actuator layers formed from a piezoelectric material. The plurality of actuator layers comprise serially stacked first, second, and third actuator layers. The plurality of actuator layers are respectively poled and connected to the first and second terminals such that both of the first and second actuator layers expand while the third actuator layer contracts in response to application of a signal across the first and second terminals. The differential motion of the plurality of layers in the motor cause the motor to curl about the contracting third actuator layer. The curling motion causes a portion of the flexure to preferentially curl.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure having a motor contact paddle for connecting to a terminal of a piezoelectric motor. The flexure comprises a paddle having a top side and a bottom side, the paddle comprising at least one void, each void extending through the paddle from the bottom side to the top side. The paddle further comprises a stainless steel base, a conductor comprising a layer of metal, and a dielectric layer having a first section and a second section, the first section positioned between the conductor and the stainless steel base to overlap the stainless steel base and the second section extending beyond the stainless steel base to not overlap the stainless steel base. The bottom side of the paddle is configured to connect to the terminal with electrically conductive adhesive.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a dual stage actuation flexure having a motor contact paddle for connecting to a terminal of a piezoelectric motor. The flexure comprises a paddle having a top side and a bottom side, the paddle comprising at least one void, each void extending through the paddle from the bottom side to the top side. The paddle further comprises a stainless steel base, a conductor comprising a layer of metal, and a dielectric layer having a first section and a second section, the first section positioned between the conductor and the stainless steel base to overlap the stainless steel base and the second section extending beyond the stainless steel base to not overlap the stainless steel base. The bottom side of the paddle is configured to connect to the terminal with electrically conductive adhesive.

Abstract: An improved dual stage actuated disk drive head suspension in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a mounting/base plate having first and second portions connected by a linkage, one or more PZT motors and a flexure having one or more pairs of differential drive signal traces. Each PZT motor has a pair of electrodes. Non-conductive adhesive secures each PZT motor to the first and second portions of the mounting/base plate with the electrodes of each motor being electrically isolated from the mounting/base plate. Each pair of drive signal traces is electrically connected to one of the pair of PZT motor electrodes to couple differential electrical drive signals to the PZT motor. Each PZT motor drives the first and second portions of the mounting/base plate with respect to one another in response to the drive signals.

Abstract: A dual stage microactuated head suspension includes a base plate, a mounting region attached to the base plate, a load beam coupled to the mounting region, a flexure supported by the load beam and the mounting region, and a microactuator mechanically and electrically coupled to the mounting region. The mounting region is oriented in a plane and includes a microactuator slot for receiving the microactuator such that the microactuator lies substantially or entirely in the plane of the mounting region. The head suspension includes a microactuator support structure provided for mechanically and electrically coupling the microactuator to the mounting region.