Patents by Inventor Scott C. Giere

Scott C. Giere 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: 7440236
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Scott C. Giere, Jason S. Griesbach, Brett L. Haugen, Jason R. Heffelfinger, Dennis M. Ingle, Tony S. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7218481
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Scott C. Giere, Jason S. Griesbach, Brett L. Haugen, Jason R. Heffelfinger, Dennis M. Ingle, Tony S. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5943191
    Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a damping member for damping vibrations of the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The damping member extends from the head suspension and has a free end such that it can frictionally contact the head suspension to damp resonance mode frequency vibrations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Giere, Daniel D. Willard, Robert B. Evans
  • Patent number: 5940251
    Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a vibration absorbing member for vibrating at resonance mode vibrations of the head suspension. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The vibration absorbing member extends from the head suspension and has a resonance mode frequency substantially the same as one of the resonance mode frequencies of the head suspension. As such, the vibration absorbing member absorbs energy on the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof, acting to reduce gain at a resonance mode frequency of the head suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Giere, Daniel D. Willard, Robert B. Evans