Patents by Inventor Scott J. Cray

Scott J. Cray 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: 11414226
    Abstract: A method of making a component includes applying a clamping force to the component, the component coupled to a carrier strip of a panel via a polymeric tab and separating a portion of the polymeric tab from a substrate of the component, thereby causing the component to be detached from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Erich W. Bierbrauer, Scott J. Cray, Peter F. Ladwig, Clark T. Olsen, Zachary A. Pokornowski
  • Publication number: 20190263550
    Abstract: A method of making a component includes applying a clamping force to the component, the component coupled to a carrier strip of a panel via a polymeric tab and separating a portion of the polymeric tab from a substrate of the component, thereby causing the component to be detached from the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Erich W. Bierbrauer, Scott J. Cray, Peter F. Ladwig, Clark T. Olsen, Zachary A. Pokornowski
  • Patent number: 10147449
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Luke E. Rose
  • Publication number: 20180075870
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Luke E. Rose
  • Patent number: 9824704
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Luke E. Rose
  • Patent number: 9443547
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and a related systems and tools for dispensing an adhesive piece having damping qualities onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension. The adhesive piece can be commercially available layered strip sold as an adhesive layer having a first and a second liner adhered to each side. An exemplary method can cut an adhesive piece, separate the adhesive piece from a secondary liner, adhere the adhesive piece onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension, separate a primary liner from the adhesive piece, and dispose of the primary liner using a conventional gantry system. The method can be performed using a two-step operation of the gantry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan J. Scheele, Neal T. Eidenschink, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Daniel W. Scheele, Cameron T. Hempel, Scott J. Cray, Kenneth L. Bolster
  • Publication number: 20160240218
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Luke E. Rose
  • Patent number: 9296188
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method of attaching a microactuator to a flexure, depositing a wet mass of structural adhesive on the flexure, mounting the microactuator on the wet mass of structural adhesive, partially curing the mass of structural adhesive through a first application of curing energy, and depositing a mass of conductive adhesive on the flexure. The mass of conductive adhesive is deposited in contact with the mass of structural adhesive. The state of partial curing of the structural adhesive prevents the conductive adhesive from wicking between the flexure and the underside of the microactuator and displacing the structural adhesive which may otherwise result in shorting to a stainless steel layer of the flexure. The method further comprises fully curing the mass of structural adhesive and the conductive adhesive through a second application of curing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Luke E. Rose
  • Patent number: 9208807
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus concern testing a disk drive suspension. Testing includes moving a first portion of a suspension relative to a second portion. A pair of motors is mounted on the suspension. The testing further includes measuring an electrical signal that is intrinsically produced by the motors, combined in a circuit, in response to the relative movement. The testing further includes identifying a characteristic of the electrical signal and determining whether an orientation of one or both of the motors is reversed relative to an intended motor orientation based on the characteristic of the electrical signal. The testing can determine whether the orientation of both motors matches the intended motor orientation, whether the orientation of one motor is reversed in a same polarity condition, whether the orientations of both motors are reversed in a mutual reverse polarity condition, or whether the suspension has a mechanical or electrical defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, Kellin D. Geisler, Jeffrey E. Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20150194176
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and a related systems and tools for dispensing an adhesive piece having damping qualities onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension. The adhesive piece can be commercially available layered strip sold as an adhesive layer having a first and a second liner adhered to each side. An exemplary method can cut an adhesive piece, separate the adhesive piece from a secondary liner, adhere the adhesive piece onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension, separate a primary liner from the adhesive piece, and dispose of the primary liner using a conventional gantry system. The method can be performed using a two-step operation of the gantry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan J. Scheele, Neal T. Eidenschink, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Daniel W. Scheele, Cameron T. Hempel, Scott J. Cray, Kenneth L. Bolster
  • Publication number: 20150062748
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus concern testing a disk drive suspension. Testing includes moving a first portion of a suspension relative to a second portion. A pair of motors is mounted on the suspension. The testing further includes measuring an electrical signal that is intrinsically produced by the motors, combined in a circuit, in response to the relative movement. The testing further includes identifying a characteristic of the electrical signal and determining whether an orientation of one or both of the motors is reversed relative to an intended motor orientation based on the characteristic of the electrical signal. The testing can determine whether the orientation of both motors matches the intended motor orientation, whether the orientation of one motor is reversed in a same polarity condition, whether the orientations of both motors are reversed in a mutual reverse polarity condition, or whether the suspension has a mechanical or electrical defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Scott J. Cray, Kellin D. Geisler, Jeffrey E. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 8834660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and a related systems and tools for dispensing an adhesive piece having damping qualities onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension. The adhesive piece can be commercially available layered strip sold as an adhesive layer having a first and a second liner adhered to each side. An exemplary method can cut an adhesive piece, separate the adhesive piece from a secondary liner, adhere the adhesive piece onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension, separate a primary liner from the adhesive piece, and dispose of the primary liner using a conventional gantry system. The method can be performed using a two-step operation of the gantry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan J. Scheele, Neal T. Eidenschink, John L. Schumann, Trent A. Johnson, Daniel W. Scheele, Cameron T. Hempel, Scott J. Cray, Kenneth L. Bolster