Patents by Inventor Shaun Eric McKinlay
Shaun Eric McKinlay 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).
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Patent number: 10783907Abstract: A reader includes a free layer and a side shield that biases the free layer. The side shield includes a main bias layer having a first magnetic moment value and a first magnetization direction. The side shield also includes a compensation bias layer having a second magnetic moment value that is less than the first magnetic moment value and a second magnetization direction that is opposite to the first magnetization direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Victor Sapozhnikov, Taras Grigoryevich Pokhil, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Patent number: 10147447Abstract: A magnetic stack is disclosed. The magnetic stack includes a magnetically responsive lamination that includes a ferromagnetic free layer, a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure, and a spacer layer positioned between the ferromagnetic free layer and the SAF structure. The magnetically responsive lamination is separated from a sensed data bit stored in an adjacent medium by an air bearing surface (ABS). The stack also includes a first antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure coupled to the SAF structure a predetermined offset distance from the ABS, and a second AFM structure that is separated from the first AFM structure by a first shield layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Zhiguo Ge, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Jae-Young Yi
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Patent number: 9542961Abstract: Tolerances for manufacturing reader structures for transducer heads continue to grow smaller and storage density in corresponding storage media increases. Reader stop layers may be utilized during manufacturing of reader structures to protect various layers of the reader structure from recession and/or scratches while processing other non-protected layers of the reader structure. For example, the stop layer may have a very low polish rate during mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing. Surrounding areas may be significantly polished while a structure protected by a stop layer with a very low polish rate is substantially unaffected. The stop layer may then be removed via etching, for example, after the mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing is completed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Carolyn Pitcher Van Dorn, Thomas Roy Boonstra, Eric Walter Singleton, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Publication number: 20160293186Abstract: Tolerances for manufacturing reader structures for transducer heads continue to grow smaller and storage density in corresponding storage media increases. Reader stop layers may be utilized during manufacturing of reader structures to protect various layers of the reader structure from recession and/or scratches while processing other non-protected layers of the reader structure. For example, the stop layer may have a very low polish rate during mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing. Surrounding areas may be significantly polished while a structure protected by a stop layer with a very low polish rate is substantially unaffected. The stop layer may then be removed via etching, for example, after the mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Carolyn Pitcher Van Dorn, Thomas Roy Boonstra, Eric Walter Singleton, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Patent number: 9437224Abstract: A stack having a seed layer structure with a first part having a first cross-track width and a free layer deposited over the seed layer structure and with a second cross-track width, wherein the first cross-track width is greater than the second cross-track width. In one implementation, the seed layer structure further comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer. In one alternate implementation, the cross-track width of the seed layer structure is substantially equal to the combined cross-track width of the free layer and cross-track width of two permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Jae-Young Yi, Konstantin Nikolaev, Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Stacey Christine Wakeham, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Patent number: 9401163Abstract: A reader includes top and bottom reader stacks disposed between a top and bottom shield. The top and bottom reader stacks are offset relative to each other in a downtrack direction. Top side shields surround the top reader stack in a crosstrack direction, and bottom side shields surround the bottom reader stack in the crosstrack direction. A split middle shield is between the top and bottom reader stacks and the top and bottom side shields. The split middle shield includes top and bottom portions separated by an isolation layer, the top and bottom portions respectively coupled to the top and bottom reader stacks.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton, Samuel Martin Barthell
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Publication number: 20160196840Abstract: A magnetic stack is disclosed. The magnetic stack includes a magnetically responsive lamination that includes a ferromagnetic free layer, a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure, and a spacer layer positioned between the ferromagnetic free layer and the SAF structure. The magnetically responsive lamination is separated from a sensed data bit stored in an adjacent medium by an air bearing surface (ABS). The stack also includes a first antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure coupled to the SAF structure a predetermined offset distance from the ABS, and a second AFM structure that is separated from the first AFM structure by a first shield layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Zhiguo Ge, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Jae-Young Yi
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Patent number: 9361910Abstract: A reader includes top and bottom reader stacks that are offset relative to each other in a downtrack direction and disposed between a top shield and a bottom shield. Top side shields surround the top reader stack in a crosstrack direction, and bottom side shields surround the bottom reader stack in the crosstrack direction. A middle shield is between the top and bottom reader stacks and the top and bottom side shields. The middle shield includes a common electrical conductive path coupled to the top and bottom reader stacks. A middle lead is coupled to an edge of the middle shield.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton, Samuel Martin Barthell
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Patent number: 9305578Abstract: A magnetic stack is disclosed. The magnetic stack includes a magnetically responsive lamination that includes a ferromagnetic free layer, a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure, and a spacer layer positioned between the ferromagnetic free layer and the SAF structure. The magnetically responsive lamination is separated from a sensed data bit stored in an adjacent medium by an air bearing surface (ABS). The stack also includes a first antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure coupled to the SAF structure a predetermined offset distance from the ABS, and a second AFM structure that is separated from the first AFM structure by a first shield layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Zhiguo Ge, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Jae-Young Yi
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Publication number: 20160005425Abstract: A reader includes top and bottom reader stacks that are offset relative to each other in a downtrack direction and disposed between a top shield and a bottom shield. Top side shields surround the top reader stack in a crosstrack direction, and bottom side shields surround the bottom reader stack in the crosstrack direction. A middle shield is between the top and bottom reader stacks and the top and bottom side shields. The middle shield includes a common electrical conductive path coupled to the top and bottom reader stacks. A middle lead is coupled to an edge of the middle shield.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton, Samuel Martin Barthell
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Publication number: 20160005424Abstract: A reader includes top and bottom reader stacks disposed between a top and bottom shield. The top and bottom reader stacks are offset relative to each other in a downtrack direction. Top side shields surround the top reader stack in a crosstrack direction, and bottom side shields surround the bottom reader stack in the crosstrack direction. A split middle shield is between the top and bottom reader stacks and the top and bottom side shields. The split middle shield includes top and bottom portions separated by an isolation layer, the top and bottom portions respectively coupled to the top and bottom reader stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton, Samuel Martin Barthell
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Patent number: 9082424Abstract: Various embodiments may configure a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack that is configured with an air bearing surface (ABS) and is separated from a side shield. The side shield can be biased by a biasing layer that contacts the side shield and is separated from the ABS.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Patent number: 9070382Abstract: Various embodiments may be generally directed to a magnetic element capable of reading magnetic data bits. Such a magnetic element may have at least a magnetic stack laterally adjacent a side shield and non-magnetic pedestal on an air bearing surface (ABS). The non-magnetic pedestal can be configured to have a greater stripe height from the ABS than the side shield.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton
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Patent number: 9030782Abstract: A data reader and associated method of making are generally provided. A data reader capable of sensing adjacent data bits may be configured at least with a magnetic stack disposed between first and second side shields. Each side shield may have a polish stop layer that is tuned to provide a first predetermined polish rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric W. Singleton, Carolyn Pitcher Van Dorn, Levent Colak, Thu-Van Thi Nguyen
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Patent number: 8995096Abstract: Various embodiments may position a side shield adjacent to and separated from a stack sidewall of a magnetic stack with the side shield having a shield layer disposed between the stack sidewall and a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet can be separated from a first portion of the shield layer by a diffusion barrier that decouples the permanent magnet from the shield layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Eric Walter Singleton
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Patent number: 8947834Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a method can be utilized that includes depositing a backfill material layer over a reader stack; depositing a chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer above the layer of backfill material; and depositing a sacrificial layer on top of the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Stacey Christine Wakeham
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Patent number: 8922951Abstract: Various embodiments may be generally directed to a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack positioned adjacent to and separated from at least one side shield on an air bearing surface (ABS). The side shield can be configured with a predetermined anisotropy variation along a down-track direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Shaun Eric McKinlay, Konstantin Rudolfovich Nikolaev, Eric Walter Singleton, Jae-Young Yi
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Publication number: 20140356648Abstract: A stack having a seed layer structure with a first part having a first cross-track width and a free layer deposited over the seed layer structure and with a second cross-track width, wherein the first cross-track width is greater than the second cross-track width. In one implementation, the seed layer structure further comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer. In one alternate implementation, the cross-track width of the seed layer structure is substantially equal to the combined cross-track width of the free layer and cross-track width of two permanent magnets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Eric Walter Singleton, Jae-Young Yi, Konstantin Nikolaev, Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Stacey Christine Wakeham, Shaun Eric McKinlay
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Patent number: 8885300Abstract: A magnetic element is generally provided that can be implemented as a data reader. Various embodiments may connect a magnetic stack to a top shield and separate the magnetic stack from a bi-layer side shield. The bi-layer side shield may have a fixed magnetization layer and a soft magnetic layer each magnetically isolated from the top shield.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Shaun Eric McKinlay, Zhiguo Ge, Eric Walter Singleton, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Victor Boris Sapozhnikov
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Publication number: 20140327989Abstract: Various embodiments may configure a data storage device with at least a magnetic element having a magnetic stack that is configured with an air bearing surface (ABS) and is separated from a side shield. The side shield can be biased by a biasing layer that contacts the side shield and is separated from the ABS.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Victor Boris Sapozhnikov, Mohammed Shariat Ullah Patwari, Shaun Eric McKinlay