Patents by Inventor Steven A. Fank

Steven A. Fank 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).

  • Publication number: 20200181791
    Abstract: A gold electroplating solution includes a gold (III) cyanide compound, a chloride compound, and hydrochloric acid. The gold (III) cyanide compound is potassium gold (III) cyanide, ammonium gold (III) cyanide, or sodium gold (III) cyanide. The chloride compound is potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride. Various structures may be made with the gold electroplating solution having a gold layer deposited directly on the stainless steel (SST) layer using a photolithography process. Such structures include a gold pattern having a discontinuous pattern, a bond pad region having one or more traces on the opposite side of the dielectric layer, a gimbal having gold bond pads, and a bonding joint having an electrical interface including a gold layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Douglas P. Riemer, Steven A. Fank
  • Patent number: 10570525
    Abstract: A gold electroplating solution includes a gold (III) cyanide compound, a chloride compound, and hydrochloric acid. The gold (III) cyanide compound is potassium gold (III) cyanide, ammonium gold (III) cyanide, or sodium gold (III) cyanide. The chloride compound is potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride. Various structures may be made with the gold electroplating solution having a gold layer deposited directly on the stainless steel (SST) layer using a photolithography process. Such structures include a gold pattern having a discontinuous pattern, a bond pad region having one or more traces on the opposite side of the dielectric layer, a gimbal having gold bond pads, and a bonding joint having an electrical interface including a gold layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Douglas P. Riemer, Steven A. Fank
  • Publication number: 20160208401
    Abstract: A gold electroplating solution includes a gold (III) cyanide compound, a chloride compound, and hydrochloric acid. The gold (III) cyanide compound is potassium gold (III) cyanide, ammonium gold (III) cyanide, or sodium gold (III) cyanide. The chloride compound is potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, or sodium chloride. Various structures may be made with the gold electroplating solution having a gold layer deposited directly on the stainless steel (SST) layer using a photolithography process. Such structures include a gold pattern having a discontinuous pattern, a bond pad region having one or more traces on the opposite side of the dielectric layer, a gimbal having gold bond pads, and a bonding joint having an electrical interface including a gold layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt C. Swanson, Douglas P. Riemer, Steven A. Fank
  • Patent number: 7466518
    Abstract: Mounts for securing magnetic disk drive head suspensions to actuator arms. The mounts include structures that snap onto the actuator arm to provide a secure friction fit engagement. The mounts can be efficiently removed to permit rework of the suspension and head components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Reid C. Danielson, Steven A. Fank, Wade A. Linnertz
  • Patent number: 7354519
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a tubular article having a wall structure defined by a selected pattern. The method includes the steps of providing a tube having an outer surface and an inner surface; coating the outer surface with first photosensitive resist; exposing the selected pattern portions of the coated outer surface; developing the first photosensitive resist coated on the outer surface; coating the inner surface with second photosensitive resist; and exposing the tube to an etchant to form a tubular article having the wall structure defined by the selected pattern. The second photosensitive resist is more brittle than the first photosensitive resist when the first and second photosensitive resist are dry. An apparatus for exposing a photosensitive resist-coated tube to laser. The device includes an elongated tubular member having an aperture extending through its wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven A. Fank, Kurt C. Swanson, Paul D. Borscheid, Kurt S. Kruckman
  • Patent number: 7147789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for controlling the contour of a feature in a transition area made by etching a substrate. This process includes applying a patterned resist mask to the substrate to form a plurality of mask openings and mask land areas. The mask land areas are sized and spaced to a control the contour of a feature on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Catherine A. Morley, Mark P. Sponholz, Steven R. Young, Steven A. Fank, Jacob D. Bjorstrom