Patents by Inventor Steven C. Knoche

Steven C. Knoche 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: 6528914
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a base portion which plugs into the base of the motor shaft and a connector body having electrical interface rods along an axial face thereof. A flexible printed circuit having one end connected to the stator has dedicated connector pads on a surface thereof which line up with and are intended to be pressed against the molded body connector rods. To maintain the pads and rods in tight electrical contact, a connector snap spring assembly is snapped in place over the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Robert M. Pelstring, Steven C. Knoche
  • Publication number: 20020047363
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a base portion which plugs into the base of the motor shaft and a connector body having electrical interface rods along an axial face thereof. A flexible printed circuit having one end connected to the stator has dedicated connector pads on a surface thereof which line up with and are intended to be pressed against the molded body connector rods. To maintain the pads and rods in tight electrical contact, a connector snap spring assembly is snapped in place over the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Robert M. Pelstring, Steven C. Knoche
  • Patent number: 6121703
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing including a sleeve and a counterplate captured within a shoulder on the sleeve and including a threaded mounting extension for mounting the assembly from a base or the like. A rotating shaft is incorporated within the sleeve; the shaft includes a thrust plate which rotates in a recess defined between the counterplate and the sleeve. To incorporate this assembly into a disc drive or the like, the threaded mounting extension only needs to be mounted within a base, with a nut screwed over the threaded mounting. The base typically includes a raised portion; the sleeve is cantilevered from this base for further stability and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the shaft and sleeve with rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft distal from the threaded mounting supports a hub which in turn supports a backiron and magnet. The base supports a stator aligned with the magnet; energization of the stator will cause rotation of the hub and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Anthony J. Aiello, Steven C. Knoche
  • Patent number: 6121701
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a base portion which plugs into the base of the motor shaft and a connector body having electrical interface rods along an axial face thereof. A flexible printed circuit having one end connected to the stator has dedicated connector pads on a surface thereof which line up with and are intended to be pressed against the molded body connector rods. To maintain the pads and rods in tight electrical contact, a connector snap spring assembly is snapped in place over the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Robert M. Pelstring, Steven C. Knoche
  • Patent number: 6004036
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing cartridge including a sleeve and a counterplate captured within a shoulder on the sleeve and including a threaded mounting extension for mounting the assembly from a base or the like. A rotating shaft is incorporated within the sleeve; the shaft includes a thrust plate which rotates in a recess defined between the counterplate and the sleeve. To incorporate this assembly into a disc drive or the like, the threaded mounting extension only needs to be mounted within a base, with a nut screwed over the threaded mounting. The base typically includes a raised portion; the sleeve is cantilevered from this base for further stability and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the shaft and sleeve with rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft distal from the threaded mounting supports a hub which in turn supports a backiron and magnet. The base supports a stator aligned with the magnet; energization of the stator will cause rotation of the hub and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Anthony J. Aiello, Steven C. Knoche
  • Patent number: 5481144
    Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc drive motor for rotating a storage disc. The motor includes a motor base which carries a wiring assembly having a plurality of electrical contacts. A rotor hub is rotatably coupled to the base and rotatably carries a storage disc. The rotor hub includes a permanent magnet. A stator assembly includes a plurality of stator windings adapted for operation with the permanent magnet of the rotor hub. A wire guide coupled to the stator assembly positions wires of the stator windings adjacent the electrical contacts of the wiring assembly. The wires are soldered to the contacts after which the wiring guide can be removed. The stator assembly can be "potted" in an adhesive to reduce problems associated with resonant frequency of the disc drive motor. The wire guide acts as a retainer for the adhesive preventing the adhesive from interfering with rotation of the rotatable hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunfield, Steven C. Knoche, Klaus D. Kloeppel