Patents by Inventor Steven Ernest Wheeler

Steven Ernest Wheeler 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).

  • Method and apparatus for head gimbal assembly testing
    Patent number: 7529635
    Abstract: A method for dynamic electrical testing of head gimbal assemblies may include initiating an automated continuous process that includes selecting an unmounted head gimbal assembly; aligning the unmounted head gimbal assembly; loading the unmounted head gimbal assembly to a disc; and testing the unmounted head gimbal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Eldon Anderson, Andrew Michael Blair, Dale Allen Blomgren, Kermit Ray Harmon, Brett Robert Herdendorf, Justin Lee Holwell, Philip Louis Johnson, Mujahid Akbar Khan, Klaus Obergfell, Steven Ivars Palks, Michael Steven Quam, David Allen Reints, Michael John Roe, Steven Ernest Wheeler
  • Vibration reduction for head gimbal assembly testing
    Patent number: 7520168
    Abstract: An assembly for testing a head gimbal assembly (HGA) comprises a support platform configured to hold a base plate of the HGA. A base plate of the HGA is mounted on the support platform. The assembly further comprises a channel with an opening adjacent to a tail of the HGA and a vacuum source connected the channel. The vacuum source creates a negative pressure in the channel to secure the tail of the HGA to the opening of the channel. Embodiments of the invention may be useful to inhibit vibration in the tail of an HGA, which may also reduce vibration in the head of the HGA. Reducing vibration in the head of the HGA may increase the accuracy and precision of tests performed on the HGA using the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Obergfell, Steven Ernest Wheeler, Charles Newell Miller, Brett Robert Herdendorf, Ronald Eldon Anderson, Shawn Eric Fosness
  • Vibration control of rotating disc
    Patent number: 7509225
    Abstract: A method for dynamic electrical testing of head gimbal assemblies may include initiating an automated continuous process that includes selecting an unmounted head gimbal assembly; aligning the unmounted head gimbal assembly; loading the unmounted head gimbal assembly to a disc; and testing the unmounted head gimbal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Eldon Anderson, Klaus Obergfell, Steven Ernest Wheeler
  • Solderless electrical connection for testing head gimbal assemblies
    Patent number: 7509224
    Abstract: A method for making an electrical connection between a head gimbal assembly and a tester. The method includes providing a solderless connector including a housing with bores extending from a first side of the housing to a second opposed side of the housing, and conductors within the bores of the housing. The conductors have a first end protruding from the first side of the housing and a second end protruding from the second side of the housing. The solderless connector is positioned so the first end of the conductor engages the conductive pad of the tester, and a clamp is applied to the first side of the electrical contact on the head gimbal assembly to urge the second side of the electrical contact against the second end of the conductor on the solderless connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Justin Lee Holwell, Mujahid Akbar Khan, Andrew Michael Blair, Brett Robert Herdendorf, Steven Ernest Wheeler
  • Vibration reduction for head gimbal assembly testing
    Publication number: 20080060445
    Abstract: An assembly for testing a head gimbal assembly (HGA) comprises a support platform configured to hold a base plate of the HGA. A base plate of the HGA is mounted on the support platform. The assembly further comprises a channel with an opening adjacent to a tail of the HGA and a vacuum source connected the channel. The vacuum source creates a negative pressure in the channel to secure the tail of the HGA to the opening of the channel. Embodiments of the invention may be useful to inhibit vibration in the tail of an HGA, which may also reduce vibration in the head of the HGA. Reducing vibration in the head of the HGA may increase the accuracy and precision of tests performed on the HGA using the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Obergfell, Steven Ernest Wheeler, Charles Newell Miller, Brett Robert Herdendorf, Ronald Eldon Anderson, Shawn Eric Fosness