Patents by Inventor Todd Boucher

Todd Boucher 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: 11369427
    Abstract: An energy generator includes a connector port configured to couple to an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode having a polymeric dielectric coating; a power converter configured to generate energy; and a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the energy. The energy generator also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to: control the power converter to output energy to modify an electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating; and determine whether the electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating has been sufficiently modified by the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, William Robinson, Todd Boucher, Monte Fry, Jennifer McHenry
  • Publication number: 20210177488
    Abstract: An energy generator includes a connector port configured to couple to an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode having a polymeric dielectric coating; a power converter configured to generate energy; and a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the energy. The energy generator also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to: control the power converter to output energy to modify an electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating; and determine whether the electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating has been sufficiently modified by the energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, William Robinson, Todd Boucher, Monte Fry, Jennifer McHenry
  • Patent number: 8134803
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a slider assembly and a flexure tongue that cantilevers in a first direction and supports the slider assembly. The slider assembly cantilevers away from the flexure tongue in a second direction different than the first direction. A load beam imparts a force on the flexure tongue and generates a first net torque on the slider assembly. The cantilevering of the slider assembly decreases a magnitude of the first net torque on the slider assembly. The force on the flexure tongue can also generate a second net torque on the slider assembly that is oriented about a second axis different than the first axis. The slider assembly can cantilever in the second direction to decrease the magnitude of the second net torque on the slider assembly. Portions of the flexure tongue and the slider assembly can be spaced apart from one another to form a gap that is directly between the flexure tongue and the slider assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Harris, Todd Boucher
  • Publication number: 20070086115
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a slider assembly and a flexure tongue that cantilevers in a first direction and supports the slider assembly. The slider assembly cantilevers away from the flexure tongue in a second direction different than the first direction. A load beam imparts a force on the flexure tongue and generates a first net torque on the slider assembly. The cantilevering of the slider assembly decreases a magnitude of the first net torque on the slider assembly. The force on the flexure tongue can also generate a second net torque on the slider assembly that is oriented about a second axis different than the first axis. The slider assembly can cantilever in the second direction to decrease the magnitude of the second net torque on the slider assembly. Portions of the flexure tongue and the slider assembly can be spaced apart from one another to form a gap that is directly between the flexure tongue and the slider assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: John Harris, Todd Boucher
  • Publication number: 20050041073
    Abstract: Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes a fluid chamber having an ejection nozzle, an electrically actuated displacement device associated with the chamber, and a switch having an input connected to the electric source, an output connected to the electrically actuated displacement device, and a control signal input that is controlled by the controller to control whether the input (and thus the electric source) is connected to the output (and thus the electrically actuated device). The electrically actuated displacement device moves between a displaced position and an undisplaced position to change the volume of the chamber as a capacitance associated with the electrically actuated displacement device changes in charge between an actuated condition and an unactuated condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Fontaine, Scott Leger, Daniel Cote, Paul Hoisington, Melvin Biggs, Todd Boucher
  • Patent number: 6587310
    Abstract: A trace interconnect assembly designed for transmitting electrical signals to and from a head assembly in a hard disk drive is disclosed. The interconnect assembly includes one or more single-layer thin, elongated, and generally flat substrate-free trace interconnects. The trace interconnects are new conductors etched out of a planar length of preferably a high tensile and high yield strength metal such as beryllium copper. They are shaped to match the surface topology of the suspension assembly. Trace interconnects have a rigid region and flexible regions that match a rigid region and flexible regions in the suspension assembly. Different additional elements include support braces, standoffs, trace tangs, bond pads, and stacked interconnects. Coupling a head assembly to the interconnect assembly creates a head interconnect harness. Methods of manufacture for the trace interconnect assembly, a multi-conductor stacked version, a head suspension assembly, and the head interconnect harness are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien
  • Patent number: 6134075
    Abstract: A trace interconnect assembly is designed for transmitting electrical signals to and from a head assembly in a hard disk drive. The interconnect assembly includes one or more single-layer thin, elongated, and generally flat substrate-free trace interconnects. The trace interconnects are new conductors etched out of a planar length of preferably a high tensile and high yield strength metal such as beryllium copper. They are shaped to match the surface topology of the suspension assembly. Trace interconnects have a rigid region and flexible regions that match a rigid region and flexible regions in the suspension assembly. Different additional elements include support braces, standoffs, trace tangs, bond pads, and stacked interconnects. Coupling a head assembly to the interconnect assembly creates a head interconnect harness. Methods of manufacture for the trace interconnect assembly, a multi-conductor stacked version, a head suspension assembly, and the head interconnect harness are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien
  • Patent number: 5687479
    Abstract: A trace interconnect assembly for transmitting electrical signals to and from a head assembly in a hard disk drive. The interconnect assembly includes one or more single-layer thin, elongated, and generally flat substrate-free trace interconnects. The trace interconnects are new conductors etched out of a planar length of preferably a high tensile and high yield strength metal such as beryllium copper. They are shaped to match the surface topology of the suspension assembly. Trace interconnects have a rigid region and flexible regions that match a rigid region and flexible regions in the suspension assembly. Different additional elements include support braces, standoffs, trace tangs, bond pads, and stacked interconnects. Coupling a head assembly to the interconnect assembly creates a head interconnect harness. Methods of manufacture for the trace interconnect assembly, a multi-conductor stacked version, a head suspension assembly, and the head interconnect harness are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien
  • Patent number: 5645735
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a head suspension including separately manufacturing a load beam and a set of traces. The traces are formed from a sheet of conductive material and include an elongated conductor portion and a gimbal portion. Portions of the traces which are configured to be mounted to the load beam are coated with dielectric before being mounted to the load beam. The gimbal portion of the traces provides both mechanical and electrical connections to the conductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien
  • Patent number: 5491597
    Abstract: A gimbal flexure and electrical interconnect assembly for attachment to a disk drive suspension assembly. The gimbal flexure and electrical interconnect acts both as an interconnect system for relaying electrical signals and as a gimbal flexure. It comprises a self-supporting set of generally parallel traces--electrically insulated linear substrate-free conductors constructed of a single layer spring material. The set of traces includes a load beam portion extending over and matching the surface topology of at least a section of the first surface of a load beam, and a gimbal portion located at a distal end of the set of traces shaped as a gimbal flexure means. The invention describes specific embodiments, including head harnesses, suspension assemblies, and head suspension assemblies, as well as manufacturing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Todd Boucher, Jeffrey W. Green, Gary E. Gustafson, Ryan Jurgenson, Brent D. Lien