Patents by Inventor Tony S. Peterson

Tony S. Peterson 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).

  • Apparatus for insulating and electronically connecting piezoelectric motor in dual stage actuator suspension from the same side of the suspension
    Patent number: 7440236
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Scott C. Giere, Jason S. Griesbach, Brett L. Haugen, Jason R. Heffelfinger, Dennis M. Ingle, Tony S. Peterson
  • Apparatus for insulating and electrically connecting piezoelectric motor in dual stage actuator suspension
    Patent number: 7218481
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively applying a voltage to one major surface of a pair of piezoelectric motors (PZTs) on a disk drive head suspension with a primary plane of a load beam of the head suspension parallel to the major surfaces of the PZT elements electrically insulated from the load beam. Electrical connections to the PZTs are made via wires, solder, conductive epoxy or electro-mechanical attachment of a plated surface of the PZT with a bond pad on an electrically isolated substrate. Lead extensions or separate pieces may be used to connect to the PZTs. The PZTs may be located on a major surface of the load beam, or may be assembled in a pre-fabricated motor assembly before being installed in the head suspension. Apertures in the load beam and other layers permit physical installation of the PZT motors and enable electrical connection to the PZTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Bennin, Scott C. Giere, Jason S. Griesbach, Brett L. Haugen, Jason R. Heffelfinger, Dennis M. Ingle, Tony S. Peterson
  • Enhancements for adhesive attachment of piezoelectric motor elements to a disk drive suspension
    Patent number: 6856075
    Abstract: Adhesive attachment features for bonding piezoelectric motors to a load beam substrate. The attachment features have one or more reliefs under or partially under or adjacent to a piezoelectric transducer to control the flow of adhesive by limiting or influencing adhesive travel or flow and simultaneously preventing excessive adhesive fillet height adjacent the piezoelectric motor while simultaneously providing for improved bond strength between the piezoelectric element and the load beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Galen D. Houk, Thomas A. Schones, Tony S. Peterson