Patents by Inventor Tracy Lytle

Tracy Lytle 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: 8241092
    Abstract: A lapping tool for lapping a wafer section in a well controlled manner, has a head with an actuator for bending the row tool, and a force multiplier coupled between the actuator and row tool to multiply the force generated by the actuator for application of greater bending force to the row tool than can be generated by the actuator. Furthermore, at least two actuators, which are controlled together, simultaneously apply force to one force multiplier, so as to further increase bending force. The increase in available force permits the use of a row tool of a ceramic or other material that is substantially stiffer than stainless steel, such as a row tool having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially similar to that of the rowbar itself. The tool further includes structures for tilting or otherwise orienting the wafer section relative to the lapping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy Lytle
  • Patent number: 8066547
    Abstract: A lapping row tool comprising a plurality of bending nodes having a space between adjacent ones of said nodes and each of which has an end surface to manipulate a row of magnetic heads during lapping. A bridge extends along the end surfaces of the bending nodes and across the space between the adjacent bending nodes. The bridge provides a surface for holding the row of magnetic heads that prevents the flexing of the row into the space between the bending nodes during lapping while allowing the bending nodes to manipulate the row during lapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Schuh, Tracy Lytle
  • Patent number: 7871306
    Abstract: A lapping tool for lapping a wafer section in a well controlled manner, has a head with an actuator for bending the row tool, and a force multiplier coupled between the actuator and row tool to multiply the force generated by the actuator for application of greater bending force to the row tool than can be generated by the actuator. Furthermore, at least two actuators, which are controlled together, simultaneously apply force to one force multiplier, so as to further increase bending force. The increase in available force permits the use of a row tool of a ceramic or other material that is substantially stiffer than stainless steel, such as a row tool having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially similar to that of the rowbar itself. The tool further includes structures for tilting or otherwise orienting the wafer section relative to the lapping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy Lytle