Abstract: A suspension assembly includes a load beam terminating in a hinge, a gimbal assembly mounted to the load beam, and a base plate connected to the hinge and including an opening. A PZT actuator is disposed in the opening and includes first and second opposing ends. The PZT actuator includes active and inactive regions both extending between the first and second opposing ends, PZT material disposed in both the active and inactive regions, and first and second electrodes configured to cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the active region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes, and configured to not cause active expansion and contraction of the PZT material in the inactive region in response to voltage differentials applied to the first and second electrodes of the PZT actuator.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a gimbal having a base portion and a tongue that are joined together by a neck portion, a circuit mounted on the gimbal, a slider mounted on the tongue and electrically connected to the circuit, a first PZT actuator having a proximal end mounted on a first bonding site of the circuit and a distal end mounted on a second bonding site of the circuit, and a second PZT actuator having a proximal end mounted on a third bonding site of the circuit and a distal end mounted on a fourth bonding site of the circuit. The first and third bonding sites do not overlap with and are not directly supported by the base portion. The second and fourth bonding sites overlap with and are directly supported by the tongue.

Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger. The rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. A middle strut extends in a width direction of the trace gimbal, adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and connecting to a slider tongue. The front outrigger includes a strut form bent away from a load beam reference plane at an angle ?. In some embodiments, the outer struts include a second strut form disposed on the rear outrigger. The second strut form can be bent toward the load beam reference plane at the angle ?.

Abstract: A flexure is described, which includes conductive traces extending from a proximal end of the flexure to a distal end of the flexure. The flexure also includes a plurality of outer gimbal struts configured to define an opening at the proximal end of the flexure. The flexure also includes an oblong feature extending into the opening, the oblong feature defines an aperture. The conductive traces include a first semi-circular conductive trace portion overlapping a first section of the oblong feature at a proximal end of the aperture extending to a distal end of the aperture. The conductive traces include a second semi-circular conductive trace portion overlapping a second section of the oblong feature at a proximal end of the aperture extending to the distal end of the aperture. The first and second semi-circular conductive trace portions define the aperture.

Abstract: A trace gimbal is described herein. In some embodiments, the trace gimbal includes outer struts including a front outrigger at a distal end of the trace gimbal and a rear outrigger at a proximal end of the trace gimbal. The front outrigger includes a distal front outrigger and a proximal front outrigger. The rear outrigger includes a distal rear outrigger and a proximal rear outrigger. A middle strut extends in a width direction of the trace gimbal, adjoining the proximal front outrigger to the rear outrigger, and connecting to a slider tongue. The front outrigger includes a strut form bent away from a load beam reference plane at an angle ?. In some embodiments, the outer struts include a second strut form disposed on the rear outrigger. The second strut form can be bent toward the load beam reference plane at the angle ?.

Abstract: A flexure is described, which includes conductive traces extending from a proximal end of the flexure to a distal end of the flexure. The flexure also includes a plurality of outer gimbal struts configured to define an opening at the proximal end of the flexure. The flexure also includes an oblong feature extending into the opening, the oblong feature defines an aperture. The conductive traces include a first semi-circular conductive trace portion overlapping a first section of the oblong feature at a proximal end of the aperture extending to a distal end of the aperture. The conductive traces include a second semi-circular conductive trace portion overlapping a second section of the oblong feature at a proximal end of the aperture extending to the distal end of the aperture. The first and second semi-circular conductive trace portions define the aperture.

Abstract: A driving circuit is described. The driving circuit includes: a first piezoelectric actuator including at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode configured to connected to a first ground at a first terminal and the second electrode configured to connected to an amplifier at a second terminal. The driving circuit includes a second piezoelectric actuator including at least one piezoelectric element disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode configured to connected to a control signal at a first terminal and the second electrode connected to a second ground at a second terminal. And, the first terminal of the first piezoelectric actuator and the first terminal of the second piezoelectric actuator are configured such that the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator are symmetrical and have similar polarity.