Abstract: The invention provides greatly shortened electrical paths for the wires or traces connecting a disk drive suspension slider to the preamplifier circuit chip without problems of chip wastage by supporting the disk drive suspension assembly of a slider, a flexure, a load beam and a mounting plate, all in operative association on the preamplifier circuit chip, and supporting the chip on the actuator arm.

Abstract: Impedance controlled trace flexure for a disk drive suspension comprising a laminated of a metal layer, an insulative film layer and at least one pair of conductive traces extending between spaced points on the flexure and adhered to the film layer in metal layer-spaced relation, at least one member of the pair being varied relative to the other pair member in that the length of at least one member between the spaced points is made greater than the distance between the spaced points or in width or thickness to control the impedance of the one pair member to match or not match the impedance of said the pair member.

Abstract: Disk drive suspensions having limiters with both high shock and load/unload capability are readily assembled by deflecting a normally upstanding tab on the flexure tongue into a slot on the load beam, or vice-versa, where it irreversibly engages the load beam upon returning to its upright condition.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension is mounted to an actuator arm by axial and not radial forces, the forces being imparted by upper and lower flanges of a cylindrical connector extending through the actuator arm and the mount plate to which the load beam is attached.

Abstract: A novel flexure provides an improved disk drive suspension, the flexure having a different thickness of insulative film between its metal layer and respective ones of its read and write conductor circuits to vary the circuit impedances accordingly to different and optimum values for each type of circuit.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension mounting system is provided in which staking of the mounting plate to an actuator arm does not distort the mounting plate flange or impinge on gram loading values of the load beam, by increasing the diameter of the bore to from 95% to 99% of the flange opening, decreasing the diameter of the flange opening to slip fit the staking ball, and lengthening the bore so as to maintain displaced mass and torque values.

Abstract: A novel flexure provides an improved disk drive suspension, the flexure having a different thickness of insulative film between its metal layer and respective ones of its read and write conductor circuits to vary the circuit impedances accordingly to different and optimum values for each type of circuit.

Abstract: In a head stack assembly, opposed pairs of up-facing and down-facing head gimbal assembly suspensions are supported on an actuator arm with a sloped end between the suspensions to provide different support to each pair member during staking operations that fasten the suspension to the arm to minimize gram load change differentials resultant from staking.

Abstract: A very low cost disk drive suspension is a unitary structure carried in a strip with other structures that comprise a load beam and a flexure, the flexure having a head portion that forms a gimballing platform from inner and outer leaves carried on a frame leg, the load beam having an aperture with guiding fingers to receive and guide an axial connector that can be coined to mount the load beam on an actuator arm in lieu of using a mounting plate.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: A flexible conductor is mounted to a suspension comprising a flexure and a load beam using a flowable adhesive-passing channel at a locus of flexible conductor attachment to the suspension and a flowable adhesive forced into the channel in a manner forming a crown of the adhesive over and around the channel inlet, and hardening the adhesive in bonding relation with the flexible conductor and the suspension, the adhesive crown mechanically locking the suspension load beam, flexure and flexible conductor in their desired alignment.

Abstract: Optimum pitch attitude during and between slider contact with a disk in a disk drive is provided by articulating the suspension load beam rigid portion intermediate its ends to flex in the unloaded condition to provide a small positive pitch to the slider and to provide a 0° pitch in the loaded condition when the slider is in operating contact with the disk.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly of a flexure and a flexure support, the flexure having a tongue adapted to carry in gimbaling relation a slider in operating proximity to a disk, the flexure support and the flexure tongue defining cooperating structures which limit motion of the tongue relative to the disk to a predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention provides greatly shortened electrical paths for the wires or traces connecting a disk drive suspension slider to the preamplifier circuit chip without problems of chip wastage by supporting the disk drive suspension assembly of a slider, a flexure, a load beam and a mounting plate, all in operative association on the preamplifier circuit chip, and supporting the chip on the actuator arm.

Abstract: The invention provides continuing shunt protection of wireless suspension assemblies with a shunt structure that is readily attached to and detached from the contact pads or other exposed areas of the conductive traces of the flexible conductive laminate portion of the wireless suspension for use as needed to protect the MR and GMR elements/heads. The shunt structure comprises a conductive web to connect the conductive traces in parallel, and adhesive allowing the separable attachment of the web to the traces.

Abstract: In the manufacture of disk drive suspension flexures, an absence of exposed unplated conductive trace ends at the locus of severing individual flexures from a panel of flexures is achieved by reducing the cross section a portion of the conductive traces at the locus of severing so that the portion preferentially melts upon passage of a current through the conductive traces, severing the portion and encasing the severed ends in melted plastic from the flexure plastic film layer.

Abstract: Optimum pitch attitude during and between slider contact with a disk in a disk drive is provided by articulating the suspension load beam rigid portion intermediate its ends to flex in the unloaded condition to provide a small positive pitch to the slider and to provide a 0° pitch in the loaded condition when the slider is in operating contact with the disk.

Abstract: Disk drive suspensions having limiters with both high shock and load/unload capability are readily assembled by deflecting a normally upstanding tab on the flexure tongue into a slot on the load beam, or vice-versa, where it irreversibly engages the load beam upon returning to its upright condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a head stack assembly from an array of head stack assembly subassemblies comprising apertured actuator arms, mounting plates, and load beams in aperture registered relation for staking that applies uniform clamping force against possibly angled subassemblies by pivoting the engagement head to be flush with the subassemblies as presented, and increases support of the mounting plates against distortion during staking by reducing the difference in size of the spacer openings and the mounting plate openings and precisely aligning the smaller spacer openings from a locus spaced from and parallel to the subassembly array.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension load beam has a damping structure attached in a load beam recess sized and shaped to limit exposure of organic damping material to the ambient atmosphere and placed to guide positioning of the damping structure.