Patents by Inventor Zine-Eddine Boutaghou

Zine-Eddine Boutaghou 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).

  • Bonded transducer-level electrostatic microactuator for disc drive system
    Patent number: 6697232
    Abstract: A slider assembly is operable to selectively alter a position of a transducing head with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks. The slider assembly includes a slider wafer arranged to be supported by a disc drive support structure. A stator is bonded to the slider wafer, with the stator including at least one electrode. A rotor is bonded to the stator, with the rotor having a frame portion bonded to the stator and a head-carrying portion attached to the frame portion by a flexible beam structure. The head-carrying portion of the rotor carries the transducing head, supports at least one rotor electrode adjacent to the at least one stator electrode, and is movable with respect to the frame portion of the rotor in response to a voltage difference between the at least one rotor electrode and the at least one stator electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Wayne A. Bonin, Lee Walter, Barry D. Wissman, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Disc head slider with bearing pad design
    Publication number: 20040027724
    Abstract: A head slider that includes a substrate having a leading surface, a trailing surface, first and second side edges, a back surface and a disc-facing surface opposite the back surface is provided. The disc-facing surface includes a bearing plane and a recessed area recessed from the bearing plane. An end layer is attached to the trailing surface of the substrate. The end layer includes a bearing pad formed substantially solely on the end layer that is generally parallel to the bearing plane. The bearing pad is positioned adjacent to and rearward of the recessed area to receive fluid flow from the recessed area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Disc drive head slider with recessed landing pads
    Patent number: 6687088
    Abstract: A slider body configuration, or slider, for carrying a data transducer in cooperative relationship with a rotating data storage disc. The slider includes a plurality of landing pads which serve to minimize the contact area between the slider and the discs when the heads are parked in contact with the discs, and the landing pads project from surfaces which are farther removed from the disc surface than the air bearing surfaces, thus minimizing the size and strength of any liquid miniscus formed between the slider and the disc when the slider and disc are in contact. By recessing the bases of the landing pads from the air bearing surfaces, the effect of the landing pads on the separation between the data transducer and the discs is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Peter Raymond Segar
  • Slider-level microactuator for precise head positioning
    Patent number: 6683757
    Abstract: A microactuator is built at the slider level to achieve high resolution positioning of a transducing head with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks in a disc drive system. The slider includes a main body carried by a flexure. A stator portion extends from the main body, and a plurality of beams extend from the stator portion, the beams being flexible in a lateral direction. A rotor portion is connected to the stator portion by the plurality of beams, forming a gap between the stator portion and the rotor portion. The rotor portion carries the transducing head. A plurality of stator electrodes are formed on the stator portion, and a plurality of rotor electrodes are formed on the rotor portion to confront the stator electrodes across the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wayne A. Bonin, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Barry D. Wissman, Lee Walter, Barbara J. Ihlow-Mahrer
  • Fabrication method for integrated microactuator coils
    Patent number: 6683758
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated coil-on-keeper assembly for use in a magnetic circuit to actuate a microactuator. The assembly is formed on a keeper substrate by patterning an insulator layer, plating at least one coil layer and patterning another insulator layer on top of each coil layer. The keeper substrate is etched to form the top keeper of the coil-on-keeper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Wayne A. Bonin, Lee Walter, Barry D. Wissman, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Barbara J. Ihlow-Mahrer, Peter Crane, Brian Dufrene
  • Strain sensor patterned on MEMS flex arms
    Publication number: 20040007076
    Abstract: A micromechanical assembly couples to a positioning member and to a body having an aerodynamic surface subject to aerodynamic forces. The micromechanical assembly comprises a substrate including a flexible beam joining a first substrate portion that is attachable to the positioning member to a second substrate portion that is attachable to the body. The substrate includes a substrate surface extending at least over the flexible beam. A lithographic pattern is formed on the substrate surface. The lithographic pattern includes at least a first impedance element that senses flexing of the flexible beam. Contact pads are coupled to the lithographic pattern for coupling to a flex measurement circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jason W. Riddering, Wayne A. Bonin, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Roger L. Hipwell
  • Method of fabricating electrically isolated metal MEMS beams and microactuator incorporating the MEMS beam
    Patent number: 6674614
    Abstract: A microactuator is formed by defining stator and rotor regions on a wafer. Isolation barriers are formed in the stator and rotor regions to define a isolation regions. Conductive suspension beam are formed between the first and second isolation regions, and wafer material between the stator and rotor regions is removed to form a stator and a rotor. The microactuator is arranged to position a load device having an electrical component. The suspension beams support the rotor and load device and provide electrical connection between the stator and rotor for the microactuator and/or the load device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wayne A. Bonin, Lee Walter, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Anechoic chamber noise reduction for a disc drive
    Patent number: 6674609
    Abstract: A disc drive system includes a base plate, a spindle attached to the base plate, and at least one disc attached to the spindle. A cover is also included for attaching to the base plate. The cover and the base plate form a disc enclosure which encloses the at least one disc, a portion of the spindle, and the actuator assembly. The disc drive system also includes a mechanism for attenuating acoustical emissions produced by the spindle, the at least one disc, and the actuator assembly. The mechanism includes anechoic features formed on the interior of the disc enclosure, using a liner formed with the anechoic features or having the anechoic features formed integral on one or both of the cover and base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Zine Eddine Boutaghou
  • Magnetic transducing slider with leading edge crossbar
    Patent number: 6674612
    Abstract: A magnetic data transducing head slider is provided with a transversely extended crossbar or other barrier near the leading edge. The barrier is deposited onto the air bearing surface of the slider using photolithographic techniques that enable precise determination of the barrier dimensions and the barrier set-back from the leading edge. The barrier set-back, width and thickness can be selected to control the transducer flying height and the pitch of the slider relative to the data recording surface of a magnetic disk when the slider is aerodynamically supported relative to the disk. The barrier also acts as a shield to minimize particulate contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Anthony P. Sannino
  • Microactuator magnetic circuit
    Patent number: 6671132
    Abstract: An improved microactuator magnetic circuit having a simplified assembly, reduced field leakage, and improved passivation methods is disclosed. To simplify assembly, a single magnet is polarized in two magnetic regions so that the single magnet is functionally similar to two separate magnets. In addition, the magnetic circuit can be produced without a top keeper. Field leakage is reduced by expanding the bottom keeper. Finally, corrosion-resistant alloys with acceptable magnetic properties are used in forming the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Peter Crane, Derek A. Lewis, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Lee Walter
  • Air bearing for a head to provide reduced cross-curve sensitivity
    Publication number: 20030231429
    Abstract: An air bearing for a slider including cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions along a trailing edge portion of the slider. The cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions are formed on a stepped bearing surface which is elevated above a recessed bearing surface. The cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions form raised rails or rails portions or a raised center pad or raised center pad portion on the stepped bearing surface to reduce cross curve sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Ram M. Rao
  • Arm-suspension-pivot bearing integral design
    Publication number: 20030231433
    Abstract: A solid-state actuation mechanism for use in a data storage system. The actuation mechanism includes an anchor fixedly attached to a housing of the data storage system, a spring member including a first end coupled to the anchor, a suspension coupled to a second end of the spring member, the suspension supporting a data head above a media surface, the suspension being biased by the spring member toward a first position, and an actuation component coupled to the suspension. The actuation component configured to apply an actuation force to the suspension to move the suspension laterally relative to the media surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Joel David Limmer
  • Structure and fabrication process for integrated moving-coil magnetic micro-actuator
    Patent number: 6661617
    Abstract: A moving-coil magnetic microactuator is formed by using a dual silicon wafer structure and thin film technologies such as deep trench reactive ion etching, reactive ion etching, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and metallo-organinc chemical vapor deposition. Several bottom structures are formed from a bottom wafer, each bottom structure having a coil and wires embedded in the surface of the bottom structure. Several top structures are formed from a top wafer, each top structure having a magnet and mechanical stand-offs. The top structures are bonded to the bottom structures so that the magnet is above the embedded coil, separated by an air gap created by the mechanical stand-offs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Roger Lee Hipwell, Jr., Lee Walter, Wayne Allen Bonin, Barry Dean Wissman, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Head suspension assembly having an air deflector
    Publication number: 20030223153
    Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for use in a forward flow disc drive includes a load beam having a longitudinal axis, a gimbal, a slider, and an air deflector. The gimbal is mounted to a distal end of the load beam. The slider includes a transducing head and is mounted to a disc side of the gimbal and is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the load beam. The air deflector includes a first deflecting member that is positioned upstream of the slider relative to a forward airflow. The air deflector extends from a disc side of either the distal end of the load beam or the gimbal and across the longitudinal axis. The air deflector deflects a portion of the forward airflow away from the slider to thereby reduce windage induced off-track motion of the transducing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: David G. Wobbe, Markus E. Mangold, Zine Eddine Boutaghou
  • Disc head slider with intermittent contact protection feature
    Patent number: 6654206
    Abstract: A slider having contact protection for ultra-low fly heights. The contact protection includes contact pads having an ultra-low height dimension to reduce friction and damage for intermittent contact for ultra-low fly height applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mary Cynthia Hipwell, Jason W. Riddering, Jorge V. Hanchi, Anthony P. Sannino, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Method for constructing an ultra-low-flying-height slider
    Patent number: 6647612
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing an ultra-low-flying-height slider for carrying a transducing head in a disc drive system including a rotatable disc. The method comprises removing material from an air bearing surface of the slider to create a channel at a likely location of contact with the rotatable disc and filling the channel with a low-friction, high-wear-resistance material. The channel is filled such that the air bearing surface is configured the same as the air bearing surface configuration prior to removing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Jorge Vicente Hanchi, Andreas Argyros Polycarpou, Thomas Roy Pitchford, Anthony Pascal Sannino
  • Transducer formed on a sacrificial metal substrate
    Patent number: 6643099
    Abstract: A transducer assembly in which an electric current is passed through plating solution in recesses of a metal substrate to plate electrical contact bumps having bump fronts in the recesses and exposed bump backs. The transducer is partially formed on the substrate, sealing the exposed bump backs. One or more vacuum processes are performed to complete formation of the transducer. At least a portion of the metal substrate is etched away to expose the bump fronts of the electrical contact bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wayne A. Bonin, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Barry D. Wissman, Lee Walter
  • Micro-actuator damping and humidity protection
    Patent number: 6639761
    Abstract: A micro-actuator including a skeleton having flexible beams, a rotor portion, a stator portion, and a damping material. The flexible beams connect the rotor portion to the stator portion and the damping material is applied to the skeleton. The damping material provides a protective layer to the flexible beams of a micro-actuator. The damping material increases the damping characteristics of the micro actuator and limits the penetration of humidity into the skeleton of the micro actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zine Eddine Boutaghou, Peter R. Segar
  • Dual center pad air bearing for improved flyability and alumina sensitivity
    Patent number: 6639755
    Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and an attached slider. The slider has an air-bearing surface that a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a center pad positioned near the trailing edge. A transducer is positioned within the center pad. The center pad has a channel cavity therein which is substantially parallel to the trailing edge. The channel cavity is positioned near or at the transition between the material making up the slider and an alumina portion. The channel cavity splits the center pad into a first center pad portion, and a second center pad portion. The width of the channel cavity is controlled to control the amount of movement between a substrate portion of the slider and a portion covering the trailing edge of the slider which results from annealing the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zine Eddine Boutaghou, Anthony P. Sannino
  • Method of forming a magnet/keeper assembly for head level microactuator
    Patent number: 6634083
    Abstract: A method is used for forming a magnet keeper assembly for use in a microactuator. The method comprises forming a keeper from a ferromagnetic material where the keeper has a plurality of notches for accepting a plurality of magnetic materials, securing the magnetic materials in the notches in the keeper, notching the magnetic material and the keeper transversely at a depth approximately equal to the depth of the magnetic material, removing any debris generated during notching, subjecting the keeper to a magnetic field such that the magnetic materials become magnetized, and cutting the keeper into magnet keeper assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou