Making Disc Drive Patents (Class 29/603.03)
-
Patent number: 7469464Abstract: A method for adjusting a performance parameter of a head suspension for positioning a read/write head in a disk drive. The suspension includes a beam and flexible element for carrying a read/write head extending from the beam. The flexible element has one or more adjustment portions. The beam has one or more openings adjacent to the adjustment portions of the flexible element to provide access to the adjustment portions through the beam. The method comprises acting upon one or more adjustment portions of the flexible element through one or more of the openings in the beam to change a performance parameter of the head suspension. A laser beam is used to irradiate the adjustment portions of the flexible element in one embodiment of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Michael W. Davis, Craig A. Leabch
-
Patent number: 7469463Abstract: A method for making a dual actuator pivot, wherein the need for adhesive bonding is eliminated and assembly time is minimized. An upper sleeve assembly includes an upper and lower ball bearing press fitted therein and a lower sleeve assembly includes an upper ball bearing press fitted therein, the first and second sleeve assemblies being press fitted to a shaft having a ball bearing press fitted at the base of the shaft. A predetermined axial load that is tuned to select a desired resonance frequency for the first and second actuator bearing assemblies may be applied during the press fitting of the first and second sleeve assemblies. The shaft may be chilled to shrink the shaft. Alternatively, the components may be heated.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BVInventors: Walter L. Prater, Ambrish A. Misra, Miquel Dominguez
-
Publication number: 20080310045Abstract: A control unit adjusts spacing between a head with a heater and a storage medium of a storage unit by controlling power of the heater. The control unit measures first values of touchdown heater power at a first temperature set as temperature condition. And the control unit estimates second values of the touchdown heater power at a temperature other than the first temperature set on the measurement of the first values, on basis of a conversion equation. And the control unit determines heater power setting values to adjust the spacing between the head and the storage medium, for each of the sub-areas, on the basis of the first values and the second values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Yukio Urata
-
Patent number: 7441323Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a head slider over a storage media in a dynamic storage device is provided with a head suspension component having a spring metal layer, an electrically conductive layer and a dielectric layer interposed between the metal layer and the electrically conductive layer. A plurality of electrically conductive traces with bond pads are formed in the electrically conductive layer. A feature datum is also formed in the electrically conductive layer on a detachable carrier strip. The feature datum defines a first edge in the electrically conductive layer parallel to an edge of the bond pads.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Hutchinson Technology IncorporatedInventor: Raymond R. Wolter
-
Publication number: 20080256787Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing, and is thereby selectively operable between an expanded mode and a retracted mode. In the expanded mode, a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the retracted mode, a contacting engagement is defined with the component as well as a simultaneous longitudinal force that is transferred by the contacting engagement to the component capable of pressingly engaging the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member urging the collet to the retracted mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Sham Sunder Nayar, John George Gerogeorge, Mark Curtis Fahrendorff, Ronald Jacob Smith
-
Publication number: 20080256791Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Sham Sunder Nayar, John George Gerogeorge, Mark Curtis Fahrendorff, Ronald Jacob Smith
-
Publication number: 20080250629Abstract: The application discloses an assembly tool for installing a disc clamp on a spindle hub. In the illustrated embodiments, the assembly tool includes a head including an inner portion, an intermediate portion and an outer portion configured to install a disc clamp on a spindle motor assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner portion includes a raised portion and datum surface that interface with the spindle hub to align the spindle hub for installation of the disc clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Shawn A. Ruden, Roland Sesselmann, Samuel E. Severson
-
Publication number: 20080229582Abstract: To simplify fabrication of an integral hub piece, the opening between the upper and lower female cones in this hub has sufficient width or radial dimension to allow access to both cones from one side of the hub with the cutting tool. A cutting tool is used which has a width smaller than the opening between the cones. Preferably, the tool has a width which is about equal to or smaller than an angular dimension through this opening which is defined by extending surfaces of the upper and lower female cones. If this limitation is satisfied, both cones can be created with a single machine set up operating from one side of the integrated hub. Preferably the tool should only move orthogonal or parallel to the cutting tools rotational center axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: Seagate Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Kennedy, Roger A. Addy, Alan L. Grantz, Norbert S. Parsoneault, Wesley R. Clark, Matt L. Shumway, Ronald T. Albo
-
Patent number: 7424774Abstract: A head actuator assembly of a disk device has a suspension which supports a head, an arm which supports the suspension and is rotatably supported by a bearing portion, signal wires which extend on the suspension and the arm and are connected electrically to the head, and a board unit. In manufacture, the signal wires are mounted on the suspension and the arm, and a connecting end portion of the board unit is connected to the signal wires mounted on the suspension and the arm. Thereafter, the head is mounted on the suspension and connected electrically to the signal wires.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Yasuichi Hashimoto
-
Publication number: 20080212233Abstract: A method of manufacturing a storage medium apparatus having a storage medium that stores data. The method includes disposing the storage medium onto a first unit having an insertion section to be inserted into a through hole of the storage medium and an abutment face made of a soft-metal material and spreading around the insertion section, such that the abutment face abuts a surface of the storage medium. The method further includes: abutting an abutment face of a second unit, made of a soft-metal material, on a surface of the storage medium opposite to the surface abutting the abutment face of the first unit; and while holding the storage medium between the first unit and the second unit, fixing the storage medium and at least one of the first unit and the second unit by rotating the storage medium and the one relatively to each other about the through hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yoshiyuki Nanba
-
Patent number: 7420769Abstract: A storage apparatus that electrically connects to a central processor unit includes an enclosure having a surface and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is fixedly coupled to the surface of the enclosure and configured to operate the storage apparatus. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contact pads. The storage apparatus also includes an electrical connector having a plurality of conductive pins electrically coupled to the plurality of contact pads. An overmold section couples the electrical connector to the surface of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Jess B. Pool, David Allsup, Curtis Trammell
-
Patent number: 7401725Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving hard drive actuator lead attachment. In one embodiment, an actuator board is coupled to an actuator flexible cable by a bonding agent, such as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). In one embodiment, an actuator flexible cable is coupled to one or more actuator coil leads, such as by solder bump bonding, and the flexible cable/actuator coil coupling is embedded in an actuator frame, such as by polymer injection molding.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Yiu Sing Ho, Guo Hong Lu, Can Hua Chen, Yuan Neng Luo, Jeffrey L. Wang, Liu Jun Zhang
-
Patent number: 7398590Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing low-density gas-filled disk drives involving test equipment utilized to determine gas leaks occurring in disk drives subjected to shock and vibration events. A disk drive is placed in a sealed container, which, in turn, is connected to a gas detection device. Following shock or vibration testing, the gas detection device determines if a leak has occurred, as well as the quality of gas leaked from the disk drive. The present invention also involves a test apparatus designed to check the accuracy and calibration of associated gas detection devices used during the shock and vibration tests. The test apparatus utilizes a sealed test chamber containing a known quantity of gas, which is released during a test event. Knowing the quantity of gas released, the output of the gas detection device can be monitored and calibrated as needed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Kimberly C. Mann, Randall T. Lyons, Thomas G. Andrikowich
-
Publication number: 20080165448Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to provide a magnetic disk drive in which the base and the lid are securely welded together, so that the low-density gas sealed therein is protected from leakage. According to one embodiment, the peripheral surface of the rib of the base is machined to form the surface, which is free of electrocoating and weld surface. The outer lid, which completely conforms to the contour of the base, is placed on the rib, and the laser beam is directed onto the outer lid. Thus the position of laser beam irradiation varies within only ±0.05 mm for both the base and the lid. Laser welding in this manner yields the bead invariably, which makes the enclosure completely sealed without helium leakage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Kazuhide Ichikawa, Takashi Kouno, Akihiko Aoyagi, Takako Hayakawa
-
Publication number: 20080148553Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to extracting particles from a slider to enable particle quantification. According to one embodiment, a slider, which is associated with a head stack assembly, is submerged into a solution. Particles are extracted from the slider without extracting particles from the entire head stack assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Yiqi Feng, Hui Yan Hu, Sai H. Wong, Yi Zhao Yao
-
Patent number: 7391589Abstract: A disc drive assembly is provided including a head disc assembly, a housing having a base and a cover cooperating with one another to form a chamber in which the head disc assembly is housed, and a damper structure in operative association with the housing for dampening noise and/or vibration emanated from the head disc assembly. The damper structure includes a viscoelastic damper layer and a continuous, polymeric constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the viscoelastic damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the viscoelastic damper layer, and is molded from a high density filler and a moldable compound that is immiscible with the viscoelastic damper layer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the viscoelastic damper layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Material Sciences CorporationInventors: Daniel E. Boss, Richard K. Williams
-
Patent number: 7386932Abstract: A limiter used to limit the motion of a ring gimbal with attached slider relative to a load beam within a head suspension assembly of a disk drive. The ring gimbal includes a flexible substrate supporting at least one electrical lead and a limiter assembly joined to a portion of the flexible substrate. The ring gimbal also includes a tongue portion disposed within a substantially ring-like portion. The limiter is attached to a first surface of the tongue portion. The gimbal may further include a slider attached to a second surface of the tongue portion, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface of the tongue portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.Inventor: Mark T. Girard
-
Patent number: 7380329Abstract: A method of assembling a head gimbal assembly. The method comprises a series of steps which include: stacking a base plate, a load beam, and a flexure to form a three-layered stacked series with at least a bottom layer being a base plate series; joining portions of the load beam to the base plate, and the flexure to the load beam in the three-layered stacked series to make a suspension section; attaching a slider to the flexure in the suspension section to make a head gimbal assembly; load-bending a hinge portion formed in the head gimbal assembly; and heating the hinge portion in order to adjust a bending load on the hinge portion at a predetermined bending angle to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Takao Kidachi, Tadaaki Tomiyama, Yoshio Uematsu, Hiromi Ishikawa Ishikawa, Tatsushi Yoshida, Hiroyoshi Yokome, Yukihiro Nakamura, Hisashi Ohyama, Tatsumi Tsuchiya
-
Patent number: 7367107Abstract: A disk drive head stack assembly (66) of a configuration that facilitates the assembly thereof is disclosed. One or more head/arm assemblies (74) are mounted on a pivot bearing (118). This pivot bearing (118) includes a tapered section (126). Each head/arm assembly (74) may be mounted on the pivot bearing (118). Thereafter, a retainer ring (102) may be advanced relative to the pivot bearing (118). Advancement of the retainer ring (102) along the tapered section (126) expands the retainer ring (102) so that the same may be disposed within a retainer ring slot (130) of the pivot bearing (118). Each head/arm assembly (74) is maintained between this retainer ring (102) and a flange (134) of the pivot bearing (118).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Tave J. Fruge, James A. Dunckley
-
Patent number: 7363697Abstract: A system and method for the production level screening of low flying magnetic heads in the manufacture of disk drive head disk assemblies (HDAs) is disclosed. A test disk is provided and has a plurality of bumps extending from at least one surface thereof. The test disk is rotated to fly a head of a head gimbal assembly selected from the group adjacent the surface of the test disk. An interaction of the head with one or more of the plurality of bumps may be sensed and the head gimbal assembly may be screened out from the group in response to the sensing of the interaction.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Victor K. F. Dunn, Ciuter Chang
-
Publication number: 20080092365Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a head gimbal assembly manufacturing method which can attach another magnetic head slider to a suspension to be reused without addition of solder. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a head gimbal assembly (HGA) is attached to a jig. Both sides of a portion close to the rear end of a magnetic head slider are gripped with hot tweezers heated at about 200° C. They are heated for about four seconds while applying force in a direction of peeling off the magnetic head slider from gimbals, thus removing the magnetic head slider from the gimbals. When another magnetic head slider is attached to the suspension, an adhesive adhered to the gimbals is removed and another adhesive is applied to the gimbals. The back of another magnetic head slider is pressed to the adhesive, whereby the magnetic head slider is fixed to the gimbals. Next, the solder fillet left on the gimbals is irradiated with laser beams to be melted and joined to an electric terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Kenjirou Watanabe, Yoshio Uematsu, Yousuke Fukumoto, Yohtaroh Ichimura
-
Patent number: 7360295Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is attached to a support by positioning fasteners into the device at the leading and trailing edges of the device and then positioning the device with respect to the support such that the leading edge fastener(s) slide downward into a slot in a first bracket and the trailing edge fastener slides laterally downward into a slot in a second fastener causing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateral slots in the first and second brackets. In the embodiment, the first bracket has an L shaped slot while the slot in the second bracket includes a ramp. After the fasteners are captured by the brackets, the user, in one embodiment, may tighten the fasteners from the outside of a housing in which the support resides by inserting a tightening tool through openings in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Natalie Reilley
-
Patent number: 7356908Abstract: A disk drive unit includes a first cover having a first part of magnet component and a head stack assembly mounted on the first cover; and a second cover assembled with the first cover, which having a second part of magnet component, a spindle motor and at least one disks. The invention also discloses a ramp tool used for assembling the disk drive which has its disk and HSA assembled in two different halves, which includes a tool body; and a holding means extending from the tool body to hold a lift tab of a head stack assembly in a loading status. The invention also disclose a method of assembling such as disk drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Ping Shang, YiuSing Ho
-
Patent number: 7356907Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge assembly of a hard disk drive, including a step of forming a part of a wiring circuit into flying leads and a step of forming a coating layer on the respective opposite surfaces of the bonding surfaces of the flying leads, which will be connected to bonding terminals of a flexible printed circuit board. The method also includes a step of placing an ultrasonic tool in contact with the opposite surfaces of the flying leads via the coating layers, and applying ultrasonic vibration from the ultrasonic tool in a state where the flying leads are pressed onto the bonding terminals to ultrasonically bond the flying leads and the bonding terminals together. Additionally, the method includes a step of heating and melting the coating layers to smooth surfaces of the coating layers that have been roughened by contact with the ultrasonic tool during ultrasonic bonding.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kenji Kobae, Takashi Kubota
-
Patent number: 7346976Abstract: The method for manufacturing a suspension for disc drive includes a process for manufacturing a semi-finished suspension product integrally including a base plate, a rigid body portion of a load beam, and a pair of connecting portions connecting the base plate and the rigid body portion. The method also includes a process for fixing a spring member, formed independently of the semi-finished suspension product, to the base plate and the rigid body portion of the semi-finished product, and a process for cutting off the connecting portions, projecting individually from the opposite sides of the spring member, from the base plate and the rigid body portion after the spring member is fixed to the semi-finished suspension product.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuji Takagi, Koji Uozumi, Masao Hanya, Noriyuki Saito
-
Patent number: 7349184Abstract: A reference plane is added to the freestanding conductors of a wireless suspension to maintain a continuous reference plane therein. Post processing steps to the flexure are used after the underlying steel has been etched and prior to any forming or welding steps. Two screens are used to add an insulator layer and a conductor layer, such as copper, in the areas of the freestanding conductors. The insulator screen is sized to allow an insulator to overlap the original polyimide. The copper screen for the reference has a slightly longer screen pattern than the insulator screen. The conductor screen is sized such that the reference will overlap the insulator and make contact with the underlying steel at both ends of the freestanding conductors.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage TechnologiesInventor: A. David Erpelding
-
Publication number: 20080068761Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head device that includes a soft magnetic layer includes the steps of forming a plating base layer in the soft magnetic layer through sputtering, and applying, during the forming step, a magnetic field in a direction parallel to an orientation fringe of a wafer in which the magnetic head device is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hiroshi Horiguchi, Koujiro Komagaki, Koji Hirano
-
Patent number: 7343664Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic head includes forming a first pole and a flux shaping layer in spaced relation to the first pole. A nonmagnetic layer is formed adjacent the flux shaping layer and positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS) side of the flux shaping layer. A tapered recess is created in the nonmagnetic layer, the taper of the recess increasing (i.e., becoming deeper) towards the flux forming layer. The recess is filled with a magnetic material. A probe layer is formed such that it is in electrical communication with the magnetic material filling the recess.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Gautam Khera, Sanford J. Lewis, Galina Moutchaidze, Aron Pentek, Hugo Alberto Emilio Santini, Mason Lamar Williams, III
-
Publication number: 20080060186Abstract: A device comprises a mounting surface configured to mount a head gimbal assembly (HGA), a housing that pivots relative to the mounting surface, and a mechanism coupled to the housing that deflects the HGA when the housing pivots relative to the mounting surface. For example the mechanism may be a pneumatically actuated finger that pulls the HGA towards the housing. The device may be used to load the HGA on a rotating test disc. Once loaded on the test disc, the HGA is supported only by the mounting surface and an air bearing at an interface of a slider of the HGA and the test disc. Embodiments of the invention may provide precise and repeatable positioning of the HGA because dimensional tolerances and vibrations in the mechanism are not transferred to the HGA once it is loaded on the test disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Brett Robert Herdendorf, Ronald Eldon Anderson
-
Patent number: 7340823Abstract: Embodiments include a method for forming a head suspension assembly. A spacer layer is formed in or on a silicon wafer. A transfer film including an opening defining the shape of a slider support membrane is provided, and the opening is filled with a resin material. The transfer film with the resin material therein is positioned over the silicon wafer so that at least a portion of the resin material is positioned adjacent to the spacer layer. The resin material is baked to form a glassy carbon material. The spacer layer is etched to form a trench in the silicon wafer adjacent to the glassy carbon material, and a slider is positioned on the glassy carbon material over the trench.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Jeffrey S. Lille
-
Publication number: 20080052897Abstract: A method for bonding slider row bars for photolithography process, comprises steps of: (1) forming a holding device having a sticky surface; (2) providing a plurality of slider row bars each of which has a first surface for forming air bearing surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and securing the slider row bars on the holding device with their first surfaces facing to the sticky surface; (3) bonding the slider row bars together by an encapsulating glue; (4) providing a carrier and bonding the carrier to the second surfaces of the slider row bars; (5) removing the holding device. The invention also discloses a method for manufacturing sliders.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: TaiBoon Lee, ZiAn Wang, YongPing Gao, ZhenHua Liu
-
Publication number: 20080041549Abstract: A mold used to manufacture, through metal mold casting, a damper that is fixed onto a housing in a disc drive and reduces a vibration of the housing, the disc drive recording information in and reproducing information from a recording medium. The mold includes a sectionally concave body that defines a shape of the damper, a first gate that introduces molten metal to the body from a runner, and is provided on a first side opposite to a concave of the body, and a second gate that introduces the molten metal to an overflow well from the body, and is provided at least one of a second side perpendicular to the first side, and a third side perpendicular to the second side and parallel to the first side.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Masanori Ueda, Masaya Suwa
-
Patent number: 7325294Abstract: A method of making electromagnetic wave shielded read and write wires is provided. The method includes forming a bottom insulation layer on a bottom shield layer formed on a substrate. Then, forming electrically conductive wire material into openings in a first forming layer to form first and second read wires and first and second write wires. Forming a top insulation layer on the bottom insulation layer and on the wires. Then, forming a second forming layer on the top insulation layer with first, second, third, fourth and fifth openings down to the top insulation layer. Ion milling portions of the top insulation layer exposed by the openings in the second forming layer down to the bottom shield layer, then removing the second forming layer. Then, forming nonmagnetic electrically conductive middle shield layers in the openings in electrical contact with the bottom shield layer and forming a top shield layer on top of the middle shield layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Lin Zhou
-
Patent number: 7322094Abstract: A head stack assembly of a disk drive unit including a head arm assembly (HAA) having a head gimbal assembly, a drive arm to be connected with the head gimbal assembly; wherein the drive arm comprises a securing portion, a connection portion and a spacer connecting the securing portion with the connection portion. In the present invention, at least one undercut is formed on the spacer of the drive arm to strengthen the drive arm. The invention also discloses a method of manufacturing such a head stack assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: SAE Magnetics (HK)Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Yiu Sing Ho, Canhua Chen
-
Patent number: 7322098Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously processing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. Disks are positioned in pairs, with one surface of one disk positioned adjacent one surface of the second disk, with the disk surfaces touching or with a slight separation between them. In this back-to-back orientation, the disk pairs may be processed using conventional double-sided disk processing equipment and techniques. However, each disk will not have two active surfaces. Because of the positioning of the disks during processing, only one surface of each disk will be subjected to full processing. Therefore, each disk will only have one active side.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Gerardo Buitron, Clarence Gapay, John Grow, Bruce Hachtmann, Kwang Kon Kim, Huan Nguyen, Tom O'Hare
-
Publication number: 20070297104Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic field detecting element having a free layer whose magnetization direction is variable depending on an external magnetic field and a pinned layer whose magnetization direction is fixed with respect to the external magnetic field, said free layer and said pinned layer being stacked with an electrically conductive, nonmagnetic spacer layer sandwiched therebetween, wherein sense current is configured to flow in a direction that is perpendicular to film planes of the magnetic field detecting element is provided. The method has the steps of: forming a spacer adjoining layer that is adjacent to said spacer layer, Heusler alloy layer, and a metal layer successively in this order; and forming either at least a part of said pinned layer or said free layer by heating said spacer adjoining layer, said Heusler alloy layer, and said metal layer. The spacer adjoining layer has a layer that is chiefly made of cobalt and iron.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Inventors: Tomohito MIZUNO, Yoshihiro TSUCHIYA, Koji SHIMAZAWA, Kei HIRATA, Keita KAWAMORI
-
Patent number: 7306743Abstract: A recording medium includes a substrate, and a recording layer formed on the substrate having (a) a recording track band, and (b) recording cells regularly arrayed in the recording track band to form a plurality rows of sub-tracks. The recording cells included in each sub-track are formed apart from each other at a pitch P in the track direction. Nearest neighboring two recording cells, each positioned on adjacent two sub-tracks in the track band, are formed apart from each other at a pitch P/n in the track direction, where 2?n?5.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroyuki Hieda, Masatoshi Sakurai, Koji Asakawa, Toshiro Hiraoka, Katsuyuki Naito
-
Patent number: 7304820Abstract: The method of positioning a disk-shaped medium is capable of precisely positioning the center of the disk-shape medium with respect to a center of a rotary shaft. The method comprises the steps of: inserting a cylindrical hub into a center hole of the disk-shaped medium; and covering a hub adaptor, which is eccentrically fixed to a rotary shaft, with the hub so as to position the disk-shaped medium on the rotary shaft. Directions of eccentricity of the disk-shaped medium, the hub and a hub unit are defined on the basis of amount of eccentricity between the disk-shaped medium and the hub, that between the hub and the hub adaptor and that between the hub adaptor and the rotary shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Toshiya Kato, Terushige Arai, Masanori Fukushi
-
Publication number: 20070271769Abstract: In a manufacturing method, energy beam heat is radiated to a target area of the motor assembly which is used for a storage disk drive. By radiating energy beam thereto, a portion of the motor assembly is deformed in a non-contact manner, thus, without being affected by elastic recovery of a portion of the motor assembly to be deformed, the machining accuracy of the motor assembly is adjusted in a precise manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2007Publication date: November 29, 2007Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Kagata, Kimihiko Hajota, Yoshiki Okayama, Katsutoshi Hamada
-
Patent number: 7296335Abstract: A method is provided for reworking a head gimbal assembly (HGA). An ultrasonic probe is used to stress the connection between the slider component of an HGA to remove the slider from its mounting position.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Magnecomp CorporationInventors: Visit Thaveeprungsriporn, Szu-Han Hu
-
Patent number: 7293347Abstract: A manufacturing method of an HAA includes a step of fixing a first lead conductor member onto a suspension, a step of attaching a second lead conductor member to at least one actuator arm, a step of fixing the suspension onto the at least one actuator arm, a step of electrically connecting the first lead conductor member fixed on the suspension with the second lead conductor member attached on the at least one actuator arm, a step of, thereafter, fixing a head slider provided with at least one head element onto the suspension, and a step of electrically connecting the at least one head element with the first lead conductor member.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Masashi Shiraishi
-
Patent number: 7293351Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and merging a head stack assembly with a disc stack of a data storage device. The head stack assembly comprises a cantilevered flexure which supports a transducer at a distal end thereof. A carrier includes a carrier support surface arranged to contactingly support the distal end of the flexure. A merge tool is adapted to merge the transducer with a recording surface of the disc stack. The merge tool includes a merge support surface arranged to contactingly support a medial portion of the flexure while the carrier support surface is disposed between the merge support surface and the transducer. The transducer is merged by aligning the merge support surface with the medial portion of the flexure, and using the merge support surface to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and advance the transducer to a final position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Michael W. Pfeiffer, Dennis R. Nielsen, Thomas P. O'Neill
-
Patent number: 7293348Abstract: A suspension for use in a disk drive is disclosed. The suspension has a hinge and load beam which are separately formed and subsequently joined together. The load beam is formed from a material which has improved damping characteristics. The load beam additionally has ribs constructed in order to balance the mass of the suspension about the torsional rotation axis. The location of the torsional rotation axis can be designed to intersect the head gimbal pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BVInventor: A. David Erpelding
-
Patent number: 7287312Abstract: A manufacturing method of a magnetic head device includes a preheating step of irradiating a laser beam to terminal pads of a magnetic head slider and to connection pads of a lead conductor member that is to be electrically connected to the magnetic head slider, a supply step of supplying conductive metal material for connecting the terminal pads and the connection pads during or after the preheating step, and a heating step of performing molten-metal connections between the terminal pads and the connection pads by irradiating a laser beam to the conductive metal material.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Yamaguchi
-
Publication number: 20070227768Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board has a flexible dynamic region, and relatively rigid static regions between which the dynamic region extends. Portions of a base layer, a patterned conductive layer extending on the base layer, and a cover layer covering the conductive layer make up the dynamic region. Extensions of the base layer, the conductive layer, and the cover layer, and portions of a metal layer to which the base layer is attached make up each of the static regions. The metal layer enhances the rigidity of the flexible printed circuit board at the static regions. The metal layer also has rounded corners at sides of each of the boundaries between the dynamic region and each of the static regions to minimize stress concentrations at the boundaries. The conductive layer is made up of real traces through which electrical signals are transmitted, and dummy traces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventor: Sang-chul Shin
-
Patent number: 7275302Abstract: A method of forming a disc pack for use in a disc drive is provided. The method includes forming at least one alignment feature between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of each of a plurality of discs. The at least one alignment feature of a first disc of the plurality of discs and the at least one alignment feature of a second disc of the plurality of discs are utilized to substantially vertically align servo patterns on the first disc with servo patterns on the second disc. A disc pack having discs that include alignment features for aligning servo patterns on the discs is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Hwaliang Ng
-
Patent number: 7260884Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drum assembly associated with a digital betacam video tape machine is disclosed. The method includes providing a helical scan drum assembly having a stationary upper drum, a stationary lower drum and a plurality of rotating read/write heads disposed between the stationary upper and lower drums. The rotating read/write heads reading and writing digital information to and from a tape. The method further includes inserting air grooves in the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum. The air grooves are configured to reduce sticktion between the tape and the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum when the tape is moved around the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum. The method additional includes mounting an adjustable band to the outer peripheral surface of the lower drum. The adjustable band is configured to guide the tape around the drum assembly in accordance with helical scans when the tape is moved around the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Athan CorporationInventors: George Athanasiou, Constantine Athanasiou
-
Patent number: 7260885Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a method of manufacturing a disk drive coupling apparatus for rigidly coupling a disk drive to a chassis of a computer. In one embodiment, a disk drive to chassis coupler is formed and a disk drive to chassis coupler engaging mechanism is created. One end of the disk drive to chassis coupler can be coupled to the chassis. The disk drive to chassis coupler engaging mechanism can be used to cause the second end of the disk drive to chassis coupler to apply pressure to the disk drive, thus, the disk drive can be rigidly coupled to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: David W. Albrecht, Akihiko Aoyagi, Fu-Ying Huang, Qinghua Zeng
-
Patent number: 7260886Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a clamping mechanism capable of clamping a magnetic disk by an accurate fastening force. In one embodiment, a magnetic disk fastening method includes the steps of: mounting a magnetic disk on a hub structure, setting a thin plate spring having a pressure-bearing part, a flexible part and a disk holding part at a predetermined position relative to the magnetic disk with the disk holding part in contact with a surface of the magnetic disk; pressing the pressure-bearing part by screwing a fastening screw in a threaded hole formed in the hub structure; measuring a deflection by which the flexible part is deflected in the pressure-bearing part pressing step; and stopping pressing the magnetic disk upon the increase of the deflection to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Yuhichiroh Matsunaga, Takashi Nishikawa, Mutsuo Satoh, Mitsuru Kitamura, Minoru Kamada
-
Patent number: 7257880Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for easily and reliably neutralizing charge in an assembly process for an actuator head suspension assembly used in a magnetic disk device. In one embodiment, a head suspension assembly includes a wire trace that includes a laminated structure of a metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a conductor layer, and a second dielectric layer. The conductor layer includes an exposed portion exposed from the second dielectric layer. The suspension assembly also includes a head/slider supported by the metal layer. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm and a flexible printed circuit board. The exposed portion of the conductor layer is immersed in a charge neutralizing solvent. The head suspension assembly is mounted to the actuator arm. A terminal of the wire trace is connected to a terminal of the flexible printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Toshihiro Shu, Hiroaki Uchiyama, Tadashi Nozawa, Katsushi Yamaguchi