Making Disc Drive Patents (Class 29/603.03)
  • Patent number: 7469464
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacob D. Bjorstrom, Michael W. Davis, Craig A. Leabch
  • Patent number: 7469463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV
    Inventors: Walter L. Prater, Ambrish A. Misra, Miquel Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20080310045
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yukio Urata
  • Patent number: 7441323
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond R. Wolter
  • Publication number: 20080256787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Sham Sunder Nayar, John George Gerogeorge, Mark Curtis Fahrendorff, Ronald Jacob Smith
  • Publication number: 20080256791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Sham Sunder Nayar, John George Gerogeorge, Mark Curtis Fahrendorff, Ronald Jacob Smith
  • Publication number: 20080250629
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shawn A. Ruden, Roland Sesselmann, Samuel E. Severson
  • Publication number: 20080229582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: 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: 7424774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasuichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20080212233
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nanba
  • Patent number: 7420769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jess B. Pool, David Allsup, Curtis Trammell
  • Patent number: 7401725
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: 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: 7398590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly C. Mann, Randall T. Lyons, Thomas G. Andrikowich
  • Publication number: 20080165448
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Ichikawa, Takashi Kouno, Akihiko Aoyagi, Takako Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20080148553
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Yiqi Feng, Hui Yan Hu, Sai H. Wong, Yi Zhao Yao
  • Patent number: 7391589
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Material Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Boss, Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7386932
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Girard
  • Patent number: 7380329
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: 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: 7367107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Tave J. Fruge, James A. Dunckley
  • Patent number: 7363697
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Victor K. F. Dunn, Ciuter Chang
  • Publication number: 20080092365
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Kenjirou Watanabe, Yoshio Uematsu, Yousuke Fukumoto, Yohtaroh Ichimura
  • Patent number: 7360295
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Natalie Reilley
  • Patent number: 7356908
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping Shang, YiuSing Ho
  • Patent number: 7356907
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Kobae, Takashi Kubota
  • Patent number: 7346976
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuji Takagi, Koji Uozumi, Masao Hanya, Noriyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 7349184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
    Inventor: A. David Erpelding
  • Publication number: 20080068761
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horiguchi, Koujiro Komagaki, Koji Hirano
  • Patent number: 7343664
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: 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: 20080060186
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Brett Robert Herdendorf, Ronald Eldon Anderson
  • Patent number: 7340823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Lille
  • Publication number: 20080052897
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: TaiBoon Lee, ZiAn Wang, YongPing Gao, ZhenHua Liu
  • Publication number: 20080041549
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masanori Ueda, Masaya Suwa
  • Patent number: 7325294
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7322094
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (HK)
    Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Yiu Sing Ho, Canhua Chen
  • Patent number: 7322098
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Buitron, Clarence Gapay, John Grow, Bruce Hachtmann, Kwang Kon Kim, Huan Nguyen, Tom O'Hare
  • Publication number: 20070297104
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Tomohito MIZUNO, Yoshihiro TSUCHIYA, Koji SHIMAZAWA, Kei HIRATA, Keita KAWAMORI
  • Patent number: 7306743
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hieda, Masatoshi Sakurai, Koji Asakawa, Toshiro Hiraoka, Katsuyuki Naito
  • Patent number: 7304820
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toshiya Kato, Terushige Arai, Masanori Fukushi
  • Publication number: 20070271769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Kagata, Kimihiko Hajota, Yoshiki Okayama, Katsutoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 7296335
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Magnecomp Corporation
    Inventors: Visit Thaveeprungsriporn, Szu-Han Hu
  • Patent number: 7293347
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7293351
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Pfeiffer, Dennis R. Nielsen, Thomas P. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 7293348
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV
    Inventor: A. David Erpelding
  • Patent number: 7287312
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20070227768
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Sang-chul Shin
  • Patent number: 7275302
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Hwaliang Ng
  • Patent number: 7260884
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Athan Corporation
    Inventors: George Athanasiou, Constantine Athanasiou
  • Patent number: 7260885
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Albrecht, Akihiko Aoyagi, Fu-Ying Huang, Qinghua Zeng
  • Patent number: 7260886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yuhichiroh Matsunaga, Takashi Nishikawa, Mutsuo Satoh, Mitsuru Kitamura, Minoru Kamada
  • Patent number: 7257880
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shu, Hiroaki Uchiyama, Tadashi Nozawa, Katsushi Yamaguchi