Magnetic microactuator
US6414822B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/5552
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dual-stage actuation assembly for a disc drive includes a movable actuator arm controlled by an actuator motor. A suspension assembly is supported by the actuator arm, and includes a flexure. A microactuator is also provided, including a stator attached to the flexure and a rotor supporting the slider, the rotor being movable with respect to the stator in a first horizontal plane generally parallel to a surface of the disc. A vertically arranged magnetic circuit is formed, which in an exemplary embodiment includes a bottom ferromagnetic keeper, a plurality of magnets, a patterned conductive coil and atop ferromagnetic keeper, those elements being vertically arranged in different horizontal planes. The magnets are operable to move laterally and thereby cause movement of the microactuator rotor in the first horizontal plane generally parallel to the surface of the disc in response to circulation of a current through the patterned conductive coil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.