Patent · US Expired

Microactuator for use in mass data storage devices, or the like, and method for making same

US6655002B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
10References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 2000
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49009
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A microactuator, or micromotor, (60) and method for making it are presented such that a symmetrical build up of material is performed on opposite sides of a substrate. This reduces mechanical stresses in the device. In its construction, respective layers of circuit portions (108, 110) are built on each side of the structure, thereby eliminating the need to stack complex patterns. Stacking one complex pattern on top of a similar pattern is difficult because the surface, which is the base for subsequent layers, is not flat. The photolithography process that forms these patterns is not very forgiving to non-flat surfaces. Avoiding the stacked layers also allows thicker conductors to be considered for each circuit. Thicker circuits increase current carrying capacity, which in one of the key variables increase the power of the micromotor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.