Darrell Dean Palmer

Title: Darrell Dean Palmer: Innovator in Head/Gimbal Assembly Technologies

Introduction

Darrell Dean Palmer is a prominent inventor based in San Jose, California. With an impressive portfolio of 23 patents, he has made significant contributions to the field of head/gimbal assembly technologies. His innovative designs are pivotal in enhancing the efficiency and functionality of hard disk drives.

Latest Patents

Among his most recent inventions is a flexure design that includes a heat sink and a dielectric layer beneath trace termination pads. This flexure provides advanced support for head/gimbal assembly suspensions. It features a metal base layer that serves as a heat sink, a trace layer with multiple conductive traces, and a dielectric layer situated between the trace and base layers. The innovative structure of the conductive traces includes curved sections that terminate at pads, optimizing thermal performance and structural integrity.

Another notable patent involves a head suspension that features a reinforced limiter tab. This design integrates a flexure attached to a load beam, equipped with a lifter tab that interacts with a load/unload ramp. The limiter tab is constructed from multiple layers, including metallic base, stiffening layers, and non-metallic intermediates. This complex design increases the stiffness of the limiter tab, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the head/gimbal assembly.

Career Highlights

Darrell Palmer has held significant roles in reputable companies, including IBM and Western Digital Technologies, Inc. His work has been instrumental in advancing storage technologies, facilitating the development of drives that are faster, more reliable, and energy-efficient.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Darrell has worked alongside notable colleagues, including David Erpelding and Surya Narayan Pattanaik. These collaborations have contributed to the refinement and success of his innovative projects, further fostering a culture of technological advancement in their field.

Conclusion

Darrell Dean Palmer's contributions to head/gimbal assembly technologies exemplify a commitment to innovation and advancement. With his extensive patent portfolio, he continues to influence the development of cutting-edge solutions in storage technology, making significant impacts on the industry and serving as an inspiration for future inventors.