Location History:
- Granite Springs, NY (US) (1976 - 1978)
- San Jose, CA (US) (1994 - 1998)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1976-1998
Title: The Innovations of Hans Helmut Zappe
Introduction
Hans Helmut Zappe is a notable inventor based in Granite Springs, NY (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of microfabrication and actuator technology. With a total of 10 patents, Zappe's work has had a profound impact on the development of advanced disk drive systems.
Latest Patents
One of Zappe's latest patents is the "Wobble motor microactuator for fine positioning and disk drive." This invention features a microfabricated wobble motor with a positioning arm that allows for bidirectional movement. It serves as a rotary actuator for the read/write head in small magnetic recording disk drives. The design includes an integrated head-arm assembly that maintains contact with the disk, utilizing head position error information to control the movement of the rotor. This innovative approach enables precise positioning of the read/write head across data tracks.
Another significant patent is the "Microfabricated rotary motion wobble motor and disk drive incorporating." This motor provides pure rotary motion and can function as a spindle motor for small disk drives. The rotor is designed with inner and outer rings connected by flexible members, allowing for efficient motion conversion. The motor's components are fabricated using thin film processes, which eliminates the need for separate assembly of parts. This design enhances the performance and reliability of disk drive systems.
Career Highlights
Hans Helmut Zappe is currently associated with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). His work at IBM has allowed him to push the boundaries of technology in the field of microactuators and disk drives. Zappe's innovative designs have contributed to the advancement of data storage solutions.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Zappe has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Long-Sheng Fan and Robert Fontana. These collaborations have fostered an environment of innovation and have led to the development of groundbreaking technologies in the industry.
Conclusion
Hans Helmut Zappe's contributions to the field of microfabrication and actuator technology are noteworthy. His patents reflect a commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering. Zappe's work continues to influence the future of data storage and retrieval systems.