This inventor holds 9 USPTO granted patents. Top assignee: Seagate Technology Incorporated. Active years: 1996-2004.
Location History:
- Milpitas, CA (US) (1999)
- Capitola, CA (US) (1996 - 2004)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1996-2004
Title: Lakshman Nagarathnam: Innovator in Hydrodynamic Bearing Technology
Introduction
Lakshman Nagarathnam is a prominent inventor based in Capitola, CA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of hydrodynamic bearings, holding a total of 9 patents. His innovative designs have advanced the technology used in various applications, particularly in hard disk drives.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is the "Single Plate Hydrodynamic Bearing Cartridge." This invention features a hydrodynamic bearing with a shaft that is rotatable relative to a surrounding sleeve. The design includes a thrust plate at one end of the shaft, which rotates within a recess of the sleeve. The shaft is equipped with an equi-pressure groove that accesses a central reservoir, while journal bearings defined by herringbone patterns stabilize the cartridge. The thrust plate enhances the stiffness of the cartridge, providing improved performance.
Another notable patent is for "Squeeze Film Damping for a Hard Disc Drive." This invention describes a spindle motor that includes a motor stator and rotor, which work together to rotate a disc or stack of discs. The design ensures that the rotating disc surface is closely adjacent to a stationary disc drive casting surface. The squeeze film action in the air gap significantly dampens disc vibrations, with typical implementations using air gaps of 0.004"-0.006" for 2½" drives and 0.006"-0.10" for 3½" drives.
Career Highlights
Lakshman Nagarathnam is currently employed at Seagate Technology Incorporated, where he continues to innovate in the field of data storage technology. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the reliability and efficiency of hard disk drives.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Lakshman has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Hans L. Leuthold and David John Jennings. These partnerships have contributed to the development of cutting-edge technologies in the industry.
Conclusion
Lakshman Nagarathnam's contributions to hydrodynamic bearing technology have made a significant impact on the field of data storage. His innovative patents and ongoing work at Seagate Technology Incorporated highlight his dedication to advancing engineering solutions.