Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2011-2025
Title: Innovator Thomas J Hitchner: Pioneering Technology in Multi-Actuator Hard Disk Drives
Introduction
Thomas J Hitchner, based in San Martin, California, is a prominent inventor known for his contributions to the field of data storage technology. With an impressive portfolio of nine patents, Hitchner has made significant strides in enhancing the efficiency and performance of multi-actuator hard disk drives. His innovative approaches focus on optimizing the mechanics of hard disk drives, which are critical for data storage and retrieval.
Latest Patents
Among his latest patents, two stand out for their ingenuity:
1. **Center Structure Having Attachment Support for an Actuator in a Multi-Actuator Hard Disk Drive**: This invention introduces a multi-actuator hard disk drive design, featuring a lower actuator with its corresponding voice coil motor assembly (VCMA) and a coaxial upper actuator equipped with its VCMA. By incorporating a central support plate, Hitchner's design ensures improved control over the direct and coupled plant transfer functions, while providing robust support for the upper VCMA, facilitating the use of conventionally-sized fasteners.
2. **Anchoring Structure for Improved Structural Dynamics of Actuators in a Multi-Actuator Hard Disk Drive**: This patent addresses the challenges associated with actuator dynamics in hard disk drives. It describes a design where a central support plate is mechanically fastened to an enclosure base, positioned strategically between the two actuators. This configuration minimizes the pivot and VCM tilt, effectively reducing coil torsion modes and enhancing overall performance.
Career Highlights
Currently, Thomas J Hitchner is a valuable member of Western Digital Technologies, Inc., where he applies his expertise in innovating advanced storage solutions. His work contributes directly to the evolution of hard disk drives, which are central to data management in today's digital age.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Hitchner has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Keith R Berding and Lynn Bich-Quy Le. These partnerships have enabled the pooling of knowledge and skills, leading to groundbreaking advancements in their field.
Conclusion
Thomas J Hitchner's inventive spirit and technical acumen continue to drive innovation in the realm of data storage technology. With a strong foundation of patents and a commitment to advancing hard disk drive capabilities, he stands as a notable figure in the landscape of modern engineering, ensuring that data storage solutions evolve to meet the demands of the future.
Inventor’s Patent Attorneys refers to legal professionals with specialized expertise in representing inventors throughout the patent process. These attorneys assist inventors in navigating the complexities of patent law, including filing patent applications, conducting patent searches, and protecting intellectual property rights. They play a crucial role in helping inventors secure patents for their innovative creations.