The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1998
Tsen-Hwang Lin, Dallas, TX (US);
Philip A. Congdon, Richardson, TX (US);
Mark W. Heaton, Irving, TX (US);
Michael K. Masten, Plano, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved micro-actuator position sensor which provides an accurate position signal for higher bandwidth control of a micro-actuator. The position sensor allows closed loop control of the micro-actuator position. Preferred embodiment micro-actuator sensors include a piezo-resistive stress sensor integrated within the springs, a capacitance sensor and magnetic reluctance sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail as integrated sensors for a micro-actuator used in hard disk drives. The sensor is integrated with a micro-actuator at the tip of the conventional actuator arm to improve the precision seeking capability of the actuator arm.