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:
Apr. 26, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 24, 2001
Mark G. Steele, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Mark G. Steele, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for properly and consistently spacing an electrode from a workpiece while electrochemically etching (ECM) grooves to a precise depth in a surface of the workpiece to form a fluid dynamic bearing. The electrode is especially designed for imparting a grooved pattern to a flat surface, the electrode comprising a surface carrying the pattern to be formed on the flat surface, and a central rod extending a short distance above the electrode surface. The central rod precisely sets the gap between the electrode and the flat surface. The electrode is adapted to be electrically connected to a power supply so that the electrode serves as the cathode, and the flat work piece serves as the anode in an ECM system.