Patent US7131346 - Spin stand testing system with fine positioner for head stack assembly

(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,131,346 Bi

Buttar et al. (45) Date of Patent: Nov. 7,2006 Page 2

(54) SPIN STAND TESTING SYSTEM WITH FINE POSITIONER FOR HEAD STACK ASSEMBLY

(75) Inventors: Jagdeep S. Buttar, Fremont, CA (US);

David Terrill, Walnut Creek, CA (US);
Kenneth R. Davies, Gilroy, CA (US);
Herman Ferrier, Scotts Valley, CA
(US); Xiaodong Che, Saratoga, CA
(US)

(73) Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.,

Fremont, CA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 190 days.

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(Continued) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS JP 08161717 A * 6/1996

(21) Appl. No.: 10/966,543

(22) Filed: Oct. 15, 2004

(Under 37 CFR 1.47)

(51) Int. CI.

G11B 5/56 (2006.01)
G01R 33/12 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 73/865.9; 324/212; 360/294.4

(58) Field of Classification Search .. 360/254.2 254.6,

360/274, 294.4, 264.1, 266, 264.2, 264.3, 360/265.7, 265.9, 266.1; 324/210, 212;

73/865.9

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U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(Continued)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Che, Xiaodong, et al., "Utilization of Continuous PES Signal for H/M Component Characterizations," INTERMAG 2003—The 2003 IEEE International Magnetics Conference (Mar. 30-Apr. 3, 2003), Boston, Massachusetts, pp. 1-3.

(Continued)

Primary Examiner—Thomas P. Noland

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Joshua C. Harrison, Esq.;

Carr & Ferrell LLP

(57) ABSTRACT

Head stack fixtures for securing head stack assemblies to spin stand testing systems, and spin stand testing systems incorporating such fixtures, are disclosed. Exemplary head stack fixtures comprise a base supporting a piezoelectric actuator. The base includes an attachment mechanism for securing the HSA in such a way that the HSA will pivot relative to the base. When the HSA is secured to the base, the piezoelectric actuator engages the HSA. The piezoelectric actuator is therefore able to pivot the HSA relative to the base for fine positioning of a head of the HSA.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets