David E Swift

US Patent:

7433023, Oct 7, 2008

Filed:

Sep 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/230981

Inventors:

David R. Swift - Glencoe MN, US
Mark T. Girard - Hutchinson MN, US
Joseph P. Tracy - Hutchinson MN, US

Assignee:

Applied Kinetics, Inc. - Hutchinson MN

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 401, 356 402, 356 41

Abstract:

The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for determining spatial information of a workpiece surface positioned in a predetermined coordinate system. Apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine one or more coordinates of one or more measurement locations of a workpiece within a predetermined coordinate system. Such coordinates can be used to define points, lines, and/or surfaces of the workpiece within the coordinate system. In one exemplary application, apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine spatial information of surfaces of head suspensions or head suspension assemblies such as those that are generally utilized in dynamic storage devices such as magnetic disk drives. Such spatial information can be used to determine z-height and/or static attitude, for example.

US Patent:

58153489, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Dec 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/572789

Inventors:

Reid C. Danielson - Cokato MN
Michael W. Davis - Humboldt IA
David R. Swift - Glencoe MN

Assignee:

Hutchinson Technology Incorporated - Hutchinson MN

International Classification:

G11B 548

US Classification:

360104

Abstract:

A load beam of a suspension assembly has one or more longitudinal channels in the rigid region between the side edges. The load beam blank (from which the load beam itself is constructed) has a relief means, such as a channel-compensating gap extending through the actuator mounting region from the proximal end to provide additional width of sheet material to the rigid region of the load beam blank and to enable the formation of these longitudinal channels. A method for manufacturing a load beam of a suspension assembly from a generally planar sheet of resilient spring material is described. A load beam blank is shaped to include an actuator mounting region on the distal end, and a rigid region between the actuator mounting region and the distal end. A relief means, such as a channel-compensating gap extends through the actuator mounting region from the proximal end. At least one channel is constructed in the rigid region.

US Patent:

56360134, Jun 3, 1997

Filed:

Jan 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/368547

Inventors:

David R. Swift - Glencoe MN

Assignee:

Hutchinson Technology Incorporated - Hutchinson MN

International Classification:

G01C 300
G01B 1126
G01B 1114

US Classification:

356 303

Abstract:

An instrument for measuring both the static attitude and Z-height of a suspension assembly flexure. The instrument includes an autocollimation system for measuring static attitude angles. The autocollimation system is fixedly mounted to a laser point range sensor for measuring Z-height distances. Optics coincidentally direct the beams of light from the collimation system and from the point range sensor system to a measurement point. The optics include at least one reflector or other optical device. The instrument offers accurate distance and angle readings in a shore amount of time with no repositioning of the instrument, the base, or the part to be measured.

US Patent:

44535481, Jun 12, 1984

Filed:

May 2, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/490361

Inventors:

Donald D. Maurer - Anoka MN
David E. Swift - Bethel MN
Zosim Ioffe - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Empi, Inc. - Fridley MN

International Classification:

A61N 132

US Classification:

128421

Abstract:

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus having stimulus electrical pulses modulated in time and intensity to stimulate afferent nerves and cause the release of endogenous opiates which suppress pain. An astable pulse generator provides a first train of pulses at a selected repetition rate. A monostable pulse generator connected to receive the first train of pulses supplies a second pulse train having the frequency of the first train. The width of the pulses of the first train is varied over a predetermined range. A second monostable pulse generator connected to pulse amplifiers receives the first and second train of pulses and provides a supply pulse to the patient. Adjustable pulse modulators connected to the second pulse generators function to simultaneously increase the repetition rate of the first train of pulses and decrease the second train of pulses.

US Patent:

59437740, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Sep 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/163133

Inventors:

Reid C. Danielson - Cokato MN
Michael W. Davis - Humboldt IA
David R. Swift - Glencoe MN

Assignee:

Hutchinson Technology, Inc. - Hutchinson MN

International Classification:

B23P 1300

US Classification:

298969

Abstract:

A load beam of a suspension assembly has one or more longitudinal channels in the rigid region between the side edges. The load beam blank (from which the load beam itself is constructed) has a relief means, such as a channel-compensating gap extending through the actuator mounting region from the proximal end to provide additional width of sheet material to the rigid region of the load beam blank and to enable the formation of these longitudinal channels. A method for manufacturing a load beam of a suspension assembly from a generally planar sheet of resilient spring material is described. A load beam blank is shaped to include an actuator mounting region on the distal end, and a rigid region between the actuator mounting region and the distal end. A relief means, such as a channel-compensating gap extends through the actuator mounting region from the proximal end. At least one channel is constructed in the rigid region.

US Patent:

44428391, Apr 17, 1984

Filed:

Apr 27, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/257737

Inventors:

Donald D. Maurer - Anoka MN
David E. Swift - Anoka MN
Zosim Ioffe - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

EMPI, Inc. - Fridley MN

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128419R

Abstract:

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus having stimulus electrical pulses modulated in time and intensity to stimulate afferent nerves and cause the release of endogenous opiates which suppress pain. An astable pulse generator provides a first train of pulses at a selected repetition rate. A monostable pulse generator connected to receive the first train of pulses supplies a second pulse train having the frequency of the first train. The width of the pulses of the first train is varied over a predetermined range. A second monostable pulse generator connected to pulse amplifiers receives the first and second train of pulses and provides a supply pulse to the patient. Adjustable pulse modulators connected to the second pulse generators function to simultaneously increase the repetition rate of the first train of pulses and decrease the second train of pulses.

US Patent:

44310021, Feb 14, 1984

Filed:

Jun 8, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/271258

Inventors:

Donald D. Maurer - Anoka MN
David E. Swift - Anoka MN
Zosim Ioffe - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

EMPI Inc. - Fridley MN

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128422

Abstract:

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus having stimulus electrical pulses modulated in time and intensity to stimulate afferent and efferent nerves and cause the release of endogenous opiates which suppress pain. An astable pulse generator provides a first train of pulses at a selected repetition rate. A monostable pulse generator connected to receive the first train of pulses supplies a second pulse train having the frequency of the first train. The width of the pulses of the first train is varied over a predetermined range. A second monostable pulse generator connected to pulse amplifiers receives the first and second train of pulses and provides a supply pulse to the patient. Adjustable pulse modulators connected to the second pulse generators function to simultaneously increase the repetition rate of the first train of pulses and decrease the amplitude and pulse width of the second train of pulses, the change being between two predetermined levels for all three parameters with the magnitude of change, i. e. the percent of modulation being determined by the setting of the patient rate, and pulse width control.