# US 11,443,763 B1 · Disk drive with multiple actuators on a pivot axis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,443,763 B1 - Document ID: US11443763B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/351,804 - Filed: 2021-06-18 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-18 - Assignees: Seagate Technology LLC - Applicants: Seagate Technology LLC - Inventors: Yichao Ma; Xiong Liu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11443763B1 ## CPC - G11B 5/4813: {Mounting or aligning of arm assemblies, e.g. actuator arm supported by bearings, multiple arm assemblies, arm stacks or multiple heads on single arm (G11B5/484 takes precedence)} - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) ## Abstract A data storage device includes a stack of data storage disks mounted on a spindle, a first arm and a second arm. The stack comprises a first plurality of upper disks and second plurality of lower disks. The first arm is movably attached to an actuator shaft, the first arm having a first head end that supports a first head, the first arm configured to move along a first portion of the actuator shaft to enable the first head to interact with data storage surfaces of the first plurality of upper disks. The second arm has a second head end that supports a second head, the second arm attached to and configured to move along a second portion of the actuator shaft, independently of the first arm, to enable the second head to interact with data storage surfaces of the second plurality of lower disks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A data storage device comprising: a stack of data storage disks mounted on a spindle, the stack comprising a first plurality of upper disks and second plurality of lower disks; a first arm movably attached to an actuator shaft, the first arm having a first head end that supports a first head, the first arm configured to move along a first portion of the actuator shaft to enable the first head to interact with data storage surfaces of the first plurality of upper disks, and wherein the first arm comprises a socket on a second end of the first arm that is opposite the first head end; a plurality of locks configured to retain the first arm in a selected one of a corresponding plurality of positions relative to the first portion of the actuator shaft by engaging the socket; and a second arm movably attached to the actuator shaft, the second arm having a second head end that supports a second head, the second arm configured to move along a second portion of the actuator shaft, independently of the first arm, to enable the second head to interact with data storage surfaces of the second plurality of lower disks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1 wherein each of the first portion of the actuator shaft and the second portion of the actuator shaft is parallel to the spindle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1 comprising a first linear shaft motor configured to move the first arm along the first portion of the actuator shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The data storage device of claim 3 comprising a second linear shaft motor configured to move the second arm along the second portion of the actuator shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1 comprising a pivot bearing between the first arm and the first portion of the actuator shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1 comprising two plates disposed at opposite ends of the first portion of the actuator shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1 comprising: a holder connected to the first portion of the actuator shaft; and wherein at least one of the plurality of locks comprises a peg configured to extend through an aperture of the holder and into the socket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The data storage device of claim 7 wherein the at least one of the plurality of locks comprises an electromagnetic coil configured to retract the peg from the socket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The data storage device of claim 7 comprising a helical spring configured to bias the peg into the socket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The data storage device of claim 7 wherein the plurality of locks are spaced along the holder at positions corresponding to the first plurality of upper disks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The data storage device of claim 1, comprising a movable ramp that is configured to move in unison with the first arm in a z direction parallel to the first portion of the actuator shaft. ### Claim 12 A data storage device comprising: a stack of a plurality of data storage disks, the stack comprising a first read/write surface defining an x-y plane and a second read/write surface parallel to the first read/write surface; a first actuator shaft and a second actuator shaft aligned end-to-end and having a common longitudinal axis; a first arm movably attached to the first actuator shaft, the first arm having a first head end that is movable relative to the first read/write surface, wherein the first arm comprises a socket on a second end of the first arm that is opposite the head end; a first head supported by the first head end of the first arm, wherein the first head is configured to interact with the first read/write surface; a first linear actuator configured to move the first arm along the first actuator shaft; a plurality of locks configured to retain the first arm in a selected one of a corresponding plurality of positions relative to the first actuator shaft by engaging the socket; a second arm movably attached to the second actuator shaft, the second arm having a second head end that is movable relative to the second read/write surface; a second head supported by the second head end of the second arm, wherein the second head is configured to interact with the second read/write surface; and a second linear actuator configured to move the second arm along the second actuator shaft independently of motion of the first arm along the first actuator shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The data storage device of claim 12 comprising a first rotary actuator configured to pivot the first arm about the first actuator shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The data storage device of claim 13 comprising a second rotary actuator configured to pivot the second arm about the second actuator shaft independently of motion of the first arm about the first actuator shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The data storage device of claim 12 comprising: a holder connected to the first actuator shaft; and wherein at least one of the plurality of locks comprises a peg configured to extend through an aperture of the holder and into the socket.