Stackable linear actuator using embedded coil carriages

A linear actuator system for controllably moving read/write heads in a magnetic disk drive system, said actuator comprising:

• a plurality of plates;
• a carriage positioned to slide between two adjacent ones of said plates and parallel to the opposing surfaces of said adjacent plates;
• said carriage having substantially planar upper and lower surfaces;
• means embedded within said carriage to controllably move said carriage;
• and
• bearing means for supporting said carriage in a plane perpendicular to said opposing surfaces of said adjacent plates as said carriage slides parallel to said opposing surfaces of said plates.

A method of forming a linear actuator having at least one linearly moving carriage, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming each of said at least one carriage with a conductive coil embedded between two thin fiber reinforced outer surfaces to form a thin planar structure;
• slidably positioning each of said at least one carriage between sets of magnets set of magnets includes magnets of opposing polarity each having a plus pole and a minus pole;
• and
• controllably supplying current of differing polarity and magnitudes to move each of said at least one carriage relative to said magnets parallel to the plane of said outer surfaces of said at least one carriage.

A stackable linear actuator comprising:

• carriage means for controllably moving read/write heads radially across disk surfaces, said carriage means having substantially smooth planar upper and lower surfaces;
• support means substantially parallel to and adapted to slidably receive said carriage means, said support means having substantially smooth planar surfaces where it receives said carriage means;
• conductive coil means embedded within said carriage means adapted to receive electric current of controllable magnitude and polarity;
• and
• magnet means embedded within said support means for creating a magnetic flux field to move said carriage means as said current is controllably applied to said conductive coil means.