Abstract: The thin film magnetic head of the present invention includes an improved P2 pole tip/yoke interface structure. The interface structure includes yoke material that is formed in a concave curved shape at the interface between the P2 pole tip and the yoke, such that a right angle interface between the P2 pole tip and the yoke is eliminated. The process for forming the P2 pole tip/yoke interface includes a second CMP polishing step that is performed on the surface of the write head wafer subsequent to the plating of the P2 pole tip thereon, and subsequent to a first CMP step. This second CMP step utilizes a relatively soft polishing pad and an acidic polishing slurry having a pH within the range of approximately 1 to approximately 5, and preferably approximately 2.5.

Abstract: A magnetic head including a dual layer induction coil fabricated by reactive ion etching (RIE) techniques. An etch stop layer and an etchable insulation material layer and an induction coil etching mask are fabricated on a first magnetic pole. Induction coil trenches are thereafter RIE etched into the insulation material to the etch stop layer, and the first induction coil is fabricated into the induction coil trenches. Following a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) step, a second etch stop layer, a second layer of etchable insulation material and a second induction coil etching mask are fabricated. Second induction coil trenches are RIE etched into the second insulation material layer to the second etch stop layer, and a second induction coil is fabricated into the second induction coil trenches. A second CMP step is followed by an insulation layer and the fabrication of a second magnetic pole (P2) upon the insulation layer.

Abstract: The magnetic tape recording head of the present invention is formed with magnetic poles that are comprised of a laminated NiFeN/FeN structure. The method for fabricating the magnetic poles utilizes an additive photolithographic technique including a bilayer liftoff resist. In this fabrication method magnetic pole trenches are formed in the bilayer liftoff resist such that an undercut exists in the liftoff layer. Thereafter, the laminated NiFeN/FeN structure is sputter deposited into the trench, followed by the wet chemical removal of the bilayer resist.

Abstract: The hard disk drive of the present invention includes a magnetic head wherein the magnetic shields of the read head portion of the magnetic head are magnetically stabilized. Each magnetic shield is preferably fabricated as a laminated structure including a plurality of ferromagnetic material layers that are separated by spacer layers composed of a nonmagnetic material. In the preferred embodiment, the spacer layer is preferably composed of ruthenium, and the magnetic fields of the adjacent ferromagnetic layers are oppositely directed, whereby the magnetic fields within the adjacent ferromagnetic layers become antiparallel coupled. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes NiFe ferromagnetic layers, having an alternating thickness of approximately 600 Åand approximately 100 Å, that are separated by a ruthenium spacer layer having a thickness of approximately 8 Å, such that a net magnetic moment is created within the antiparallel coupled laminated structure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises formulations for stripping wafer residues which originate from a halogen based plasma metal etching followed by oxygen plasma ashing. The formulations contain the following general components (percentages are by weight): Boric Acid  2-17% Organic amine or mixture of amines 35-70% Water 20-45% Glycol solvent (optional)  0-5% Chelating agent (optional)  0-17% The preferred amines are: Monoethanolamine (MEA) Triethanolamine (TEA).

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is a read/write head for writing information to magnetic media and reading information from magnetic media. It includes a write head element for writing information onto magnetic media, a read head element for reading information from the magnetic media, and an electromagnetic field shield element that is disposed between the write head element and the read head element. The shield functions to shield the read head from electromagnetic field energy created by the write head element. An enhanced second embodiment includes an electrical circuit element that is disposed proximate the read head element that functions to generate an electromagnetic field at the read head element that is generally oppositely directed to the electromagnetic field generated by the write head element to reduce the total electromagnetic field that the read head element is exposed to during a writing operation.

Abstract: To protect the MR read head element from ESD damage during wafer level manufacturing, a lead from the MR element is electrically connected to one or both of the read head element shields during manufacturing. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection is fabricated in the kerf area between adjacent magnetic heads as they are fabricated upon a wafer substrate. Thereafter, when the magnetic heads are separated by saw cutting through the kerf areas, the electrical connections are thereby removed, such that the MR element electrical leads and the shields are electrically isolated. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the shields, as well as the MR element leads can also be electrically connected to the substrate upon which the magnetic head is fabricated.

Abstract: The improved musical string includes a prior art core wire assembly including a core wire and a terminal end. The cover wire has an end portion that is bent around the terminal end portion of the core wire, and the cover wire is then wound the core wire to form the musical string. The improved cover wire winding machine includes a headstock with a rotatable spindle and a core wire terminal end mounting hook. A cover wire mounting sleeve is slidably and rotatably engaged to the spindle and functions to mechanically engage an end of the cover wire and to bend it into engagement with the core wire terminal end following engagement, the cover wire is wound around the core wire to produce the improved musical string.

Abstract: The mounting bracket of the present invention includes an integrally molded head portion and article attachment portion that are formed of a flexible plastic material. The head portion is shaped for insertion into a cavity that is molded into an EPS article of manufacture such as a bicycle helmet. The flexible plastic head portion expands upon insertion into the cavity, such that it engages sidewall portions of the cavity and resists pulling forces that tend to remove it from the cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the head portion is generally shaped like a ladder, having two side rails and a plurality of rung members disposed therebetween. The cavity formed within the EPS foam is shaped to receive the head portion in a collapsed configuration. After the collapsed head portion is inserted within the cavity, it expands such that the outer surfaces of the side rails are pressed against sidewall surfaces of the cavity.

Abstract: The thin film magnetic disk of the present invention includes a non-metallic substrate having a seed layer deposited on the substrate, an underlayer deposited upon the seed layer composed of a chromium alloy having a relatively high oxygen concentration portion of from 2,000 ppm to 20,000 ppm and preferably approximately 4,000 ppm to 12,000 ppm, followed by a relatively low oxygen concentration portion of from 0-2,000 ppm, and preferably from 500 ppm to 1,500 ppm and a magnetic layer that is deposited upon the underlayer. The underlayer total thickness is in the range of from approximately 250 Å to approximately 700 Å with a preferred thickness of approximately 450 Å, wherein approximately half of the underlayer thickness is the high oxygen concentration portion and half is the low oxygen concentration portion.

Abstract: The method for testing burnishing tape includes placing the tape on a backing surface and applying a force normal to the abrasive surface of the tape in a localized area of the tape surface. Thereafter, an increasing pulling force is applied to the end of the tape up to a point where the tape moves under the effect of the normal force. Through prior burnishing tape product testing a known normal force N is determined and a delamination pulling force D is likewise determined, such that a burnishing tape can be said to be defective where it is placed under a normal force N and the pulling force required to move it is less than the delamination pulling force D. The values of N and D are determinable for different types of burnishing tape and thereafter utilizable to test further quantities of similar burnishing tape.

Abstract: The present invention is a read/write head for writing information to magnetic media and reading information from magnetic media. It includes a write head for writing information onto magnetic media, a read head for reading information from the magnetic media, and an electrical circuit element that is disposed proximate the read head that functions to generate an electromagnetic field at the read head that is generally oppositely directed to the electromagnetic field generated by the write head. The method for operating the read/write head in a hard disk drive, includes the steps of writing data onto a hard disk, while simultaneously generating an electromagnetic field at the read head that is directed oppositely to the electromagnetic field generated by the write head.

Abstract: A method is described for storing data on a target track of a recordable medium in a storage device via a magnetic write head therein. The storage device has an operating parameter having an operational range with extreme at which the writing of data to said device is prohibited. A first threshold within said range is defined and proximate said first extreme and delimits a first operational subrange. The method including the steps of: monitoring said operating parameter; and determining whether the monitored parameter lies within said first subrange and if so, performing a first predetermined operation to compensate for deleterious effects on data storage caused thereby.

Abstract: A report navigation method (30a) operating in conjunction with a report generating and viewing method (10) for viewing and navigating between reports (72, 72a) over the internet (16). A request from a browser (14) is sent to a server (12) whereupon a generate reports program (38) in a server (12) creates an intermediate file (44) containing all the necessary data and metadata. When a request from the browser (14) to view the report (72) is sent, a view reports program (60) in the server (12) minimally parses the intermediate file (44) and sends a menu (66) to the browser (14). The user then selects a report from the menu (66) and the server (12) sends the report (72) to the browser (14). URLs (67) are dynamically updated to reflect newly parsed data and further to reflect activity within the method.

Abstract: A method for controlling the laser texturing of a magnetic disk by using a texturing laser system to create texturing bumps and an analyzing laser system to determine texture bump height and to provide feedback to the texturing laser system. From an angular distribution of an array of diffracted light intensities of the texturing bumps, the intensity of a first diffraction peak (Int1) and its array position (P1) are determined and utilized to calculate the average bump height h according to the equation: h=A/P1+B(Int1)+C where A, B and C are constants that are determined for a batch of disks by taking a representative sample of disks and texturing them with differing laser energies within the energy level range.

Abstract: The magnetic writing head of the present invention includes a P2 pole tip having a novel profile. This profile, as viewed from the air bearing surface (ABS) can generally be described an hour glass shape in that the minimum width of the pole tip is disposed away from the base of the P2 pole tip. The negative profile results in a significant reduction in magnetic side writing that emanates from the write head. A novel method for producing the negative profiled pole tip involves control of the photoresist processing parameters and pole tip plating parameters. Specifically, the photoresist is baked at particular temperatures for particular periods of time, such that the cross linking within the photoresist is produced to the extent that the photoresist will controllably swell during the plating operation. The result is that as the P2 pole tip is plated, the photoresist swells to cause the negative profile along the thickness of the pole tip.

Abstract: An air bearing slider embodiment of the present invention includes a body portion having an air bearing surface (ABS) side and a flexure surface side. The ABS side has at least one air bearing surface and at least one recessed area. A thin film composed of a compressive force material is deposited within the recessed area. The compressive force material produces an omnidirectional outward force within the recessed area that creates a positive crown and camber. Preferably, the thin film has a thickness range from 10 nm to 200 nm, and is composed of diamond-like carbon (DLC). An alternative air bearing slider includes a body portion with an ABS side and a flexure surface side. A thin film composed of a tensile force material is deposited upon said flexure side. The tensile force material creates an onmidirectional inward force on the flexure side which results in positive crown and camber. The manufacturing method for the improved sliders utilizes semiconductor processing techniques.

Abstract: The fluid pump of the present invention includes an upper enclosure for holding fluid (typically a liquid) from a fluid input source, and a lower enclosure for outputting the fluid to an output line. A first valve (a) controls the fluid input flow into the upper enclosure. A second valve (b) is engaged in a line between the upper enclosure and the lower enclosure to control the fluid flow from the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure. A second fluid input line is engaged to the lower enclosure to input a second fluid (typically a pressurized gas) into the lower enclosure, and a third valve (d) is engaged in a line between the lower enclosure and upper enclosure to control the flow of the second fluid into the second enclosure. A fourth valve (c) is engaged in a fluid output line to control the flow of the second fluid out of the upper enclosure. In the preferred embodiments, each of valves a, b, c and d is controlled by an automated pump system controller.

Abstract: A method and system is provided where once the disk array subsystem has been initialized and mapped, addition and deletion of logical drives will be made without interruption to system operation. In adding a logical device, a method is provided to determine the amount of space required in adding the new logical device and the amount of physical space available for such operation. In adding such a new logical device, the data of the new logical device may be placed anywhere on the physical drives. In deleting a logical device, the space made available when deleting the data of the logical device creates a physical gap to the original mapping where the gap could be filled by subsequent additions of new logical devices. Once a new mapping is determined, the mapping is sent to the adapters and device controllers to update the mapping information available to the adapters and the device controllers in order for the adapters and the device controllers to properly address data in the disk array subsystem.