Abstract: A glass substrate and method for making the substrate. A sheet of glass is formed by floating molten glass on a molten material such as tin. The sheet is cut into smaller pieces which are then cut into circular blanks. An inner opening is formed in the blank. Other steps such as sizing cuts and chamfering of the inner and outer diameter may be performed. The blanks are ground or polished only a minimal amount or are not ground or polished, thus providing for economical manufacture. Various cleaning and chemical treatment steps may also be performed.

Abstract: A disk drive power manager that compares energy usage with a predetermined profile to select one of several reduced-power operating modes. An energy usage register is updated at regular intervals according to the energy used during each time interval. An attenuated average energy usage value is obtained by attenuating the energy usage measures over time and integrating the results. The average energy level is compared with several predetermined energy threshold profiles to select a full- or reduced-power operating mode. Operating mode selection automatically adapts to the usage pattern to optimally balance power consumption with operational accessibility.

Abstract: A disk drive power manager that compares energy usage with a predetermined profile to select one of several reduced-power operating modes. An energy usage register is updated at regular intervals according to the energy used during each time interval. An attenuated average energy usage value is obtained by attenuating the energy usage measures over time and integrating the results. The average energy level is compared with several predetermined energy threshold profiles to select a full- or reduced-power operating mode. Operating mode selection automatically adapts to the usage pattern to optimally balance power consumption with operational accessibility.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive (MR) sensor in a magnetic read/write transducer is protected against the effects of electrical overstress and electrostatic discharge during the manufacture and assembly of a magnetic storage system. The conductive leads of a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element are shorted together to provide a low resistance, conductive path bypassing the MR element and minimizing electrical current through the MR sensing element during discharge of static electrical charge. The MR sensor lead terminal pads provided on the transducer/slider surface are shorted together by soldering. The other transducer elements such as the MR magnetic shields, the inductive coil and the inductive magnetic yoke structure can also be shorted to the MR sensor leads by soldering together the lead terminal pads at the slider surface. Alternatively, a twisted conductor pair may be used to short the MR terminals together.

Abstract: A disk drive power manager that compares energy usage with a predetermined profile to select one of several reduced-power operating modes. An energy usage register is updated at regular intervals according to the energy used during each time interval. An attenuated average energy usage value is obtained by attenuating the energy usage measures over time and integrating the results. The average energy level is compared with several predetermined energy threshold profiles to select a full- or reduced-power operating mode. Operating mode selection automatically adapts to the usage pattern to optimally balance power consumption with operational accessibility.

Abstract: An integral combination magnetic transducer and suspension assembly suitable for use in both contact recording and in winchester-type applications is described. A generally rectangular elongated flat suspension member includes a vertical-type inductive read/write transducer formed integrally with the suspension member and is embedded in one end of the suspension member. The vertical inductive transducer is suitable for vertical recording applications. The transducer vertical magnetic pole tip and magnetic yoke structure are formed at one end of the suspension member with the vertical pole tip extending to and exposed at a air bearing surface formed on the lower surface of a slider-shaped protrusion extending from the lower surface of the end of the suspension member. The integral transducer/suspension assembly can be adapted for either flying above the recording media or for use in continuous contact with the recording media. The air bearing surface is formed on the lower surface of a wear pad.

Abstract: High density magnetic disk storage and semiconductor module technologies are combined to provide a disk drive using a standard multilayer ceramic substrate as the disk drive base support member to support spindle and actuator assemblies including 1 inch diameter disks. The ceramic substrate has components and very large scale integration (VLSI) chips mounted directly thereon to avoid use of one level of packaging and presents standard pins to mount the drive using standard sockets to afford economy and reliability.

Abstract: The method for making a shielded magnetoresistive (MR) sensor in which the first shield is made of sendust and the second shield is made of permalloy. The method comprises the stages of depositing a layer of sendust to form a first shield; heat treating the sendust layer at a temperature greater than 400.degree. C.; depositing a first electrically insulating layer; depositing, in the presence of a magnetic field, a MR layer; depositing a second layer of electrically insulating material; and, depositing a layer of permalloy to form the second shield.

Abstract: A chip carrier system for supporting electronic semiconductor chips is provided with a matched coefficient of thermal expansion as well as a high value of capacitance. The carrier provides both mechanical and electrical connections to the chip. A small sized interposer for a silicon chip possesses high capacitance. An array of dot capacitors is formed between laminated layers of ceramic material. In some cases, conductive surfaces are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a thin film of ceramic material in which dielectric bodies are interspersed in an array of openings therein. The resultant ceramic dielectric combination has a coefficient of thermal expansion which matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon chip and the substrate thereby relieving stress upon the solder ball joints between the interposer and both the chip and the substrate. This minimizes the mechanical stress upon the solder ball joints during thermal cycling of the structure.

Abstract: A module carrying microcircuit LSI chips includes stacks of parallel ceramic sheets carrying thin capacitor plates laminated in a ceramic structure in which the capacitor plates either serve (1) as the power distribution conductors known as power planes or (2) are connected to power conducting vias which pass through the capacitor plates. Those vias connect to the appropriate capacitor plates electrically, thereby locating the capacitance required as close as possible to the solder bonds between the chips and the carrier. Stacks of laminated ceramic capacitors serving as power planes can be inserted into slots in laminated ceramic sheets providing the first arrangement above. Signal vias are provided about the periphery of the power planes. A highly parallel distribution of current is provided by means of horizontal power conducting straps which reduce voltage fluctuations, electrical resistance, and current per via.

Abstract: A laminated conductor includes a lower thin film of nickel-X alloy or pseudo alloy deposited upon a substrate containing silicon or upon a substrate intended for use as a magnetic bubble storage device. Upon the film of nickel-X alloy, a thicker film of gold is deposited as the conductive portion of the conductor. On the upper surface of the gold layer is deposited a thin film of nickel-X alloy. Failure of the conductor because of electromigration is reduced dramatically as compared with use of molybdenum instead of nickel in the laminated structure. The nonmagnetic nickel-X alloy does not interfere with magnetic fields or produce unwanted magnetic fields.