Abstract: Magnetic disk drive systems and associated methods are described for verifying a spacing between read/write heads on a slider and a magnetic recording disk during end-user operation. An operating power applied to heating elements in the slider controls the spacing due to thermal protrusion. While in end-user operation, the operating power is temporarily increased to a test power to decrease the spacing. The test power is then evaluated to determine if contact between the read/write heads and the magnetic recording disk is detected. If contact is not detected, then the spacing due to the operating power is determined to be adequate. If contact is detected, then the operating power is recalibrated.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drive systems and associated methods are described for verifying a spacing between read/write heads on a slider and a magnetic recording disk during end-user operation. An operating power applied to heating elements in the slider controls the spacing due to thermal protrusion. While in end-user operation, the operating power is temporarily increased to a test power to decrease the spacing. The test power is then evaluated to determine if contact between the read/write heads and the magnetic recording disk is detected. If contact is not detected, then the spacing due to the operating power is determined to be adequate. If contact is detected, then the operating power is recalibrated.

Abstract: A disk drive having a head with a recessed write pole for perpendicular recording to a disk. The head also includes a read element, a first shield and a second shield that share a common plane, and the write pole is recessed relative to the plane, thereby reducing pole tip protrusion.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk for storing information, a head with a transducer that writes data to and reads data from the disk, and an AC power source. The head is suspended adjacent to the disk and a flying height gap exists at the head/disk interface. The AC power source generates an AC exciter signal across the flying height gap that discharges electrostatic charge at the head/disk interface. The head/disk capacitance can be measured based on the AC exciter signal to sense the flying height. The AC exciter signal can also alter an attraction force between the head and the disk and thus control flying height. The AC exciter signal can also be based on a flying height signal representative of the head/disk capacitance and thus the flying height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overwriting data in a disk drive is provided. In one embodiment, a disk drive includes a disk surface and a write head associated therewith. The disk surface has servo information and user data written thereon. The user data is written by the write head. User data is overwritten by sweeping the write head from a first radius on the disk surface to a second radius on the disk surface, while the write head is actively writing.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system having one or more rotating disks is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, each rotating disk has two magnetic surfaces which each contain a number of tracks. Each track has one or more data regions and one or more embedded servo sectors. First and second transducers are respectively suspended over first and second tracks corresponding to first and second magnetic surfaces. The second transducer determines an off-track position with respect to the second track by reading from the data region of the second track. Once the off-track position is determined for the second transducer, that information is used to position the first transducer with respect to the first track and position the second transducer with respect to the second track as the first transducer writes to the first track. Furthermore, the first transducer is positioned at a correction rate that exceeds the rate at which the first transducer encounters embedded servo sectors in the first track.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system capable of separating thermal signals from data signals is disclosed. The magnetic storage system includes a magnetic media and a head associated with the magnetic media. The head includes a magneto-resistive element which is biased by a modulated bias current. The modulated bias current modulates thermal signals to a first frequency and modulates data signals to at least a second frequency. A method of separating thermal signals from data signals read from a magnetic storage media is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a head for reading information from the magnetic storage media, the head having an MR element; and, (2) biasing the MR element with a modulated bias current.

Abstract: A magnetic storage device is disclosed. The magnetic storage device contains a magnetic media. Previously recorded information resides on tracks in the magnetic media. A transducer is used to read information from the magnetic media. The transducer includes a first read element and a second read element. The first and second read elements are both laterally and longitudinally offset from each other. A method of reading information stored on a track of a magnetic media is also disclosed. Information is read from the magnetic media using the first and second read elements to produce respective first and second analog read signals. The first and second analog read signals are an electrical representation of the information previously recorded on the track.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system capable of separating thermal signals from data signals is disclosed. The magnetic storage system includes a magnetic media and a head associated with the magnetic media. The head includes a magneto-resistive element which is biased by a modulated bias current. The modulated bias current modulates thermal signals to a first frequency and modulates data signals to at least a second frequency. A method of separating thermal signals from data signals read from a magnetic storage media is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a head for reading information from the magnetic storage media, the head having an MR element; and, (2) biasing the MR element with a modulated bias current.

Abstract: A contaminant reduction system is shown for a disk drive assembly having a closed interior and slider disk components located therein which would be adversely affected by condensed volatiles generated within the assembly. A Peltier element is located within the closed interior of the disk drive assembly so as to condense volatiles present within the interior at a desired condensation point within the closed interior. A getter material, such as a microporous sintered alumina, is located within the closed interior of the disk drive assembly at the condensation point for permanently trapping and maintaining condensed volatiles which are condensed by the Peltier element.

Abstract: In a magnetic read/write assembly, a removable fusible-link shorts the magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element to minimize electrical current through the MR sensing element during discharge of static electricity. Other magnetic head assembly elements such as the write coil and MR magnetic shields are also shorted using fusible-links. The fusible-link is removable during the assembly process. The existing terminal pads and wires are used to remove the fusible-link.

Abstract: The present invention mounts a contact recording transducer/suspension assembly over a magnetic recording disk such that the rotation of the disk creates an additional dynamic loading to counteract the lift-off forces generated by rotation of the disk. As the rotation rate of the disk is increased and lift-off forces grow, so do the offsetting dynamic loads created by the transducer/suspension assembly. Optionally, the cross section of the transducer/suspension assembly is modified to further improve this dynamic loading effect.The present invention mounts the transducer/suspension assembly in a contact recoding disk file so as to place the assembly in compression once disk rotation is initiated. The assembly is mounted so that the frictional force between the assembly and the disk "pushes" the assembly against its mounting instead of applying a "pulling" force on the assembly.