Abstract: A method and apparatus for a head slider air bearing surface (ABS) in hard disk drives that mitigate fly height deviations. The invention mitigates these problems by providing an ABS of the head slider with elongated asymmetrical features that extend substantially parallel to the direction of the airflow caused by the rotating magnetic disk, in one or both of the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) positions of the head slider with respect to the magnetic disk. The head slider may be produced with a two step etch process, as opposed to a three step etch process. By reducing the number of etching steps, the head slider of the invention can be produced at lower costs and in less time as fewer masks and chamber pump-down steps are required.

Abstract: A slider for use with disk drive data storage devices includes a topography that defines features of the slider. The features facilitate in controlling peak pressure, providing stiffness, and/or inhibiting lubricant accumulation on the slider. For example, the features include an air bearing surface and a cavity disposed in front of the air bearing surface. The cavity is closed on all sides by sidewalls.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a slider designed to reduce fly height sigma. According to one embodiment, a slider includes an air bearing surface, a front shallow step pad, a rear shallow step pad, and rear side pockets. The front shallow step pad and the rear shallow step pad are at a first level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are at a second level deeper than the air bearing surface. The rear side pockets are in close proximity to rear corners of the slider.

Abstract: A method for forming a head gimbal assembly in which the head gimbal assembly and a frame are formed from a continuous piece of laminated material comprised of a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A plurality of electrical lines are formed in the third layer of the head gimbal assembly and a plurality of electrical line extensions are formed in the third layer of the frame. The slider is positioned at an angle to the frame and a plurality of termination pads on the slider are bonded to the electrical lines. The frame is partially separated from the head gimbal assembly and the relative position of the slider to the head gimbal assembly is changed by an amount sufficient to separate the plurality of electrical lines from the plurality of electrical line extensions.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a magnetic read/write slider comprising a load beam, a slider support member and a flexure comprised of a first flexure arm and a second flexure arm. A plurality of electrical conductors extend along the edge of the load beam on the side of the load beam farthest away from the disk hub. The electrical conductors are positioned adjacent to, but outside of, the second flexure arm, so as not to contribute to the stiffness of the second flexure arm. The electrical conductors are comprised of a laminated material which includes a conductor layer, such as a high strength copper alloy, a dielectric layer and a support layer. In another embodiment, the flexure includes a first flexible finger recion and a second flexible finger region.

Abstract: A single piece head gimbal assembly comprised of a load beam, a pair of flexure arms, a slider support member and a plurality of electrical lines. The head gimbal assembly is formed from a laminated material comprised of a support layer, a dielectric layer and a high strength electrically conductive layer. The electrical lines are formed in the high strength electrically conductive layer and extend along the backside of the load beam. The backside surface of a slider is accessible through an aperture formed between the flexure arms and the electrical lines are terminated to the backside of the slider. Alternatively, the electrical lines extend along the backside or frontside of the load beam and are terminated to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A single piece head gimbal assembly comprised of a load beam, a pair of flexure arms, a slider support member and a plurality of electrical lines. The head gimbal assembly is formed from a laminated material comprised of a support layer, a dielectric layer and a high strength electrically conductive layer. The electrical lines are formed in the high strength electrically conductive layer and extend along the backside of the load beam. The backside surface of a slider is accessible through an aperture formed between the flexure arms and the electrical lines are terminated to the backside of the slider. Alternatively, the electrical lines extend along the backside or frontside of the load beam and are terminated to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for use in a magnetic recording disk file comprised of a laminated suspension positioned between an actuator arm and a read/write slider. The laminated suspension is comprised of a conductor layer, a dielectric layer and a support layer. The conductor layer is comprised of a high strength conductive copper alloy selected from the group consisting of Cu--Ni--Si--Mg alloy, Be--Cu--Ni alloy, and Cu--Ti alloy, wherein the conductive layer has a thickness less than or equal to eighteen microns. The dielectric layer is comprised of an electrically insulating material such as a polyimide. The support layer is comprised of a rigid material such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an assembly that has an integrated suspension, actuator arm and actuator coil. At least one actuator coil layer is located in the actuator arm region. The actuator coil layer is mounted to at least one homogeneous support layer which extends between terminal ends of the assembly for supporting all layers. A hole is provided through all layers in the actuator region at a pivot point for receiving an actuator spindle. In some embodiments of the invention, a transducer coil layer may be integrated in the suspension region and may be located in substantially a common plane with the actuator coil layer. The actuator region may be provided with a silicon base which contains integrated processing circuits which are connected to the transducer coil layer. A device may be carried by the assembly for bending the suspension region with respect to the actuator arm region.

Abstract: A flexure for use in a head gimbal assembly comprising a single narrow torsion beam that connects a suspension load beam to a slider support member. The flexure is centered underneath a read/write slider and may be comprised of a laminated material having a conductor layer, a dielectric layer and a support layer. A plurality of electrical leads may be formed in the conductor layer for attachment the slider. The slider is mechanically attached to the slider support member by a first set of solder balls the height of which create a space for accommodating deflections of the flexure and allowing the electrical leads to pass underneath the slider. Electrical connections to the slider are made using a plurality of right angle fillet joints between the slider and a second set of solder balls on the slider support member. The shape of the torsion beam may be varied to yield different levels of stiffness to pitch, roll and yaw movement of the flexure.

Abstract: A system for damping vibrations in the head arm suspension assembly of a magnetic recording disk file comprised of a first and a second laminated suspension member each bonded to a ceramic actuator arm. The arm includes a movable arm tongue which is surrounded on three sides by a channel and includes a first and second cavity. The first suspension member includes a first suspension tongue and the second suspension member includes a second suspension tongue. A first damping element is positioned in the first cavity between the arm tongue and the first suspension tongue. A second damping element is positioned in the second cavity between the arm tongue and the second suspension tongue.

Abstract: A suspension for use in a magnetic disk drive comprised of a flexible load beam and a slider. The flexible load beam is comprised of a two-layer laminate and air bearing structure is formed in one of the layers. Part of the flexible load beam rests on a data storage disk when the disk is not rotating. When the disk begins rotating, the air bearing structure causes the load beam to fly above the surface of the disk at a first flying height. Similarly, when the disk begins rotating, the air bearing surface of the slider causes the slider to fly above the surface of the disk at a second flying height. Typically, the first flying height is about ten times greater than the second flying height.

Abstract: A load beam having an integral flexure for coupling a transducer head in a disk drive assembly. The integral flexure includes a pair of bending bars connected to the main body of the load beam, a floating pad connected to the bending bars, and a dimple formed on the floating pad. A torsion bar connects the floating pad with a bonding pad. The transducer head is adhesively coupled to the bonding pad, and rests upon the dimple. In operation, the dimple provides preload and allows gimbaling along the pitch and roll axis, but yaw movement is substantially prevented by the geometry of the load beam design. The integral flexure has a low profile and will fit within a very small space between closely-spaced disks in a stacked multiple disk drive system.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for use in a magnetic recording disk file comprised of a laminated suspension positioned between an actuator arm and a read/write slider. The laminate is comprised of a copper alloy conductor layer, a polyimide dielectric layer and a stainless steel stiffener layer. A pattern of land areas are etched in the conductor layer and act as constraining areas for the viscoelastic dielectric layer. The constrained layer/constraining layer configuration damps vibrations existing in the suspension system.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for use in a magnetic recording disk file comprised of a laminated suspension positioned between an actuator arm and a read/write slider. The laminate is comprised of a copper alloy conductor layer, a polyimide dielectric layer and a stainless steel stiffener layer. A pattern of land areas are etched in the conductor layer and act as constraining areas for the viscoelastic dielectric layer. The constrained layer/constraining layer configuration damps vibrations existing in the suspension system.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises a load beam and a flexible member. The load beam has an elongated stamped concave section. The flexible member is attached to the load beam such that a portion of the flexible member encloses the concave section of the load beam. The flexure has an aperture with a tongue section. The tongue section is offset by a "v" shaped bend. A transducer assembly is attached to the tongue section.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises a load beam connecting a transducer element to a support member. The load beam has a stiffener member which forms an enclosed interior chamber. The stiffener member adds rigidity to the suspension. The transducer element is connected to the load beam by a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly is comprised of a plurality of thin plate members which are stacked together. The result is a low profile suspension system.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which has integrated suspension and actuator arm regions. At least one actuator coil layer is located in the actuator arm region. The actuator coil layer is mounted to at least one homogeneous support layer which extends between terminal ends of the assembly for supporting all layers. A hole is provided through all layers in the actuator region at a pivot point for receiving an actuator spindle. In some embodiments of the invention, a transducer coil layer may be integrated in the suspension region and may be located in substantially a common plane with the actuator coil layer. The actuator region may be provided with a silicon base which contains integrated processing circuits which are connected to the transducer coil layer. A device may be carried by the assembly for bending the suspension region with respect to the actuator arm region.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises a load beam and a flexible member. The load beam has an elongated stamped concave section. The flexible member is attached to the load beam such that a portion of the flexible member encloses the concave section of the load beam. The flexure has an aperture with a tongue section. The tongue section is offset by a "v" shaped bend. A transducer assembly is attached to the tongue section.

Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.