Abstract: In one implementation, a method and apparatus is provided for determining an active fly height setting for a transducer head from samples collected from a proximity sensor during less than a single revolution of a disc. Implementations of the method and system use adaptive discrete wavelet transform parameters generated from the collected samples to determine an active fly height setting for a transducer head.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method and apparatus is provided for determining an active fly height setting for a transducer head from samples collected from a proximity sensor during less than a single revolution of a disc. Implementations of the method and system use adaptive discrete wavelet transform parameters generated from the collected samples to determine an active fly height setting for a transducer head.

Abstract: Bases for data storage systems are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bases are used in hard disc drives. Some embodiments include particle diverters. Certain embodiments of the particle diverters include a particle diverter opening adjacent to an actuator region of a hard disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus including a cantilevered head assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control device to control flow proximate to the cantilevered head assembly. In one embodiment, the flow control device includes a blower assembly coupleable to a pressure source and/or vacuum assembly to limit flow disturbances proximate to the cantilevered head assembly.

Abstract: A data storage system is provided. The data storage system has an enclosure with at least one disc rotating about a central axis and having a corresponding airflow. The airflow is subject to contamination by particles. A particle deposition surface is located inside the enclosure of the data storage system having a surface roughness of at least 30-microns. The particles contaminating the airflow are deposited on the particle deposition surface.

Abstract: The disc drive housing encloses a spindle motor carrying a disc having a data surface. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm carrying a head. The housing includes a first surface portion adjacent to the data surface of the disc. The housing also includes a plurality of surface portions that define a recess, which allows the actuator arm to move over the data surface of the disc. The plurality of surface portions include a sloped surface portion sloping away from the data surface and preventing wind generated by the disc rotating about an axis from separating from the sloped surface portion. Alternatively, a disc drive includes a housing that defines a recess. The housing encloses a disc mounted on a spindle motor that rotates the disc about an axis and thereby generates wind within the housing. An upstream surface portion and a downstream surface portion of the housing both face toward a data surface of the disc.

Abstract: A suspension for supporting a head slider over a media surface. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate interface region, and a base plate. The load beam has a proximal end, a distal end and longitudinal centerline. A localized stiffening portion is raised above the load beam, and is connected to the load beam by rounded side edges. The base plate interface region is coupled to a proximal end of the load beam, and provides a pre-load bend. Finally, base plate is coupled to the base plate interface region such that the base plate is coupled to a side of the base plate interface region that is opposite the media surface.

Abstract: A servo track writing apparatus for recording servo information or patterns on a disc or discs for a data storage device is disclosed. The servo track writing apparatus includes a shroud proximate to and downstream of a cantilevered head assembly to limit DC wander for writing servo information to disc or discs. In particular, the shroud is position in an operating zone or sector of the cantilevered head assembly or between an air dam and stripper of a servo track writing apparatus.

Abstract: An airstream conditioning apparatus for a data storage device employing a spinning data storage disc and an actuator operatively interfacing in a data reading and writing relationship. The apparatus comprises an airstream stripper downstream of the actuator with respect to the direction of air currents generated by the spinning discs. The airstream stripper comprises a vane extending substantially radially from an outer radial portion to an inner radial portion of the data storage disc and adjacent the data storage surface. The vane is disposed substantially transverse to the actuator distal end along the radial path of actuator travel across the data disc.

Abstract: An aerodynamic slider has at least one side surface that is continuously curved between the leading and trailing surfaces to substantially eliminate off-track forces on the side surface due to changing skew orientations. A slider profile is modeled, and a numerical simulation of airflow on the modeled profile is generated for each of a plurality of skew orientations within a range of skew orientations at which the slider will fly. The modeled slider profile is repeatedly adjusted based on the numerical simulations until a vibration analysis on the modeled profile indicates vibration does not exceed a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base and supporting a slider and a transducer at a distal end thereof. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near an arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. Surfaces are aligned with and extend in a coplanar relationship with the disc to transfer an outwardly directed airflow away from the disc without impinging turbulent flow on or at the disc edge.

Abstract: An apparatus including a cantilevered head assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control device to control flow proximate to the cantilevered head assembly. In one embodiment, the flow control device includes a blower assembly coupleable to a pressure source and/or vacuum assembly to limit flow disturbances proximate to the cantilevered head assembly.

Abstract: A data storage system is provided. The data storage system has an enclosure with at least one disc rotating about a central axis and having a corresponding airflow. The airflow is subject to contamination by particles. A particle deposition surface is located inside the enclosure of the data storage system having a surface roughness of at least 30-microns. The particles contaminating the airflow are deposited on the particle deposition surface.

Abstract: A servo track writing apparatus for recording servo information or patterns on a disc or discs for a data storage device is disclosed. The servo track writing apparatus includes a shroud proximate to and downstream of a cantilevered head assembly to limit DC wander for writing servo information to disc or discs. In particular, the shroud is position in an operating zone or sector of the cantilevered head assembly or between an air dam and stripper of a servo track writing apparatus.

Abstract: An airstream conditioning apparatus for a data storage device. The data storage device has an enclosure supporting a spinning data disc and an actuator operably interfacing with the data disc in a data transfer relationship. The apparatus comprises a shroud supportable in the enclosure only downstream of the actuator with respect to air currents generated by the spinning disc. The shroud furthermore comprises a fin extending from the shroud in planar alignment with the disc.

Abstract: An air current diverting apparatus for a data storage device having a rotating data storage medium in operable relation with an actuator assembly reading data from and writing data to the data storage medium. The air current diverting apparatus has an aerodynamic shroud comprising a base having a first end attachable to the actuator assembly, an upstream surface extending upstream of the actuator assembly, and a downstream surface extending downstream of the actuator assembly and substantially non-parallel to the upstream surface.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including at least one actuator arm to position a head for read/write operations. The actuator assembly includes a tapered or profiled transition zone proximate to the cantilevered end of the actuator arm to provide a tapered flow transition between the actuator arm and a suspension assembly coupled to the actuator arm and having the head coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the tapered or profiled transition zone includes converging surfaces to provide the tapered flow transition between the actuator arm and suspension assemblies coupled thereto.

Abstract: A suspension for supporting a head slider over a media surface. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate interface region, and a base plate. The load beam has a proximal end, a distal end and longitudinal centerline. A localized stiffening portion is raised above the load beam, and is connected to the load beam by rounded side edges. The base plate interface region is coupled to a proximal end of the load beam, and provides a pre-load bend. Finally, base plate is coupled to the base plate interface region such that the base plate is coupled to a side of the base plate interface region that is opposite the media surface.

Abstract: An aerodynamic slider has at least one side surface that is continuously curved between the leading and trailing surfaces to substantially eliminate off-track forces on the side surface due to changing skew orientations. A slider profile is modeled, and a numerical simulation of airflow on the modeled profile is generated for each of a plurality of skew orientations within a range of skew orientations at which the slider will fly. The modeled slider profile is repeatedly adjusted based on the numerical simulations until a vibration analysis on the modeled profile indicates vibration does not exceed a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: The disc drive housing encloses a spindle motor carrying a disc having a data surface. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm carrying a head. The housing includes a first surface portion adjacent to the data surface of the disc. The housing also includes a plurality of surface portions that define a recess, which allows the actuator arm to move over the data surface of the disc. The plurality of surface portions include a sloped surface portion sloping away from the data surface and preventing wind generated by the disc rotating about an axis from separating from the sloped surface portion. Alternatively, a disc drive includes a housing that defines a recess. The housing encloses a disc mounted on a spindle motor that rotates the disc about an axis and thereby generates wind within the housing. An upstream surface portion and a downstream surface portion of the housing both face toward a data surface of the disc.