Abstract: A magnetoelastic sensor. The magnetoelastic sensor uses strain-induced magnetic anisotropy to measure the tension or compression present in a plate. During construction, an annular region of the plate is magnetized with a circumferential magnetization. Magnetic field sensors are placed near this magnetized band at locations where the magnetization direction is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the axis of tension. The strain-induced magnetic anisotropy caused by tension or compression then produces a shift in the magnetization direction in the plate regions near the field sensors, thereby causing magnetic field changes which are detected by the magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors are connected to an electronic circuit which outputs a voltage signal which indicates the tension or compression in the plate.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the state of health of a battery. In particular, the present invention is related to a system and method for determining the state of health of an electrochemical battery cell by obtaining state of charge measurements for the battery cell, and using the state of charge measurements to calculate the state of health of the battery cell, wherein the state of charge measurements are based on the magnetic susceptibility of the battery cell. The system includes a sensing device for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of the battery cell, and a computing device for performing the steps of the disclosed method.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic sensor. The magnetoelastic sensor uses strain-induced magnetic anisotropy to measure the tension or compression present in a plate. During construction, an annular region of the plate is magnetized with a circumferential magnetization. Magnetic field sensors are placed near this magnetized band at locations where the magnetization direction is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the axis of tension. The strain-induced magnetic anisotropy caused by tension or compression then produces a shift in the magnetization direction in the plate regions near the field sensors, thereby causing magnetic field changes which are detected by the magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors are connected to an electronic circuit which outputs a voltage signal which indicates the tension or compression in the plate.

Abstract: A system and method for creating one or more magnetically conditioned regions on a rotatable shaft or disk-shaped torque sensing element, wherein rotation noise produced by the element due to magnetic field variations is substantially negated. Upon magnetization of the torque sensing element, rotation noise produced by the magnetically conditioned region is measured. Adjustment factors are calculated based on the measured rotation noise, and the adjustment factors are used to adjust a magnetic field source during subsequent magnetization of the torque sensing element.

Abstract: A system and method for creating one or more magnetically conditioned regions on a rotatable shaft or disk-shaped torque sensing element, wherein rotation noise produced by the element due to magnetic field variations is substantially negated. Upon magnetization of the torque sensing element, rotation noise produced by the magnetically conditioned region is measured. Adjustment factors are calculated based on the measured rotation noise, and the adjustment factors are used to adjust a magnetic field source during subsequent magnetization of the torque sensing element.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the state of health of a battery. In particular, the present invention is related to a system and method for determining the state of health of an electrochemical battery cell by obtaining state of charge measurements for the battery cell, and using the state of charge measurements to calculate the state of health of the battery cell, wherein the state of charge measurements are based on the magnetic susceptibility of the battery cell. The system includes a sensing device for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of the battery cell, and a computing device for performing the steps of the disclosed method.

Abstract: A tether restraint apparatus may include two folding members, pivotally connected, a tether attachment and two stakes, wherein each folding member may have one of the two stakes pivotally connected and stowable within, and where the stakes may be pivoted outside of the folding members for deployment. The two folding members are operable to be folded together with each folding member having one of the two stakes stowed within, and are further operable to be unfolded to deploy the two stakes by pivoting each of the two stakes outwardly from within the two folding members.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that comprises two folding members, pivotally connected and having a tether attachment; and two stakes, wherein each folding member has one of the two stakes pivotally connected and stowable within, and where the stakes may be pivoted outside of the folding members for deployment. The two folding members are operable to be folded together with each folding member having one of the two stakes stowed within, and are further operable to be unfolded to deploy the two stakes by pivoting each of the two stakes outwardly from within the two folding members.

Abstract: First, second and third pole tip components of a write head are formed with the second pole tip located between the first and third components and a write gap layer located between the first and second pole tip components. The second pole tip is formed with a width that defines a track width of the write head. The third pole tip component is formed with top and bottom surfaces wherein the bottom surface interfaces a top surface of the second pole tip component and has a width equal to the track width and wherein the top surface of the third pole tip has a width greater than the track width.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive read head which reduces electrostatic discharge and allows measurement of gap resistances in the head.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer including an electrically conductive shield (ECS) which is disposed between the substrate and first magnetic shield is described. The ECS is preferably embedded in an insulating undercoat layer. The ECS is preferably electrically isolated from the magnetic sensor element and is externally connected to a ground available in the disk drive through the arm electronics. Two alternative ways for connecting the ECS to a ground are described. In one embodiment which is only effective with single-ended input type arm electronics, the ECS is connected to a ground through a via to a lead pad for the read head which is connected to the ground of the arm electronics. In a second and more preferred embodiment a separate lead pad is included on the head to allow the ECS to be connected to electronic or case ground when the head is installed in the arm. The extent of the ECS should be sufficiently large to cover the read head portion of the transducer, i.e.

Abstract: First, second and third pole tip components of a write head are formed with the second pole tip located between the first and third components and a write gap layer located between the first and second pole tip components. The second pole tip is formed with a width that defines a track width of the write head. The third pole tip component is formed with top and bottom surfaces wherein the bottom surface interfaces a top surface of the second pole tip component and has a width equal to the track width and wherein the top surface of the third pole tip has a width greater than the track width.

Abstract: A first read gap layer has a resistance RG1 between a first shield layer and one of the first and second lead layers of a read head and the second read gap layer has a resistance RG2 between a second shield layer and said one of the first and second lead layers of the read head. A connection is provided via a plurality of resistors between a first node and each of the first and second shield layers wherein the plurality of resistors includes at least first and second resistors RS1 and RS2 and the first node is connected to said one of the first and second lead layers. A second node is located between the first and second resistors RS1 and RS2. An operational amplifier has first and second inputs connected to the first and second nodes respectively so as to be across the first resistor RS1 and has an output connected to the first node for maintaining the first and second nodes at a common voltage potential. In a first embodiment the first and second shield layers are shorted together.

Abstract: First, second and third pole tip components of a write head are formed with the second pole tip located between the first and third components and a write gap layer located between the first and second pole tip components. The second pole tip is formed with a width that defines a track width of the write head. The third pole tip component is formed with top and bottom surfaces wherein the bottom surface interfaces a top surface of the second pole tip component and has a width equal to the track width and wherein the top surface of the third pole tip has a width greater than the track width.

Abstract: A first read gap layer has a resistance RG1 between a first shield layer and one of the first and second lead layers of a read head and the second read gap layer has a resistance RG2 between a second shield layer and said one of the first and second lead layers of the read head. A connection is provided via a plurality of resistors between a first node and each of the first and second shield layers wherein the plurality of resistors includes at least first and second resistors RS1 and RS2 and the first node is connected to said one of the first and second lead layers. A second node is located between the first and second resistors RS1 and RS2. An operational amplifier has first and second inputs connected to the first and second nodes respectively so as to be across the first resistor RS1 and has an output connected to the first node for maintaining the first and second nodes at a common voltage potential. In a first embodiment the first and second shield layers are shorted together.

Abstract: The improved process according to the invention prepares samples for subsequent imaging by directing the FIB beam so that its incident angle is not parallel to the planar boundaries between the materials with different etch rates. This nonparallel alignment has the effect of evening out the etch rate, since most of the key beamlets cut more than one type of material. SEM images of the resulting samples are easier to interpret than those produced by the prior art since the obscuring effect of curtaining is reduced. This allows greater accuracy of measurement from the image obtained by an SEM. A method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is used to prepare a pole piece tip of a magnetic transducer so that the bottom width may be more accurately measured.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic head to solve the curved electrodeposited write gap layer problem by initially fabricating the write gap layer to be wider than the intended final P2 pole tip width. Ion milling the sides of the P2 pole tip structure is then performed to remove the curved outer portions of the write gap layer and to thereby fabricate a P2 pole tip having the desired pole tip width. Specifically, following the electrodepositing of the write gap layer and P2 pole tip thereon, an ion milling step is conducted to remove material from the sidewalls of the P2 pole tip including the write gap layer. The ion milling step is preferably conducted utilizing a broad beam ion milling device that is directed to the surface of the substrate upon which the magnetic heads are being fabricated. Preferably, the ion beam is directed at an angle of approximately 70° away from normal to the substrate surface such that milling of the head side surfaces is efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: A high throughput method for producing the narrow track width inductive head is also provided, whereby the heads may be manufactured in substantial volumes. The new head may be merged or piggy-backed MR or GMR heads, comprising a first pole piece, P1, and a second pole piece, P2, and is distinctly characterized by write track width is significantly reduced by a preliminary ion milling process before P1 notching is performed. The preliminary step utilizes an ion milling process to trim the write track width, P2B, at an angle between 45 to 85 degrees from the wafer normal. The MR head may then undergo conventional P1 notching.

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 process according to the invention prepares samples for subsequent imaging by directing the FIB beam so that its incident angle is not parallel to the planar boundaries between the materials with different etch rates. This nonparallel alignment has the effect of evening out the etch rate, since most of the key beamlets cut more than one type of material. SEM images of the resulting samples are easier to interpret than those produced by the prior art since the obscuring effect of curtaining is reduced. This allows greater accuracy of measurement from the image obtained by an SEM. A method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is used to prepare a pole piece tip of a magnetic transducer so that the bottom width may be more accurately measured.