Abstract: An integrated suspension system for supporting a magnetic read/write slider comprising a load beam for supporting a slider, a flexure for connecting the load beam to a slider, the flexure including a bonding area upon which the slider is attached, a tip platform supporting the slider read/write element terminations, and a hinge-like compliance member for flexibly connecting the tip platform and the bonding area. The flexure further includes a pair of flexure legs which substantially enclose the slider bonding area, and a pair of tabs extend perpendicular from the flexure legs to support conductive elements electrically connecting the magnetic read/write slider to the disk drive controlling electronics.

Abstract: A data storage device for a computer system, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), provides means for channeling air flow from the spinning disks to other components within the HDD enclosure that require cooling, particularly a voice coil motor having a coil which is used to move an actuator assembly. Channeling may be provided by forming a slot or gap in the disk cavity wall, or by providing an insert part which has a channel formed therein that directs air flow to the VCM coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides system managed buffering within a data storage system. In a preferred embodiment, when a user or application program makes an I/O request, the data storage system passes control to system managed buffering. System managed buffering queries the user or application request to see how the user/application will be reading or writing the data. Based on the intended use, the system and method disclosed herein allocates the buffers for the user or application based on the intended access to the data, the file size and optionally, the storage device attributes. Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, the system and method provide for continuous improvement over the previous buffer allocations.

Abstract: The invention is several alternative means of differentiating head/gimbal assemblies that share a common arm. The alternative means are for at least one of the assemblies that shares a common arm (1) using a different design; (2) varying the length from the mounting section to the slider; (3) changing the shape of the spring section; (4) varying the use and shape of raised flanges; (5) varying the use and shape of stiffeners; (6) using different openings (i.e., cut away portions); (7) using different formed features; (8) using various mass appendages; and (9) using a varying pattern of adhesive or glue dots.

Abstract: In a computer system having a processor, memory, and a set of storage units storing a set of objects, each object comprising a set of segments arranged in a set of original object stripes on separate storage units, a directory is maintained identifying an object name and a location of each stripe of the object in the set of storage units. A method is provided for re-striping the set of objects onto an expanded set of storage units comprising the set of storage units and at least one other additional storage unit. A list is maintained of each object to be copied onto the expanded set of storage units. Each segment is copied to a new set of stripes on a separate storage unit of the expanded set to create a new object while continuing to store an original copy of each segment of the list object in the original set of object stripes. The directory is updated to include a new object name and a new location of each new stripe of the new object.

Abstract: A data storage system is provided having a faster data transfer rate and reduced complexity though improved control of timing. The data storage system has a plurality of storage devices and a plurality of data buses through which data are transferred. An input/output unit interleaves a plurality of data between an interface and the plurality of data buses while transferring data. A first and a second latch unit, serially connected between the storage devices and the data bus, retain data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping actuator flex cable vibrations in a disk drive during actuator seek operations to improve disk drive performance. The actuator flex cable loop includes a damping element inserted in the J-block area of the actuator arm. The damping element can be foam, rubber, encapsulated visco-elastic material, spring clip supports or extensions of the cable support brackets. The damping element damps the vibrations of the dynamic loop of the actuator flex cable between the actuator assembly and the arm electronic bracket fixed to the disk drive housing. Decreasing the amplitude of vibrations coupled to the actuator assembly results in improved arrival performance of the disk drive during seek operations.

Abstract: A limit stop for a magnetic storage system having a combination of visco elastic inner core and a thin walled outer shell enclosing the visco-elastic material, and a method of manufacturing the same. The thin wall is hermetically sealed to isolate the inner core material and eliminate the possibility of contamination to the disk drive interior. The visco-elastic inner core has the properties of very good energy dissipation, while the outer shell provides high dimensional control and stability.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a magnetic storage system wherein the end arms are dynamically tuned to reduce the modes of vibration on the actuator to improve the performance and stability of the actuator assembly in the magnetic storage system. In one embodiment, the upper and lower outer arms of the actuator assembly are thinned in the same or similar locations. In another embodiment, the upper and lower outer arms of the actuator assembly are notched at high strain energy points to reduce the stiffness of the outer arms. In still another embodiment, the upper and lower outer arms of the actuator assembly are both notched and thinned at the same or similar locations.

Abstract: A head load/unload and airflow control apparatus for a disk stack is disclosed. Load/unload cams protrude into the OD of the disk stack for guiding the heads away from the corresponding disks during unloading and ramping the heads toward the corresponding disk during loading. Airflow vanes, each in the same plane and radially proximate to the outer edges of the corresponding disks are provided to limit airflow turbulence at the edge of the disks. Each airflow vane supports corresponding load/unload cams. A shroud supports the vanes and extends axially of the disk stack to limit airflow from the disks. The load/unload cams, airflow vanes and shroud may comprise a single element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating parity in a data storage system. The data storage system includes two or more storage devices having data stored therein, two or more data buses through which the data is transferred, and a selector located between the storage devices and the buses which selectively connects the storage devices and the data buses by a predetermined combination. The selector further includes the capability of calculating parity operations such as an XOR operation. The selector performs the parity operations to logically combine data transferred through the selector between the data buses and the storage devices to produce parity data on the combined data transferred so as to reduce the data transfers over the data bus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an array controller for controlling the transfer of data from a host system to an array of data storage devices, comprising a processor connected via a local bus to a data buffer in which data is staged during said transfer. The array controller is provided with a buffer controller for controlling the operation of the buffer and is further provided with channel hardware for manifesting a plurality of data channels, selectable by the local bus address, over which data is transferred in and out of the data buffer.

Abstract: An integrated suspension for a slider in a magnetic storage system has a simplified structure that is relatively easy to manufacture. The novel integrated suspension may be assembled from separate pieces, including a load beam, a flexure and a mounting plate. The load beam provides rigid structural support of the flexure. The flexure includes a flexible member and leads integrally formed thereon. A section of the flexible member is fixedly attached to the load member, and another section having the slider mounted thereon presses against a pivot projection in the load beam for gimbal motions. An interlocking structure is provided to limit the extent of gimbal motions of the flexible member, comprising a tab extending from the flexible member into an aperture in the load beam. Alternatively, a tang is formed in the flexible member which is used to form a clip which serves to limit gimbal motions as it interacts with the load beam.

Abstract: A system is provided for improving the speed for writing data in a disk array system. The disk array system includes a solid state disk storage device configured with semiconductor flash memory to sequentially store the parity for the disk array. The solid state disk storage device allows data sectors to be assigned sequentially in a cluster consisting of a set of blocks. Each block is a physical unit of erasure. Write operations for a plurality of sectors are written across the set of blocks in the cluster.

Abstract: An etched, lubricated swage ball for use in swaging a head gimbal assembly to an actuator arm in a magnetic disk drive, and a method for making the same. The present invention discloses a lubricating system for swage balls used in a disk drive system which is free from transferrable aluminum oxide, other hard materials or excess solid lubricant which could be deposited on the clean disk surface during operation. The swage balls are first pretreated by cleaning and then etching to remove residual alumina from the surface of the swage balls. The cleaned, etched swage balls are then lubricated in a fluorocarbon lubricating system, thereby producing an etched, lubricated swage ball which is cleaner than that found in the prior art.

Abstract: An interlocking disk apparatus for preventing disk slip in a disk stack of a magnetic or optical disk drive is provided. A textured region within the inner diameter of the disks in the disk stack is forced in tight contact with a conformable adjacent surface, such as a spacer ring, clamp plate, and/or hub flange. The textures on the disks penetrate into and/or through the conformal coatings on the adjacent surfaces, resulting in mechanical interlock that inhibits in-plane displacements of the disks from shock and generally improving interfacial contact of the surfaces within the disk stack, thus requiring lower clamping pressures to the disk stack and resulting in greater disk flatness and minimizing disk distortion. Electrostatic Discharge within the disk stack is prevented by diffusing conductive materials into the polymer conformal coating to increase its electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral magnetic head suspension and method for making the same. The integral suspension, with or without the head, contains integrated conductive circuits that have multiple cross overs for noise reduction. The suspension is fabricated completely on silicon (Si) wafers using semiconductor processes. A N+ silicon layer is disposed over a P- silicon wafer. The N+ silicon layer and the P- silicon water are thermally oxidized to generate a bottom silicon oxide layer opposite the N+ layer side of the wafer and a top silicon oxide layer on the N+ side of the wafer, and to drive the N+ silicon into the P- silicon wafer. A layer of polysilicon is disposed over the silicon oxide layer on top of the N+ silicon layer. One or more pairs of conductive traces having multiple cross-overs are fabricated on the layer of polysilicon. Optimally, a magnetic head is simultaneously fabricated on the suspension.

Abstract: A load/unload mechanism for magnetic disks is described which allows the magnetic heads of a disk drive to be loaded and unloaded at highest possible speed in a secure manner and without collision with the surface of the disk. The slider is lifted off directly in the vicinity of the flexure without causing abrasion between the suspension of the slider and the load/unload element.

Abstract: A limit stop for magnetic storage disk drive systems comprising a spring portion and a mount portion. The spring portion is a single piece molded structure that is preloaded against a precision machined surface on the mount portion during assembly. The preloaded spring feature provides good energy absorption characteristics to reduce the limit stop deflection during actuator contact. The precision machined surface on the mount portion accurately determines the limit stop position, thereby reducing tolerance requirements on the spring portion.

Abstract: A wear indicator is incorporated on the slider of a magnetic transducer in a magnetic storage system for in operation on-the-fly detection of the state of wear of the transducer. The wear indicator involves monitoring a change in an electrical property of an electrical circuit structure as the transducer is worn by abrasion against the magnetic disk medium. In one aspect of the present invention, the resistance (or conductance) of the circuit is monitored during disk drive operations. Part of the resistance (conductance) circuit structure is mounted on the slider and it is physically worn along with the wearing of the transducer. A predetermined change in resistance (or conductance) gives an indication of the predetermined wear limit at which the transducer should be replaced prior to its actual failure. In a specific embodiment, the circuit is configured such that an open circuit (infinite resistance or zero conductance) indicates that the wear limit has been reached.