Abstract: A microactuator suspension supports a slider. The microactuator suspension has at least a first resilient support extending from a slider attachment pad to a suspension arm attachment pad. The slider attachment pad forms a clip which contacts the slider on side faces of the slider, and the microactuator adds little or nothing to the vertical thickness of the head gimbal assembly. The suspension arm attachment pad attaches to the gimbal with an attachment bridge which is longitudinally balanced relative to the gimbal point and relative to the air bearing centroid of the slider. The resilient supports may be beams having ends which are longitudinally spaced relative to the gimbal point, to the air bearing centroid, and to the attachment bridge to minimize moments and localized stresses on the beams. Dual beam and multiple beam arrangements are provided. The microactuator suspension further provides vibration attenuation at the slider of vibrations experienced by the suspension arm.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a method and apparatus to defragment data on a disc drive storage system by optimizing the available physical block address on a media into one or more contiguous physical block addresses then storing the fragmented data into the one or more contiguous block address. In one aspect, the disc drive uses a reserved area on the media to hold fragmented files during the defragmentation process. In another aspect, sectors of the media having faster access time are used to store defragmented files that have a higher incidence of access relative to other files on the media.

Abstract: A method of handling a wafer for through-wafer plasma etching includes lateral support provided between a handle wafer and a product wafer without wafer bonding or an adhesive film using mating mechanical structures. The product wafer is easily separated from the handle wafer following etching without stripping or cleaning. Because the connection between the wafers is mechanical, not from an adhesive layer/bonded layer, a wafer can be etched, inspected, and subsequently continue to be etched without the hindrance of repeated bonding, separation, and cleaning. A non-bonded support for released devices following a through-etch process is also provided.

Abstract: A shock protection assembly for a disc drive includes a protective cover mounted as the lowest portion of the disc drive. The disc drive includes a base plate and two mounting rails, wherein a printed circuit board assembly is attached to the base plate between the two mounting rails. The protective cover is mounted to the base plate to cover a majority of the printed circuit board assembly while extending a predetermined distance below the mounting rails to shield the mounting rails and the base plate from contact. The shock protection assembly may further include a shock damper positioned between the protective cover and the printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting fields applied from an adjacent medium such as a disc has an air-bearing surface and includes a pinned layer, a free layer, and a spacer layer between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer has a first width at the air-bearing surface and a second width smaller than the first width at a position spaced from the air-bearing surface. In one embodiment, the free layer may be generally triangular in shape. The pinned layer and spacer layer may also be generally triangular in shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low cost voice coil motor for use in a disc drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the voice coil motor includes at least one overmold encapsulating an assembly of a magnet and a pole. The overmold thus provides a barrier against outgassing and corrosion.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a head suspension assembly having an attached airfoil. The airfoil is coupled to an active (i.e., movable) element that responds to signals from height control circuitry. A method of controlling a height of an air bearing surface includes positioning a suspension assembly having an airfoil and an air bearing disk head over a surface of a rotating data storage disk. A position (e.g., an angle) of the airfoil can then be dynamically altered to change a distance of the disk head perpendicular to the surface of the disk.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method measuring the height of a magneto-resistive element (MRE) on a padded slider in a disc drive based on a change in the resistance of the MRE. During operation of the disc drive a biasing current is applied to the MRE head. Next a resistance value of the MRE head is calculated by determining the voltage drop across the MRE head. The resistance of the MRE head is dependent upon its temperature. The temperature of the MRE lowers as its proximity to the disc increases, as the cooler disc surface acts as a conduit drawing heat away from the MRE. This measured resistance value is compared to a threshold value. The threshold value is based upon the resistance of the MRE head at a threshold temperature, which corresponds to a specific distance away from the disc surface. If the measured resistance is lower than the threshold resistance the method outputs an indication to a user that the drive is in danger of failing.

Abstract: A method for determining a speculative data acquisition in conjunction with an execution of a first access command relative to an execution of a second access command through execution of the read look ahead routine is disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor with flexible zone parameter control. A flexible zone conveyor includes a zone address interface coupled to a plurality of motors to configure at least one zone control unit or control zone to control a designated series of motors along a conveyor path to provide a flexible control zone adaptable for different applications. Control parameters for the control zone can be user inputted or automatically defined for flexible operating control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for writing a product information code (PIC) to a head-disc assembly (HDA) of a disc drive data handling system to facilitate subsequent identification of the HDA. The PIC is configured as a sequence of n multi-bit encoded words. Servo data are written to a disc of the HDA as a number of p angularly spaced apart servo data fields, the servo data used by a servo control circuit to effect head positional control. The n encoded words are distributed across a subset n of the p servo data fields so that the n encoded words replace at least a portion of the servo data in the n servo data fields. Preferably, the n encoded words are written to Gray code (track address) fields of the n servo data fields and are provided with error detection and correction capabilities.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting defects in a recordable medium such as a hard disc drive based on error energy. The method may include the steps of writing test data to the medium and reading back the test data. The method may also include the steps of computing an error energy based on the square of the difference between the read back data and an ideal version of the test data and comparing the error energy with an energy threshold. The method generates a defect signal when the error energy exceeds the energy threshold. The method may also be used to identify the media defect according to its error energy profile. An apparatus for detecting defects in a recordable medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hub and shaft are provided which are mounted for relative rotation by providing two conical bearings spaced apart along the shaft, and a bearing seat facing each conical bearing. Fluid is maintained in the gap between each cone and the facing bearing seat, supporting the cone and seat for relative rotation. The outer surface of the bearing seat is insulated from the remainder of the motor by a thermal insulator which extends at least part way along the outer surface of the seats. This insulator is effective at keeping the bearings warm even in a relatively low temperature environment in which the motor may be used. The insulator may comprise a cylindrical ceramic or similar low thermal conductivity material extending at least part way along the axial distance outside of the bearing cones. Alternatively, an air space may be defined in the outer surface of the bearing seat, extending at least part way between the bearing cones.

Abstract: The present invention includes a disc drive including an integral inertial latch comprised of a single material having a fixed pivot, an inertial mass and at least one spring. The at least one spring attaches the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. In one embodiment the disc drive has an integral inertial latch that includes a plurality of spoke springs that radiate outwardly from the fixed pivot to a ring shaped inertial mass. In one embodiment the disc drive includes an integral inertial latch that includes two leaf springs that attach the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. The inertial mass translates perpendicular to the fixed pivot.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc mounted to a motor, an access arm, and a slider connected to the access arm. A comb-type microactuator is mounted on the slider and a transducer is mounted to the microactuator such that actuation of the microactuator moves the transducer relative to the slider.

Abstract: A fundamentally new magnetic tunnel junction technology based on the use of magnetic nanoparticles is disclosed. The hard layer of the device is composed of the nanoparticles, while the junction insulating barrier is composed of a carbon-based coating on the nanoparticles. This device offers a markedly different approach of tunnel junction fabrication and offers many advantages over the prior art technology, which is based on the use of oxidized aluminum as the insulating barrier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring data between a host device and a data storage device having a first memory space and a second memory space. The host issues access commands to store and retrieve data. The device stores write data associated with write commands in the first memory space pending transfer to the second memory space. An interface circuit evaluates relative proximity of first and second sets of LBAs associated with pending first and second write commands, and forms an adaptive bi-directional write skip mask when the sets of LBAs fit within a predetermined mask interval. The mask is preferably slidably adjustable to encompass both sets of LBAs and is preferably expandable to accommodate additional sets of LBAs. The data within the mask are treated as a combined write command and are thereafter written in an order corresponding to an order in which the data appear in the mask.

Abstract: A disc drive comprises a drive motor mechanically coupled to a disc and a voice coil motor mechanically coupled to a read/write head on the disc. A power integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the drive motor and the voice coil motor. The power integrated circuit includes an integrated temperature sensor that provides a temperature output. A control circuit receives the temperature output and provides a voice coil motor control output to the power integrated circuit as a function of the temperature output.

Abstract: A monocoque head suspension carries a read-write head on a distal end and is attachable at a proximal end to an actuator assembly. The monocoque head suspension includes a bottom skin and a top skin, and also a core positioned between the bottom and top skins. The core has voids therein that form hollow regions between the bottom and top skins. The core may be made of low-density material, such as photo-imageable epoxy, polyamide or polyimide, deposited on the bottom skin, or may be a separately formed piece. The bottom skin and top skin may be made of a stainless steel material. The monocoque head suspension may be a component of an assembly to store data to a magnetic medium and read data from the medium.

Abstract: The slider and method of the present invention relate to a slider for a disc drive. The slider includes a substrate having a cavity and a filler within the cavity. The slider further includes a transducer that is positioned near the filler. The design facilitates controlling the relative thermal expansion between the transducer and substrate of the slider that is near the transducer. Compensating for the thermal expansion of the transducer provides a more consistent fly height of the slider during operation of the disc drive. In addition, the design adjusts the air-bearing surface of the slider such that the transducer does not extend below the rest of the slider as the transducer expands.