Abstract: A spin-valve magnetic transducing element. In one embodiment, a spin-valve magnetic transducing element is disclosed in which a ferromagnetic tunneling junction film, including first and second ferromagnetic layers and an insulating layer is enclosed between the ferromagnetic layers. A nonmagnetic metal thin film is inserted between the second ferromagnetic layer and the insulating layer, all of which are formed on a substrate.

Abstract: A floating chassis support mechanism is provided which can thin a disc reproduction apparatus. In the floating chassis support mechanism for a disc reproduction apparatus for supporting a floating chassis with springs and dampers vertically from the opposite side of a loaded disc, the damper is disposed outside of a projection area of the disc, and an area of the floating chassis supported by the dampers is retracted towards the disc side more than a lower surface of the disc.

Abstract: A disk device is provided with an MD carrying mechanism which uptakes an MD 24, places the MD 24 on a turntable, and performs the ejection of the MD 24 from the turntable by the displacement of the holder drawing lever 39 which forms part of a linking mechanism when the cartridge of the MD 24 is inserted into an MD holder. The disk device also comprises a clamp lever avoidance mechanism which refuges the clamp lever 17, which is used for clamping the CD 200, to a position which does not interfere with the uptake and ejection of the MD during uptake and ejection of the MD by the MD carrying mechanism.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disk drive, includes a base, a disk stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and a slider attached to said load spring. A ramp is also attached to the base near the disk stack. The ramp is used to load and unload the sliders to and from the disk. The slider and load spring are attached to form a gimballing connection between the slider and the load spring. A motion limiting device is attached to either the slider or the load beam to limit the pitch and roll of the slider with respect to the load spring at the gimballing connection. The motion limiters can be added to the load spring or the slider or both. An actuator assembly may also include a stiff lead. A slider including at least one transducer is attached to the stiff lead. The slider also has at least one pad electrically connected to the transducer.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head and a method of manufacturing the same of the invention achieve reductions in a track width of a recording head and in a yoke length. In the thin-film magnetic head of the invention, a bottom pole layer and a top pole layer include: first portions located in a region including a region that faces a thin-film coil; second portions forming a pole portion and connected to the first portions; and third portions for connecting the first portions to each other. The thin-film coil is placed between the second portion and the third portion of each of the pole layers.

Abstract: A storage medium is provided that includes a texture zone having a plurality of protrusions. Each of the protrusions is separated by a short circumferential pitch. Alternatively, the texture zone includes a plurality of protrusions with a circumferential pitch less than the diameter of any protrusion. The resonance excitation between the magnetic head and the storage medium in the data storage system is reduced by forming the texture zone with the protrusions that cause the excitation frequencies of the data storage system to shift away from its resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A recording and/or playback apparatus using a disc cartridge that accommodates a recording medium such as an optical disc includes a holder, a recording and/or playback section, and a moving mechanism. The holder holds a recording medium that is inserted in the apparatus. When mounted with the recording medium that is held by the holder, the recording and/or playback section performs recording or playback on the recording medium. The moving mechanism moves the holder between a mounting position where to mount the recording medium on the recording and/or playback section and an dismounting position where to separate the recording medium from the recording and/or playback section.

Abstract: The thin film magnetic head of the present invention includes an improved P2 pole tip/yoke interface structure. The interface structure includes yoke material that is formed in a concave curved shape at the interface between the P2 pole tip and the yoke, such that a right angle interface between the P2 pole tip and the yoke is eliminated. The process for forming the P2 pole tip/yoke interface includes a second CMP polishing step that is performed on the surface of the write head wafer subsequent to the plating of the P2 pole tip thereon, and subsequent to a first CMP step. This second CMP step utilizes a relatively soft polishing pad and an acidic polishing slurry having a pH within the range of approximately 1 to approximately 5, and preferably approximately 2.5.

Abstract: A changer apparatus for information discs includes a stacking unit for stacking at least two information discs in at least two stacking positions, the stacking unit having holding trays for holding the information discs in holding planes and a first transport mechanism for moving the holding trays into the stacking positions.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge including a housing, at least one tape reel, and a storage tape. The housing defines a top face, a bottom face, a front, a back, and opposing sides. Further, the housing forms a tape identification notch, a write-select notch, a first misinsertion notch, and a second misinsertion notch. The tape identification notch extends from the front of the housing along one of the opposing sides. The write-select notch is formed in the front of the housing and is configured to maintain an insert piece. The first misinsertion notch is formed in the front of the housing and is configured for clearance about a tape drive switch. Similarly, the second misinsertion notch is formed in the front of the housing and is configured for clearance about a tape drive switch. The first and second misinsertion notches are substantially aligned. The at least one tape reel is rotatably disposed within the housing. Finally, the storage tape is maintained by the at least one tape reel.

Abstract: A frame plate (19) is mounted to the inside of a case (4) of a magnetic recording device. (1), and a disk drive motor and a head body (5) are mounted to the frame plate (19). A member (88) for preventing the deformation of the case is provided between the case (4) and the frame plate (19). The member (88) is placed in a cartridge passing area by the action of a spring in the absence of the cartridge (2), but the member (88) is pressed with the front end of the cartridge (2) when the cartridge (2) is moved forward, the member (88) is forced to retreat to the outside of the cartridge passing area.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium includes a dedicated transducing head contact zone for engaging an air bearing slider, primarily when the disk is stationary. The contact zone is textured with an irregular sequence of spaced apart nodules forming a substantially circumferential, spiral path. The spiral path includes multiple terms that define a uniform radial pitch. The circumferential pitch is irregular, more preferably determined according to pseudo-random function in which the actual spacing intervals vary about a nominal interval, over a range comparable to, but generally less than, the interval. The pseudo-random array can be formed by a texturing process that includes directing a focused laser beam onto the contact zone. The disk is rotated to maintain a constant circumferential speed relative to the laser, and also is translated radially to provide the desired radial pitch.

Abstract: A disk apparatus has a head carriage and a head carriage drive mechanism. The head carriage drive mechanism has voice coil motors located on each side of the head carriage. The voice coil motors each have a drive coil, the two drive coils having different numbers of turns and being connected in parallel to a power source. The two voice coil motors generate identical propulsive forces despite having a different number of turns in the respective drive coils, making it possible to move the head carriage with precision. A head carriage position detecting mechanism is included in a space formed beneath the drive coil having the smaller number of turns, for added precision in positioning the head carriage.

Abstract: A disc cartridge capable of enhancing operability of both a cover and an erasure preventing plug while ensuring smooth removal of a disc shaped medium therefrom. An upper casing member and a lower casing member are formed with cutouts, respectively, and the cover is provided with projections fitted in the cutouts of the upper casing member and lower casing member, respectively. The cutouts of the upper casing member and lower casing member and the projections of the cover cooperate with each other to provide an operation hole for the erasure preventing plug and a detection hole therefor, respectively.

Abstract: A recording and/or playback apparatus using a disc cartridge that accommodates a recording medium such as an optical disc includes a holder, a recording and/or playback section, and a moving mechanism. The holder holds a recording medium that is inserted in the apparatus. When mounted with the recording medium that is held by the holder, the recording and/or playback section performs recording or playback on the recording medium. The moving mechanism moves the holder between a mounting position where to mount the recording medium on the recording and/or playback section and an dismounting position where to separate the recording medium from the recording and/or playback section.

Abstract: A cut out 23 is formed at the corner portion 22 which is formed between the second long side 822 and each of the first and second short sides 811 and 812 of the back yoke 5, in which the terminal stands 20d of the bobbins 20 of the read/write coil 6 and the erasing coil 7 are disposed respectively, a shield cover 32 is provided in such a manner as it is coupled with the first, second and third leg portions 10a, 10b and 10c including the wiring 6A of the read/write coil 6 and the wiring 7A of the erasing coil 7 and the front core 3 is bonded to the outer body 8 and the shield cover 32. Thereby, the bridging portion which has been necessary in the conventional example is almost eliminated, as a result, the strength of the front core 3 is increased to prevent it from being broken due to any shocking force.

Abstract: A magazine casing is composed of a magazine upper section and a magazine lower section. A chassis unit includes a magazine shift unit for lifting the magazine upper section, a vertical-tracking unit for selecting a desired disk, a swing unit transferred into a space between the divided magazine upper section and the magazine lower section, and a drive unit provided on the swing unit for playing back the selected disk. A vertical guide hole is formed in the magazine upper section. The chassis unit is provided with a vertical guide shaft that is inserted into the guide hole when lifting the magazine upper section.

Abstract: An actuator latching device in a hard disk drive is provided. In the actuator latching device according to the principles of the present invention, an elastic rubber stopper is mounted to one area of a hard disk body selected from among a base and a cover, and an aperture is formed in an inelastic actuator of the hard disk drive. The actuator is latched by the latching device while the aperture of the actuator receives the stopper therein when the actuator is parked.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes a suspension of the type supporting a slider and a flex circuit. The suspension is formed of a load beam that supports the flex circuit, and a resilient flexure which is secured to the load beam and which supports the slider. The flex circuit is comprised of conductive traces formed on a compliant, dielectric substrate. The substrate includes a body portion and a head portion for supporting the conductive traces. The substrate head portion is patterned such that selected portions of the head portion are removed to leave bare conductive trace sections, and to achieve reduced pitch and roll stiffness of the flex circuit. The flex circuit can optionally include a thin seed layer formed on the underside of the substrate to reduce static charge buildup.