Abstract: A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage device may have at least a slider constructed with at least one feature positioned on an air bearing region and separated from a data transducer. The at least one feature can be configured to provide a slider stiffness that decreases modulation while the at least one feature is floating above or in contact with a data storage media.

Abstract: A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage device may have at least a slider constructed with at least one feature positioned on an air bearing region and separated from a data transducer. The at least one feature can be configured to provide a slider stiffness that decreases modulation while the at least one feature is floating above or in contact with a data storage media.

Abstract: A slider includes a slider body having an air bearing surface, a first contact finger, and a transducing head. The first contact finger extends from the slider body and has a contact surface area of between about 2 square microns to about 20 square microns. The transducing head is supported by the slider body near the first contact finger and extends from the air bearing surface by a distance less than that of the first contact finger.

Abstract: A FOS circuit and a method for fabricating the same that reduces the possibilities of shorts or damage to a circuit board during assembly due to solder reflow. The FOS circuit has a tail, a shunt bar, a plurality of flying leads, and a dam. The tail has a first and second end. The shunt bar is located adjacent to the second end of the tail. The plurality of flying leads project substantially perpendicular from the first edge of the second end of the tail. The plurality of flying leads are substantially parallel to one another and extend between the second end of the tail and the shunt bar. A plurality of electrical paths are formed through the tail to the flying leads. The dam intersects the flying leads and extends from a first flying lead to a last flying lead and is substantially parallel with the first edge of the second end of the tail.

Abstract: A slider includes a slider body having an air bearing surface, a first contact finger, and a transducing head. The first contact finger extends from the slider body and has a contact surface area of between about 2 square microns to about 20 square microns. The transducing head is supported by the slider body near the first contact finger and extends from the air bearing surface by a distance less than that of the first contact finger.

Abstract: The present invention includes gimbal having an attachment portion and a head support structure spaced apart from the attachment portion. A first strut connects the attachment portion and the head support structure. The first strut has an increased center portion and two end portions on opposite sides of the center portion. The increased center portion has a greater thickness than the two end portions. The gimbal also includes a second strut spaced apart from the first strut and is connected to the attachment portion and the head support structure. The second strut has an increased center portion and two end portions on opposite sides of the increased center portion. The increased center portion of the second strut has a greater thickness than the two end portions.

Abstract: A flexible circuit includes a dielectric liquid crystal polymer. The liquid crystal polymer supports electrically conductive elements. The liquid crystal provides improved properties to the flexible polymer. A suspension assembly can be formed with a transducer head supported on an adjustable arm, where the flexible circuit provides electrical connection to the transducer.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for reducing particle collection on a slider or gimbal tongue. The gimbal tongue is shaped so as to interact with airflow within a disc drive to direct particles away from the slider and gimbal tongue. The leading edge of the gimbal tongue overhangs the leading edge of the slider. As air current approaches such a geometry, a large pocket of slow moving, high pressure air is created just upwind of the slider. Thus, as particulate matter encounters this pocket, the matter is slowed and its momentum is partially dissipated. A vent is provided in the gimbal tongue. The vent permits an escape route for the particles to move to an area of lower pressure, located on the other side of the gimbal tongue.

Abstract: A printed circuit head interconnect of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) has different material thicknesses in different regions of the printed circuit head interconnect. The printed circuit head interconnect includes a lamination sheet of materials having dielectric materials and conductive materials. The regions which need to have a lower stiffness are made thinner than the rest of the regions. The rest of the regions are made thick and robust enough to support the HGA. A method of reducing the thicknesses of the printed circuit head interconnect includes applying a resist mask pattern having a plurality of openings with different sizes so as to obtain different thicknesses of the materials in different regions of the printed circuit head interconnect.

Abstract: Passive damping of a disc drive structural member is achieved using a tuned resonance passive damping circuit. This circuit can, for example, be connected to a head gimbal assembly that has a piezoelectric micro-actuator. The circuit can be tuned to the sway frequency of the micro-actuator. The circuit is configured to dissipate mechanical energy as heat, effectively damping the structure to which it is attached.

Abstract: A disc drive has an actuator assembly that includes an actuator arm and a suspension having a load beam for supporting a head above a surface of a disc. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of surface features formed on a surface of at least one of the actuator arm and the load beam to reduce aerodynamic drag forces experienced by the actuator assembly. The disc drive may also include an air dam having a finger extending over the surface of the disc, where the finger includes a plurality of surface features to reduce flow separation of an airflow passing over the finger. The surface features may comprise dimples or V-shaped shark skin denticles.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for reducing particle collection on a slider or gimbal tongue. The gimbal tongue is shaped so as to interact with airflow within a disc drive to direct particles away from the slider and gimbal tongue. The leading edge of the gimbal tongue overhangs the leading edge of the slider. As air current approaches such a geometry, a large pocket of slow moving, high pressure air is created just upwind of the slider. Thus, as particulate matter encounters this pocket, the matter is slowed and its momentum is partially dissipated. A vent is provided in the gimbal tongue. The vent permits an escape route for the particles to move to an area of lower pressure, located on the other side of the gimbal tongue.

Abstract: A printed circuit head interconnect of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) has different material thicknesses in different regions of the printed circuit head interconnect. The printed circuit head interconnect includes a lamination sheet of materials having dielectric materials and conductive materials. The regions which need to have a lower stiffness are made thinner than the rest of the regions. The rest of the regions are made thick and robust enough to support the HGA. A method of reducing the thicknesses of the printed circuit head interconnect includes applying a resist mask pattern having a plurality of openings with different sizes so as to obtain different thicknesses of the materials in different regions of the printed circuit head interconnect.

Abstract: A disc drive has an actuator assembly that includes an actuator arm and a suspension having a load beam for supporting a head above a surface of a disc. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of surface features formed on a surface of at least one of the actuator arm and the load beam to reduce aerodynamic drag forces experienced by the actuator assembly. The disc drive may also include an air dam having a finger extending over the surface of the disc, where the finger includes a plurality of surface features to reduce flow separation of an airflow passing over the finger. The surface features may comprise dimples or V-shaped shark skin denticles.

Abstract: Passive damping of a disc drive structural member is achieved using a tuned resonance passive damping circuit. This circuit can, for example, be connected to a head gimbal assembly that has a piezoelectric micro-actuator. The circuit can be tuned to the sway frequency of the micro-actuator. The circuit is configured to dissipate mechanical energy as heat, effectively damping the structure to which it is attached.

Abstract: A disc drive has a recording disc rotatable about an axis and a slider supporting a transducing head for transducing data with the disc. A dual-stage actuation assembly supports the slider to position the transducing head adjacent a selected radial track of the disc, and includes a movable actuator arm and a load beam connected to the actuator arm. A flexure is connected to the load beam for supporting the slider, and includes first conductive traces terminating at first bond pads and at least one second conductive trace electrically connected to the transducing head. A microactuator includes a rotor operatively connected to the slider for radially moving the transducing head and a stator connected to the flexure at the first bond pads.