Abstract: A system for loading a transducing head (22) to a flying elevation proximate a rotating surface of a disc (16) is disclosed. The system includes a piezoelectric device (40) that is selectively expanded and contracted to control a height of the head (22) on a flexure spring (14) from the surface of the disc (16). The system preferably includes control circuitry (50) for generating electrical control signals to manage the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric device (40) according to operating characteristics of the disc (16).

Abstract: A system for positioning a transducing head in a disc drive device over a selected track of a rotatable disc includes an actuator arm which is rotatable about an axis, a head suspension mechanism connected to the actuator arm, and a slider carrying a transducing head and supported by the head suspension mechanism. A low resolution motor moves the actuator arm about the axis to effect coarse movement of the head between tracks of the disc. A piezoelectric element is embedded in the actuator arm to distort the arm to effect fine positioning of the head. Control circuitry distributes electrical signals to the low resolution motor and the piezoelectric element to selectively control movement thereof. The piezoelectric element is embedded in the actuator arm by removing a predetermined amount of material from the actuator arm and bonding the piezoelectric element in the resulting space in the actuator arm.

Abstract: Noise effects in a disc drive having a disc on a rotating spindle in a housing are reduced by inducing vibrations in the housing of the disc drive that at least partially cancel a characteristic acoustic noise signal of the drive.

Abstract: A head flexure assembly for positioning a transducing head over a selected track of a rotatable disc in a disc drive system having an actulator arm and head suspension includes a bimorph piezoelectric microactuator having first and second ends. The first end of the microactuator is attached to the actuator arm, and a flexure is attached to the second end of the microactuator. A slider carrying the transducing head is attached to the flexure.

Abstract: A system for positioning a transducing head in a disc drive device over a selected track of a rotatable disc includes an actuator arm which is rotatable about an axis, a head suspension mechanism connected to the actuator arm, and a slider carrying a transducing head and supported by the head suspension mechanism. A low resolution motor moves the actuator arm about the axis to effect coarse movement of the head between tracks of the disc. A piezoelectric element is embedded in the actuator arm to distort the arm to effect fine positioning of the head. Control circuitry distributes electrical signals to the low resolution motor and the piezoelectric element to selectively control movement thereof. The piezoelectric element is embedded in the actuator arm by removing a predetermined amount of material from the actuator arm and bonding the piezoelectric element in the resulting space it the actuator arm.

Abstract: A system for positioning a transducing head of a disc drive over a selected track (42) of a rotatable disc (40) includes an actuator assembly (20,50) having an E-block body (25) including a cavity (37), at least one actuator arm (30) extending from the E-block body (25), a head suspension mechanism (34,36,38) including the transducing head connected to an end of the actuator arm (30), and a pivot cartridge (26) in the cavity (37) in the E-block body (25). The E-block body (25) is attached to the pivot cartridge (26) and forms a hinge point (39) between the E-block body (25) and the pivot cartridge (26). A low resolution motor (22) rotates the actuator assembly (20,50) about an axis (24) to effect coarse positioning of the head with respect to the selected track (42) of the rotatable disc (40).

Abstract: A disc drive magnetic latch includes a magnet, a bucking coil, and a pair of pole pieces in a housing. The pole pieces have rectangular extension which extend through fingers in the housing thereby locking the pole pieces against rotational movement when a striker on the actuator strikes them. Heat staked tabs hold the assembly together.