Abstract: Compositions and materials for use in load/unload ramps in magnetic disk drive assemblies are disclosed, particularly compositions or materials to improve at least one of the desired characteristics of low wear, low cost, high mechanical stability and high moldability. Thermoplastic polymers, such as acetal homopolymers, acetal copolymers, polyetherimides, polyphenylene sulfides, and polysulfones, are combined with other compositions, such as polyaramides, to improve the characteristics of a load/unload ramp constructed therefrom. Additionally, another material may be added, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoropolyether.

Abstract: Systems and methods from loading/unloading a data head for a disk drive provide for more efficient use of disk space. A method of loading/unloading a data head for a disk drive comprises determining a disk phase of a spinning disk arrangement, determining a loading/unloading position based on the disk phase, and loading or unloading the data head on or from, respectively, the spinning disk arrangement based on the determined disk phase. The determining a disk phase may be based on zero crossing of voltages for a three-phase motor associated with the spinning disk arrangement.

Abstract: A controller is provided having a circuit that uses non-repeatable run-out data and temperature data to provide a compensation for a fly height of a head. A disk drive may also be provided having a head for reading data from a disk, a thermistor, and a controller for controlling a fly height of the head based on temperature data obtained from the thermistor to refine a pressure determination. A method can include estimating a first pressure by the use of non-repeatable run-out data and temperature data corresponding to a disk drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position measuring device and a position measuring system (1) that are used to process signals (SIN, COS), which represent the displacement (8) of a scale gradation (4) relative to a signal generation unit (7). To increase the resolution of the signals (SIN, COS), output signals (SIN?, COS?), which have a higher frequency or multiplied number of signal periods in relation to the input signals (SIN, COS), are generated by the device (1). This enables evaluation units (3) that are connected downstream to record the position and speed of the scale gradation (4) more accurately. The number of signal periods is increased by the calculation of a position signal (POS) with a subsequent filtration or error correction from the input signals (SIN, COS) and by the reading of stored tables of output tables of output signals (SIN?, COS?) in accordance with the calculated position signal (POS).

Abstract: The invention relates to a position measuring device and a position measuring system (1) that are used to process signals (SIN, COS), which represent the displacement (8) of a scale gradation (4) relative to a signal generation unit (7). To increase the resolution of the signals (SIN, COS), output signals (SIN?, COS?), which have a higher frequency or multiplied number of signal period in relation to the input signals (SIN, COS), are generated by the device (1). This enables evaluation units (3) that are connected downstream to record the position and speed of the scale gradation (4) more accurately. The number of signal periods is increased by the calculation of a position signal (POS) with a subsequent filtration or error correction from the input signals (SIN, COS) and by the reading of stored tables of output tables of output signals (SIN?, COS?) in accordance with the calculated position signals (POS).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a disk drive and methods for operating the same. A venting assembly of this disk drive generally includes a slider having an air bearing surface system for generating positive pressure to urge the slider away from a data storage disk, and a suction cavity for generating negative pressure to urge the slider toward the surface of the disk. The slider of the venting assembly also generally includes a first venting hole extending through the slider within the suction cavity. A first valve of the venting assembly is generally associated with the first venting hole to at least assist in controlling airflow through the same. Contact between a load beam of the venting assembly and a corresponding load/unload ramp of the disk drive during unloading of the slider generally tends to open the first valve and substantially dissipate the negative pressure within the suction cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the acoustic output of a computer disk drive during a load or unload operation are provided. According to the invention, a pulse train having pulse widths that vary from one pulse to the next is provided to a voice coil motor while the transducer head is being loaded to or unloaded from the surface of the disk. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a proportional term equal to the inverse of the pulse width is supplied to the controller such that, with all other inputs to the controller being equal, a pulse train having pulses of equal total power are produced. By providing pulses of varying widths, the acoustic output of the disk drive is spread among multiple frequencies, and the amplitude at any one frequency is diminished as compared to a pulse train having pulses of equal width.

Abstract: Compositions and materials for use in load/unload ramps in magnetic disk drive assemblies are disclosed, particularly compositions or materials to improve at least one of the desired characteristics of low wear, low cost, high mechanical stability and high moldability. Thermoplastic polymers, such as acetal homopolyrners, acetal copolymers, polyetherimides, polyphenylene sulfides, and polysulfones, are combined with other compositions, such as polyaramides, to improve the characteristics of a load/unload ramp constructed therefrom. Additionally, another material may be added, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoropolyether.

Abstract: A method for overcoming a stiction condition in a disk drive is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to dynamic load/unload technology in magnetic disk drive assemblies and, more particularly, to a combination of load/unload ramps with shipping combs and/or limiters, such as disk, tab, flexure, suspension or arm limiters, to provide protection to the head assemblies, arms and disks of the magnetic disk drive assemblies.

Abstract: An X-ray tube has a rotating anode and a plain bearing for mounting the rotating anode in a vacuum housing. The plain bearing has an inner bearing part that is stationary in relation to the vacuum housing, and a rotating outer bearing part that is connected with the rotating anode and that rotates with this anode relative to the vacuum housing during the operation of the X-ray tube. Between these inner and outer bearing parts there is a bearing gap filled with lubricant at least in the region provided for the transmission of force. The inner bearing part, which extends through the outer bearing part, is connected to the vacuum housing at both ends. The bearing gap has the same outer diameter at each of its two ends.

Abstract: A liquid metal plain bearing has a rotating and a stationary bearing part between which a bearing gap filled with liquid metal is located. The rotating bearing part has in relation at least one ring groove arranged to the bearing gap so that liquid metal possibly emerging from the bearing becomes located in the ring groove during the operation of the bearing and is held in the ring groove by the effect of centrifugal force.

Abstract: A plain bearing having a bearing gap filled with liquid metal has two plain bearing parts each having a surface contiguous to the liquid metal, these surfaces delimiting a gap connecting the bearing gap with the surrounding space. At least one of the surfaces is provided, in its area contiguous to the liquid metal, with a layer of a material that is effective as a wetting agent for the liquid metal.

Abstract: The present invention mounts a contact recording transducer/suspension assembly over a magnetic recording disk such that the rotation of the disk creates an additional dynamic loading to counteract the lift-off forces generated by rotation of the disk. As the rotation rate of the disk is increased and lift-off forces grow, so do the offsetting dynamic loads created by the transducer/suspension assembly. Optionally, the cross section of the transducer/suspension assembly is modified to further improve this dynamic loading effect.The present invention mounts the transducer/suspension assembly in a contact recoding disk file so as to place the assembly in compression once disk rotation is initiated. The assembly is mounted so that the frictional force between the assembly and the disk "pushes" the assembly against its mounting instead of applying a "pulling" force on the assembly.