Abstract: A slider for a magnetic disc drive includes a recess at the trailing edge of the slider. A thin film inductive magnetic transducer protrudes from a lower surface of the recess, the transducer having patterned magnetic poles. A barrier layer formed of an oleophobic, hydrophobic polymer having a surface energy lower than the surface tension of lubricant on the disc is bonded to the lower surface of the recess. One suitable polymer for the barrier layer is a fluorochemical acrylate.

Abstract: A ramp is disclosed for use in a disc drive system for loading and unloading a magnetic slider carrying actuator. The actuator is rotatable about an actuator pivot and supports the magnetic slider over a first surface of a magnetic disc. The ramp includes a pivoting arm which rotates about a ramp pivot such that the pivoting arm moves toward an inner diameter of the first magnetic disc surface as the actuator rotates toward an outer diameter of the first magnetic disc surface during unloading of the actuator. A sloped region coupled to the pivoting arm is adapted for receiving the actuator during unloading as the pivoting arm moves toward the inner diameter and as the actuator moves toward the outer diameter.

Abstract: An swage plate bumper overlies the swage plate of a suspension arm and the end of an actuator arm in a computer disc drive. The swage plate bumper may be molded in two pieces which snap together onto the actuator arm through the swaged hole. Alternatively, the swage plate bumper may be provided with an adhesive attachment to the swage plate, or the swage plate may be coated with a compressible coating during manufacture. The swage plate bumper extends over four corners of the swage plate and prevents damage to the disc surface which might otherwise be caused when the corners of the swage plate contact the disc during a drop or other sudden acceleration.

Abstract: A magnetic disc for a computer disc drive has distinct zones of differing lubricant thickness. A bonded+mobile zone covers a portion of the disc which preferably coincides with the landing zone. A zone of different lubricant thickness, such as lubricant-free, bonded-only or mostly-bonded, covers a different portion of the disc such as over the data zone. After a uniform layer of lubricant is coated over the disc surface, lubricant can be removed from distinct zones by solvent removal over a periphery of the disc and by removal by laser. The lubricant removal from distinct zones can occur either before or after bonding. Multiple lubricant thickness zones may be used, and the lubricant thickness profile over the entire disc can be controlled as desired.

Abstract: A load/unload device to remove the slider from the proximity of the magnetic recording surface of a disk in a disk drive whenever the disk is to be stopped. The load/unload device is a ramp-like wedge which extends generally radially from the center of the magnetic disk and to the magnetic recording surface of the magnetic disk. When the slider is moved toward the center of the disk by an actuator mechanism, the end of the load arm supporting the slider, referred to as a tang, will engage the inclined plane of the wedge and lift the slider from the surface of the magnetic disk as the slider is translated closer to the center of the disk. Once the slider has been removed from close proximity of the disk, the tang may engage a trough-like surface on the structure supporting the wedge and will effectively detent the position of the slider through the forces exerted on the tang by the load beam of the actuator.