Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an increased dynamic pitch of the slider is provided, the increased dynamic pitch increasing the height of a leading edge (LE) portion of the slider with respect to the disk and reducing the height of the TE portion of the slider with respect to the disk, wherein vertical motion of the TE portion does not collapse an air bearing provided by the LE of the slider flying above the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying the air bearing force of the trailing edge of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a shaped TE which minimizes the air bearing force at the TE portion of the slider, to minimize the normal load and friction during contact to reduce slider bounce.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system for integrated vehicle stability control. Specifically, the hybrid drive system includes a multi-wheeled vehicle, a drop-in electric drive motor, and a master controller. The multi-wheeled vehicle is originally configured for propulsion using an internal combustion engine. That is, the present invention is suitable for powering legacy vehicles. The internal combustion engine capable of driving at least one wheel of the multi-wheeled vehicle. The remaining wheels of the multi-wheeled vehicle are not driven by the internal combustion engine. The drop-in electric drive motor is adapted to independently drive at least one remaining wheel on the multi-wheeled vehicle. The master controller is coupled to the drop-in electric drive motor. The master controller controls speeds of the remaining wheels driven by the electric drive motor to provide propulsion and overall stability management for the multi-wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider.

Abstract: A shock and vibration resistant hard disk drive has a plurality of fluid damping isolation devices disposed between the drive and a supporting frame. The isolation devices are capsules containing either gasses or liquids enclosed in a flexible membrane that spring back to its original shape after the shock or vibration event has transpired. Variation of fluid properties such as density, viscosity, and pressure allow for custom tuning of the vibration and shock performance. In addition, variation of membrane chemistry and thickness of the membrane also allows for further customization. A fuel cell is provided and the isolation devices may provide the energy source for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for controlling a burnish cycle to minimize cycle time is disclosed. MR sensor resistance measurements are used to monitor interference with the recording surface and when clearance is not detected, steps are taken to fine tune the interference signal.

Abstract: A method and system for a beam projector having data manipulation capabilities. The beam projector includes a central processing unit integral with the beam projector, a memory portion coupled with the central processing unit and a signal-receiving portion coupled with the central processing unit. The signal-receiving portion for receiving data and providing the data to the central processing unit such that the central processing unit of the beam projector organizes the data into a viewable presentation without requiring input from a secondary computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing an off-center gimbal to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an off-center gimbal device is coupled with the slider and the suspension away from the center of the slider and closer to the TE portion of the slider such that when the TE portion of the slider contacts a disk a bouncing motion of the TE with respect to the disk is reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for a beam projector having an audio capability device. The beam projector includes a central processing unit integral with the beam projector, a memory portion coupled with the central processing unit and an audio recognition portion coupled with the central processing unit. In so doing, the audio recognition portion is used for recognizing audible commands for the beam projector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, a pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering a first portion of the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the pass-by filter. A second portion of the air is allowed to flow substantially unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for removing particles from a magnetic head support assembly of a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, a load/unload operation of the magnetic head support assembly is initiated. Particles are dislodged from the magnetic head support assembly by moving it across a physical feature of the load/unload ramp of the hard disk drive. This causes an acceleration of the magnetic head support assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to its normal plane of movement which dislodges the particles. The particles are then conveyed away from the magnetic head support assembly in an airstream generated by the rotation of the disk pack of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakage from a disk drive enclosure includes providing a lubricating composition having a lubricating material and a tag material therein. The tag material has a volatility characteristic that is amenable to analysis. The method includes measuring a concentration of the tag material in the vapor phase. By measuring a concentration of the tag material, a leak rate of the lubricating material can be determined. The lubricating composition may include a perfluoropolyether lubricating material and a halogenated sulfur tag material such as SF6 and/or S2F10.

Abstract: A hard disk drive utilizes hard disks that recover the historically unused read/write space or real estate located in the load/unload zone. Approximately one-half of the load/unload zone is recovered and available for reading and writing operations by forming a first or radially outermost read/write track beginning immediately adjacent to the inner radial edge of the load/unload zone and proceeding radially inward from there to the conventional location of first tracks in the prior art. In another version of the invention, almost the entire load/unload zone is recovered and available for reading and writing operations by aligning the first track with the center of the load/unload zone and proceeding radially inward from there as described above. Both of these versions make significant additional surface area on the disk available where, in the prior art, no data was stored, thereby increasing the efficiency and storage capacity of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method for burnishing a slider in a disk drive in which the disk is rotated in the opposite or reverse direction from that used to develop the air-bearing and to read and write data is described. Rotating the disk in the reverse direction results in no air-bearing being formed and the slider being in contact with the disk surface. The burnishing removes material over the magnetic transducers in the slider which separate the transducers from the disk resulting in greater sensitivity. Optionally the stopping point for burnishing can be determined by monitoring measurable parameters such as the change in the MR resistance (MRR), i.e., ?MRR/MRR until a selected range is achieved. The invention can be used to remove an overcoat from the air-bearing surface of the slider, remove protruding areas from the slider and to remove debris from the disk surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for burnishing a slider in a disk drive in which the disk is rotated in the opposite or reverse direction from that used to develop the air-bearing and to read and write data. Rotating the disk in the reverse direction results in no air-bearing being formed and the slider being in contact with the disk surface. The burnishing removes material over the magnetic transducers in the slider which separate the transducers from the disk resulting in greater sensitivity. Optionally the stopping point for burnishing can be determined by monitoring measurable parameters such as the change in the MR resistance (MRR), i.e., &Dgr;MRR/MRR until a selected range is achieved. The burnishing techniques of the invention are used to remove material, such as an overcoat, from the air-bearing surface of the slider which separates the magnetoresistive element from the magnetic medium.