Abstract: A load beam for a direct access storage device is disclosed as having an integral flexure formed of two generally uniform cross section intersecting beams with one of the beams extending between two projecting arms of the load beam. The flexure is spaced from an attached slider by a frustroconical projection formed on the flexure. The pitch and roll of the slider is limited by forming surfaces on the load beam structure that will engage the slider as the slider either pitches or rolls excessively. Overlying the flexure and the slider and adhesively engaged with the flexure is a damping layer of visco-elastic material which will absorb energy and suppress undesirable vibrations. The damping layer is provided with tabs or extensions that are adhered to the projecting arms of the load beam to enhance the vibration damping function of the layer.

Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.

Abstract: A two axis electromagnetic actuator is designed for moving an optical element in an optical or magneto-optical recorder. The actuator has balanced, crossed, electro-magnetic coil structures supported by two sets of leaf springs and positioned in dual air gaps for motion in a direction which is the vector sum of the movement in two orthogonal directions. In the actuator the motive forces and the masses of the moving elements are centered on the axis of major motion. Also leaf springs, that allow the major motion, have their forces balanced about the axis of major motion.

Abstract: A phase retardation element, for use in an optical data storage system, which provides a 90.degree. phase difference between two perpendicular polarized components of an incident wave with a single internal reflection from a surface coated with a thin film of dielectric or metal material.

Abstract: During manufacture of a flexible disk drive, the drive's head is located in its penetration, radial, azimuth, tangential, roll and pitch attitudes by reading a test disk, as the head is held by a robotic head holder/manipulator. The head's signal produces closed-loop control of a serially-stacked array of rotary and linear motors which position the holder/manipulator. After the head is properly adjusted, it is fixed to the disk drive's head carriage.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly for reading and/or writing a track of magnetic information on a moving magnetic medium and for erasing edge portions of the track. The head assembly comprises a central data transfer magnetic core including a pair of core portions providing a data transfer gap on an active face of the head assembly with a read/write coil on one of the core portions. The head assembly comprises also an erase core which includes a pair of erase core portions extending along and in contact with one of the write core portions, another pair of erase core portions respectively in alignment with the first named erase core portions and providing therewith erase gaps on the active face of the head assembly that extend transversely of the direction of movement of the magnetic medium on the active face and a core portion on which an erase coil is disposed bridging and between the last two mentioned erase core portions.