Abstract: A channel senses head-to-disc contact vibrations in a vibrational noise spectrum produced in a mass storage device. The channel includes a suspension system with a suspension modal resonance. The channel includes a vibration sensor that senses head-to-disc contact vibrations through the suspension system. The vibration sensor has a sensor modal resonance that overlaps the suspension modal resonance.

Abstract: A head for use in accessing data from an electrically conductive media surface is provided. The head has a slider body defining a bearing plane configured to face the media surface. A fly height control electrode is positioned on the raised portion. Further, the fly height control electrode and the media surface are adapted to form opposing plates of a capacitor with a dielectric layer of air supporting the head. Also, the fly height control electrode is electrically isolated from the slider body. A head electrical connection disposed on the slider body is electrically connected to the fly height control electrode. The head electrical connection is adapted to provide a fly height control voltage to the fly height control electrode.

Abstract: A head suspension mounts a head assembly in a disc drive. The head suspension includes controllable bending elements on the gimbal portion of the head suspension which allow dynamic control of the flying attitude of the head assemblies, and thus the flying height. In a first embodiment, the control elements are bi-metal features that utilize differential thermal expansion to control the flying attitude. In a second, and presently preferred, embodiment, the control elements are piezo-electric elements which provide bi-directional control of associated elements of the gimbal portion of the head suspension. In another aspect, the controllable bending elements are used to increase the flying height of the head assembly as the head assembly is moved from the data recording area of the disc into engagement with a textured landing zone.

Abstract: The slider and method of the present invention relate to a slider for a disc drive. The slider includes a substrate having a cavity and a filler within the cavity. The slider further includes a transducer that is positioned near the filler. The design facilitates controlling the relative thermal expansion between the transducer and substrate of the slider that is near the transducer. Compensating for the thermal expansion of the transducer provides a more consistent fly height of the slider during operation of the disc drive. In addition, the design adjusts the air-bearing surface of the slider such that the transducer does not extend below the rest of the slider as the transducer expands.

Abstract: A head for use in accessing data from an electrically conductive media surface is provided. The head has a slider body defining a bearing plane configured to face the media surface. A fly height control electrode is positioned on the raised portion. Further, the fly height control electrode and the media surface are adapted to form opposing plates of a capacitor with a dielectric layer of air supporting the head. Also, the fly height control electrode is electrically isolated from the slider body. A head electrical connection disposed on the slider body is electrically connected to the fly height control electrode. The head electrical connection is adapted to provide a fly height control voltage to the fly height control electrode.

Abstract: The slider and method of the present invention relate to a slider for a disc drive. The slider includes a substrate having a cavity and a filler within the cavity. The slider further includes a transducer that is positioned near the filler. The design facilitates controlling the relative thermal expansion between the transducer and substrate of the slider that is near the transducer. Compensating for the thermal expansion of the transducer provides a more consistent fly height of the slider during operation of the disc drive. In addition, the design adjusts the air-bearing surface of the slider such that the transducer does not extend below the rest of the slider as the transducer expands.

Abstract: An apparatus for adapting flying height of a read/write head over a disc due to changes in temperature in a head disc assembly in a disc drive. The head disc assembly has a base plate and a top cover which encloses a drive motor, the disc supported thereon, and an actuator assembly which transfers data to and from the disc. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm and a suspension having one end connected to a slider carrying the head and an opposite end connected to the actuator arm. At least one shape memory alloy segment is attached to the suspension for moving the slider between a contracted state away from the disc when temperature within the head disc assembly increases and a relaxed state near the disc when temperature within the head disc assembly descreases.