Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a control object, such as a microactuator used to position a read/write transducer adjacent a data storage medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) element is adapted to induce rotational displacement of the control object in a bending mode of operation. The PZT element has a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of electrically conductive layers interposed between the piezoelectric material layers. The piezoelectric material layers include a first subset of active layers and at least one non-active layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a control object, such as a microactuator used to position a read/write transducer adjacent a data storage medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) element is adapted to induce rotational displacement of the control object in a bending mode of operation. The PZT element has a plurality of piezoelectric material layers and a plurality of electrically conductive layers interposed between the piezoelectric material layers. The piezoelectric material layers include a first subset of active layers and at least one non-active layer.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a base layer, a circuit defined along the base layer, and a first material molded on at least a portion of the base layer. The first material substantially forms a shape of at least a portion of the support assembly. Further disclosed is a molded suspension assembly. The molded suspension assembly includes a thin and elongate metallic substrate and a non-metallic material molded along at least a portion of one side of the metallic substrate. The non-metallic material interlocks with the metallic substrate. The molded suspension assembly includes a transducer support area at or near a first end of the molded suspension assembly.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly includes windage diversion structures that can comprise a base plate attached to the head gimbal assembly, a load beam, an actuator arm connected to the load beam, and a slider attached to the load beam. The base plate further comprises a grooved or channel portion that is oriented so that a plurality of grooves or channels diverts at least a portion of air flow away from the slider or load beam. A storage device and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microactuator comprises a mounting block, a head suspension, a compliant joint for connecting the mounting block to the head suspension, and a piezoelectric element for deforming the compliant joint in order to rotate the head suspension with respect to the mounting block. An encapsulant covers an exposed surface of the microactuator. The encapsulant comprises a self-assembled monolayer formed of an organosilicone or organosilane, where the self-assembled monolayer has a self-limiting thickness of one layer of a molecule.

Abstract: A microactuator comprises a mounting block, a head suspension, a compliant joint for connecting the mounting block to the head suspension, and a piezoelectric element for deforming the compliant joint in order to rotate the head suspension with respect to the mounting block. An encapsulant covers an exposed surface of the microactuator. The encapsulant comprises a self-assembled monolayer formed of an organosilicone or organosilane, where the self-assembled monolayer has a self-limiting thickness of one layer of a molecule.

Abstract: A slider is used in an actuation system and carries a transducing head for transducing data to and from a rotatable recording disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a transducing head positioned proximate the trailing edge of the slider body. An encapsulant comprised of a self assembled monolayer covers exposed surfaces the slider body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has a rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: A disc drive including a transducer supported on the head suspension assembly to induce a transducer signal in response to head vibration. The transducer signal is level detected to output a level detected signal indicative of head vibration. A method for detecting head vibration via a transducer on a head suspension assembly. The transducer on the head suspension assembly operating between a detection mode and an actuator mode for selectively detecting vibration and actuating the head.

Abstract: A transducing system includes a support structure configured to support a transducer and includes at least one environmental sensor carried by the support structure. The environmental sensor may be a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an altitude sensor, or a combination of these.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has A rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: A microactuator used for selectively altering a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuator is of the type comprising a piezoelectric element. A polymer coating encapsulates all exposed surfaces of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has A rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: A microactuator used for selectively altering a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuator is of the type comprising a piezoelectric element. A polymer coating encapsulates all exposed surfaces of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A slider is used in an actuation system and carries a transducing head for transducing data to and from a rotatable recording disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a transducing head positioned proximate the trailing edge of the slider body. An encapsulant comprised of a self assembled monolayer covers exposed surfaces the slider body.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling vibration of a piezoelectric microactuator in a disc drive are disclosed. The mechanical strain on the piezoelectric microactuator is ascertained and fed back to a controller which provides an electrical signal to the piezoelectric microactuator based upon the sensed strain. The electrical signal provided to the piezoelectric microactuator produces a mechanical force on the microactuator which counteracts the sensed strain. In one embodiment, a bridge circuit is coupled to the piezoelectric microactuator. The bridge circuit is adapted to sense a voltage across the piezoelectric microactuator and to separate the voltage across the piezoelectric microactuator into a voltage externally applied to the piezoelectric microactuator and a voltage induced on the piezoelectric microactuator by mechanical strain.

Abstract: A dual-acting disc drive micro-actuator is formed of a stack of adjoining layers. The stack includes first through fifth layers. The first layer includes first and second spaced apart top electrodes. The second layer includes a first piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the first and second top electrodes. The third layer includes a center electrode electrically coupled to the first piezoelectric element. The fourth layer includes a second piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the center electrode. The fifth layer includes a first bottom electrode electrically coupled to the second piezoelectric element. The first and second piezoelectric elements are expandable and contractible in a common length direction in response to respective electrical fields applied between the center electrode and the first top electrode, the second top electrode and the first bottom electrode.

Abstract: A disc drive including a transducer supported on the head suspension assembly to induce a transducer signal in response to head vibration. The transducer signal is level detected to output a level detected signal indicative of head vibration. A method for detecting head vibration via a transducer on a head suspension assembly. The transducer on the head suspension assembly operating between a detection mode and an actuator mode for selectively detecting vibration and actuating the head.