Abstract: A method and system for improving performance in a disc drive using a genetic algorithm. Chromosomes of parameter settings are loaded into disc drive components and one or more metrics are monitored that respond to variations in the parameter settings. A fitness for each chromosome is obtained as a function of the one or more metrics. The chromosomes of settings are mated and adapted over time based on the fitness of each chromosome. Parameters within each chromosome vary by random selection based on the fitness of the chromosome.

Abstract: A head slider is provided that includes a slider body having leading and trailing slider edges and first and second side edges. The body further includes an air bearing surface generally disposed within a bearing surface plane. A raised portion is positioned on the bearing surface plane and spaced apart from the leading edge. Also, a comb structure is provided having a plurality of raised protrusions positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the leading edge of the slider, wherein the plurality of raised protrusions form gaps throughout the leading edge.

Abstract: A fly height detector apparatus and associated method for detecting the fly height of a read/write head spatially disposed from a data storage surface during a data transfer operation. The fly height detector apparatus comprises a receiver circuit measuring the frequency of the read/write head; a perturbation deliverable to the gap between the read/write head and the data storage surface to invoke a dynamic response in the read/write head; and a processor circuit responsive to the receiver circuit to derive a fly height in relation to the dynamic response frequency. The processor circuit comprises a memory in which is stored a numerical model describing a functional interrelationship between the fly height and the read/write head frequency.

Abstract: An in-situs pitch and/or roll attitude adjustment system. The in-situs adjustment system includes a flexure element having an energizable dimension differential. The flexure element is coupled to a suspension assembly and slider and is energizable to supply a flexure force to the slider to adjust pitch or roll attitudes of the slider.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc, a beam extending from the voice coil motor to a gimbal point to provide a load force, and a slider that flies over the disc with a pole tip protrusion that has an ambient temperature sensitivity. The disc drive also includes a strut with a yielding bend section (YBS). Deposits of shape memory alloys (SMA) having different first and second transformation temperature ranges are deposited on the yielding bend section (YBS) and effectively reduce an ambient temperature sensitivity of the pole tip protrusion.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a disc-facing surface, a recessed area positioned on the disc-facing surface, and a raised rail positioned on the disc-facing surface adjacent the recessed area. The raised rail includes a bearing surface and a recessed step surface which is recessed from the bearing surface and is raised from the recessed area. A plurality of bearing pads are formed on the recessed step surface and have upper surfaces that together define the bearing surface. A non-bearing pad is formed on the recessed step surface and has an upper surface, which is generally coplanar with the bearing surface, and a pointed leading pad edge.

Abstract: A slider for supporting a transducing head proximate to a rotating disc. The slider has a slider body having a disc opposing face and a longitudinal axis. The disc opposing face is bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges. An air bearing surface is defined on the disc opposing face with the air bearing surface having at least one pad located behind the leading edge. A cavity is positioned on the disc opposing face and the cavity is recessed from the air bearing surface at a cavity depth. At least a portion of the cavity precedes the pad. A funnel directs airflow within the cavity from the leading edge to the pad.

Abstract: A method and system for improving performance in a disc drive using a genetic algorithm. Chromosomes of parameter settings are loaded into disc drive components and one or more metrics are monitored that respond to variations in the parameter settings. A fitness for each chromosome is obtained as a function of the one or more metrics. The chromosomes of settings are mated and adapted over time based on the fitness of each chromosome. Parameters within each chromosome vary by random selection based on the fitness of the chromosome.

Abstract: A patterned magnetic storage medium has a plurality of data sectors separated by respective servo sectors with each servo sector having a pattern of pits representing servo data. Grooves in each data sector separate adjacent tracks. Non-uniform structures patterns the grooves to a model of minimum or zero fly height perturbations of a slider adjacent the medium. The non-uniform structures preferably include lands pseudo-randomly spaced along each groove to form segmented grooves of pseudo-random length, with the lands being pseudo-randomly positioned across the data sector. In other embodiments, the servo sectors have lengths along each track to define a null frequency that matches a pitch frequency of modulation of a slider due to the pits of the servo sectors.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a disc-opposing face with leading and trailing slider edges, a slider length measured between the leading and trailing slider edges, a bearing surface, a recessed area, an inlet and a convergent channel. The recessed area is recessed from the bearing surface. The inlet has a leading channel end, which is open to air flow from the leading slider edge, channel side walls and a trailing channel end. The convergent channel has a leading channel end, which is open to fluid flow from the inlet, channel side walls and a trailing channel end, which is closed to the fluid flow. The trailing channel end of the convergent channel is located along the slider length rearward of at least a portion of the recessed area and forward of at least a portion of the bearing surface.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a slider length measured from the leading edge to the trailing edge, a central-recess floor and a plurality of raised rails. Each raised rail forms a respective bearing surface. At least one of the raised rails has a recessed rail surface, which is recessed from the respective bearing surface and raised from the central recess floor. At least twenty isolated bearing pads are positioned on the recessed rail surface and together form at least part of the respective bearing surface. Each bearing pad has a pad length and a pad width, which are at least one percent of the slider length.

Abstract: The present invention includes a head slider for a disk drive. The slider includes a slider body having leading and trailing slider edges and first and second side edges. The body further includes an air bearing surface configured to face a disk surface. A raised portion is portioned on the air bearing surface. A plurality of isolated cup-shaped features having openings facing the leading slider edge is positioned on the raised portion. Furthermore, the plurality of cup-shaped features extends substantially from the leader slider edge to the trailing slider edge.

Abstract: A head slider is provided that includes a slider body having leading and trailing slider edges and first and second side edges. The body further includes an air bearing surface generally disposed within a bearing surface plane. A raised portion is positioned on the bearing surface plane and spaced apart from the leading edge. Also, a comb structure is provided having a plurality of raised protrusions positioned proximate and substantially parallel to the leading edge of the slider, wherein the plurality of raised protrusions form gaps throughout the leading edge.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc, a beam extending from the voice coil motor to a gimbal point to provide a load force, and a slider that flies over the disc with a pole tip protrusion that has an ambient temperature sensitivity. The disc drive also includes a strut with a yielding bend section (YBS). Deposits of shape memory alloys (SMA) having different first and second transformation temperature ranges are deposited on the yielding bend section (YBS) and effectively reduce an ambient temperature sensitivity of the pole tip protrusion.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a disc-opposing face with leading and trailing slider edges, a slider length measured between the leading and trailing slider edges, a bearing surface, a recessed area, an inlet and a convergent channel. The recessed area is recessed from the bearing surface. The inlet has a leading channel end, which is open to air flow from the leading slider edge, channel side walls and a trailing channel end. The convergent channel has a leading channel end, which is open to fluid flow from the inlet, channel side walls and a trailing channel end, which is closed to the fluid flow. The trailing channel end of the convergent channel is located along the slider length rearward of at least a portion of the recessed area and forward of at least a portion of the bearing surface.

Abstract: An in-situs pitch and/or roll attitude adjustment system. The in-situs adjustment system includes a flexure element having an energizable dimension differential. The flexure element is coupled to a suspension assembly and slider and is energizable to supply a flexure force to the slider to adjust pitch or roll attitudes of the slider.

Abstract: A fly height detector apparatus and associated method for detecting the fly height of a read/write head spatially disposed from a data storage surface during a data transfer operation. The fly height detector apparatus comprises a receiver circuit measuring the frequency of the read/write head; a perturbation deliverable to the gap between the read/write head and the data storage surface to invoke a dynamic response in the read/write head; and a processor circuit responsive to the receiver circuit to derive a fly height in relation to the dynamic response frequency. The processor circuit comprises a memory in which is stored a numerical model describing a functional interrelationship between the fly height and the read/write head frequency.

Abstract: A disc head slider includes a slider body having a disc-facing surface, a recessed area positioned on the disc-facing surface, and a raised rail positioned on the disc-facing surface adjacent the recessed area. The raised rail includes a bearing surface and a recessed step surface which is recessed from the bearing surface and is raised from the recessed area. A plurality of bearing pads are formed on the recessed step surface and have upper surfaces that together define the bearing surface. A non-bearing pad is formed on the recessed step surface and has an upper surface, which is generally coplanar with the bearing surface, and a pointed leading pad edge.

Abstract: A patterned magnetic storage medium has a plurality of data sectors separated by respective servo sectors with each servo sector having a pattern of pits representing servo data. Grooves in each data sector separate adjacent tracks. Non-uniform means patterns the grooves to a model of minimum or zero fly height perturbations of a slider adjacent the medium. The non-uniform means preferably comprises lands pseudo-randomly spaced along each groove to form segmented grooves of pseudo-random length, with the lands being pseudo-randomly positioned across the data sector. In other embodiments, the servo sectors have lengths along each track to define a null frequency that matches a pitch frequency of modulation of a slider due to the pits of the servo sectors.