Abstract: A slider is provided for actively controlling a fly height of the slider relative to a data storage disc during operation of a data storage system. The slider includes a slider body having front and back surfaces, a length and a crown curvature on the front surface along the length. The slider also includes first and second elongated rails which are positioned on the front surface along the length of the slider body and form first and second bearing surfaces. Each bearing surface includes a leading portion, a trailing portion and a waist portion, wherein the waist portion is wider than the leading and trailing portions and has a maximum width within a middle half of the length of the slider body. A deformable material is positioned on the slider body having a dimension that is changeable in response to an electrical control signal applied in a deformable material, wherein a change in the dimension causes a change in the crown curvature.

Abstract: A connector board which interfaces a disk drive head assembly to a test apparatus. The connector board is capable of being separated into segments which facilitate head assembly testing without changing connector boards, wherein test connections may be established supporting differing numbers of head assembly wires. By way of example, the connector board is adapted so that it may be used with either four-wire heads or two-wire heads, and further provides simplified separation should only a two-wire connection be required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: A slider that carries a transducer in a storage device having a moving storage medium, includes a leading end, a trailing end, and a top area extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The top area is designed to face substantially away from the storage medium, while a bottom area of the slider, extending from the leading end to the trailing end, is designed to substantially face toward the storage medium. The bottom area is joined to the trailing end by a curved surface having a substantially constant radius of curvature from the trailing end to a point at least 0.025 millimeters away from the trailing end.

Abstract: A disc burnishing system configured to contact and level irregularities located on a surface of a disc is provided. The system includes a motor to rotate the disc and an armature. A slider is carried on the armature over the surface of the disc. The slider includes at least one raised air bearing rail disposed on and extending from a bottom surface that faces the disc. At least one burnish pad is disposed on the bottom surface and extends towards the disc. Each burnish pad is spaced apart from each raised air bearing rail. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, a defect detection apparatus is operably disposed relative the slider and is utilized to first detect an irregularity before it is burnished.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: A magnetic data transducing slider is selectively textured, at least over its air bearing surface, to provide rounded nodules or rims adapted to support the normally aerodynamically supported slider when at rest on a specular surface of a data recording medium. The texturing substantially reduces the area of contiguous slider/medium contact as compared to the area of the air bearing surface, counteracting stiction and substantially reducing dynamic friction during head takeoffs and landings. Slider texturing eliminates the need for a dedicated contact or landing zone on the data recording medium, making more space available for storing data on the medium, and insuring a more uniform surface roughness over the entire surface of a medium that confronts the slider. The desired texture is formed according to a process that includes depositing chromium or another metal onto the slider substrate to provide metallic regions on the air bearing surface, particularly along opposite skis of the slider.

Abstract: A disc burnishing system configured to contact and level irregularities located on a surface of a disc is provided. The system includes a motor to rotate the disc and an armature. A slider is carried on the armature over the surface of the disc. The slider includes at least one raised air bearing rail disposed on and extending from a bottom surface that faces the disc. At least one burnish pad is disposed on the bottom surface and extends towards the disc. Each burnish pad is spaced apart from each raised air bearing rail. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, a defect detection apparatus is operably disposed relative the slider and is utilized to first detect an irregularity before it is burnished.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating surface characteristics of a recording disc prior to incorporation into a disc drive. A glide test system includes a glide test head supportable over the disc, the glide test head having a negative-pressure air bearing slider and a contact sensor which outputs a signal when the glide test head contacts a feature of the disc surface. The glide test head and the disc are characterized as opposing plates of a variable capacitor with a dielectric layer therebetween including at least a layer of air supporting the glide test head. A voltage source, operably coupled to the glide test head and the disc, applies a fly height control voltage across the capacitor to adjust the fly height of the glide test head. The disc surface preferably comprises a data region configured to magnetically store data as the disc is rotated and a texturized landing zone configured to support the disc drive read/write head when the disc is stopped.

Abstract: A honing head for microburnishing surface of a recording/reproducing disc to a smoothness at which asperities are limited to submicron heights including a hardened contact bearing surface having an array of depressions with abrupt trailing edges interconnected by recessed channels leading outwardly from the honing head. The array of channels span a band in which an asperity may be present, and the sharp edges shear off the asperities within the band which extend above the chosen submicroinch height, with the separated particulates being passed through the recesses and channel system to the outer edge of the honing head. The trailing edges act to shear off the unwanted heights of the asperities, while the recesses enable pressure differentials and air flows to direct the separated particulates outwardly relative to the disc, centripetal forces of rotation bearing the particulates from the disc.

Abstract: A honing head for microburnishing surface of a recording/reproducing disc to a smoothness at which asperities are limited to submicron heights including a hardened contact bearing surface having an array of depressions with abrupt trailing edges interconnected by recessed channels leading outwardly from the honing head. The array of channels span a band in which an asperity may be present, and the sharp edges shear off the asperities within the band which extend above the chosen submicroinch height, with the separated particulates being passed through the recesses and channel system to the outer edge of the honing head. The trailing edges act to shear off the unwanted heights of the asperities, while the recesses enable pressure differentials and air flows to direct the separated particulates outwardly relative to the disc, centripetal forces of rotation bearing the particulates from the disc.

Abstract: A slider that carries a transducer in a storage device having a moving storage medium, includes a leading end, a trailing end, and a top area extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The top area is designed to face substantially away from the storage medium, while a bottom area of the slider, extending from the leading end to the trailing end, is designed to substantially face toward the storage medium. The bottom area is joined to the trailing end by a curved surface having a substantially constant radius of curvature from the trailing end to a point at least 0.025 millimeters away from the trailing end.

Abstract: A honing head for microburnishing surface of a recording/reproducing disc to a smoothness at which asperities are limited to submicron heights including a hardened contact bearing surface having an array of depressions with abrupt trailing edges interconnected by recessed channels leading outwardly from the honing head. The array of channels span a band in which an asperity may be present, and the sharp edges shear off the asperities within the band which extend above the chosen submicroinch height, with the separated particulates being passed through the recesses and channel system to the outer edge of the honing head. The trailing edges act to shear off the unwanted heights of the asperities, while the recesses enable pressure differentials and air flows to direct the separated particulates outwardly relative to the disc, centripetal forces of rotation bearing the particulates from the disc.

Abstract: A honing head for microburnishing surface of a recording/reproducing disc to a smoothness at which asperities are limited to submicron heights including a hardened contact bearing surface having an array of depressions with abrupt trailing edges interconnected by recessed channels leading outwardly from the honing head. The array of channels span a band in which an asperity may be present, and the sharp edges shear off the asperities within the band which extend above the chosen submicroinch height, with the separated particulates being passed through the recesses and channel system to the outer edge of the honing head. The trailing edges act to shear off the unwanted heights of the asperities, while the recesses enable pressure differentials and air flows to direct the separated particulates outwardly relative to the disc, centripetal forces of rotation bearing the particulates from the disc.

Abstract: A honing head for microburnishing surface of a recording/reproducing disc to a smoothness at which asperities are limited to submicron heights including a hardened contact bearing surface having an array of depressions with abrupt trailing edges interconnected by recessed channels leading outwardly from the honing head. The array of channels span a band in which an asperity may be present, and the sharp edges shear off the asperities within the band which extend above the chosen submicroinch height, with the separated particulates being passed through the recesses and channel system to the outer edge of the honing head. The trailing edges act to shear off the unwanted heights of the asperities, while the recesses enable pressure differentials and air flows to direct the separated particulates outwardly relative to the disc, centripetal forces of rotation bearing the particulates from the disc.

Abstract: A disc drive test slider apparatus for measuring contact force with a surface of a rotating disc media includes a slider body positioned proximate the surface of the rotating disc. The slider body includes an air-bearing surface substantially parallel to the surface of the disc and separated from the surface of the disc by a glide height. A cavity is formed in the slider body having a side wall substantially normal to the surface of the disc and a wall substantially parallel to the surface of the disc. A beam flexure is attached to the side wall of the cavity. A plate is attached to the beam flexure in the cavity, the beam flexure having a spring resiliency to permit movement of the plate in the cavity substantially normal to the surface of the disc. A contact rod is attached to the plate, and extends through the cavity and a via in the slider body. The contact rod has a distal tip projecting from the air-bearing surface.

Abstract: A glide head for determining surface characteristics of a material includes a body positioned proximate to the surface of the material and an impact edge, formed through ion etching, that extends from the body toward the material. A sensor is mounted on the body and is capable of sensing impacts between the impact edge and portions of the surface of the material.

Abstract: The present invention is a glide height test slider for detecting asperities and irregularities on a surface of a rotating disc. A slider body has a plurality of edges defining its outer boundaries. The slider body has a piezoelectric element on at least one of its surfaces, and the piezoelectric element does not extend outside the outer boundaries of the slider body. First and second confronting conductors are patterned on the piezoelectric element so that an electric field generated by the piezoelectric element in response to a strain force due to vibration of the slider body induces a voltage between the first and second conductors representative of the vibration. The piezoelectric elements may be a separate element bonded to the slider body, or the slider body may be formed of a piezoelectric material to form the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An integrated connector board for a head of a disc drive including a base having a lead, connector pad and insertion connector formed on the base, the lead connector pad and insertion connector being electrically coupled to define a circuit. The connector pad is adapted for connection to a pin type connector terminal and the elongated insertion connector is adapted for connection to an insertion type connector terminal for providing a connector board adapted for use with insertion type connector terminals and pin type connector terminals.

Abstract: A data storage system head slider and a method of making the same. The head slider includes a slider body and an accelerometer formed integrally with the slider body. In preferred embodiments, the accelerometer includes a cavity-formed in the slider body. A structural beam extends over the cavity such that the structural beam deflects in response to acceleration of the head slider. A piezo transducer formed on the structural beam provides a transducer output signal indicative of a magnitude of the acceleration of the head slider.