Abstract: An air bearing slider which includes a raised bearing surface or surfaces contoured to limit off nodal pressurization. The air bearing surfaces are located proximate to nodal regions of a height field or profile between the slider and disc surface to limit off-nodal pressurization. The air bearing slider includes a narrow raised bearing surface profile proximate to the trailing edge of the slider body and an expanded intermediate profile along an intermediate portion to provide lift and roll stability proximate to an intermediate nodal region of the slider body to limit off nodal pressurization.

Abstract: A disc stabilization system comprises a spinning disc with a disc surface deflectable by shock. The disc surface is in contact with a gas layer adjacent the disc surface. When the suspension system is subjected to a mechanical shock, the disc can deflect. The amplitude and duration of the deflection due to mechanical shock is limited by a wing feature. The wing feature includes an aerodynamic surface that interacts with the gas layer to generate an aerodynamic force on the disc surface. A strut supports the wing feature over the disc surface in a position such that the aerodynamic force increases as the disc surface deflects toward the aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: A disc head slider supports a transducer relative to a moving media in a data storage system. The slider includes a slider body having a media opposing face with a leading slider edge, a trailing slider edge, a recessed area and a bearing surface formed by at least one positive pressurization area. The pressurization area is raised relative to the recessed area. A wearable airflow-blocking pad is positioned upstream of the positive pressurization area, between the positive pressurization area and the recessed area. The pad is wearable from a first height to a second, lower height relative to the positive pressurization area during normal operation of the data storage system. The airflow-blocking pad substantially disrupts fluid flow from reaching the positive pressurization area when at the first height and allows progressively increasing fluid flow to reach the positive pressurization area as the pad wears toward the second height.

Abstract: An air bearing slider which includes a raised bearing surface or surfaces contoured to limit off nodal pressurization. The air bearing surfaces are located proximate to nodal regions of a height field or profile between the slider and disc surface to limit off-nodal pressurization. The air bearing slider includes a narrow raised bearing surface profile proximate to the trailing edge of the slider body and an expanded intermediate profile along an intermediate portion to provide lift and roll stability proximate to an intermediate nodal region of the slider body to limit off nodal pressurization.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a disc stack, a rotary actuator having an arm coupled to a transducer head, and support structure for receiving the arm with a reduced incidence of sliding contact therewith. The arm is separated from the support means, and then moved so that the head is above a disc surface for storing data. After the disc stack reaches its nominal rotation speed, the head is loaded so that it can transfer data. During periods of non-activity, the head is raised (unloaded) again and the arm is placed on the support means. This reduces a risk of damage in the presence of shocks while minimizing particle generation induced by friction.

Abstract: A disc head slider supports a transducer relative to a moving media in a data storage system. The slider includes a slider body having a media opposing face with a leading slider edge, a trailing slider edge, a recessed area and a bearing surface formed by at least one positive pressurization area. The pressurization area is raised relative to the recessed area. A wearable airflow-blocking pad is positioned upstream of the positive pressurization area, between the positive pressurization area and the recessed area. The pad is wearable from a first height to a second, lower height relative to the positive pressurization area during normal operation of the data storage system. The airflow-blocking pad substantially disrupts fluid flow from reaching the positive pressurization area when at the first height and allows progressively increasing fluid flow to reach the positive pressurization area as the pad wears toward the second height.

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.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a disc stack, a rotary actuator having an arm coupled to a transducer head, and support structure for receiving the arm with a reduced incidence of sliding contact therewith. The arm is separated from the support means, and then moved so that the head is above a disc surface for storing data. After the disc stack reaches its nominal rotation speed, the head is loaded so that it can transfer data. During periods of non-activity, the head is raised (unloaded) again and the arm is placed on the support means. This reduces a risk of damage in the presence of shocks while minimizing particle generation induced by friction.