Abstract: A magnetic recording head for reading and writing information with respect to a rotating disk medium includes a pad having a working surface which contacts the recording medium. The pad has a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between the head and the medium. The ledge has a narrower width than the trailing edge so as to reduce the effort of debris accumulation at the disk-head interface. The narrower leading edge allows the head to deflect oncoming debris as the head traverses the surface of the rotating magnetic medium.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head for reading and writing information with respect to a rotating disk medium includes a pad region having a working surface which contacts the recording medium. The pad region has a leading edge and a trailing edge with the leading edge facing in the general direction of relative motion between the head and the medium. The leading edge has a narrower width than the trailing edge so as to reduce the effect of debris accumulation at the disk-head interface. The narrower leading edge allows the head to deflect oncoming debris as the head traverses the surface of the rotating magnetic medium.

Abstract: A common cause for catastrophic failure in a magnetic disk storage system is due to the collection of debris on the slider/head assembly. Two factors contributing to these failures are: a) disk liquid lubricant provides a sticky medium for debris accumulation; and b) electrostatic charge on the slider assembly generated by friction attracts and accumulates debris. A method for reducing electrostatic charge build-up uses a conductive coating on a surface area of the slider. By providing a conducting path to the metallic disk on which the recording medium is applied, the triboelectrically generated charge on the slider is allowed to bleed-off. Providing an additional overcoat of a solid self-lubricant, and forming a wedge-shaped slider load-bearing surface for deflection of surface debris, results in the reduction of both failure causes.

Abstract: A common cause for catastrophic failure in a magnetic disk storage system is due to the collection of debris on the slider/head assembly. Two factors contributing to these failures are:a) disk liquid lubricant provides a sticky medium for debris accumulation; andb) electrostatic charge on the slider assembly generated by friction attracts and accumulates debris.A method for reducing electrostatic charge build-up uses a conductive coating on a surface area of the slider. By providing a conducting path to the metallic disk on which the recording medium is applied, the triboelectrically generated charge on the slider is allowed to bleed-off.Providing an additional overcoat of a solid self-lubricant, and forming a wedge-shaped slider load-bearing surface for deflection of surface debris, results in the reduction of both failure causes.

Abstract: A transducer suspension assembly comprises mounting base plate (40), a spring element (42), a load beam (44) and a flexure (46) having a reduced-footprint slider (60). A partial etch (50) is formed in the spring element of the suspension. The spring element further includes a pair of lateral flanges (54). The flexure contains a second pair of flanges (64) and two longitudinal arrays of openings (70 and 72) formed in the flanges. A shortened, high-stiffness service loop (69) is connected to the reduced-footprint slider.