Abstract: Magnetic head sliders having air-bearing surfaces designed to reduce the protrusion compensation effect. The magnetic head slider includes: at least one front pad located an upstream portion of the slider and operative to generate a lifting force; and a rear pad that is located downstream of the front pad and includes a load-carrying part, for generating a lifting force, and a head mounting part. The head mounting part is separated from the load-carrying part by a groove formed between the load-carrying part and the head mounting part. The head mounting part contains a heat source that generates heat energy and thereby causes a protrusion throw to form on the slider. The groove suppresses formation of the protrusion throw on the load-carrying part and thereby localizes the protrusion throw mostly in the area adjacent to the head mounting part.

Abstract: An air bearing design enables a slider to fly at a higher fly height when the rotational speed of the disk is reduced to about one-third of its operational velocity. In addition, the slider has a flat profile as it scans the disk surface at a low fly height sigma, and low fly height loss during track seek and high altitude operation. This design also provides write protrusion compensation and thereby mitigates spacing losses due to the write current swelling of the write element protrusion. The leading region of the rear pad of the air bearing is mildly concave. This design produces unexpected results by compressing incoming air flow in such a way that, even under two very different velocities, good air bearing lift is generated while compensating for write element protrusion.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider including a central pad that is disposed at the trailing edge of the slider and designed to increase the flying height of the slider in response to heat induced protrusion of the head elements. The central pad of the present invention includes a body portion and two arm portions which project forwardly from a leading edge of the body portion, such that the leading portion of the central pad is formed with a generally U-shaped profile. The length of the arm members is preferably from approximately ¼ of the total length of the central pad to approximately ¾ of the total length of the central pad.

Abstract: A recording head for a disk drive with a load/unload mechanism has an air bearing on one surface. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of three air bearing pads, at least five shallow pockets and one deep pocket. A narrow gap extends from the deep pocket and separates leading ones of the air bearing pads and shallow pockets from each other. The air bearing pads have unique, step-shaped geometry and the rear pad is virtually free of any shallow area. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs with load/unload mechanisms.

Abstract: A glide head for burnishing or smoothing the surface of a magnetic disk has an air bearing on one side and a piezoelectric element on an opposite side. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of four or five air bearing surfaces (ABS) and etched pockets having multiple depths in the air bearing. The air bearing preferably has two front ABS, two middle ABS, and one rear ABS. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs. When the glide head contacts a defect or asperity on the surface of the disk, the glide head vibrates and causes the piezoelectric element to become excited and emit a signal in response.

Abstract: A suspension system for disk drives is formed out of a multi-layer metal laminate. An etch-retardant layer is received between two outer metal layers at a pre-determined depth from the outer surfaces of the metal layers. Utilizing conventional photo-chemical etching process techniques, the etch retardant layer stops or retards the chemical etching at this pre-determined depth. In this manner, the inherent variably in etch rate is controlled, permitting the formation of finer geometries in the head suspension than would be otherwise possible.

Abstract: A transducer suspension system for a data storage disk drive device has electrical wires strung along the top surface of the suspension. The wires bend around the distal end of the suspension and are connected to electrical pads on the transducer slider below. The height of the wires is reduced by swiping the wires in a lateral direction using a two-finger member. The swipe operation bends the wires down to reduce the overall height and reduces the stress created by the wires in the electrical pad bonds and allows the slider gimbal the freedom to move.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly is provided using a laminated load beam with electrical conductors etched in a copper layer of the load beam. A stiffening member is provided attached to the laminated load beam, the stiffener member being capable of being fabricated into a desired shape by a stamping process.

Abstract: A radially and axially preloaded bearing that has a very low mass and axial profile and which can be used in a actuator pivot of a direct access storage device without the need for a second bearing to counter the preload. An outer race of the bearing is split in order to form an open ring. Three balls are placed between the outer race and an inner race. Both the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the inner race are formed such that two contact points exist between each ball and each race. Alternatively, the outer race is a closed toroid. The inner race is radially split to form a lower and an upper race, each being a closed toroid. In yet another alternative, the outer race is radially split into an upper outer race and a lower outer race. The inner race is a single closed toroid. A limiter is used to limit the movement of each of the balls. Alternatively, a conventional ball cage is used.

Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for disk drives is attached to an actuator arm using an adhesive. An etch pattern is formed in the mount plate of the head gimbal assembly, defining a mating surface area. An actuator arm is received by the mating surface area, the two members are suitably aligned, and an adhesive is introduced into the various channels that comprise the etch pattern through an access opening that is located outside of the mating surface area. By locating the access opening outside of the mating surface area, the adhesive may be introduced after a final alignment is achieved between the head gimbal assemblies and the actuator arms. Such manner of attachment may be used with individual actuator arms as well as when connecting head gimbal assemblies to an actuator comb assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transducer suspension system for a data storage disk drive device having electrical wires strung along the top surface of the suspension, by bending the wires around the distal end of the suspension and connecting the wires to electrical pads on the transducer slider below. The height of the wires is reduced by swiping the wires in a lateral direction using a two-finger member. The swipe operation bends the wires down to reduce the overall height and reduces the stress created by the wires in the electrical pad bonds and allows the slider gimbal the freedom to move.

Abstract: A low profile, miniaturized rigid disk dam storage drive includes a micro-swaged connection that mounts the transducer carrying load beams to the respective actuator arms. The micro-swage plate, that is laser welded to the load beam, includes a swage boss that does not exceed 0.3 millimeters in length. The outer periphery and the distal end surface of the tubular swage boss are tapered to counteract rotation and shearing of the boss during swaging. In applications where the smooth exterior swage boss surface does not provide sufficient torque-out capability, the periphery of the boss is formed with axially extending irregularities to enhance the torque-out capability without increasing the pull-out force that would be necessary for disassembly and rework. The preswaged boss configuration includes frusto-conical peripheral and distal end surfaces to afford a swaged configuration with a generally radial end surface and maximum swaged contact through the available length of the swage boss.

Abstract: A slider-suspension assembly for a data-recording disk file is provided having a spacer device separating the slider from the suspension. The spacer device includes one or more solder bumps having a height that is precisely controlled to provide the desired spacing. The spacing device prevents contact between the slider and the suspension.