Abstract: A high frequency, AC-modulated heater current is applied to a heater of a magnetic head. A resistance change of a temperature sensor located at a region of proximity to a magnetic media is determined. The resistance change occurs in response to the heater current. At least one of a spacing and contact between the magnetic head and the magnetic media is determined based on a frequency-domain signature of the resistance change.

Abstract: A high frequency, AC-modulated heater current is applied to a heater of a magnetic head. A resistance change of a temperature sensor located at a region of proximity to a magnetic media is determined. The resistance change occurs in response to the heater current.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface for improving resonance control. The interface includes a first member having a first coupling portion, a mounting surface having a second coupling portion for coupling to the first coupling portion of the first member, and a raised engagement member located on at least one of the first member or the mounting surface. The raised engagement surface provides contact between the first member and the mounting surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface for improving resonance control. The interface includes a first member having a first coupling portion, a mounting surface having a second coupling portion for coupling to the first coupling portion of the first member, and a raised engagement member located on at least one of the first member or the mounting surface. The raised engagement surface provides contact between the first member and the mounting surface.

Abstract: A method for swaging a suspension assembly to an actuator arm of a data storage device is disclosed. The method includes steps of inserting a deformable tubular stake into an aperture of an actuator arm and inserting an expandable swaging member into a channel of the tubular stake within the aperture of the actuator arm. Thereafter, the method includes the step of expanding the swaging member to deform the tubular stake to swage the tubular stake to the actuator arm of the data storage device.

Abstract: A laminated suspension includes recesses in one layer of the suspension that aid in attaching elements to the suspension and in utilizing a micromotor placed on the suspension. In particular, examples of the recesses include weld areas for welding the suspension to other items, fiducials that are used to align the suspension with other items, micromotor recesses that receive the micromotors, adhesive controls that restrict the location of adhesives on the suspension, electrical interconnect attachment tabs that accept flex electrical circuits, side rails that reduce torsional resonance during microactuation and microactuator hinges that reduce the force needed for microactuation. In addition, a laminated suspension with a single metal layer in the spring area is provided.

Abstract: A laminated suspension includes recesses in one layer of the suspension that aid in attaching elements to the suspension and in utilizing a micromotor placed on the suspension. In particular, examples of the recesses include weld areas for welding the suspension to other items, fiducials that are used to align the suspension with other items, micromotor recesses that receive the micromotors, adhesive controls that restrict the location of adhesives on the suspension, electrical interconnect attachment tabs that accept flex electrical circuits, side rails that reduce torsional resonance during microactuation and microactuator hinges that reduce the force needed for microactuation. In addition, a laminated suspension with a single metal layer in the spring area is provided.

Abstract: A base mounting portion connects the gimbal spring to a load beam and thereby to the actuator of the disc drive which positions the gimbal and slider over a desired track on the disc. The gimbal includes opposed spaced flexure arms which are formed of elongated members, each having a proximal end and a distal end which define an opening therebetween. The proximal ends of the flexure arms are operably coupled to the base, and the distal ends are cantilevered. A mounting tab is positioned between the ends of the flexure arms and supports the slider. Bridge sections are provided which connect the distal ends of the flexure arms to the mounting tab, the bridge sections extending at an angle relative to the flexure arms and being angled back toward the base section of the gimbal. The bridge sections support a limiter extending over said load beam to limit vertical movement of said load beam.

Abstract: A base mounting portion connects the gimbal spring to a load beam and thereby to the actuator of the disc drive which positions the gimbal and slider over a desired track on the disc. The gimbal includes opposed spaced flexure arms which are formed of elongated members, each having a proximal end and a distal end which define an opening therebetween. The proximal ends of the flexure arms are operably coupled to the base, and the distal ends are cantilevered. A mounting tab is positioned between the ends of the flexure arms and supports the slider. Bridge sections are provided which connect the distal ends of the flexure arms to the mounting tab, the bridge sections extending at an angle relative to the flexure arms and being angled back toward the base section of the gimbal. The bridge sections support a limiter extending over said load beam to limit vertical movement of said load beam.

Abstract: A flex circuit comprises a flexible carrier and at least one conductor carried by the flexible carrier. The flexible carrier includes a lattice which provides reduced torsional and bending stiffness and reduced thermal expansion properties.

Abstract: A base plate is disclosed for swage or ball stake mounting a transducer carrying arm to a support arm. The base plate includes a flange and a tubular member or boss. The flange has a non-rectangular profile and first, second, third and fourth arms extending generally in first, second, third and fourth directions. Each of the arms of the flange defines a separate corner of a rectangular profile so that rectangular profile compatible equipment can be used with the base plate of the present invention. The non-rectangular profile of the flange fits within the defined rectangular profile such that the mass of the flange is reduced to thereby improve resonance, shock and access time performance of the disc drive.

Abstract: A load beam element is provided with stiffening and load lifter rails fashioned by making a cut-out or incised flap from a continuous surface of the load beam element and bending the flap out of the plane of the load beam element surface. These stiffening and load lifter rails project from the plane of the load beam surface over at least a portion of the length of the load beam element and are each oriented in length generally parallel to the nearest edge of the load beam. In addition to providing stiffening of the load beam, the rails also provide a surface for contact by a head lifter apparatus to lift and lower the HSA toward and away from an appropriate disk surface.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension 10 has a flexure portion 18 constituted as a single one-piece structure with a load beam spring element portion 12. The flexure portion 18 projects beyond a distal apex of the load beam spring element portion 12. The flexure portion 18 includes a first connection arm member connected at a proximal end thereof to the distal apex of the load beam spring element portion 12. Head support means are suspended from the first connection arm member. The head support means are constructed and arranged for supporting a head slider bonded to one face of a bond pad area 26 thereof. The head support means has a pair of substantially parallel flexible longitudinal arms 28 substantially enclosing the bond pad area 26. The distal end of the flexible arms 28 flexibly suspend the bond pad area 26 of the head support means. The proximal ends of the flexible arms 28 are connected to the distal end of the first connection arm member.

Abstract: An improved head suspension assembly (HSA) for use in dynamic storage devices and rigid disk drives provides improved shock, resonance and access time performance of disk drives, while maintaining needed lateral stiffness of the HSA. The mass and inertia of the HSA as a whole is improved, by providing an area of reduced mass constituted by an area of partial etching and/or through holes on any one or more of the constituent members, that is, the load beams flexure and/or constraint. The HSA may alternatively comprise a one-piece unitary load beam and flexure structure provided with such an area of reduced mass.