Abstract: A hybrid drive system for integrated vehicle stability control. Specifically, the hybrid drive system includes a multi-wheeled vehicle, a drop-in electric drive motor, and a master controller. The multi-wheeled vehicle is originally configured for propulsion using an internal combustion engine. That is, the present invention is suitable for powering legacy vehicles. The internal combustion engine capable of driving at least one wheel of the multi-wheeled vehicle. The remaining wheels of the multi-wheeled vehicle are not driven by the internal combustion engine. The drop-in electric drive motor is adapted to independently drive at least one remaining wheel on the multi-wheeled vehicle. The master controller is coupled to the drop-in electric drive motor. The master controller controls speeds of the remaining wheels driven by the electric drive motor to provide propulsion and overall stability management for the multi-wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: A shock and vibration resistant hard disk drive has a plurality of fluid damping isolation devices disposed between the drive and a supporting frame. The isolation devices are capsules containing either gasses or liquids enclosed in a flexible membrane that spring back to its original shape after the shock or vibration event has transpired. Variation of fluid properties such as density, viscosity, and pressure allow for custom tuning of the vibration and shock performance. In addition, variation of membrane chemistry and thickness of the membrane also allows for further customization. A fuel cell is provided and the isolation devices may provide the energy source for the fuel cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for removing particles from a magnetic head support assembly of a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, a load/unload operation of the magnetic head support assembly is initiated. Particles are dislodged from the magnetic head support assembly by moving it across a physical feature of the load/unload ramp of the hard disk drive. This causes an acceleration of the magnetic head support assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to its normal plane of movement which dislodges the particles. The particles are then conveyed away from the magnetic head support assembly in an airstream generated by the rotation of the disk pack of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic disk drive for reading or writing magnetically, comprising: (i) a base plate; (ii) one or more of magnetic disks; (iii) a hub fixedly attached to the disks for supporting the disks; (iv) a motor operable to rotate the hub; (v) one or more of magnetic read/write heads, each associated with the surface of a disk; (vi) an actuator for supporting the heads and moving the heads across the disks; (vii) a support shaft attached to the base plate; and (viii) a load/unload structure for displacing the heads from the disk comprising an elongated body, a base portion fixedly attached to the base plate and a plurality of ramps extending outwardly from the body. The body of the structure is mounted through one or more holes in the body onto the support shaft so that the support shaft extends along the length of the body to support the structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic disk drive for reading or writing magnetically, comprising: (i) a base plate; (ii) one or more of magnetic disks; (iii) a hub fixedly attached to the disks for supporting the disks; (iv) a motor operable to rotate the hub; (v) one or more of magnetic read/write heads, each associated with the surface of a disk; (vi) an actuator for supporting the heads and moving the heads across the disks; (vii) a support shaft attached to the base plate; and (viii) a load/unload structure for displacing the heads from the disk comprising an elongated body, a base portion fixedly attached to the base plate and a plurality of ramps extending outwardly from the body. The body of the structure is mounted through one or more holes in the body onto the support shaft so that the support shaft extends along the length of the body to support the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sensing the vibrational response of a slider of predetermined dimensions during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface, separating the response into its individual bending mode frequency component responses, determining one or more bending mode frequency responses which display monotonic behavior with increasing asperity interference, and designing a mode selection sensor optimized to detect the monotonic bending mode frequency identified. The mode enhanced sensor is designed by first analyzing the stress distribution of the slider corresponding to the monotonic bending mode frequency, identifying regions of the slider which experience substantially positive or substantially negative stress, and partitioning the upper conductive layer of a piezoelectric sensor to form a partitions corresponding to each of the identified regions. The sensor may be further enhanced by tailoring the partitions to exclude undesirable stress contributions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the vibrational response of a slider of predetermined dimensions during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface, separating the response into its individual bending mode frequency component responses, determining one or more bending mode frequency responses which display monotonic behavior with increasing asperity interference, and designing a mode selection sensor optimized to detect the monotonic bending mode frequency identified. The mode enhanced sensor is designed by first analyzing the stress distribution of the slider corresponding to the monotonic bending mode frequency, identifying regions of the slider which experience substantially positive or substantially negative stress, and partitioning the upper conductive layer of a piezoelectric sensor to form a partitions corresponding to each of the identified regions. The sensor may be further enhanced by tailoring the partitions to exclude undesirable stress contributions.

Abstract: An enhanced piezoelectric sensor for detecting a predetermined bending mode frequency in the vibrational response of a slider with dimensions smaller than the conventional 100% slider during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface. A method for making the enhanced sensor is also disclosed. The sensor comprises a substantiality rectangular slab of piezoelectric material having a charge response which corresponds to in-plane stress under free boundary conditions. Enhancement is achieved by partitioning an upper conductive layer along the lines of symmetry of the slider's stress distribution, which is related to the piezoelectric material's generated charge. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive layer is partitioned into two electrically isolated regions symmetric about the sensor's lateral axis. The design facilitates the isolation of a high frequency bending component which has been found to be monotonic with increasing surface asperity interference.

Abstract: The start-up of a rotating disk file is controlled by first moving the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) supporting the read/write heads radially outwardly from the inside diameter (20) of the disks (10, 12, 14) by applying a voltage from voltage source (70) to voice coil motors (34, 44), sensing the position of the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) on the disk surfaces with a position sensor (80), initiating rotation of the disk drive motor (18) when the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) have moved a dewetting distance, and terminating radial translation of the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) when the disk drive motor (18) has reached operating speed and the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) are riding on a bearing of air above the disk surfaces. The instrumented radial translation of the sliders (30, 32, 40, 42) overcomes the stiction forces at the slider-disk interface without damage to the read/write heads, the disks (10, 12, 14) or the slider suspensions (36, 38, 46, 48).