Abstract: A system and method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of written data tracks and in some embodiments at least one alignment band. The system in one embodiment includes a plurality of adjacent readers for simultaneously reading the data tracks, at least some of the readers overlapping multiple data tracks. At least one reader is also present for reading the at least one alignment band. A mechanism determines a fractional overlap of each reader on the data tracks based on readback of the alignment band. A mechanism extracts data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the fractional overlap.

Abstract: An actuator assembly according to one embodiment includes an inner effective annular magnet polarized radially, an outer effective annular magnet polarized radially, and a coil positioned between the inner and outer magnet structures. The magnet structures may be continuous magnets or constructed of multiple magnets. The coil may be a dual wound monofilament coil, where sections of the filament are wound in opposite directions.

Abstract: A system and method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written data tracks and at least one alignment band. The system in one embodiment includes a plurality of adjacent readers for simultaneously reading the data tracks. At least one reader is also present for reading the at least one alignment band. A mechanism determines a fractional overlap of each reader on the data tracks based on readback of the alignment band. A mechanism extracts data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the fractional overlap.

Abstract: An actuator device includes a pole piece and at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field. A coarse positioner having a coil surrounding the pole piece provides coarse actuation in a direction parallel to an axis of the pole piece. A fine positioner having a coil surrounding the pole piece provides fine actuation in a direction generally parallel to an axis of the pole piece.

Abstract: A disk drive system and method for implementing the same. The disk drive system of the present invention includes a discoid medium which rotates about its rotation axis and stores data. An actuator includes a head for reading or writing data from or in the discoid medium as it bidirectionally rotates about its bidirectional-rotation axis. The disk drive system further includes a housing which has a predetermined width and houses the discoid medium and the actuator, wherein the rotation axis of the discoid medium and the bidirectional-rotation axis of the actuator are arranged at the center in the width direction of the housing, and wherein size of the discoid medium is smaller than that of a discoid medium corresponding to a form factor of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a coil actuator of a type having a coil and a magnet. A current source selectively applies a first current to a coil of a coil actuator for setting a moveable part of the coil actuator to a first position. A recording system captures data corresponding to a back electromotive force voltage produced by oscillation of the coil actuator upon movement of the moveable part of the coil actuator to a second position. A processor applies a curve fit to the back electromotive force data for calculating a frequency characteristic and damping response of the coil actuator.

Abstract: A near net shape fiber composite actuator assembly that requires little to no secondary finishing operations such as cutting or machining of the fiber structure to form the periphery of the assembly. In one aspect of the present invention, fibers are continuously wound substantially continuously in a direction along the periphery of the actuator component. This results in fibers orientated generally in the longitudinal direction of the component, and in a direction along the periphery of the matrix of the component, with fibers bending around all large radii to provide fiber continuity around the component's perimeter. Actuator positioner arms can be made of continuous fiber windings. An E-block can be made by stacking actuator arm components that are individually formed by continuous fiber windings. A dual-purpose wound-form can be deployed to facilitate the winding process, which will become an integral part of the final actuator assembly structure.