Abstract: A disc head slider includes a longitudinal axis, a recessed region, and first and second elongated rails extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and being disposed about the recessed region. Each rail forms a respective bearing surface. First and second elongated depressions extend along the first and second rails, respectively, and each has a depression floor which is recessed relative to the respective bearing surface. First and second convergent channels are recessed within the first and second rails, respectively, relative to the respective bearing surfaces, and include a leading channel end open to fluid flow from the first and second depressions, respectively, channel side walls and a trailing channel end closed to the fluid flow and positioned forward of a portion of the respective bearing surface.

Abstract: A system for modeling air bearing designs for heads of a data storage system The modeling system includes user definable surface contours for mask surfaces. The system generates integrated surface functions for the mask surfaces based upon the user defined mask surface contours. The system includes a user definable depth dimension for the mask surface functions and the integrated mask surface functions and dimension parameter for the mask surfaces are compiled to simulate a modeled air bearing structure for performance analysis and evaluation. The integrated mask surface functions are used to define the multiple mask tiers for slider fabrication.

Abstract: A shroud mounted to the housing of a disc drive blocks wind to the arm and suspension that positions a slider adjacent a recording surface of a disc. A first wall has a windward surface facing into the direction of rotation of the first disc. A second wall extends downwind from the windward surface between the arm and the disc to from a low-wind region with the first wall. The region is open at the leeward side so that the arm in the low-wind region positions the slider adjacent the disc. In some embodiments, a third wall is parallel to the second wall so that the low-wind region is a slot.

Abstract: A self-loading disc head-slider has a slider body, with a leading slider edge and a trailing slider edge, and first and second raised rails. Each raised rail has a leading rail edge, inside and outside rail edges and a bearing surface. A cavity dam extends between the first and second raised rails. A subambient pressure cavity trails the cavity dam, between the first and second raised rails. A stepped leading taper extends from the leading slider edge to the bearing surfaces of the first and second raised rails. The stepped leading taper is formed of first and second steps. The first step is positioned along the leading slider edge. The second step wraps around the leading rail edges of the first and second raised rails and extends along a portion of the inside and outside rail edges of the first and second raised rails. The first and second steps have a step height of 0.05 to 1.5 microns.

Abstract: A shroud mounted to the housing of a disc drive blocks wind to the arm and suspension that positions a slider adjacent a recording surface of a disc. A first wall has a windward surface facing into the direction of rotation of the first disc. A second wall extends downwind from the windward surface between the arm and the disc to from a low-wind region with the first wall. The region is open at the leeward side so that the arm in the low-wind region positions the slider adjacent the disc. In some embodiments, a third wall is parallel to the second wall so that the low-wind region is a slot.

Abstract: A flow control device for a data storage system to reduce flow induced vibration. The flow control device includes a plurality of streamline flow passages to reduce turbulent flow in a flow field along a disc surface. Thus, air flow induced by rotation of data discs is directed through the plurality of streamline flow passages to reduce turbulence to limit excitation or vibration of the head and suspension components.

Abstract: A system for modeling air bearing designs for heads of a data storage system The modeling system includes user definable surface contours for mask surfaces. The system generates integrated surface functions for the mask surfaces based upon the user defined mask surface contours. The system includes a user definable depth dimension for the mask surface functions and the integrated mask surface functions and dimension parameter for the mask surfaces are compiled to simulate a modeled air bearing structure for performance analysis and evaluation. The integrated mask surface functions are used to define the multiple mask tiers for slider fabrication.

Abstract: A slider having an advanced air bearing can employ control features that permit control of the flow-field streamline direction and thus enable an indirect mass transfer that flushes any accumulated lubricant out of the advanced air bearing. These control features can be located at the air bearing surface or at any recessed height from the air bearing surface. Moreover, these control features can also dislodge and move locations of flow-field stagnation.