Abstract: A low hysteresis pivot bearing suitable for a variety of applications. The relationship between torque and angular displacement is substantially linear, with negligible residual hysteresis. The pivot bearing includes a pivot shaft and an inner sleeve pivotally attached to the pivot shaft by an inner bearing. An outer sleeve is pivotally attached to the inner sleeve by an outer bearing. An inner sleeve actuator continuously rotates the inner sleeve relative to the stationary shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to near field assemblies with improved optical coupling efficiency suitable for near field photolithography and heat assisted magnetic recording with fluid bearing structures. Masters for photolithography are fabricated using a fluid bearing suspended at a near field distance using hydrostatic bearings. Near field features fabricated on a fluidized slider emit a radiated laser to develop a photo-resist layer deposited on the master replicator. A plurality of near field assemblies is etched on a wafer. Each of the near field assemblies includes a planar solid immersion mirror, at least one grating, and a near field transducer. The features created during the etching step are used to guide at least one milling tool to machine at least one surface on one or more of the planar solid immersion mirror, the at least one grating, and the near field transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing head media spacing (HMS) from about 100 Angstroms to about 65 Angstroms or less, without substantial reductions in the carbon overcoat or lubricant thickness. A protruding feature extends above the actuated portion of the air bearing surface and generally covers the read-write sensors. The protruding feature can either be static or thermally actuated. The protruding feature is small enough to engage with the lubricant without causing large head media disturbances and lubricant pickup and re-distribution or preventing contact detection. The protruding feature is also extremely small relative to the size of the actuated portion of the air bearing surface, but large enough to provide a wear and corrosion resistance to head media spacing sensitive features.

Abstract: A carabiner with a generally C-shaped body includes a first end and a second end located on opposite sides of an opening. A primary gate is mounted to the second end. The primary gate is rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to a plane that bisects the C-shaped body. The primary gate is rotatable between a closed position with the primary gate engaged with the first end and the C-shaped body enclosing an interior region, and an open position with the primary gate located generally in the interior region. A secondary gate is attached to the primary gate and adapted to be displaced in the plane relative to the primary gate between a closed configuration that separates the interior region into a first portion and a second portion, and an open configuration that provides access to the interior region. The secondary gate can be displaced in the plane to extend across the interior region as the primary gate rotates between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A storage device assembly includes a sealed housing having a base and a cover. A storage medium is disposed within the sealed housing. A security feature within the housing is adapted to damage at least a portion of the storage medium if the sealed housing is opened.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: A retractable locking pin. The locking pin includes a catch, a biasing means, a stop, a strut and an activation member. The catch is radially respositionable relative to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin as between an outward expanded position and an inward contracted position. The biasing means biases the catch towards the outward expanded position. The stop is longitudinally spaced from the catch and extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The strut cooperatively interconnects the biasing means and the stop. The activation member is operably associated with at least one of the catch and the biasing means for repositioning the catch towards the inward contracted position against the bias of the biasing means when the activation member is repositioned in a first direction along a path relative to the stop.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to adjusting a fly height of a transducer to enable a first data access with a storage medium rotating at a first speed, rotating the storage medium at a second speed substantially different from the first speed, and adjusting the fly height of the transducer to enable a second data access with the storage medium rotating at the second speed.

Abstract: An insulating panel including a panel structure of closed cell foam with a first portion and a second portion. At least one compressible joint connects the first portion to the second portion. The compressible joint includes at least one segment with a cross-sectional thickness less than a cross-sectional thickness of the panel structure.

Abstract: The application discloses processes for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device. The processes disclosed provide a transducer portion that is separated from a slider body by a gap. In an illustrated embodiment, actuator elements are fabricated in the gap to adjust a position of the transducer portion relative to the slider body.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to adjusting a fly height of a transducer to enable a first data access with a storage medium rotating at a first speed, rotating the storage medium at a second speed substantially different from the first speed, and adjusting the fly height of the transducer to enable a second data access with the storage medium rotating at the second speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transducing device. The transducing device includes a transducing element having a read element and a write element. The transducing device further includes at least one heating element formed within the transducing device and spaced apart from the heating element a sufficient distance to keep the at least one heating element from influencing a temperature of the transducing element.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching a first element to a second element. The assembly includes a first non-metallic connecting member. The first non-metallic connecting member includes a first member having a first surface and a second member. The second member extends substantially perpendicular from a first end adjacent the first surface to a second end and has an outer surface. Apertures in the first and second elements receive the second member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: A suspension comprises a load beam having a leading portion and a trailing portion, a gimbal sheet mounted to the leading portion and forming a first pad, a second pad, and a displacement lever assembly including at least a first lever arm having a first end adjacent and connected to the first pad and a second end opposite the first end and connected to the second pad. The displacement lever assembly is configured to translate a linear displacement of the first pad to a differing displacement of the second pad. The suspension comprises a piezoelectric element attached to the first pad and extending across the second pad.

Abstract: A pad is disclosed including discrete reinforcing members secured to a base layer. The discrete reinforcing elements may include spherical members rotatably embedded in the base layer, plates pivotally mounted to the base layer by means of a flexible post or revolute joint, or plates threaded on a chord secured to the base layer. The base layer may include a plurality of discrete projections each having a reinforcing element secured proximate a distal end thereof. A pad may include a receiver for securing to a wearer and a base. The base may be secured to the receiver by a suspension allowing pitch and roll movements. The receiver may secure to the base at one end while the opposite end is slidably secured to the base or coupled to the base by means of a biasing member.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a slider having a slider body. The slider body includes a bearing surface defining a bearing surface plane, a leading edge, a trailing edge, first side edge, a second side edge and at least one corner. A corner feature is positioned proximate the at least one corner. The corner feature includes a first portion oriented in a first direction and a second portion oriented in a second direction that is different then the first direction. At least one of the first direction and the second direction is toward the trailing edge and is oblique to the bearing surface plane.

Abstract: An assembly includes a suspension component with a surface extending over a flexible region of the suspension component. The assembly also includes a damping layer disposed in a pattern that extends onto the surface. A sealing layer that is non-friable covers the damping layer. The sealing layer also preferably comprises a shear restraint layer for the damping layer.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disc drive, including a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and a slider attached to said load spring. The slider has an air-bearing surface. The air-bearing surface includes a first rail, a second rail and a depression positioned between the first rail and the second rail of the air-bearing surface. The depression further includes a first level surface and a second level surface. The first level surface of the slider is at a different distance from a surface of the first rail of the slider than the second level surface of the slider. The air-bearing surface may also include a divider located between the first level surface of the slider and the second level surface of the slider.

Abstract: The application discloses processes for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device. The processes disclosed provide a transducer portion that is separated from a slider body by a gap. In an illustrated embodiment, actuator elements are fabricated in the gap to adjust a position of the transducer portion relative to the slider body.