Abstract: A transducer-level microactuator selectively positions a transducer portion of a slider radially with respect to circumferential data tracks of a rotatable disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a transducer body and a flexure body. The transducer body is spaced from the trailing edge of the sliding body and includes at least one transducer element. The flexure body extends from the trailing edge of the slider body and includes a first anchor point connected to the slider body and a second anchor point connected to the transducer body. The basecoat layer is deposited on the trailing edge of the slider body and substantially surrounds the flexure body wherein a gap separates the flexure body from the basecoat. A first actuation assembly is formed on the basecoat and a second actuation assembly is formed on the transducer body adjacent the slider body.

Abstract: An air bearing for a slider including cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions along a trailing edge portion of the slider. The cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions are formed on a stepped bearing surface which is elevated above a recessed bearing surface. The cooperating raised bearing surfaces or portions form raised rails or rails portions or a raised center pad or raised center pad portion on the stepped bearing surface to reduce cross curve sensitivity.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a slider that includes a substrate, a transducer tip disposed on the substrate, and a hydrodynamic surface including a responsive aeroelastic deposit. The substrate has a first coefficient of expansion responsive to a stimulus. The transducer tip has having a second coefficient of expansion responsive to the stimulus that is greater than the first coefficient of expansion. The aeroelastic deposit has a third coefficient of expansion responsive to the stimulus that is greater than the first coefficient of expansion. The responsive aeroelastic deposit allows the slider to alter its flight characteristics responsively and elastically to changing operating conditions.

Abstract: A method is used for fabricating sliders for use in a disc drive actuation system, the sliders having bonds pads formed on either a top surface or side faces of the slider. The method comprises providing a substrate having a top surface. Trenches are formed in the substrate and filled with a bond pad material to form slider bond pads. Excess bond pad material is removed from the trenches such that the slider bond pads are flush with the top surface of the substrate. A transducer is fabricated on the top surface of the substrate. Finally, the slider bond pads are exposed.

Abstract: An air bearing slider including a recessed cavity surface to provide an adaptable bearing surface to compensate for thermal expansion or pole tip protrusion. The recessed cavity surface forms a leading edge cavity step to a raised bearing surface proximate to a trailing edge of the slider. The leading edge cavity step forms a rampless air bearing surface proximate to the trailing edge of the slider which is adaptable to form a ramp to pressurize a protruding surface of a transducer portion of the head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension assembly having a slider body with a trailing edge face. A bond pad is positioned on the trailing edge face and a conductive trace is connected to the bond pad to form an electrical connection. A heating element includes a low resistivity portion and a high resistivity portion. The high resistivity portion is positioned proximate the electrical connection.

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: The present invention relates to a suspension assembly that includes a load beam having a bend section with a bending stiffness and an in-plane stiffness. The assembly also includes a constraint or stiffening layer cooperatively attached to the bend section. The constraint layer includes a pattern formed therein, and the constraint layer is arranged and configured to increase the in-plane stiffness of the bend section and to maintain a substantially constant bending stiffness of the bend section. The constraint layer pattern may be preformed or may be formed in the constraint layer after the constraint layer has been mounted to the bend section.

Abstract: A disc head slider having a slider body that includes a bearing surface, a cavity dam and a sub-ambient pressure cavity is provided. The sub-ambient pressure cavity has a cavity floor, a plurality of sides and a depth that progressively varies between a point on one of the sides and a corresponding point on an opposing side. The depth is measured from the bearing surface to the cavity floor. The cavity floor comprises a plurality of substantially flat bottom surfaces that are separated by at least one elevational change. Other embodiments pertain to other specialized slider cavity configurations.

Abstract: A low cost, flex head gimbal assembly has a substrate with an attachment region, a flexure region and an integrated gimbal. The flex head gimbal assembly is electrically and mechanically connected to an actuator arm via solder bumps in the attachment region. A stiff plate is attached to the substrate between the attachment region and the flexure region. A flex cable and electrical interconnections extend from the attachment region across the flexure region to the gimbal. Electrical leads extend from the solder bumps to the flex cable. The substrate is bent at the stiff plate to achieve the desired z-height and to impart the pre-load to the assembly.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a slider that includes an aerodynamic surface which includes a first bearing surface, a cavity floor, and a first recessed pressurization surface. The first bearing surface is disposed on the aerodynamic surface, defining a bearing height. The cavity floor is disposed on the aerodynamic surface at a cavity depth below the bearing height. The first recessed pressurization surface is adapted to provide above-ambient fluid pressure when the slider is in nominal flight, which is greater than fluid pressure provided elsewhere on a trailing half of the aerodynamic surface at a substantial displacement from a longitudinal centerline of the aerodynamic surface. The first recessed pressurization surface is disposed on the aerodynamic surface at a recessed depth which is between the bearing height and the cavity depth.

Abstract: A system for protecting a dock from ice damage. The system includes a circumferentially fluted, water-impermeable housing capable of longitudinal and radial expansion and contraction. The housing defines a cavity with upper and lower openings into the cavity through the housing. The openings are configured and arranged to engage a dock-supporting post at longitudinally spaced upper and lower points along the length of the post with the upper point positioned above the water line and the lower point positioned below the frost line.

Abstract: A solid-state actuation mechanism for use in a data storage system. The actuation mechanism includes an anchor fixedly attached to a housing of the data storage system, a spring member including a first end coupled to the anchor, a suspension coupled to a second end of the spring member, the suspension supporting a data head above a media surface, the suspension being biased by the spring member toward a first position, and an actuation component coupled to the suspension. The actuation component configured to apply an actuation force to the suspension to move the suspension laterally relative to the media surface.

Abstract: An actuator suspension comprising a base supporting a load beam. The base defines a mount and a compliant sway portion. The compliant sway portion comprises a sway beam depending proximally from the mount and distally supporting the load beam. The suspension further comprises a piezoelectric element motor attached to the sway beam and adapted for bending the sway beam in a sway plane. A method is provided comprising: providing the actuator suspension with a base defining a compliant sway portion comprising a sway beam depending at one end from the base and supporting a load beam at an opposing end thereof; attaching one end of a piezoelectric element motor to the sway beam adjacent the mount and the other end also to the sway beam; energizing the piezoelectric element motor to impart the bending force to the sway beam in the sway plane.

Abstract: A data storage medium such as a disc for a disc drive having a data signal layer configured for providing a data signal and a servo signal layer that includes first material a second materials having thermal characteristics that are distinct from one another. The first material and second material define at least one signal feature for providing a modulating servo signal based upon the variation of thermal properties in the servo signal layer. The first material may define spaced features of a servo pattern such as grooves and pits and the second material may fill the grooves and pits or other features. The intersection of the first and second material may provide a distinct thermal transition so that when the medium, typically a disc, is rotated around an axis, the servo features generate a thermo signal having a frequency proportional to the spacing between the signal features and an amplitude that is a function of the thermal properties of the first material and the second material.

Abstract: The device of the present invention facilitates engaging mating elements, such as actuators used in disc drives, with a pattern on the device. The improved device includes arcuate edges between at least one of the sidewalls in the pattern and the surface of the device. The arcuate edges minimize some of the fracturing of the device that typically occurs when a mating element is inserted on or into the device. The present invention also relates to a method of fabricating a device. The method comprises positioning a mask in the form of a pattern relative to the device, and then etching the pattern into a surface on the device to form at least one sidewall and an arcuate edge such that the arcuate edge extends between the surface on the device and one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A head having micro-positioning control. The head includes a slider body and a transducer body coupled to the slider body through a flexible interface. The transducer body is spaced from the slider body to form a gap therebetween. Micro-positioning actuators are coupled to the transducer body in the gap to provide micro-positioning control. In an embodiment for an air bearing slider, the gap includes off-track and fly height positioning control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided characterizing the shape of a surface such as a bearing surface on a slider and for processing the shape. The shape is characterized by fitting a curve having a desired shape to measurement data and then determining residual deviations from the desired shape within localized regions. The surface is processed by selecting a material stress pattern to be applied to a working surface of the slider based on measured and desired contour shape parameters in a plurality of localized areas on the bearing surface. The measured contour shape parameter within a first of the plurality of localized areas is weighted more heavily than those within the other localized areas.

Abstract: The present invention is an air bearing slider comprising a transducer for communicating with a disc; a composite slider body with a front portion composed of a first material and a rear portion composed of a second material; an air bearing surface defined on a disc opposing face of the composite slider body, where the air bearing surface comprises the front portion and the rear portion; and a transducer basecoat portion attached to the rear portion of the slider body and containing the transducer. During flight, the mechanical close point of the slider body is at the transducer pole tip.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a base layer, a circuit defined along the base layer, and a first material molded on at least a portion of the base layer. The first material substantially forms a shape of at least a portion of the support assembly. Further disclosed is a molded suspension assembly. The molded suspension assembly includes a thin and elongate metallic substrate and a non-metallic material molded along at least a portion of one side of the metallic substrate. The non-metallic material interlocks with the metallic substrate. The molded suspension assembly includes a transducer support area at or near a first end of the molded suspension assembly.