Abstract: A tape drive configured to accurately position a head actuator in the presence of physical disturbances is disclosed. The tape drive includes a track-follow controller to position a head actuator over data tracks on magnetic tape. The tape drive further includes a disturbance observer configured to estimate a vibration disturbance and output a compensation signal to assist the track-follow controller to accurately position the head actuator over the data tracks in the presence of vibration. When estimating the vibration disturbance, the disturbance observer takes into account vibration frequency characteristics, such as frequency characteristics derived from a vibration specification associated with the tape drive, or frequency characteristics derived from known vibration disturbances experienced by the tape drive. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording system configured for recording to a bit patterned media using both hypertrack recording and shingled recording. The magnetic recording system includes a write pole with a notched trailing edge that results in a write bubble with a trailing edge that has two outer convex lobes separated by a centrally disposed concave region. By locating one of the lobes over first and second data tracks of a hypertrack, a proper alignment of the relative phase of the two tracks can be maintained. Further adjustment to the alignment can be achieved by adjusting the radial location of the write head.

Abstract: A suspension clamp is disclosed for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm. The suspension clamp comprises a housing including a spring operable to bias a latching member, wherein the latching member is rotatable about a pivot. After compressing the spring and rotating the latching member in a first direction, the latching member is operable to clamp the suspension to the actuator arm by decompressing the spring.

Abstract: A flexible-printed-circuit (FPC) voice-coil assembly configured for integration in a voice-coil motor. The FPC voice-coil assembly includes at least one FPC voice coil. The FPC voice coil includes a coil including at least one coil turn, and a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is coupled to the coil to form a flexible printed circuit. The FPC voice coil is configured for integration in a voice-coil motor. A voice-coil motor and a disk drive including the FPC voice-coil assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic media. The method allows both a data region and a servo region to be patterned without the patterning of one region adversely affecting the patterning of the other region. The method results in a patterned data region a patterned servo region and intermediate regions between the servo and data regions. The intermediate regions, which are most likely, but not necessarily, asymmetrical with one another indicate that the method has been used to pattern the media.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recorder includes: a determination module; a storage module; a reader; and a writer. The determination module determines whether a position of a head for writing data is off a target track of a recording medium. The storage module temporarily stores therein data written by the head. The reader reads, if it is determined that the head is positioned off the target track, first data written in a sector which is considered overwritten by the head positioned off the target track among sectors of an adjacent track adjacent to the target track, from the storage module. The writer writes, if it is determined that the head is positioned off the target track, the first data into a sector positioned later than the sector into which data is written at the time the head is positioned off the target track.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a reproducing section. The reproducing section detects a medium magnetic field recorded in a magnetic recording medium. The reproducing section includes a stacked film and a magnetic field application unit. The stacked film includes a first magnetization layer and a second magnetization layer. The first magnetization layer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. A magnetization of the first magnetization layer being is fixed. The second magnetization layer is stacked with the first magnetization layer and oscillates. The magnetic field application unit is stacked with the stacked film and applies a bias magnetic field having a component along the first axis to the stacked film. A resistance of the stacked film changes in accordance with the medium magnetic field when a current not less than a value at which the second magnetization layer oscillates is passed.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect (MR) element includes: first and second magnetic layers in which a relative angle formed by magnetization directions changes according to an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer positioned between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The spacer layer includes a main spacer layer composed of gallium oxide as a primary component and containing at least one metal element selected from a group of magnesium, zinc, indium and aluminum.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device including a disk, a spindle motor, a base for supporting the spindle motor and the disk, a slider includes a head element. The device also includes an actuator including arms for supporting the slider and a coil of a voice coil motor for rotating the arms, wherein a first natural bending frequency of the coil is less than a first natural bending frequency of the arms.

Abstract: A spoiler of a hard disk drive including a body portion coupled with a housing of the hard disk drive and adjacent to a hard disk, and an end portion coupled with the body portion, the end portion comprising a fan-shape, the spoiler extending radially with respect to the hard disk and parallel to a surface of the hard disk, wherein the fan-shape expands outward toward the tip end.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes; an MR film that includes a pinned layer of which a magnetization direction is pinned, a free layer of which a magnetization direction varies, and a spacer that is disposed therebetween; a pair of shields that are disposed on both sides sandwiching the MR film in a direction orthogonal to a film surface of the MR film; and an anisotropy providing layer that provides anisotropy to a first shield so that the first shield is magnetized in a desired direction, and that is disposed on an opposite side from the MR film with respect to the first shield. The MR film includes a magnetic coupling layer that is disposed between the first shield and the free layer and that magnetically couples the first shield with the free layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic head, a manufacturing method therefor, a head assembly, and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. According to the present invention, it includes a magnetic pole layer, a non-magnetic layer, a trailing gap layer, and a trailing shield layer. The magnetic pole layer has a pole tip exposed on a magnetic medium-facing surface. The non-magnetic layer is laid on the magnetic pole layer. The trailing shield layer is exposed on the magnetic medium-facing surface and laid over the magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer with the trailing gap layer between. The magnetic pole layer and the non-magnetic layer have a continuous tapered face opposed to a lower side of the trailing shield layer. Moreover, the tapered face extends from a trailing edge of the pole tip at a constant inclination angle.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a circuit that controls a voice coil motor. The circuit provides a driving current to the voice coil motor to move a head of the drive in a seek routine. The seek routine includes a computation of a driving current that is a function of a feedforward zero phase error tracking algorithm. Utilizing the feedforward zero phase error tracking algorithm can reduce the seek time of the drive.

Abstract: A suspension is provided with a base plate, load beam, and flexure. The base plate includes a boss portion, a first region situated on a side closer to a slider with respect to a center of the boss portion, and a second region situated on a side more remote from the slider. A pair of first projections are formed in the first region. A pair of second projections are formed in the second region. The projections project in the thickness direction of the base plate. The boss portion is inserted into a hole in an actuator arm, and the projections contact a suspension support portion of the actuator arm. The boss portion is pressurized from inside to be enlarged, whereby the base plate is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the actuator arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension assembly for a disk drive that includes: a mounting plate having a through-hole extending from a top-side of the mounting plate to a bottom-side of the mounting plate; a microactuator mounting structure formed in the mounting plate; a microactuator mounted in the microactuator mounting structure; and a flexure attached to the bottom-side of the of mounting plate. The flexure includes: a metal layer; an insulator layer; a trace layer that includes a ground trace; and an opening, wherein the opening extends through the metal layer and the insulator layer to a gold-plated ground trace. A conductive epoxy is bonded to the microactuator and extends through the through-hole to bond to the flexure, wherein the epoxy extends through the opening of the flexure to the gold-plated ground trace of the flexure such that the microactuator is grounded to the flexure.

Abstract: A head assembly includes a slider having a head element, a load beam, a fulcrum formed at a top end section of the load beam, a slider support plate for supporting the slider to freely turn around the fulcrum, at least one drive element for applying a turning force to the slider support plate in a plane thereof, a first linear link part having at both ends a first top end joint part mechanically connected to the slider support plate, and a first base end joint part mechanically connected to the load beam, and a second linear link part having at both ends a second top end joint part mechanically connected to the slider support plate, and a second base end joint part mechanically connected to the load beam. Both of an extended line of the first linear link part and an extended line of the second linear link part travel toward a position of the fulcrum and intersect with each other.

Abstract: A base member including two-step recesses and a hard disk drive (HDD) including the same. The HDD includes a base member; a spindle motor installed in the base member; a data storage disk assembled to the spindle motor; and an actuator rotatably installed in the base member and for moving a read/write head to a desired position on the disk, wherein the base member includes: a first floor surface disposed in a region facing the disk and having a center portion in which the spindle motor is installed; a shroud formed on a circumference of the first floor surface and extending the exterior circumference of the disk; and two-step recesses formed in an operating region of the actuator, wherein the two-step recesses comprise a first step recess formed on the first floor surface and a second step recess formed on a floor surface of the first step recess.

Abstract: A transducer positioning apparatus is provided that supports a read/write head on a data storage machine and biases the head against rotation. The transducer positioning apparatus may comprise a base that includes a linear drive motor and a support frame to which the read/write head is secured. The support frame is reciprocally driven by the linear drive motor relative to the base. A magnetic coupling is provided between the base and the support frame that resists movement of the frame other than the reciprocal movement of the support frame relative to the base. A method is also disclosed for magnetically biasing a movable head of a transducer against rotation.

Abstract: Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a medium projection detection mechanism that detects a projection on the surface of a recording medium. The medium projection detection mechanism has a discharging electrode, a capacitor, and an input line and an output line that are connected to the discharging electrode. The discharging electrode is configured to receive a voltage applied through the input line, and the capacitor is configured to store electric charge by the applied voltage. The output line is connected to a projection detection processing system and is connected to the charging electrode and the projection detection processing system to detect the location of the projection that is a detection target by detecting voltage change that is caused by discharging between the discharging electrode and the projection when the projection is detected.

Abstract: This variable-response magnetic radiofrequency device integrated into a substrate comprises: a beam that is mobile relative to the substrate having, at each end, a transversal part mechanically anchored to the substrate and at least one central arm connecting the transversal parts to each other, at least one of the transversal parts being made out of a piezoelectric material, actuating electrodes associated with the piezoelectric material to apply a stress on the central arm, a magnetic element directly deposited on the central arm whose permeability varies as a function of the stress, and a conductive strip comprising a central part fixed to an upper face of the magnetic element opposite the lower face of this magnetic element pointed towards the central arm.

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 stationary shaft and at least one intermediate member pivotally connected to the stationary shaft by an intermediate member bearing. At least one outer sleeve is pivotally connected to the intermediate member by an outer sleeve bearing. At least one rotary actuator angularly displaces the intermediate member relative to the stationary shaft.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with multiple heads coupled to multiple disks. The disk drive switches between heads when writing or reading data to access different disk surfaces. As described above, there is a head skew time associated with switching heads. The disk drive includes a circuit that switches heads in accordance with a sequence that is a function of a head skew value. For example, the sequence may include switching from a first head to a third head and from a third head to a second head.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element with electrode is capable of preventing an assembling error. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body configured to deform according to polarity in response to a voltage applied thereto, electrodes formed on surfaces of the piezoelectric body, respectively, a non-electrode part formed on at least one of the surfaces of the piezoelectric body, the non-electrode part continuing to the one electrode that is on the at least one surface of the piezoelectric body, and a boundary between the non-electrode part and the one electrode. The boundary has a pattern to indicate the polarity of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multilayered nonmagnetic underlayer is provided under a perpendicular magnetic recording layer, which has a structure in which a nonmagnetic template layer consisting of ruthenium and silicon is formed between a first nonmagnetic underlayer consisting of one of ruthenium and a first ruthenium alloy sputtered in an inert gas ambient, and a second nonmagnetic underlayer consisting of one of ruthenium and a second ruthenium alloy sputtered in an inert gas ambient at a pressure higher than that when sputtering the first nonmagnetic underlayer.

Abstract: A microactuator assembly for a hard disk drive head suspension has an expandable base of stainless steel sheet material defining a negative lead affixed to the negative electrode on the bottom surface of a piezoelectric element, and a piece of stainless steel sheet material defining a positive lead attached to the positive electrode on the top surface of the piezoelectric element. The leads may be affixed directly to the piezoelectric element via conductive adhesive. The microactuator assembly can be assembled separately, and then laser welded into place on a suspension. A bond pad made of stainless steel sheet material extends from the flexible circuit, is electrically connected to the microactuator driving voltage conductor within the flexible circuit through a via, and is electrically isolated from the suspension substrate by an insulating film. The microactuator unit positive lead is mechanically and electrically connected to the bond pad via laser welding.

Abstract: A hard disk drive having an actuator coupled to a pivot part about which the actuator rotates, including first and second pivot bearings coupled to the actuator and the pivot part, wherein a rotation center of at least one of the first and second pivot bearings is offset from respective longitudinal centers of the first and second pivot bearings.

Abstract: An electrode structure of a piezoelectric element is provided. The piezoelectric element 23a (23b) constitutes a piezoelectric actuator 19 attached to an attaching part 30 of an object, to minutely move a movable part 15 of the object relative to a base part 13 of the object according to deformation occurring on the piezoelectric element in response to a power applied state of the piezoelectric element. The electrode structure includes an electrode 41a formed on one of a pair of electrode forming faces 31a and 31b of the piezoelectric element on an inner side of a peripheral zone 31a1, the peripheral zone being defined along the periphery of the electrode forming face 31a on which the electrode is formed. The electrode structure also includes a non-electrode part 51 formed in the peripheral zone. Even if the peripheral zone 31a1 of the electrode forming face 31a having a short-circuit causing possibility touches the attaching part 30, no short circuit occurs.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device includes: ahead actuator configured to move a head to an arbitrary position on a disk medium; a write/read module configured to write data to or read data from the disk medium using the head; an adjustment region selector configured to divide the disk medium into a plurality of regions in a circumferential direction, write test data to each of the regions, read the test data to measure signal quality of the each of the regions, compare the signal quality of the each of the regions, and select a parameter adjustment region; and a parameter adjustment module configured to adjust a parameter used for the write/read module to write data to and read data from the disk medium to an optimal value using the selected parameter adjustment region.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element 13 has a common electrode 19 that receives electricity from a terminal 57. The terminal 57 has a through hole 67 and an electric insulating layer 61. The piezoelectric element 13 is arranged so that the common electrode 19 faces the electric insulating layer 61 of the terminal 57. A liquid stopper 69 is formed around the through hole 67 so as to come between the common electrode 19 and the terminal 57 when the common electrode 19 and terminal 57 are set to face each other. A liquid conductive adhesive 71 is injected into the through hole 67 to fill a gap defined by the liquid stopper 69 between the terminal 57 and the common electrode 19 and secure electric connection between the terminal 57 and the common electrode 19. This configuration improves the reliability of wiring to the piezoelectric element and prevents the piezoelectric element from being damaged.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element comprises a first laminated structure body and a second laminated structure body. Side surfaces of the first and the second laminated structure bodies that are parallel to a laminating direction both have at least a portion etched to form a recess so that a step distance is formed between sides of the two adjacent electrode layers that are parallel to the laminating direction. The design of the step distance of the present invention increases insulation resistance between the two adjacent electrode layers on the opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric layer, lowers reject rate, and reduce manufacture cost. The first and the second laminated structure bodies are symmetrically laminated and bonded together, thus optimizing force balancing performance. The recess of the first and second laminated structure body may be filled with insulation resin, which also increases insulation resistance between the two adjacent electrode layers of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A HGA includes a suspension, a seed layer formed on a PZT holding region of a flexure of the suspension and a piezoelectric element deposited on the seed layer. The piezoelectric element is electrically connected with the suspension to form a PZT micro-actuator. The present invention simultaneously conducts the manufacture, mechanical assembly and electrical connection of the piezoelectric element and suspension, thus the present invention has simple operation process and short process time, high manufacture yield, sound mechanical, dynamic and static performance. In addition, the present invention firstly forms the seed layer on the flexure and secondly forms the piezoelectric element on the seed layer, wherein the seed layer is metallic material, metal oxide, non-metallic material, or inorganic salt, the seed layer enables to easily control the operation and assists to improve the performance of the HGA.

Abstract: A suspension is provided with a base plate, load beam, and flexure. The base plate includes a boss portion, a first region situated on a side closer to a slider with respect to a center of the boss portion, and a second region situated on a side more remote from the slider. A pair of first projections are formed in the first region. A pair of second projections are formed in the second region. The projections project in the thickness direction of the base plate. The boss portion is inserted into a hole in an actuator arm, and the projections contact a suspension support portion of the actuator arm. The boss portion is pressurized from inside to be enlarged, whereby the base plate is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium suppresses effectively side erasure even when recording dot intervals are reduced. Magnetic dots and a soft magnetic layer are provided on a soft magnetic underlayer with a nonmagnetic layer intervening, so that magnetic dots are separated by the soft magnetic layer, and consequently leakage flux during recording to magnetic dots is absorbed by the soft magnetic layer, side erasure can be suppressed, and moreover the soft magnetic underlayer and soft magnetic layer are separated, so that an influence on recording/reproduction characteristics can be prevented.

Abstract: A head supporting arm coupled at one end with a head slider is supported so as it can revolve in parallel to the surface of a recording medium around a shaft for horizontal revolution, at the same time can revolve perpendicularly to the surface of recording medium around an axis for vertical revolution, which axis for vertical revolution being a straight line which contains the summit points of a pair of pivots. Further, voice coil unit is structured so as the center line of voice coil makes an angle ? to the center line of head supporting arm, and the center of gravity in centroid setting portion of the voice coil unit locates at a place which is at least in the direction anti-clockwise around the center of shaft for horizontal revolution with respect to the center line of head supporting arm. The above-configured head supporting gear provides such advantages as the downsizing of a disk drive, stabilized frequency characteristics, easier setting of load to the head at high accuracy level.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider disposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includes a slider main body, a magnetic head element that reads and reproduces data from the magnetic disk, and a vibration absorbing unit that absorbs vibrations generated due to contact between any portion of the slider main body and the surface of the magnetic disk, and that is provided on the slider main body at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A head support mechanism includes a head to read/write information, and an actuator for moving the head. Flanges are provided on opposite sides of a load beam of the head support mechanism, and at least one recessed portion is provided on the load beam. A thickness of the load beam at the at least one recessed portion is smaller than a thickness at other portions of the load beam at least one of oscillation damping material and an IC circuit is arranged in the at least one recessed portion.