Patent · US Expired

Air bearing slider having projections that provide minimal actual contact area

US5550693A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
11References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 1994
Grant dateAug 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 31, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/6005
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A slider for providing an air bearing between a transducer and a moving recording surface includes a platform having a first surface with a leading edge opposite a trailing edge and a lateral axis between the leading and trailing edges. A plurality of projections extend from the first surface. At least one of the projections is disposed between the leading edge and the lateral axis and another of the projections is disposed between the trailing edge and the lateral axis. Each of the projections includes a second surface and a recess facing the leading edge. The recesses are bounded on their sides by shrouds that limit air bearing leakage. The recesses provide lift and stability to the slider when the recording surface is moving and always remain out of contact with the recording surface. To limit stiction, only the second surface of the projections is in apparent contact with the recording surface when the recording surface is stationary.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.