Step pad air bearing for load/unload mechanism
US6333835A · kind A · utility
22Cited by
8References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/6005
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A recording head for a disk drive with a load/unload mechanism has an air bearing on one surface. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of three air bearing pads, at least five shallow pockets and one deep pocket. A narrow gap extends from the deep pocket and separates leading ones of the air bearing pads and shallow pockets from each other. The air bearing pads have unique, step-shaped geometry and the rear pad is virtually free of any shallow area. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs with load/unload mechanisms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.