Method and device for retracting an actuator
US6859340B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/54
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An actuator retract system and method for moving read/write heads from data regions on discs to non-data locations in a disc drive is disclosed. The non-data locations may be on or in close proximity to the discs. The non-data locations may be a landing zone or a load/unload ramp. At disc drive power-down, power generated from the rotational inertia in rotating discs is used to supply a current to a coil of a voice coil motor operably coupled to the actuator. During such power-down operation, a desired velocity is maintained using acceleration or deceleration, when necessary. The current generates an electric field around the coil that interacts with a magnetic field in the voice coil motor to move the actuator such that the read/write heads are retracted to the non-data location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.