Active fly height control crown actuator
US6950266B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/5552
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A micro-actuator is comprised of a piezoelectric motor mounted on a flexure tongue with offsetting hinges, to perform a fine positioning of the magnetic read/write head. The substantial gain in the frequency response greatly improves the performance and accuracy of the track-follow control for fine positioning. The simplicity of the enhanced micro-actuator design results in a manufacturing efficiency that enables a high-volume, low-cost production. The micro-actuator is interposed between a flexure tongue and a slider to perform an active control of the fly height of the magnetic read/write head. The induced slider crown and camber are used to compensate for thermal expansion of the magnetic read/write head, which causes the slider to be displaced at an unintended fly height position relative to the surface of the magnetic recording disk. The enhanced micro-actuator design results in reduced altitude sensitivity, ABS tolerances, and reduced stiction. The controlled fly height of the magnetic read/write head prevents a possibility of a head crash, while improving the performance and data integrity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.