Dynamically adjustable head disk spacing slider using thermal expansion
US7092193B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/6064
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A disk drive includes a slider assembly and a controller that directs current to the slider assembly to dynamically adjust the head-to-disk spacing. In one embodiment, the slider assembly includes a write element having a first end, a second end and an intermediate section, a conductor that is connected to the intermediate section. In this embodiment, the controller directs electrical current through the conductor to heat the write element without writing data to a storage disk. The electrical current can be directed through the conductor at any time prior to data transfer or during data transfer. Heating the write element causes a deformation of the slider assembly to decrease the head-to-disk spacing. In another embodiment, the slider assembly includes a separate slider deformer. Electrical current is selectively directed to the slider deformer to cause a deformation of the slider assembly to obtain a desired head-to-disk spacing. The slider deformer can include electrically conductive material or can be a piezoelectric element. Further, the slider deformer can be serpentine-shaped or substantially planar in shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.