Electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection for magnetic heads
US7142398B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/3106
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A magnetoresistive head assembly of the present invention includes a magnetoresistive sensor and an electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection circuit. The magnetoresistive sensor is capable of having conducted therethrough oppositely-directed first direction current and second direction current. The magnetoresistive sensor is sensitive to first direction currents in excess of a first predetermined value and to second direction currents in excess of a second predetermined value different than the first predetermined value. The electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection circuit is electrically connected to the magnetoresistive sensor for preventing only those first direction currents greater than the first predetermined value from flowing though the magnetoresistive sensor and only those second direction currents greater than the second predetermined value from flowing through the magnetoresistive sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.