Methods for detecting contact between a read-write head and the accessed disk surface in a hard disk drive
US7190547B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2220/20
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Determining a contact condition between read-write head and accessed disk surface inside hard disk drive, where micro-actuator assembly mechanically couples to slider and electrically interacts through signal path. Signal path sensed, creating sensed feedback signal, used to determine contact condition, which indicates when read-write head is, or is not, in contact with accessed disk surface. Means for implementing this process. Contact condition is product of process. The process may respond to contact condition, altering read-write head flying height. Process may be implemented as operations of embedded control system and/or servo controller. Method of predictive failure analysis using the contact condition to estimate performance parameter and create performance degradation warning. Manufacture process collecting contact condition to partly create reliability estimate of the hard disk drive, which may be form of Mean Time to Failure. Manufacturing may further include screening the hard disk drive based upon the reliability estimate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.