Air-bearing slider design for sub-nanometer clearance in hard disk drive (HDD)
US8184405B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/102
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A slider is formed by a three-step ion milling process with an ABS topography that provides aerodynamic stability at sub-nanometer flying heights. The ABS design significantly eliminates the accumulation of lubricant and removes whatever lubricant does accumulate by use of a shallow dam at the trailing edge. In addition, a junction between a down-track channel and a cross-track channel directs airflow towards a center pad in which a transducer is embedded so that the pressure at the pad is enhanced even under high altitude conditions. The slider ABS is divided into two portions by a transverse deep air channel, but the channel is bridged by the cross-track channel which crosses the deep air channel with sides of unequal height. This dual height bridge allows variations in skew angle to be compensated so that pressure variations across the disk tracks are significantly reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.