Patent · US Active

Head assembly having a sensing element

US8310779B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
16References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 25, 2009
Grant dateNov 13, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 2, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/6064
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A head or slider having a sensor element to detect changes in head-media spacing is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments the sensor element includes a piezoelectric sensor layer or similar layer that provides acoustic emission or vibration responsive to changes in head-media spacing. In illustrated embodiments, the sensor element is located proximate to the close point of the head and slider. In embodiments described in the specification, output from the sensor element is utilized to energize a heating element or microactuator to control pole tip protrusion or actuation of transducer elements responsive to changes in head-media spacing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.