Patent · US Active

Fly-height control and touchdown detection

US8873191B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
10References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 14, 2013
Grant dateOct 28, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 14, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/6076
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An embedded contact sensor (ECS) element for fly-height control and touchdown detection. An embedded contact sensor (ECS) element with a resistance that changes with a temperature change, which senses a clearance change between a head slider and a disk of a disk drive. A resistance measurement section, within said head IC, that determines a value of direct current resistance (DCR) of said ECS element, wherein said value of DCR changes with a temperature change, wherein said temperature change is caused by an air bearing cooling and frictional induced heating at a head disk interface. A resistance slope to fly-height conversion section that dynamically determines a target fly-height value for said head slider over said disk based on changes in said value of DCR.

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