Head-medium contact detection using high frequency heater oscillation
US9437234B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a read/write head having a heater, wherein a low- or non-modulation interface is defined between the head and a magnetic recording medium. A microactuator is coupled to the head. A main actuator is coupled to the microactuator and the head. A controller is coupled to the main actuator, the microactuator, and the head. The controller is configured to control movement of the main actuator and the microactuator in response to a position error signal. The controller is further configured to induce an oscillation in the heater at a predetermined frequency. A detector is coupled to the controller. The detector is configured to sense a disturbance in the PES supplied to the microactuator resulting from the induced heater oscillation, and detect contact between the head and the medium using the PES disturbance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.