Patent · US Active

Heat-assisted magnetic recording device capable of detecting head malfunction based on different currents of sensors

US9653121B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 2016
Grant dateMay 16, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B2005/0021
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method comprises storing a first laser current value in response to a photodetector sensing that a threshold current for a laser diode of a HAMR head has been reached, the photodetector situated proximate the laser diode. The method also comprises storing a second laser current value in response to a sensor sensing that the threshold current for the laser diode has been reached, the sensor situated away from the laser diode. The method further comprises determining a difference (delta) between the first and second laser current values, repeating the storing and determining processes during subsequent use of the laser diode, and detecting a change in the delta indicative of a malfunction of the head.

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