Magnetic recording device capable of detecting contamination buildup at a head-disk interface
US9916847B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2016 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B11/1051
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a thermal sensor configured to interact with a magnetic recording disk. A head-disk interface is defined between the thermal sensor and the disk. A power supply is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to supply a bias power to the thermal sensor between a low power and a high power. A processor is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to determine a slope of a resistance response of the thermal sensor. The processor is further configured to detect a change in the slope relative to a baseline slope. The slope change indicates increased heat sinking between the thermal sensor and the disk due to the presence of contaminant buildup at the head-disk interface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.