Head-disk contact detection using a thermal sensor for modulation air bearings
US9928873B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/0016
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a slider configured for writing data to and reading data from a magnetic recording medium and for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider comprises a heater configured to receive an AC signal and to cause oscillation in a spacing between the slider and the medium, and a contact sensor situated on the slider and configured to produce a DC response signal. A detector is coupled to the slider and configured to measure an amplitude of a spike in the DC response signal, calculate a ratio between the spike amplitude and an amplitude of the DC response signal, and detect contact between the slider and the medium in response to the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.