Glide head with low sensitivity

Details Glide head with low sensitivity Glide head with low sensitivity

1999-06-14

2001-05-08

Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)

Measuring and testing

Surface and cutting edge testing

Roughness

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227042

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to magnetic recording devices and in particular to an air bearing surface on a glide head that flies above magnetically recorded media at a relatively constant height.
BACKGROUND ART
A glide head is used to scan the surface of a disk in a disk drive in order to detect and burnish irregularities on the disk surface such as asperities. A piezoelectric pickup element mounted on the head vibrates when physical contact of the head with an irregularity occurs. The element emits a signal that characterizes the nature of the irregularity in terms of frequency and amplitude.
To successfully scan the disk surface, the glide head must fly steadily at a given fly height or glide height. Variations in glide height are dependent on the various sensitivities of the glide head and variability in related parameters. Common sensitivities include gram load, pivot location, crown and camber. Since the glide head is inherently exposed to wear (asperities and roughness), a low sensitivity to pad wear is highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A glide head for burnishing or smoothing the surface of a magnetic disk has an air bearing on one side and a piezoelectric element on an opposite side. The air bearing comprises a patterned set of four or five air bearing surfaces (ABS) and etched pockets having multiple depths in the air bearing. The air bearing preferably has two front ABS, two middle ABS, and one rear ABS. This configuration gives the air bearing superior performance characteristics over prior art designs. When the glide head contacts a defect or asperity on the surface of the disk, the glide head vibrates and causes the piezoelectric element to become excited and emit a signal in response.


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patent: 5808184 (1998-09-01), Boutaghou et al.
patent: 5942680 (1999-08-01), Boutaghou
patent: 6069770 (2000-05-01), Cui et al.

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