US 6,603,639 B1 · Slider for disc storage system

Abstract

A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system. For example, the pads may be used to reduce the stiction or improve flying characteristics. Flying instabilities associated with the pads are addressed by a number of characteristics provided to the air bearing surface.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A disc drive storage system, comprising:

a rotating disc having a disc surface;
a transducer head adapted to read and write on the disc surface;
transducer circuitry coupled to the transducer head;
a slider having rails formed thereon and having an air bearing surface, the slider supporting the transducer head proximate the disc surface;
a plurality of pads carried on the rails having areas which contact the disc surface during contact start/stop (CSS), the plurality of pads causing instability and degraded flying characteristics of the slider;
and
wherein the air bearing surface has a textured portion having at least a portion spaced from the plurality of pads and is disposed proximate a trailing edge of the slider to improve flying characteristics and stability of the slider and counter act degraded flying characteristics and instability caused by the plurality of pads.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Slider for disc storage system

Life of this patent

Slider for disc storage system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36