Microactuated suspension motor failure detection system
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorJeffrey E. Thomsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for detecting failures in microactuator motors in head suspensions including exciting the head suspension at its natural resonant frequency, monitoring and evaluating the voltage produced by one or both piezoelectric elements in the motor, and comparing the voltage produced with one or more voltage waveforms corresponding to a properly functioning and mounted motor in response to a similar input. The method also includes applying a sweep frequency signal to provide visibility of a microcrack in the motor that may initially be concealed by plating on the motor.
Claims30
A method for detecting failure in a head suspension having a microactuator motor with at least one piezoelectric element, the method comprising:
- a) using a motion actuator separate from the suspension to cause relative movement between the suspension portions drivable with respect to one another by the piezoelectric element;
- and
- b) monitoring and evaluating an electrical signal produced by the piezoelectric element including detecting failures from at least one of adhesive fractures, motor fractures, poling failures and broken wire bonds.
A method for detecting failure in a head suspension having a microactuator motor, the method comprising:
- a) using a motion actuator separate from the suspension to cause relative movement between the suspension portions drivable with respect to one another by the motor;
- and
- b) monitoring and evaluating an electrical signal produced by the motor including comparing the electrical signal produced by the motor to information representative of an electrical signal produced by a properly functioning motor in response to similar relative movement.
A method for detecting failure in a head suspension having a microactuator motor, the method comprising:
- a) using a motion actuator separate from the suspension to cause relative movement between the suspension portions drivable with respect to one another by the motor including clamping a first portion of the suspension, and engaging, moving and releasing a second portion of the suspension with respect to the first portion;
- and
- b) monitoring and evaluating an electrical signal produced by the motor.
A method for detecting failure in a head suspension having a microactuator motor, the method comprising:
- a) applying a sweep frequency signal for a predetermined duration to the motor to increase relatively small motor flaws, such as microcracks;
- b) using a motion actuator separate from the suspension to cause relative movement between the suspension portions drivable with respect to one another by the motor;
- and
- c) monitoring and evaluating an electrical signal produced by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.