Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.v.

International Business Machines Corporation

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

Hgst Netherlands, B.v.

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies B.v.

Donald Ray Gillis

Norbert A Feliss

Mike Suk

Karl Arthur Flechsig

Reinhard Ferdinand Wolter

Sylvia Lui Lee

Remmelt Pit

Kris Victor Schouterden

Walton Fong

Vedantham Raman

Ferdinand Hendriks

Thomas A Gregory

Andrei Khurshudov

Shozo Saegusa

Charles Allan Brown

Lee K Dorius

David H Jen

Bernhard E Knigge

Andrew M Homola

Bernd Lamberts

Gordon James Smith

Erhard Theodor Schreck

Ullal Vasant Nayak

Sanford A Bolasna

Richard Lindsay Stover

Kok-Kia Chew

George William Tyndall, Iii

Owen R Melroy

Molly Smith

Bond-Yen Ting

Mark Stephen Crowder

Richard Mark Kroeker

Andrei Khrushudov

Willard K Banks

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.

Reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive using an electrostatic pass-by filter

A system in one embodiment includes a disk; a reservoir having a selectively openable cover; a lubricant in the reservoir; and a sensor for detecting an event or condition that triggers opening of the cover. A method in another embodiment includes determining that a trigger event or a trigger condition is occurring or has occurred in a hard disk drive; opening a cover of a lubricant reservoir for allowing egress of lubricant therefrom upon determining that the trigger event or the trigger condition has occurred; and closing the cover of the lubricant reservoir after a period of time. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Methods for depositing lubricant onto disks and systems thereof

Approaches for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation, and preventing the same, using an atmospheric pressure sensor are provided. The HDD comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor capable of determining the altitude at which the HDD is currently located. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the current altitude of the HDD, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of a particle counter, differential pressure sensor, and a chemical vapor sensor for use by the risk assessment component. If the HDD is above a particular altitude, the Thermal Fly-Height control settings of the heads may be adjusted to reduce risk of error.

Using an atmospheric pressure sensor in a hard-disk drive (HDD)

A method and apparatus for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation is provided. The HDD comprises a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring the difference in the pressure between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. The differential pressure sensor may reside in a breather filter covering an air passage within the enclosure. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the difference in pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of an atmospheric pressure sensor, a particle counter, and a chemical vapor sensor which may be used by the risk assessment component.

Predicting operational problems in a hard-disk drive (HDD)

An apparatus and method for modifying a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an increased dynamic pitch of the slider is provided, the increased dynamic pitch increasing the height of a leading edge (LE) portion of the slider with respect to the disk and reducing the height of the TE portion of the slider with respect to the disk, wherein vertical motion of the TE portion does not collapse an air bearing provided by the LE of the slider flying above the disk.

Method and apparatus for modifying a dynamic pitch of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems

An apparatus and method for modifying the air bearing force of the trailing edge of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a shaped TE which minimizes the air bearing force at the TE portion of the slider, to minimize the normal load and friction during contact to reduce slider bounce.

Method and apparatus for modifying the air bearing force of the trailing edge of a slider to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems

A device for monitoring the condition of a power outlet and for reducing or interrupting power in the event that a condition of the outlet circuitry indicates that a potentially dangerous situation exists. The device can also include a reporting function to alert a user as to the existence of the dangerous condition.

Dual direction power and data transfer protocol and safety detection

A hybrid drive system for integrated vehicle stability control. Specifically, the hybrid drive system includes a multi-wheeled vehicle, a drop-in electric drive motor, and a master controller. The multi-wheeled vehicle is originally configured for propulsion using an internal combustion engine. That is, the present invention is suitable for powering legacy vehicles. The internal combustion engine capable of driving at least one wheel of the multi-wheeled vehicle. The remaining wheels of the multi-wheeled vehicle are not driven by the internal combustion engine. The drop-in electric drive motor is adapted to independently drive at least one remaining wheel on the multi-wheeled vehicle. The master controller is coupled to the drop-in electric drive motor. The master controller controls speeds of the remaining wheels driven by the electric drive motor to provide propulsion and overall stability management for the multi-wheeled vehicle.

Flexible hybrid drive system for vehicle stability control

Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for performing an active flying height compensation process for a slider of a magnetic disk drive. For the flying height compensation process, a control system in the disk drive detects a reduction in flying height of a slider in the disk drive. The control system then calculates a compensation heating power to apply to one or more heating elements that are fabricated in the slider to compensate for the reduction in flying height. The control system then applies the compensation heating power to the heating element(s) in the slider to alter the ABS (i.e., generate a protrusion) and increase the flying height of the slider.

Active compensation of flying height in magnetic disk drives

A method for creating a disk drive. A slider is installed in a disk drive having at least one unlubricated disk. The slider is designed to be in initial contact. The slider is burnished to the final design point. A vapor phase lubricant reservoir system is installed in the drive either before or after the burnishing step.

Method for efficient slider burnishing during drive build

A shock and vibration resistant hard disk drive has a plurality of fluid damping isolation devices disposed between the drive and a supporting frame. The isolation devices are capsules containing either gasses or liquids enclosed in a flexible membrane that spring back to its original shape after the shock or vibration event has transpired. Variation of fluid properties such as density, viscosity, and pressure allow for custom tuning of the vibration and shock performance. In addition, variation of membrane chemistry and thickness of the membrane also allows for further customization. A fuel cell is provided and the isolation devices may provide the energy source for the fuel cell.

Method and apparatus for providing a fluid damping structure with fuel cell for a hard disk drive and vibration sensitive electronic devices

A method for controlling a burnish cycle to minimize cycle time is disclosed. MR sensor resistance measurements are used to monitor interference with the recording surface and when clearance is not detected, steps are taken to fine tune the interference signal.

Method for controlling a burnish cycle to minimize cycle time

A clamp includes a disk and a clamp engaging the disk, wherein the clamp has protrusions that bite into a surface of the disk. A disk and clamp assembly includes a disk having receiving areas formed therein, and a clamp engaging the disk, where the clamp has protrusions that engage the receiving areas. Another disk and clamp assembly includes a disk having protrusions formed thereon, and a clamp engaging the disk, where the clamp has receiving areas adapted for receiving the protrusions.

Disk and clamp assembly

A composite disk-clamp assembly including a clamp or spacer of a resilient material coupled to a disk by injection molded plastic so that the clamp forms an integral portion of the disk itself.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Donald Ray Gillis