Eastman-kodak Company

Rodney D Wagner

Gerald J Kosarko

John C MacDonald, Ii

A ceramic stabilizer is shown for minimizing the drag experienced in a magnetic interface between the stabilizer and a rapidly moving pliable magnetic disk. The stabilizer includes a stabilizing block with an opening through which a magnetic head protrudes for engagement with the disk. A flat, circumferential air bearing surface on the ceramic block surrounds the opening adjacent the disk for generating coupling forces that deform the disk out of its nominal plane and into intimate contact with a transducing gap on the head. The air bearing surface possesses an RMS surface roughness of at least 10 Angstroms because of its ceramic composition. The advancing disk interacts with the roughed air bearing surface of the stabilizer to generate a microscopic turbulence therebetween which functions as a 'lubricant' to lower drag, and thereby to lower current draw on the motor rotating the disk. A preferred ceramic material is barium titanate.

Low drag stabilizer device for stabilizing the interface between a

A stabilizer is shown with a special leading edge for enhancing the magnetic interface between a magnetic head and a rapidly moving pliable magnetic disk. The stabilizer includes a stabilizing block with an opening through which the head protrudes for engagement with the disk. A flat, circumferential air bearing surface surrounds the opening adjacent the disk for generating coupling forces that deform the disk out of its nominal plane and into intimate contact with a transducing gap on the head. The leading edge of the stabilizer has a generally arcuate surface that abruptly meets the air bearing surface at a non-tangential transition. The transition appears to the disk as a fulcrum, imparting a torque to the disk that contributes to the coupling forces and ensures 'capture', that is, interface, even with disks having troublesome irregularities such as warps.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Rodney D Wagner