U.S. Philips Corporation

Wiepke Folkerts

Pieter Jan Van Der Zaag

Lambertus Postma

Ronald Martin Wolf

Jacobus J M Ruigrok

Martinus A Gijs

Jacques C Kools

Johannes F M Cillessen

Hans Willem Van Kesteren

Jacobus J Ruigrok

Reinder Coehoorn

Josef P Naus

Thin-film magnetic head having a head face (,) and comprising a magnetoresistive element (,) oriented transversely to the head face and a flux-guiding element (,) of a magnetically permeable material terminating in the head face. A peripheral area (,) of the magnetoresistive element extending parallel to the head face is present opposite the flux-guiding element for forming a magnetic connection between the magnetoresistive element and the flux-guiding element. The flux-guiding element and the peripheral area of the magnetoresistive element constitute a common magnetic contact face (,), while the magnetically permeable material of the flux-guiding element is electrically insulating.

Method of manufacturing a magnetic head

Thin-film magnetic head and method of manufacturing the magnetic head

Integrated, juxtaposed head units of a magnetic head have transducing gaps directly adjacent a central plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of relative movement of a magnetic recording medium, adjacent transducing gaps being to opposite sides of the central plane. Head units adjoin each other so that a recording channel density of 100% is achieved. In one embodiment a common electrical conductor passes through a plurality of head units to one side of the central plane, and electrical connection tracks extending from a portion of the conductor form inductive transducing elements.

Multichannel magnetic head with adjacent write gaps in different planes

A device for detecting a magnetic field, which device comprises a magneto-resistive multilayer structure comprising a first magnetic layer (1) which is separated from a second magnetic layer by an interposed non-magnetic layer, the multilayer structure having a first in-plane reference axis (R.sub.1) coinciding with the direction in which magnetic flux is offered to the multilayer structure during operation, and a second in-plane reference axis (R.sub.2) which is perpendicular to the first reference axis (R.sub.1), whereby the magnetic easy axis (E.sub.1) of the first magnetic layer (1) is canted through an acute in-plane angle .alpha. with respect to the second reference axis (R.sub.2), and the magnetic easy axis (E.sub.2) of the second magnetic layer is canted in the opposite sense through an acute in-plane angle .beta. with respect to the second reference axis (R.sub.2). Such a device lends itself to application in a magnetic head, for sensitive retrieval of magnetically-encoded data from a carrier in the form of a tape, disc or card.

Magnetic field sensor

A device for determining the orientation of a vehicle includes a magnetic field sensor (3) which is arranged in the vicinity of a ferromagnetic outer wall of the body of the vehicle and which is rigidly connected to the wall. External magnetic fields could unpredictably magnetize the wall portion (1) of the body, in the vicinity of which the magnetic field sensor (3) is provided, so that the measurements would become inaccurate. In order to achieve a substantial reduction of these adverse effects of external magnetic fields, the relevant wall portion is magnetically stabilized, preferably by including it in a magnetic circuit which also includes at least a magnet (11; 23, 27). The magnetic circuit preferably comprises also a yoke (23, 25) which has an approximately U-shaped cross-section and which is made of a soft magnetic material, the free ends of limbs (25) of the yoke facing the relevant wall portion (1) and the yoke being at least partly enclosed by an electric coil (27) in order to form an electromagnet.

Vehicle orientation sensor and method with magnetic stabilization

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Wiepke Folkerts