The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 2007

Filed:

Oct. 05, 2005
Applicants:

Yanning Liu, Fremont, CA (US);

Yanchu Xu, San Jose, CA (US);

Michael Mcgrath, Pleasanton, CA (US);

David Tung, Livermore, CA (US);

Mark Heimbaugh, Pleasanton, CA (US);

Inventors:

Yanning Liu, Fremont, CA (US);

Yanchu Xu, San Jose, CA (US);

Michael McGrath, Pleasanton, CA (US);

David Tung, Livermore, CA (US);

Mark Heimbaugh, Pleasanton, CA (US);

Assignee:

Maxtor Corporation, Longmont, CO (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11B 21/02 (2006.01); G11B 21/22 (2006.01); G11B 5/54 (2006.01); G11B 5/596 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A latch apparatus is configured to latch an actuator arm assembly that can position a read/write head relative to a data storage disk in a disk drive. The latch apparatus includes a latch arm, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a latch control circuit. The latch arm is configured to be moved between a closed position that inhibits movement of the actuator arm assembly in a landing zone and an open position that does not inhibit movement of the actuator arm assembly in the landing zone. The coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic force on the latch arm responsive to a coil current. The permanent magnet is configured to generate a magnetic force on the latch arm that is substantially opposed to the electromagnetic force from the coil. The latch control circuit is configured to increase according to defined open current profiles over a defined opening time period the coil current to at least an upper defined level to cause the coil to move the latch arm from the closed position to the open position. The latch control circuit is further configured to decrease according to defined close current profiles over a defined closing time period the coil current to no more than a lower defined level to cause the permanent magnet to move the latch arm from the open position to the closed position.


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