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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 09, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 09, 2005
Timothy A. Riener, Fremont, CA (US);
Francis P. Crimi, Los Altos, CA (US);
Timothy A. Riener, Fremont, CA (US);
Francis P. Crimi, Los Altos, CA (US);
Seagate Technology, LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A disk drive includes a rotatable data storage disk and a vane positioned adjacent to the disk that receives airflow generated during rotation of the disk. A sensor is operably coupled to the vane and measures airflow force on the vane. Because of a known relationship between altitude and airflow force, the amount of airflow force on the vane is indicative of altitude of the disk drive. The sensor provides an output signal that is indicative of measured airflow force on the vane. The vane surface may be oriented substantially orthogonal to a plane of the disk or substantially parallel with a plane of the disk.