US3609721A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of clearing dust from a magnetic record disc or the like
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1969-03-03
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-03-03
Abstract
Abstract For dislodging and clearing away dust particles from the surface of a magnetic, data-storage disc, the disc is run at operating speed and a flying head is swept across it slowly, for example, at the rate of one-fourth the width of the slider to less than one-twentieth thereof during each revolution of the storage disc. The slider may be round and have a spherical bearing face. Automatic apparatus may control such a sweep as part of a startup sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Meneley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:46
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/58; G11B5/60; G11B5/6005; G11B23/00; G11B23/50; G11B23/505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of clearing dust particles or the like from a recording surface of a rotatable surface storage member prior to initiating a read/record operation with a transducer carried by a slider of a gas-borne flying head therewith, comprising the steps of: a. rotating said storage member, b. positioning said flying head in flying relationship with said recording surface of said storage member, and c. moving said flying head progressively across said recording surface in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of motion thereof at a rate no greater than 0.25 W per revolution of said storage member, where W equals the width of said slider.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of clearing dust particles or the like from a recording surface of a rotatable surface storage member prior to initiating a read/record operation with a transducer carried by a slider of a gas-borne flying head therewith, comprising the steps of: a. rotating said storage member, b. positioning said flying head in flying relationship with said recording surface of said storage member, and c. moving said flying head progressively across said recording surface in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of motion thereof at a rate no greater than 0.25 W per revolution of said storage member, where W equals the width of said slider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said rate is no greater than 0.05 W.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said direction of motion of said flying head is outwardly across said recording surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of positioning includes the step of locating said flying head adjacent the innermost edge of said recording surface of said storage member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of providing a slider having a substantially spherical flying face.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of removing unwanted particles from the recording surface of a rotatable storage member in a data storage system having a drive means for rotating said member, a gas-borne flying head having a slider, a slider transport means for supporting said slider adjacent said recording surface in a flying position and for transporting said slider transversely of said recording surface with reference to a home position, and a sweep control means for controlling the rate and direction of movement of said slider by said slider transport means, said method comprising the steps of: a. generating a first signal for actuating said drive means to rotate said storage means; b. generating a second signal for enabling said sweep control means to move said slider from said home position to a first predetermined position at a first sweep rate; c. generating a third signal for enabling said sweep control means to cause slider transport means to transport said slider from said first predetermined position toward said home position at a second sweep rate; d. generating a fourth signal for disabling said sweep control means when said slider has reached a second predetermined position; and e. generating a fifth signal for disabling said drive means after said slider has reached said seconD predetermined position.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of removing unwanted particles from the recording surface of a rotatable storage member in a data storage system having a drive means for rotating said member, a gas-borne flying head having a slider, a slider transport means for supporting said slider adjacent said recording surface in a flying position and for transporting said slider transversely of said recording surface with reference to a home position, and a sweep control means for controlling the rate and direction of movement of said slider by said slider transport means, said method comprising the steps of: a. generating a first signal for actuating said drive means to rotate said storage means; b. generating a second signal for enabling said sweep control means to move said slider from said home position to a first predetermined position at a first sweep rate; c. generating a third signal for enabling said sweep control means to cause slider transport means to transport said slider from said first predetermined position toward said home position at a second sweep rate; d. generating a fourth signal for disabling said sweep control means when said slider has reached a second predetermined position; and e. generating a fifth signal for disabling said drive means after said slider has reached said seconD predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 further including the step of generating a sixth signal for enabling said transport means to move said slider into said flying position before the generation of said third signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second sweep rate is no greater than 0.25 W, where W is equal the width of said slider.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second sweep rate is no greater than 0.05 W, where W equals the width of said slider.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
209 words
A surface storage system comprising: a. a rotatable surface storage member having a recording surface; b. a drive means for rotating said storage member; c. a gas-borne flying head having a slider; d. slider transport means for supporting said slider adjacent said recording surface in a flying position and for transporting said slider across said recording surface; e. sweep control means for controlling the rate and direction of movement of said slider with reference to a home position by said slider transport means; and f. control means for causing said slider to remove unwanted particles from said surface of said recording means, said control means comprising: i. means for actuating said drive means to rotate said storage means; ii. means for enabling said sweep control means to move said slider from said home position to a first predetermined position at a first sweep rate; iii. means for enabling said sweep control means to cause said slider transport means to transport said slider from said first predetermined position toward said home position at a second rate; iv. means for disabling said sweep control means when said slider has reached a second predetermined position; and v. means for disabling said drive means after said slider has reached said second predetermined position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
209 words
A surface storage system comprising: a. a rotatable surface storage member having a recording surface; b. a drive means for rotating said storage member; c. a gas-borne flying head having a slider; d. slider transport means for supporting said slider adjacent said recording surface in a flying position and for transporting said slider across said recording surface; e. sweep control means for controlling the rate and direction of movement of said slider with reference to a home position by said slider transport means; and f. control means for causing said slider to remove unwanted particles from said surface of said recording means, said control means comprising: i. means for actuating said drive means to rotate said storage means; ii. means for enabling said sweep control means to move said slider from said home position to a first predetermined position at a first sweep rate; iii. means for enabling said sweep control means to cause said slider transport means to transport said slider from said first predetermined position toward said home position at a second rate; iv. means for disabling said sweep control means when said slider has reached a second predetermined position; and v. means for disabling said drive means after said slider has reached said second predetermined position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rotatable storage member comprises a magnetic disc having an annular recording surface on one face thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said slider is provided with a convex flying face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said slider face is contoured to provide a substantially wedge-shaped area with said recording surface opening in a direction toward said second predetermined position when said slider is in said flying position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said slider transport means includes a means for retracting said slider from said flying position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said slider transport means includes a support member for carrying said flying head and a stepping motor coupled to said support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sweep control means includes an incrementable counter for providing digital control signals to said slider transport means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first sweep rate and said second sweep rate are equal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first sweep rate is greater than said second sweep rate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second sweep rate comprises 0.25 W per revolution of said storage member, where W equals the width of said slider.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second sweep rate comprises 0.05 W per revolution of said storage member, where W equals the width of said slider.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said control means further includes means for generating a system run signal after said slider has reached said second predetermined position for indicating said surface storage is available for a read/record operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including a brake for retarding said drive means and wherein said control means further includes means for enabling said brake after said slider has reached said second predetermined position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first predetermined position comprises the innermost portion of said annular surface and sAid second predetermined position comprises the outermost portion of said annular surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |