US3863124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerodynamic spacing control apparatus for maintaining a desired spacing between a signal transducer and a recording surface by sensing electrical noise
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-15
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1993-02-15
Abstract
Abstract Spacing control apparatus for maintaining the spacing between a signal transducer and a magnetic recording surface. A spacing control device having a surface which is deformable in a direction towards or away from the recording surface is utilized. The spacing control device is coupled to the signal transducer for movement therewith, and its surface coacts with the gas flow layer between the signal transducer and the recording surface to cause the signal transducer to be moved towards or away from the recording surface in order to maintain a desired spacing. Electrical control signals are developed which are indicative of the difference between the actual spacing and the desired spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface. The electrical control signals are developed by comparing the electrical output signals of a signal transducer, which output signals are related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the magnetic recording surface by the signal transducer, with a reference signal, which is related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the magnetic surface when the signal transducer and the recording surface are at the desired spacing. The electrical control signals are applied to the spacing control device to cause deformation of its surface which, in turn, controls the spacing of the signal transducer from the recording surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest E Pierce
- 👤 Thomas R Mccolloch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:37
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/58; G11B5/60; G11B5/6005; G11B5/6011; G11B5/6058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
348 words
In combination with a magnetic recording surface and a signal transducer spaced from the recording surface, the signal transducer being movable relative to the recording surface in a first or a second direction towards or away from the recording surface respectively, the spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface being subject to variations in the first and the second directions from a desired value during relative motion between the signal transducer and the recording surface in a further direction, and wherein a gas flow layer exists between the signal transducer and the recording surface during the relative motion in the further direction, spacing control apparatus for maintaining the spacing at the desired value comprising: means providing electrical output signals indicative of the actual spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface including the signal transducer, the electrical output signals being a function of the amount of magnetic noise output of the signal transducer during reading of the recording surface; means responsive to the electrical output signals producing electrical control signals indicative of the difference between the actual spacing and the desired spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface including a reference signal source providing a reference signal corresponding to the desired spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface, differential amplifier means, and means applying the reference signal to the differential amplifier means; spacing control means comprising at least a first element having a surface which is deformable at various angles with respect to said gas flow layer and in a direction towards or away from the recording surface in response to electrical control signals applied thereto; means coupling the spacing control means with the signal transducer for movement therewith in the first or the second direction, deformation of the first element surface causing both the spacing control means and the signal transducer to be moved in the first or the second direction; and means applying the electrical control signals to the first element to control deformation of the surface of the first element and maintain the spacing at the desired value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
348 words
In combination with a magnetic recording surface and a signal transducer spaced from the recording surface, the signal transducer being movable relative to the recording surface in a first or a second direction towards or away from the recording surface respectively, the spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface being subject to variations in the first and the second directions from a desired value during relative motion between the signal transducer and the recording surface in a further direction, and wherein a gas flow layer exists between the signal transducer and the recording surface during the relative motion in the further direction, spacing control apparatus for maintaining the spacing at the desired value comprising: means providing electrical output signals indicative of the actual spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface including the signal transducer, the electrical output signals being a function of the amount of magnetic noise output of the signal transducer during reading of the recording surface; means responsive to the electrical output signals producing electrical control signals indicative of the difference between the actual spacing and the desired spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface including a reference signal source providing a reference signal corresponding to the desired spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface, differential amplifier means, and means applying the reference signal to the differential amplifier means; spacing control means comprising at least a first element having a surface which is deformable at various angles with respect to said gas flow layer and in a direction towards or away from the recording surface in response to electrical control signals applied thereto; means coupling the spacing control means with the signal transducer for movement therewith in the first or the second direction, deformation of the first element surface causing both the spacing control means and the signal transducer to be moved in the first or the second direction; and means applying the electrical control signals to the first element to control deformation of the surface of the first element and maintain the spacing at the desired value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means providing electrical output signals indicative of the actual spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface further comprises high-pass filter means and half-wave rectifying means connected in series between the signal transducer and the means providing electrical control signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
253 words
In combination with a magnetic recording surface and a signal transducer spaced from the recording surface, the signal transducer being movable relative to the recording surface in a first or a second direction towards or away from the recording surface respectively, the spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface being subject to variations in the first and the second directions from a desired value during relative motion between the signal transducer and the recording surface in a further direction, spacing control apparatus for maintaining the spacing at the desired value comprising: means providing electrical output signals having an amplitude level related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the recording surface, the amplitude level of the electrical output signals being indicative of the actual spacing between the signal transduCer and the recording surface; a reference signal source providing a reference signal output having an amplitude level related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the recording surface when the signal transducer and the recording surface are at the desired spacing; means responsive to the electrical output signals and to the reference signal output producing electrical control signals indicative of the difference between the actual spacing and the desired spacing; spacing control means associated with the signal transducer, responsive to electrical control signals applied thereto, controlling the spacing of the signal transducer from the recording surface; and means applying the electrical control signals to the spacing control means to maintain the spacing at the desired value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
In combination with a magnetic recording surface and a signal transducer spaced from the recording surface, the signal transducer being movable relative to the recording surface in a first or a second direction towards or away from the recording surface respectively, the spacing between the signal transducer and the recording surface being subject to variations in the first and the second directions from a desired value during relative motion between the signal transducer and the recording surface in a further direction, spacing control apparatus for maintaining the spacing at the desired value comprising: means providing electrical output signals having an amplitude level related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the recording surface, the amplitude level of the electrical output signals being indicative of the actual spacing between the signal transduCer and the recording surface; a reference signal source providing a reference signal output having an amplitude level related to the amount of magnetic noise developed upon reading of the recording surface when the signal transducer and the recording surface are at the desired spacing; means responsive to the electrical output signals and to the reference signal output producing electrical control signals indicative of the difference between the actual spacing and the desired spacing; spacing control means associated with the signal transducer, responsive to electrical control signals applied thereto, controlling the spacing of the signal transducer from the recording surface; and means applying the electrical control signals to the spacing control means to maintain the spacing at the desired value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the spacing control means comprises a first element having a surface which is deformable at various angles with respect to said gas flow layer in response to the electrical control signals, deformation of the surface of the first element in response to the electrical control signals causing the controlling of the spacing of the signal transducer from the recording surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |