US3864748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic disk memory
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic disk memory for digital computers particularly suitable for airborne applications, including a rotating disk and a large plurality of gas bearing supported read/write heads arranged over the surface of the disk in staggered, overlapping triads (at the apexes of a substantially equilateral triangular support member), each magnetic core element of each triad having its leading edge tapered to form a separate ramp inlet gas bearing and each triad assembly having a first flexure member for supporting the triad with freedom about its pinch and roll axis (relative to disk velocity) for accommodating any disk undulations and rigidity about its yaw axis, and a second flexure member for applying a preload for the supporting gas pressure. Simultaneous retraction of all triads is accomplished by a lift finger associated with each support spring and all simultaneously actuated by a common, electromagnetically operated member; each triad further including means for imparting an initial rotational bias about its pitch axis so that upon release of the retraction means, in response to a disk speed monitor, each triad approaches its ''''landing'''' with an initial angle of attack to thereby eliminate any divergent friction-produced pitching moments during initial alignment.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig T Herdman
- 👤 Peter E Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/20; G11B19/2009; G11B5/00; G11B5/48; G11B5/54; G11B5/55; G11B5/5521; G11B5/56; G11B5/58; G11B5/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A magnetic disk memory apparatus comprising a closed housing containing a gas atmosphere, a disk member having a magnetizable surface and motive means supported within said housing for spinning said disk at high speed about its axis of symmetry, at least one read/write head assembly including at least one core and coil element carried by an integral support member, a portion of said core element only extending from a surface of said support member normally adjacent said disk surface, said head assembly further comprising flexure means coupled between said housing and said core support member including means for forcing said support member toward said disk surface, and said extending core portion including a gas pressure generating configuration on its leading edge relative to disk velocity for generating a gas pressure opposing said flexure force to thereby provide a gas bearing support for said core and support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A magnetic disk memory apparatus comprising a closed housing containing a gas atmosphere, a disk member having a magnetizable surface and motive means supported within said housing for spinning said disk at high speed about its axis of symmetry, at least one read/write head assembly including at least one core and coil element carried by an integral support member, a portion of said core element only extending from a surface of said support member normally adjacent said disk surface, said head assembly further comprising flexure means coupled between said housing and said core support member including means for forcing said support member toward said disk surface, and said extending core portion including a gas pressure generating configuration on its leading edge relative to disk velocity for generating a gas pressure opposing said flexure force to thereby provide a gas bearing support for said core and support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said read/write head assembly includes a plurality of core and coil elements carried by said integral support member each being so spaced thereon as to define radially spaced tracks on said disk surface, a portion only of each of said cores extending from said support surface adjacent said disk surface and each extending portion including said gas pressure generating configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said integral support means comprises a flat, triangular shaped member with one of said core and coil elements postioned at the apexes of said triangular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flexure means includes a first spring means for controlling the lateral orientation of said support member relative to the velocity vector of said disk and a second spring means for suppluing said load force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said head assembly includes adjustable means cooperable with said second spring means for varying the load force applied to said core support member thereby.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including means for displacing said core support member toward and away from said disk surface and wherein said first spring means includes means for suspending said core support member with limited rotational freedom about its pitch axis relative to the disk velocity vector, and means on said support member displaced from said pitch axis in a direction along said velocity vector for receiving the load force of said second spring means whereby said core support member is tilted about said pitch axis relative to said disk surface upon displacement thereof toward and away from said disk surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said load force receiving means is displaced aft of said pitch axis support relative to said disk velocity whereby said supPort member is tilted up upon retraction and initial approach.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of read/write head assemblies distributed about said disk spin axis and relatively radially displaced therefrom whereby to define a plurality of radially spaced recording tracks on said disk surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said read/write head assemblies includes means coupled with said flexure means for displacing said core support member toward and away from said disk surface, said apparatus further including a disk-shaped armature member supported in said housing coaxially with said disk spin axis and actuatable along said axis, said armature member being cooperable with each of said support member displacing means and electromagnetic means supported coaxially with said spin axis for actuating said armature member and thereby simultaneously displacing all of said core support members relative to said disk surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said load froce receiving means is located on said support member coincident with the center of buoyancy of said support member.
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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |