US5200867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transducer carrier for disk file with liquid film head-disk interface
Assignee: HGST Netherlands BV
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Filing: 1991-07-02
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Granted: 1993-04-06
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Expires: 2011-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A disk file with substantially reduced head-disk spacing and corresponding improvement in recording performance uses a disk coated with a film of conventional high viscosity lubricant, a lubricant reservoir for replenishing the lubricant on the disk over the life of the file, and a transducer carrier with feet which ski on the high viscosity liquid film. The file does not include any means for recirculating the lubricant since the lubricant spins off the disk at a relatively low rate due to its high viscosity. The lubricant reservoir contains a very small amount of lubricant and thus may be maintained inside the substantially sealed disk file. In one embodiment of the invention, the sealed disk file is essentially evacuated. The operation of the disk file in a near vacuum environment is possible because, unlike conventional disk files, air is not required to support an air-bearing head-disk interface and the high vapor pressure of the relatively high molecular weight lubricant prevents its evaporation.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Albrecht
- 👤 John S. Foster
- 👤 Andrew M. Homola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:12
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/62; G11B15/64; G11B21/00; G11B21/16; G11B21/20; G11B21/21; G11B25/00; G11B25/04; G11B25/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: a carrier having an air-bearing surface near its front end for supporting the front end of the carrier above the liquid film when the disk is rotating at its operational speed and a ski foot near its rear end for skiing on the liquid film when the disk is rotating at its operational speed; and a transducer attached to the carrier for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: a carrier having an air-bearing surface near its front end for supporting the front end of the carrier above the liquid film when the disk is rotating at its operational speed and a ski foot near its rear end for skiing on the liquid film when the disk is rotating at its operational speed; and a transducer attached to the carrier for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the ski foot comprises a generally truncated cone having a generally circularly shaped end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the transducer is located on the carrier near the ski foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 1 wherein the ski foot is generally spherically shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 1 further comprising means for connecting the carrier to the actuator of the disk file, the carrier to actuator connecting means including means for biasing the ski foot of the carrier into contact with the liquid film on the disk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 5 wherein the carrier to actuator connecting means includes means for providing generally gimballed movement of the carrier, whereby the carrier may pitch and roll as its ski foot is forced into contact with the lubricant film during rotation of the disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: an air-bearing slider having a plurality of rails and a plurality of ski feet extending from the rails for skiing on the liquid film; and a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: an air-bearing slider having a plurality of rails and a plurality of ski feet extending from the rails for skiing on the liquid film; and a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The transducer assembly according to claim 7 wherein each of the ski feet has an end which forms an angle relative to the disk surface small enough to permit the end of the ski foot to ski on the lubricant film on the disk.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: an air-bearing slider having a plurality of rails and at least one ski foot extending from one of the rails for skiing on the liquid film; and a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A transducer assembly for a data recording disk file of the type wherein a disk has a liquid film on its surface, the assembly comprising: an air-bearing slider having a plurality of rails and at least one ski foot extending from one of the rails for skiing on the liquid film; and a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from or writing data to the disk.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-04-05 | 1996-10-05 | 1997-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-05 | 2000-10-05 | 2001-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-05 | 2004-10-05 | 2005-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |