Abstract:
A method corrects track misregistraton attributable to out of plane motions of a rotating disk (10) in a hard disk drive (13), and includes the steps of measuring a base plate roll-bias angle between the rotating data storage disk and the head arm (15) with a precision measuring device, and connecting the head arm and load beam (17) at a roll-bias angle selected to minimize track misregistration attributable to the roll-bias. A number of connection arrangements and structures are presented in order to achieve the desired reduction in track misregistration.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for sensing vibration in a flex circuit (106) located between a rotary actuator (100) and electronics within a disk drive. Specifically, the apparatus contains a strain gauge (302/408) attached to or embedded within the flex circuit (300/400). The resistivity of the strain gauge varies in response to vibrations on the cable. This resistance variation can be transformed into electrical signals that are used by a servo system to move the actuator assembly in compensatory motion that effectively cancels any off-track motion cuased by the vibrations.
Abstract:
In the field of data storage/retrieval on rotating recording disks typically the data format is concentric tracks. Data recovery by reading/following such a recorded track encounters a problem when the tracks appear to be eccentric-exhibiting runout- which can lead to reading errors. To enable accurate reading of eccentric tracks a reference pattern (10) is recorded on a track of the disk which provides servo information to control the positioning of the playback transducer as a function of the rotational position of the disk. A physical index (12) is associated with disk rotation. The reference pattern is referenced to the physical index and comprises an integer number of groups each comprised of: blank space (14), AGC burst (16), A and B offset bursts (20, 22). Clock tracks are not necessary.
Abstract:
A head positioning servomechanism positions a read/write head (16) over a rotary, magnetic, informational data storage disc (10). It uses as its positional feed back element a two-phase optical detente (22, 24). It overcomes the positioning errors caused by phase errors between the two position-indicating signals by having the repetition distance of the two signals from the detente (22, 24) equal to the regular spacing between data tracks on the disc (10). One of the tracks is a servo track (14). A selector (25) exclusively provides for positioning the head (16) that position feed back signal of the two available, which brings the head (16) over the servo-track (14) with least error. The positioning is achieved applying correction for the error via a D/A converter (30). The situation is checked from time to time by a controller (34).
Abstract:
A dual gap head assembly for writing and reading a high coercivity magnetic card comprises a structure having three projecting pads (12, 14, 16) arranged in a tripod configuration for contacting the rigid magnetic surface of the card. The pads (12, 14, 16) are of equal heights, and the bottom flat surfaces (18, 20, 22) of the pads (12, 14, 16) for containing the card are coplanar. The leading and trailing edges of the pads (12, 14, 16) are tapered (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) in the direction of relative head/card motion to preclude gouging of the magnetic surface as the head traverses the card. A read (50) and a write (42) head are located in one of the pads (12), and the read (26) and write (24) gaps are in the pad (12) surface (18) in contact with the magnetic card. The pad bottom surfaces (18, 20, 22) are of minimal area ensuring three point stable and intimate contact between the head assembly gaps (24, 26) and the high coercivity medium.
Abstract:
A magnetic recording system using a dual layer magnetic medium with the servo tracks (30, 32) in the servo layer (26) being recorded at a first azimuth and the data tracks (38) in the data layer (28) being recorded at a different azimuth than the servo tracks (30, 32) to avoid interference between the servo and data information. The servo tracks (30, 32) are recorded with one of two frequencies, with adjacent servo tracks (30, 32) having different frequencies. The servo tracks (30, 32) are read by a first transducer (46) having the same azimuth as the servo tracks (30, 32) to generate a positioning error to control transducer position. The servo information is also used to control synchronization during reading and writing by the data transducer (48).
Abstract:
Magnetic recording media (20A), and magnetic recording systems using such media, which incorporate a light-transmitting optical grating (22A) at least substantially coextensive with the magnetic recording area (16, 16A). A second light-transmitting optical grating (322) is associated with the magnetic transducer or read/write head (302A, 302B). A moire pattern is produced by light transmitted through both optical gratings, and changes in the moire pattern resulting from changes in the alignment of the optical gratings resulting from movement of the read/write head relative to the media are utilized to provide servo information to keep the magnetic transducer aligned with the magnetic track. Higher magnetic recording capacities may be obtained using such media and systems, since none of the magnetic recording area is used for servo information.
Abstract:
To avoid ambiguity in the tracking of a magnetic head (10) to a data track (20), the invention calls for the selection of a single given signal polarity, as recorded, as the source of positional control for a tracking servo (22). Difference and sum signals associated with the two longitudinal halves of a data track constitute, respectively, the servo error signal and the data signal.
Abstract:
A magnetic head driving unit according to the present invention includes a microprocessor (4). The microprocessor (4) determines whether a first seek operation for positioning the head on an initial position of a cylinder is completed. If the first seek is not completed, analog switch (21) is triggered ON by a control signal from the microprocessor (4). Upon the ON operation of the analog switch (21), the limiter (22) restrains a driving current for a motor (2) in a predetermined value, thereby preventing overrun of the motor (2).