Electrode With Smooth Radial Flow Channels For HAMR Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the disk drive media manufacturing process, particularly during heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), existing heaters face challenges such as overheating, heat-related damage, and inefficiency due to traditional machining limitations in creating complex internal water flow channels with smooth radial bends, which restrict heat management and flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The use of 3D direct metal printing to create smooth and complex internal flow channels with radial turns within electrodes, combined with a heat sink, back plane mirror, and aperture reflector to enhance heat management and flow rates, allowing for efficient heating of substrates on both sides quickly and reducing heat-related damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional machining is used to create internal water flow channels in electrodes, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but flow rate and heat management efficiency deteriorate due to inability to create smooth radial bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical machining methods with 3D direct metal printing technology to create internal water flow channels. This substitution enables the formation of smooth radial bends and complex three-dimensional channel geometries that cannot be achieved through conventional machining, thereby significantly improving water flow rate and heat management efficiency while accepting increased manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If complex internal channels with smooth radial bends are created using 3D direct metal printing, then heat management efficiency and flow rate improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar channel designs to three-dimensional complex channel geometries with radial bends and varying cross-sections. This dimensional evolution allows water to flow more efficiently through the electrode, maximizing heat removal from all regions including previously inaccessible areas, thereby significantly improving heat management efficiency and electrode reliability.
3Loss of energy
If high flow rates are achieved through smooth radial bends, then heat removal efficiency improves, but manufacturing capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing process parameters by adopting 3D direct metal printing with specific control over layer thickness, printing resolution, and post-processing parameters. These parameter adjustments enable the creation of channels with smooth radial bends and controlled surface roughness, optimizing water flow characteristics and heat transfer efficiency while achieving the required manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid and efficient heating of substrates to high temperatures while protecting the electrodes from heat damage, improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the heating process by achieving high flow rates and maintaining high material densities, thus minimizing downtime and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
cooling channels formed within the electrode... remove heat from the electrode
Implementation Method 2
high flow rates... efficient heating of substrates... heat management
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an electrode and a first channel segment within the electrode. A second channel segment is within the electrode, wherein the second channel segment is parallel to the first channel segment. A third channel segment is within the electrode. The third channel segment connects the first channel segment and the second channel segment, and the third channel segment includes a continuously smooth radial bend. A heating element is attached to the electrode.