Heating Element Temperature Oscillations for Head Spacing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges in accurately and reliably measuring head-to-media spacing, which limits the ability to reduce this distance and detect contact between recording heads and media effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heating element connected in series with a compensating resistor, where an alternating current causes temperature oscillations that depend on head-to-media spacing, allowing for the measurement and detection of contact through voltage drop analysis, with the heating element also serving as a temperature sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration detection methods are used to measure head-to-media spacing, then contact detection capability is provided, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibration detection system with a thermal system. Instead of using mechanical vibrations to detect head-to-media spacing and contact, the invention employs a heating element that generates thermal oscillations. The thermal oscillation amplitude varies with head-to-media spacing, providing a non-mechanical method for measurement that achieves higher precision and reliability in contact detection.
2Productivity
If head-to-media spacing is reduced to improve read/write capability, then data storage performance is enhanced, but accurate measurement and contact detection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical vibration characteristics to thermal oscillation amplitude. By applying an alternating current to the heating element, thermal oscillations are generated whose amplitude depends on the head-to-media spacing. This parameter change enables precise measurement even at reduced spacing distances, allowing the system to achieve better data storage performance while maintaining accurate spacing control.
3Reliability
If traditional vibration-based contact detection is used, then contact detection is provided, but measurement reliability and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibration detection system with a thermal system. Instead of using mechanical vibrations to detect head-to-media spacing and contact, the invention employs a heating element that generates thermal oscillations. The thermal oscillation amplitude varies with head-to-media spacing, providing a non-mechanical method for measurement that achieves higher precision and reliability in contact detection.
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 method enables precise determination of head-to-media spacing by correlating temperature oscillation amplitudes with spacing, improving contact detection and reducing head-to-media distance, thus enhancing data storage system performance.
Implementation Method 1
The alternating current causes the temperature of the heating element to oscillate
Implementation Method 2
The heating element functions as a combined heating element and temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system includes a recording head and a compensating resistor. The recording head has a heating element. The compensating resistor is in electrical series with the heating element and is external to the recording head. A method includes applying an alternating current at a first angular frequency to a recording head. A voltage drop across the recording head heating element is measured. A component of the voltage drop is extracted. The component has a frequency that is three times the frequency of the first angular frequency.