Michael A Mcneil

US Patent:

54796962, Jan 2, 1996

Filed:

Feb 15, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/196646

Inventors:

Michael McNeil - Santa Ynez CA

Assignee:

Applied Magnetics Corporation - Goleta CA

International Classification:

G11B 542

US Classification:

29603

Abstract:

There is provided a method for producing erase bands of varying width between tracks of information on a recording medium. In accordance with the method, a magnetic head having a write gap and trailing pole with non-parallel portions is produced. In the preferred embodiment, the magnetic head combines an inductive write head with a magneto-resistive read head in a single head structure. The inductive head includes a leading write pole and a trailing write pole which are separated by a recording gap. The write gap is formed with a central portion writing data in a desired orientation, positioned between two non-parallel side portions having divergent angles with respect to the central portion. In the recording process, the side portions write transitions on the recording medium which are oblique or angled with respect to the data transitions written on the medium by the central portion. These angled transitions produce erase bands between adjacent tracks of information represented by the data transitions recorded by the central portion of the write gap.

US Patent:

53154690, May 24, 1994

Filed:

Jul 25, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/736449

Inventors:

Michael McNeil - Santa Ynez CA

Assignee:

Applied Magnetics Corporation - Goleta CA

International Classification:

G11B 539
G11B 523
G11B 5147

US Classification:

360119

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method for producing erase bands of varying width between tracks of information on a recording medium. In accordance with the invention, a magnetic head having a write gap and trailing pole with non-parallel portions is produced. In the preferred embodiment, the magnetic head combines an inductive write head with a magneto-resistive read head in a single head structure. The inductive head includes a leading write pole and a trailing write pole which are separated by a recording gap. The write gap is formed with a central portion writing data in a desired orientation, positioned between two non-parallel side portions having divergent angles with respect to the central portion. In the recording process, the side portions write transitions on the recording medium which are oblique or angled with respect to the data transitions written on the medium by the central portion. These angled transitions produce erase bands between adjacent tracks of information represented by the data transitions recorded by the central portion of the write gap.

US Patent:

46636820, May 5, 1987

Filed:

Nov 29, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/556080

Inventors:

Michael McNeil - Lompoc CA

Assignee:

DMA Systems Corporation - Goleta CA

International Classification:

G11B 554
G11B 2122

US Classification:

360105

Abstract:

An apparatus for loading and unloading a magnetic head assembly on a magnetic recording surface which permits separation of function between load/retract and flying and which produces a predictable pitch to the magnetic head assembly in the static condition and no pitch bias in the dynamic flying condition. The present invention improves on the IBM type 3370 by adding to the single piece spring/load beam element a pair of wings which extend laterally on each side thereof and a pair of stationary cam members positioned on opposite sides of the element. The arrangement of the torque wings and cams permits unrestricted retraction of the slider. The placement of the wings results in a favorable ratio of lift point to load beam bending point and more control of load zone accuracy.

US Patent:

43843115, May 17, 1983

Filed:

Oct 13, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/310747

Inventors:

Michael McNeil - Lompoc CA

Assignee:

DMA Systems Corporation - Santa Barbara CA

International Classification:

G11B 510
G11B 512
G11B 541

US Classification:

360128

Abstract:

In a magnetic disc drive, there is disclosed a method for cleaning the magnetic disc surfaces and the heads. The heads are loaded and caused to fly on the disc surfaces. The spindle motor speed is reduced to a speed where the heads fly at approximately 50% of the normal flying height and the head support structure drive motor is commanded to sweep the heads across the disc surfaces, forward and reverse, for several cycles, to remove any particles down to an elevation that is 50% of the normal flying height. The heads are then positioned over unused tracks on the disc surfaces and the spindle motor speed is reduced to a speed where the heads fly at approximately 25% of the normal flying height so as to scrub off any particles left on the heads. The spindle motor speed is then returned to normal speed and a 25% margin of interference-free operation has been assured.

US Patent:

50796577, Jan 7, 1992

Filed:

Feb 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/481556

Inventors:

Michael I. Aronoff - Goleta CA
Michael McNeil - Lompoc CA

Assignee:

Applied Magnetics Corporation - Goleta CA

International Classification:

G11B 5187

US Classification:

360103

Abstract:

The present invention discloses texturing of the slider air bearing surfaces of the magnetic heads in disk drives to reduce stiction that retards take-off and displaces critical lubricant in a magnetic head system. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes nonuniform etching of chemically identical components of a ferrite slider material due solely to random crystal orientation relative to the exposed surface. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a photoresist of a type used in making printed circuit boards, to form a pattern. Subseqeuntly, the surface may be etched to form the antistiction properties. A variety of controlled and reproducible patterns as well as a controlled depth of pattern may be utilized.

US Patent:

51620731, Nov 10, 1992

Filed:

Sep 6, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/755817

Inventors:

Michael I. Aronoff - Goleta CA
Michael McNeil - Lompoc CA

Assignee:

Applied Magnetics Corporation - Goleta CA
NGK Insulators Ltd. - Aichi

International Classification:

G11B 5187

US Classification:

156625

Abstract:

The present invention discloses texturing of the slider air bearing surfaces of the magnetic heads in disk drives to reduce stiction that retards take-off and displaces critical lubricant in a magnetic head system. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes nonuniform etching of chemically identical components of a ferrite slider material due solely to random crystal orientation relative to the exposed surface. Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes a photoresist of a type used in making printed circuit boards, to form a pattern. Subsequently, the surface may be etched to form the antistiction properties. A variety of controlled and reproducible patterns as well as a controlled depth of pattern may be utilized.