SLIDER GAS-BEARING SURFACE DESIGNS WITH LEADING-EDGE POCKETS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A slider for a data storage device, the slider comprising:
- a first side-edge surface;
a second side-edge surface;
a leading-edge surface extending between a front edge of the first side-edge surface and a front edge of the second side-edge surface;
a back-edge surface;
an air-bearing surface (ABS) having at least a first level, a second level, and a third level, wherein, in an orientation in which the ABS is oriented upward, the first level is above the second level, and the second level is above the third level, and the third level is above the back-edge surface; and
at least one leading-edge pocket in the leading edge surface, the at least one leading-edge pocket not intersecting either the first side-edge surface or the second side-edge surface, wherein, in an orientation in which the ABS is oriented upward, a depth of the at least one leading-edge pocket is at or below the third level,wherein at least a portion of a cross-section of the slider intersecting the at least one leading-edge pocket and taken between the leading-edge surface and the trailing-edge surface and parallel to the first side-edge surface has a shape of an obtuse angle where the cross-section intersects the at least one leading-edge pocket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are sliders that include at least one leading-edge pocket, data storage devices comprising such sliders, and methods of manufacturing such sliders. The at least one leading-edge pocket increases the amount of gas flowing into the leading edge area of the ABS, which can improve the performance of the slider in low-pressure environments, such as sealed helium data storage devices. The at least one leading-edge pocket can have a variety of shapes, sizes, and features to achieve the desired slider performance (e.g., fly height, stability, etc.) in low-pressure environments.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A slider for a data storage device, the slider comprising:
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a first side-edge surface; a second side-edge surface; a leading-edge surface extending between a front edge of the first side-edge surface and a front edge of the second side-edge surface; a back-edge surface; an air-bearing surface (ABS) having at least a first level, a second level, and a third level, wherein, in an orientation in which the ABS is oriented upward, the first level is above the second level, and the second level is above the third level, and the third level is above the back-edge surface; and at least one leading-edge pocket in the leading edge surface, the at least one leading-edge pocket not intersecting either the first side-edge surface or the second side-edge surface, wherein, in an orientation in which the ABS is oriented upward, a depth of the at least one leading-edge pocket is at or below the third level, wherein at least a portion of a cross-section of the slider intersecting the at least one leading-edge pocket and taken between the leading-edge surface and the trailing-edge surface and parallel to the first side-edge surface has a shape of an obtuse angle where the cross-section intersects the at least one leading-edge pocket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A slider for a data storage device, the slider comprising:
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an air-bearing surface (ABS); a leading-edge surface; and at least one leading-edge pocket in the leading-edge surface, wherein, in an orientation of the slider in which the ABS is oriented upward, the at least one leading-edge pocket has at least one surface that is neither horizontal nor vertical. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification