Dual mode actuator for disk drive useful with a portable computer
First Claim
1. A portable computer having an associated disk drive including a magnetic head assembly and at least one rotatable magnetic disk comprising:
- a dual mode actuator for positioning said magnetic head assembly;
a microcomputer coupled to said actuator for controlling the positioning of said head assembly relative to tracks on a disk surface;
means for supplying electrical power to said actuator;
a voltage multiplier coupled to said power supply means and between said microcomputer and said actuator for boosting the power to said actuator in one mode in response to a control signal from said microcomputer, said multiplier being inactive in a second mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer having an associated disk drive includes a voltage multiplier coupled between a microprocessor and a head positioning actuator that operates in two modes. In a moderate performance mode, the dual mode actuator operates with the power supplied by a storage battery or by a commercial power source with the voltage multiplier turned off. In a high performance mode, the voltage multiplier under control of the microprocessor boosts the voltage supplied to the actuator so that more power is made available for fast head positioning and job execution with an improvement in computer performance.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A portable computer having an associated disk drive including a magnetic head assembly and at least one rotatable magnetic disk comprising:
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a dual mode actuator for positioning said magnetic head assembly; a microcomputer coupled to said actuator for controlling the positioning of said head assembly relative to tracks on a disk surface; means for supplying electrical power to said actuator; a voltage multiplier coupled to said power supply means and between said microcomputer and said actuator for boosting the power to said actuator in one mode in response to a control signal from said microcomputer, said multiplier being inactive in a second mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification