Magneto-optical data storage system
First Claim
1. A magneto-optical data storage system comprising a support body, a magneto-optical disk rotatably mounted on the support body and having a planar storage surface, the storage surface having a plurality of concentrically disposed data tracks, an arm having proximal and distal extremities, the proximal extremity of the arm pivotably mounted on the support body so that the distal extremity of the arm can pivot between first and second positions relative to the storage surface, a flying magneto-optical head mounted on the distal extremity of the arm for aerodynamic suspension adjacent the storage surface during rotation of the disk on the support body, an optical light emitter and receiver emitting a laser beam carried by the arm and a mirror assembly of micron dimensions carried by the head for reflecting the laser beam between the optical light emitter and receiver and the storage surface of the disk to permit the optical recording and/or reading of information on the data tracks of the storage surface, the mirror assembly having a planar base and a planar mirror spaced apart from the planar base and disposed generally parallel to the planar base, the planar mirror having first and second end portions and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end portions, the mirror assembly having first and second hinge members extending along the longitudinal axis and connected to the first and second end portions and means for securing the first and second hinge members to the planar base whereby the mirror is rockable between first and second positions about the longitudinal axis relative to the planar base, at least a portion of the mirror being of a conductive material, the mirror assembly having first and second spaced-apart electrodes carried by the planar base for driving the mirror between the first and second positions.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magneto-optical data storage system having a magneto-optical disk rotatably mounted on a support body. The disk has a planar storage surface with a plurality of concentrically disposed data tracks. A flying magneto-optical head is mounted on the distal extremity of an arm pivotably mounted on the support body for aerodynamic suspension adjacent the storage surface during rotation of the disk on the support body. A mirror assembly of micron dimensions is carried by the head for reflecting a laser beam between an optical light emitter and receiver carried by the arm and the storage surface of the disk to permit the optical recording and/or reading of information on the data tracks. The mirror assembly has a planar base and a planar mirror spaced apart from the planar base and disposed generally parallel to the planar base. The planar mirror has a longitudinal axis extending between first and second end portions. The mirror assembly further has first and second hinge members secured to the planar base extending along the longitudinal axis and connected to the first and second end portions. The mirror is rockable between first and second positions about the longitudinal axis relative to the planar base and at least a portion of the mirror is of a conductive material. The mirror assembly has first and second spaced-apart electrodes carried by the planar base for driving the mirror between the first and second positions.
44 Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A magneto-optical data storage system comprising a support body, a magneto-optical disk rotatably mounted on the support body and having a planar storage surface, the storage surface having a plurality of concentrically disposed data tracks, an arm having proximal and distal extremities, the proximal extremity of the arm pivotably mounted on the support body so that the distal extremity of the arm can pivot between first and second positions relative to the storage surface, a flying magneto-optical head mounted on the distal extremity of the arm for aerodynamic suspension adjacent the storage surface during rotation of the disk on the support body, an optical light emitter and receiver emitting a laser beam carried by the arm and a mirror assembly of micron dimensions carried by the head for reflecting the laser beam between the optical light emitter and receiver and the storage surface of the disk to permit the optical recording and/or reading of information on the data tracks of the storage surface, the mirror assembly having a planar base and a planar mirror spaced apart from the planar base and disposed generally parallel to the planar base, the planar mirror having first and second end portions and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end portions, the mirror assembly having first and second hinge members extending along the longitudinal axis and connected to the first and second end portions and means for securing the first and second hinge members to the planar base whereby the mirror is rockable between first and second positions about the longitudinal axis relative to the planar base, at least a portion of the mirror being of a conductive material, the mirror assembly having first and second spaced-apart electrodes carried by the planar base for driving the mirror between the first and second positions.
Specification