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Disk drive comprising extended range head proximity sensor

  • US 9,053,730 B1
  • Filed: 02/20/2014
  • Issued: 06/09/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A disk drive comprising:

  • a disk;

    a head actuated over the disk;

    a tunneling sensor; and

    control circuitry comprising a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the tunneling sensor, the control circuitry configured to;

    detect a proximity of the head relative to the disk in response to the detected current flowing through the tunneling sensor; and

    detect the head contacting the disk in response to the detected current flowing through the tunneling sensor,wherein the current sensor;

    operates at a first gain over a first range corresponding to a first fly height; and

    operates at a second gain over a second range corresponding to a second fly height, wherein the second fly height is lower than the first fly height.

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