Head transducer with multiple resistance temperature sensors for head-medium spacing and contact detection

摘要

A head transducer, configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, includes a first sensor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and configured to produce a first sensor signal, and a second sensor having a TCR and configured to produce a second sensor signal. One of the first and second sensors is situated at or near a close point of the head transducer in relation to the magnetic recording medium, and the other of the first and second sensors spaced away from the close point. Circuitry is configured to combine the first and second sensor signals and produce a combined sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact. Each of the sensors may have a TCR with the same sign (positive or negative) or each sensor may have a TCR with a different sign.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a head transducer configured to interact with a magnetic recording medium, the head transducer comprising an air bearing surface having a plurality of thermally actuatable close points; a first sensor disposed at or proximate a first close point of the plurality of close points and having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR); a second sensor disposed at or proximate a second close point of the plurality of close points and having a TCR; the first and second sensors connected in a parallel relationship; and circuitry coupled to the first and second sensors, the circuitry configured produce a sensor signal indicative of one or both of a change in head-medium spacing and head-medium contact relative to the first and second close points, respectively.