{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9852751","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9852751","title":"Thin film magnetic head, head gimbals assembly, head arm assembly, and magnetic disk unit with improved air bearing surface","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-03-14T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G11B","G11B","G11B","G11B","G11B"],"num_claims":15,"abstract":"This thin film magnetic head includes: a magnetic pole including an end surface exposed on an air bearing surface; and a heating element including a first branch and a second branch and configured to heat a vicinity of the magnetic pole. The first branch and the second branch each expand along a stacking surface and are coupled in parallel to each other. The stacking surface intersects the air bearing surface."},"analysis":{"summary":"The patent, titled \"Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface,\" introduces a significant advancement in magnetic data storage technology. At its core, this innovation focuses on a novel design for thin film magnetic heads, critical components in hard disk drives (HDDs).\n\nThe primary problem it addresses is the challenge of maintaining an optimal and stable 'flying height'—the microscopic gap between the magnetic head and the spinning data platter. As data density increases, this gap becomes infinitesimally small, making precise control crucial for preventing read/write errors and head crashes.\n\nThe key technical approach involves integrating a specialized heating element directly into the thin film magnetic head. This heating element is uniquely structured with a first and a second branch, both expanding along a stacking surface that intersects the air bearing surface (ABS). These branches are coupled in parallel, allowing for highly localized and controlled thermal expansion in the vicinity of the magnetic pole. By precisely heating this area, the ABS can be minutely and dynamically adjusted, thereby optimizing the flying height in real-time.\n\nThis active control mechanism offers substantial business value. It translates into significantly higher data storage densities, enabling more data to be packed into the same physical space. Furthermore, it dramatically enhances the reliability and performance of magnetic disk units by reducing read/write errors and extending the lifespan of the drives. For industries reliant on massive data archives, such as cloud computing and enterprise data centers, this technology offers a robust solution for scalable and dependable storage.\n\nThe market opportunity for this invention is substantial, as HDDs continue to be a cost-effective solution for mass data storage. This innovation positions itself to extend the viability and performance of HDDs, supporting the ever-growing global demand for data capacity and integrity. It provides a foundation for future advancements in magnetic recording technologies, ensuring that hard drives remain a competitive and essential part of the data storage ecosystem.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\nImagine your computer's hard drive as a tiny, incredibly fast library. Inside, a microscopic 'reader/writer' (the magnetic head) hovers over a stack of spinning data disks, like a librarian's finger poised over a book. For the librarian to read or write accurately, their finger needs to be at a perfect, consistent distance from the page – too far, and the words are blurry; too close, and they might smudge the ink or even tear the page. This 'perfect distance' is called the 'flying height'.\n\nAs we demand more storage (think bigger files, more photos, endless streaming), we need to pack more and more 'words' onto each 'page'. This means the librarian's finger needs to get even closer and be even more precise. The problem is, traditional librarian fingers (magnetic heads) rely mostly on air currents to maintain this distance, which can be inconsistent. Tiny vibrations, temperature changes, or even subtle air pressure variations can make the finger wobble, leading to errors, slow performance, or even a 'page tear' (a head crash). Existing solutions have struggled to provide dynamic, fine-tuned control over this crucial distance, creating a bottleneck for future hard drive capacity and reliability.\n\n### How Does It Work?\nThe patent, titled \"Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface,\" introduces a clever solution. Instead of just passively floating, this new 'librarian's finger' has a built-in, intelligent 'mini-heater'. Think of it like a tiny, controllable heating pad embedded right into the tip of the finger. This heater isn't a single unit; it has two specialized parts, or 'branches', that work in parallel. These branches are designed to expand slightly when heated, much like how a metal bridge expands in the summer heat.\n\nWhen the system needs the 'finger' to be a hair closer to the 'page' for super-dense reading or writing, it sends a tiny electrical current to this heater. The heat causes a specific part of the finger's tip (called the air bearing surface) to gently bulge out by an almost imperceptible amount. This controlled bulge precisely adjusts the flying height. If it needs to be slightly further away for safety or during idle periods, the heater cools, and the bulge recedes. This active, dynamic control, unlike older passive methods, allows the magnetic head to always maintain the optimal distance, regardless of external conditions. It's like having a librarian's finger that can instantly fine-tune its hover height for maximum accuracy and safety.\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\nThis innovation isn't just a technical tweak; it's a significant leap for the data storage industry. Firstly, it allows hard drives to achieve **much higher storage capacities**. By precisely controlling the flying height, data can be packed more densely onto the disks, meaning you get more gigabytes or terabytes in the same physical space. For businesses, this translates to lower costs per terabyte and more efficient data centers.\n\nSecondly, it dramatically **improves reliability and performance**. Fewer wobbles mean fewer errors, less chance of a head crash, and a longer lifespan for the hard drive. This is crucial for cloud service providers and large enterprises where data integrity and uptime are paramount. It reduces maintenance costs and enhances overall system stability. The entire magnetic disk unit, including the head gimbals assembly and head arm assembly, benefits from this enhanced foundational control. In essence, this technology ensures that hard drives, which are still the most cost-effective way to store vast amounts of data, can continue to evolve and meet the insatiable global demand for digital information. It makes hard drives smarter, stronger, and more capable.\n\n### What's Next?\nThis technology lays a robust foundation for future hard drive advancements. It could enable even more sophisticated recording techniques like Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) by providing a stable platform for the delicate head-media interaction required. We can expect to see hard drives with even greater capacities and reliability, further extending their role in cloud infrastructure, archival storage, and AI/big data applications. For businesses and investors, understanding this innovation means recognizing the continued strategic importance and investment potential of magnetic storage in our data-driven world. This approach ensures hard drives remain competitive and essential for the foreseeable future.","technical_analysis":"The patent \"Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface\" details a sophisticated advancement in the design and functionality of thin film magnetic heads, a core component of hard disk drives (HDDs). The central technical problem addressed is the need for dynamic and precise control over the flying height (FH) of the magnetic head above the data platter, especially as areal densities push the physical limits of magnetic recording.\n\n**Technical Architecture and Core Innovation:**\nThe invention describes a thin film magnetic head comprising a magnetic pole, which has an end surface exposed on an air bearing surface (ABS). The critical innovation lies in the integration of a heating element. This element is not a simple resistor but is specifically designed with a first branch and a second branch. These branches are configured to expand along a 'stacking surface,' a plane that typically runs perpendicular or at an acute angle to the ABS, representing the layered structure of the thin film head. These two branches are coupled in parallel to each other.\n\n**Implementation Details and Mechanism:**\nWhen an electrical current is passed through the heating element's parallel branches, they generate heat. Due to their strategic placement in the vicinity of the magnetic pole and their expansion along the stacking surface, this localized heat causes a controlled thermal expansion or deformation of the ABS. This deformation is precisely engineered to alter the aerodynamic profile of the ABS, thereby minutely adjusting the flying height. This active thermal actuation contrasts with traditional passive aerodynamic designs, which rely solely on air pressure dynamics. The parallel coupling of the branches likely ensures a more uniform and predictable thermal distribution across the critical region of the ABS, preventing asymmetric deformation or localized hot spots that could compromise head stability.\n\n**Algorithm Specifics and Control:**\nThe operation of this heating element would typically be managed by a feedback control loop. Sensors (e.g., thermal sensors, flying height sensors, or even read channel data analysis) would continuously monitor the head-disk interface. Based on this feedback, a control unit (e.g., a dedicated ASIC on the head or a controller on the drive PCB) would modulate the current supplied to the heating element's branches. This allows for dynamic adjustment of the flying height in real-time, responding to changes in disk speed, temperature, track position, or read/write operation requirements. For instance, a lower flying height might be desired during writing for stronger magnetic fields, while a slightly higher height could be optimal for reading to minimize contact risk.\n\n**Integration Patterns and Performance Characteristics:**\nThe heating element is integrated directly within the thin film layers of the magnetic head, requiring advanced microfabrication techniques. Its power delivery and control signals would be routed through the flexible printed circuit (FPC) that connects the head to the head gimbals assembly (HGA) and head arm assembly (HAA). The improved air bearing surface control offered by this technology leads to several performance benefits:\n*   **Increased Areal Density:** More stable and lower flying heights enable the use of smaller magnetic bits and narrower tracks, significantly boosting data capacity.\n*   **Enhanced Reliability:** Reduced flying height fluctuations minimize the risk of head-disk contact and read/write errors, extending drive lifespan.\n*   **Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):** Closer proximity to the media during read operations improves signal strength.\n*   **Reduced Inter-Track Interference (ITI):** Better flying height control helps maintain precise track following.\n\n**Code-Level Implications:**\nFrom a firmware and software perspective, this invention introduces new control parameters and algorithms for the drive controller. The firmware would need to manage the heating element's power, interpret sensor data, and execute the feedback control logic to optimize flying height. This could involve complex PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controllers or adaptive algorithms that learn optimal heating profiles for different operating conditions. Diagnostic and calibration routines would also need to be developed to ensure the heating element functions correctly and maintains precise ABS control throughout the drive's operational life. This system provides a robust platform for future enhancements in data integrity and performance for the entire magnetic disk unit.","business_analysis":"The patent \"Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface\" represents a critical innovation poised to significantly impact the hard disk drive (HDD) market and the broader data storage industry. As global data generation continues its exponential growth, the demand for cost-effective, high-capacity, and reliable storage solutions remains paramount. This invention directly addresses key challenges in meeting these demands.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\nThe HDD market, while facing competition from Solid State Drives (SSDs) in certain segments, remains indispensable for mass data storage, particularly in enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructure, and archival solutions. The global HDD market size was valued at over $40 billion in 2022 and is projected to continue growing, driven by the need for exabyte-scale storage. This patent, by enabling higher areal densities and enhanced reliability, directly supports the continued relevance and growth of HDDs in this massive market. Any technology that can extend the performance and cost-effectiveness of HDDs unlocks significant market value.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\nThis innovation provides a substantial competitive edge for manufacturers who implement it. By offering dynamic control over the air bearing surface (ABS) and thus the flying height, the technology enables:\n1.  **Superior Data Density:** Drives can store more data per platter, reducing the physical footprint and cost per terabyte.\n2.  **Enhanced Reliability and Lifespan:** Active flying height control minimizes head-disk interaction risks, reducing errors and extending the operational life of drives, a critical factor for enterprise customers.\n3.  **Improved Performance:** Optimized head-to-media contact leads to better signal integrity, potentially enabling faster read/write operations.\n4.  **Enabling Future Technologies:** This precise control is foundational for next-generation recording technologies like HAMR and MAMR, ensuring a clear roadmap for continued HDD advancements. This positions manufacturers at the forefront of storage innovation.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:**\nThe revenue potential for this technology is primarily through its integration into high-capacity, enterprise-grade HDDs. Manufacturers implementing this patent can command premium pricing for drives offering superior density and reliability. Licensing this patented technology to other HDD manufacturers could also be a significant revenue stream. Furthermore, the enhanced reliability could lead to reduced warranty claims and improved customer satisfaction, indirectly boosting profitability. This allows for a 'value-add' business model where the technology is a key differentiator.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\nImplementing the Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface positions a company as a leader in magnetic recording technology. It strengthens their portfolio against competitors and reinforces the viability of HDDs against alternative storage media for specific use cases. This patent's focus on foundational head technology also bolsters the entire magnetic disk unit's performance, from the head gimbals assembly to the head arm assembly, offering a holistic improvement.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\nInvestment in developing and integrating this technology would yield significant ROI through increased market share in high-margin enterprise segments, competitive differentiation, and intellectual property licensing. The ability to push areal density limits directly translates into lower manufacturing costs per gigabyte, providing a strong cost advantage that can be passed on to customers or retained as profit. For end-users, the ROI comes from reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) due to fewer failures, lower maintenance, and more efficient data center operations. This innovation ensures HDDs remain a powerful and cost-effective solution for the zettabyte era.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface refers to a patent (US-9852751) describing an advanced design for the read/write head in hard disk drives (HDDs). This innovation focuses on improving the stability and precision of the magnetic head's 'flying height' – the microscopic gap between the head and the spinning data platter.\n\nAt its core, the invention integrates a specialized heating element directly into the thin film magnetic head. This element allows the head to actively and dynamically adjust its interaction with the disk surface. This dynamic control is crucial for pushing the limits of data storage capacity and reliability in modern HDDs.\n\nThe patent covers not just the magnetic head itself, but also how this improved head integrates into the broader components like the head gimbals assembly and head arm assembly, which are responsible for precise positioning within the magnetic disk unit. This holistic approach ensures enhanced performance across the entire storage system.","question":"What is Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface?"},{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface works by utilizing an integrated heating element to actively control the shape of the magnetic head's air bearing surface (ABS).\n\nSpecifically, the patent describes a heating element comprising a first and a second branch. These branches are strategically placed near the magnetic pole (the part of the head that reads/writes data) and are configured to expand along a stacking surface that intersects the ABS. The branches are coupled in parallel, allowing for precise and localized heat generation.\n\nWhen an electrical current is applied to this heating element, it warms up, causing a minute, controlled thermal expansion or 'bulge' on the ABS. This subtle change in shape alters the aerodynamics of the head, thereby dynamically adjusting its flying height above the disk. This active, real-time adjustment ensures optimal head-to-disk separation for various operational conditions, enhancing data integrity and performance. The system typically uses a feedback loop to continuously monitor and adjust the heating.","question":"How does Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface work?"},{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface patent primarily solves the critical problem of maintaining a stable and optimal 'flying height' for magnetic heads in hard disk drives, especially as data densities increase.\n\nIn high-density HDDs, the magnetic head must fly mere nanometers above the spinning platter. Fluctuations in this tiny gap, caused by factors like thermal expansion, vibrations, or air pressure changes, can lead to severe issues. These include read/write errors, reduced data reliability, slower performance, and even catastrophic head crashes where the head physically contacts the disk.\n\nPrior art solutions often rely on passive aerodynamic designs, which offer limited dynamic control. This invention overcomes these limitations by providing an active mechanism to precisely adjust the air bearing surface, ensuring consistent and optimal flying height. This directly enables higher data capacities and significantly boosts the reliability and lifespan of magnetic disk units.","question":"What problem does Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface solve?"},{"answer":"The patent for Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface (US-9852751) does not explicitly list the inventors in the provided data. Typically, this information is found in the full patent document. Patents are often assigned to corporations, who then own the rights to the invention.\n\nWhile the specific individuals are not named here, the innovation represents the collective effort of R&D teams dedicated to advancing magnetic recording technology. These teams typically comprise engineers and scientists specializing in materials science, micro-fabrication, aerodynamics, and control systems. Their work aims to push the boundaries of data storage capacity and reliability for the benefit of consumers and enterprise alike.","question":"Who invented Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface?"},{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface offers several key benefits that are crucial for the evolution of data storage:\n\n1.  **Higher Data Density:** By enabling more precise and consistently lower flying heights, the technology allows for smaller magnetic bits and narrower data tracks, leading to significantly increased storage capacity on hard disk drives.\n2.  **Enhanced Reliability:** Active control over the air bearing surface minimizes the risk of head-disk contact and reduces read/write errors, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the magnetic disk unit and improving data integrity.\n3.  **Improved Performance:** Optimized head-to-media interaction leads to better signal-to-noise ratios and reduced inter-track interference, contributing to faster and more efficient data access and transfer rates.\n4.  **Future-Proofing Storage:** This precise flying height control is foundational for next-generation recording technologies like Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) and Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR), ensuring HDDs remain competitive and viable for future demands.\n5.  **Systemic Stability:** The improved stability at the head-disk interface positively impacts the entire mechanical system, including the head gimbals assembly and head arm assembly, leading to overall more robust HDD operation.","question":"What are the key benefits of Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface?"},{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface differs significantly from prior art by introducing an active, dynamic control mechanism for the magnetic head's flying height, rather than relying solely on passive aerodynamic designs.\n\nPrior art typically relies on the static geometry of the air bearing surface (ABS) to create a fixed air cushion. While sophisticated, these designs have limited ability to adapt to changing operational conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, vibrations, or variations in disk speed. This often forces engineers to make compromises between achieving low flying heights for density and ensuring robustness against head-disk contact.\n\nThis invention, however, integrates a specialized heating element with parallel branches that can actively deform the ABS. This allows for real-time, localized adjustment of the flying height. This dynamic control provides unprecedented precision, stability, and adaptability, enabling higher areal densities and superior reliability that passive prior art designs cannot match. It shifts from a reactive to a proactive approach in managing the head-disk interface.","question":"How is Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface patent is poised to significantly impact several industries that rely heavily on mass data storage:\n\n1.  **Cloud Computing & Data Centers:** These industries demand exabyte-scale storage with high reliability and low cost per terabyte. This innovation enables higher capacity HDDs and reduces operational costs (power, cooling, maintenance), directly benefiting cloud providers and large enterprises.\n2.  **Enterprise Storage Solutions:** Businesses requiring robust, scalable, and secure data archives will benefit from more reliable and higher-density HDDs for their servers, network-attached storage (NAS), and storage area networks (SANs).\n3.  **Consumer Electronics:** While SSDs dominate premium consumer devices, HDDs remain crucial for external drives, gaming consoles, and desktop PCs where large, cost-effective storage is needed. This technology will lead to more robust and higher-capacity consumer HDDs.\n4.  **Big Data & AI:** These fields generate and process enormous datasets. Enhanced HDD capabilities, driven by this patent, will provide a more efficient and reliable foundation for storing and accessing this vast information.\n5.  **Archival & Backup Services:** For long-term data retention, HDDs offer the most economical solution. Improvements in reliability and lifespan from this technology will further cement their role in these critical services.","question":"What industries will Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface impact?"},{"answer":"The patent for Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface (US-9852751) was filed on **March 14, 2016**. It was subsequently published and granted on **December 26, 2017**.\n\nThese dates mark important milestones in the intellectual property lifecycle of this innovation. The filing date establishes the priority of the invention, while the publication date makes the details of the technology publicly available. The granting date signifies that the patent office has recognized the novelty and non-obviousness of the invention, providing the patent holder with exclusive rights to the technology for a specified period.","question":"When was Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The commercial applications of the Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface are extensive, primarily focusing on enhancing the capabilities of hard disk drives (HDDs) across various sectors:\n\n1.  **High-Capacity Enterprise HDDs:** The most direct application is in next-generation enterprise-grade HDDs, offering significantly higher capacities (e.g., 20TB, 30TB, and beyond) for data centers, cloud infrastructure, and large-scale storage arrays. This reduces the physical footprint and power consumption per terabyte.\n2.  **Reliable Archival Storage:** Improved reliability reduces data loss and extends the lifespan of drives, making them ideal for long-term archival storage and backup solutions where data integrity is paramount.\n3.  **Cost-Effective Mass Storage:** By pushing areal density limits, the technology helps maintain HDDs as the most cost-effective solution for storing vast amounts of data, essential for industries like media and entertainment, scientific research, and surveillance.\n4.  **Enabling Future HDD Technologies:** This precise flying height control is a critical enabler for the commercialization of advanced recording technologies such as Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) and Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR), which rely on extremely fine-tuned head-media interaction.\n5.  **Improved Consumer HDDs:** While the primary impact will be in enterprise, the technology will eventually trickle down to consumer HDDs, offering more robust and higher-capacity external drives and internal storage for high-demand users.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface?"},{"answer":"Future developments for the Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface are likely to build upon its foundational active control mechanism, driving further innovation in magnetic storage:\n\n1.  **Advanced Control Algorithms:** Expect the integration of AI and machine learning algorithms to predict and proactively adjust flying height based on real-time workload patterns, environmental conditions, and predictive maintenance, leading to self-optimizing drives.\n2.  **Multi-Modal Actuation:** The thermal actuation could be combined with other micro-actuation technologies (e.g., piezoelectric actuators) for even finer, faster, and more complex control over the head's position and orientation, enabling sub-nanometer precision.\n3.  **Synergistic Design with Next-Gen Recording:** Further optimization of the heating element design to not only control flying height but also to contribute to the thermal requirements of HAMR or MAMR, creating a more integrated and efficient head structure for these advanced recording technologies.\n4.  **Enhanced Reliability and Lifespan:** Continuous refinement of the heating element's materials and control logic to maximize thermal cycling endurance and overall drive longevity, pushing MTBF limits further.\n5.  **Holistic System Integration:** Continued improvements in the integration of this technology with the head gimbals assembly and head arm assembly, leading to a fully adaptive and highly precise magnetic disk unit capable of operating at extreme densities and speeds. This could include new designs for the entire mechanical system that leverage the head's active stability.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface?"}],"topics":["thin film magnetic head","head gimbals assembly","head arm assembly","magnetic disk unit","air bearing surface","relentless","pursuit","higher"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface - US-9852751","description":"Discover the Thin Film Magnetic Head, Head Gimbals Assembly, Head Arm Assembly, and Magnetic Disk Unit with Improved Air Bearing Surface patent (US-9852751). This invention dynamically controls flying height for higher data density and reliability in HDDs.","keywords":["thin film magnetic head","head gimbals assembly","head arm assembly","magnetic disk unit","air bearing surface","flying height control","HDD technology","data storage innovation","heating element","US-9852751 patent","magnetic recording","data density","storage reliability"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9852751","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9852751","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Thin film magnetic head, head gimbals assembly, head arm assembly, and magnetic disk unit with improved air bearing surface\" (US-9852751). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9852751","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9852751","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9852751","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T10:16:19.108Z"}