Stephan Proctor Howe

US Patent:

6373656, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/811070

Inventors:

Paul Poorman - Meridian ID
Stephan Howe - Boise ID
Patricia A. Beck - Mountain View CA
Richard H. Henze - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Co. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 5187

US Classification:

360122, 360125

Abstract:

A head design that reduces wear at the leading and trailing edges where the tape contacts the head while minimizing any adverse effects on the performance of the head. In one embodiment of the invention, a localized layer of wear resistant material is formed on the leading edge where the tape contacts the head before passing over the head recording surface. In a second embodiment, the leading edge is formed as wear resistant material embedded in the head structure adjacent to the recording surface. And, in a third embodiment, the leading edge is formed as a wear resistant material strip affixed to the side of the head structure. For each embodiment, the wear resistant material may also be applied in the manner described to the trailing edge where the tape may also contact the head after passing over the recording surface.

US Patent:

62365371, May 22, 2001

Filed:

May 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/313889

Inventors:

Paul Poorman - Meridian ID
Stephan Howe - Boise ID
Patricia A. Beck - Mountain View CA
George M. Clifford - Los Altos Hills CA
Richard H. Henze - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Co. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11B 5187

US Classification:

360122

Abstract:

A head design that reduces wear at the leading and trailing edges where the tape contacts the head while minimizing any adverse effects on the performance of the head. In one embodiment of the invention, a localized layer of wear resistant material is formed on the leading edge where the tape contacts the head before passing over the head recording surface. In a second embodiment, the leading edge is formed as wear resistant material embedded in the head structure adjacent to the recording surface. And, in a third embodiment, the leading edge is formed as a wear resistant material strip affixed to the side of the head structure. For each embodiment, the wear resistant material may also be applied in the manner described to the trailing edge where the tape may also contact the head after passing over the recording surface.

US Patent:

54417880, Aug 15, 1995

Filed:

Nov 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/148136

Inventors:

Darrel R. Bloomquist - Meridian ID
Stephan P. Howe - Boise ID
Arun K. Agarwal - Corvallis OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B32B 302
B32B 310
G11B 566

US Classification:

428 656

Abstract:

A magnetic recording disk has a layered structure comprising a metal substrate, a layer of NiP atop the metal substrate, the NiP layer having a surface roughness of less than 2. 0 nanometers RMS, a metal layer over the polished NiP layer, the metal layer having a desired textured outer surface as a result of the sputter deposition, the textured outer surface being characterized by a cobblestone-like metallic grain structure with between 10 and 100 grains per square micron, an RMS surface roughness of between 1. 0 and 8. 0 nanometers, and with peak heights as measured from the mean plane of the surface over a 10 micron square area of between 2. 0 and 20. 0 nanometers, a magnetic layer atop the metal layer.