Patent ID: 6462909
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A disc head slider for supporting a transducer relative to a data storage disc, the slider comprising:a slider body having a disc-facing surface with a leading slider edge and a trailing slider edge; first and second rails disposed on the disc facing surface about a central recess and forming first and second bearing surfaces, respectively, wherein the first and second bearing surfaces terminate prior to the trailing slider edge; and first and second wear-resistant pads formed on the disc-facing surface between respective ones of the first and second bearing surfaces and the trailing slider edge, wherein the first and second wear-resistant pads are raised from the central recess and recessed from the first and second bearing surfaces to provide transitions in the disc-facing surface that generate vibration-dampening pressure gradients while limiting contact between the pads and the data storage disc during operation, and the first and second wear-resistant pads each have a surface formed of a material that has a greater resistance to wear than the slider body during contact with the data storage disc.