Patent ID: 6933735
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: G01D,G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring the velocity of a read/write head in a data storage device having a rotatable medium and a ramp, the read/write head being capable of communicating with the rotatable medium when in communicative proximity with the rotatable medium, and the ramp being capable of removing the read/write head from communicative proximity with the rotatable medium, the method comprising: using an actuator with which the read/write head is connected, at least a portion of said actuator being electrically connected with said ramp such that a circuit is formed when said portion contacts the ramp; measuring a first resistance of said circuit for a first position of said portion on said ramp at a first time; measuring a second resistance of said circuit for a second position of said portion on said ramp at a second time; calculating a difference in resistance between the first resistance and the second resistance; determining a change in position based on the difference in resistance; calculating a difference in time between the first time and the second time; and calculating the velocity of said read/write head by dividing the change in position by the difference in time.