Patent ID: 6226767
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A glide test head for detecting surface asperities on surfaces of disc media comprising:a slider body, including an arrangement of air bearing surfaces intended to fly the glide test head at a first height above the surface of the disc being tested, the slider body further including a laterally-extending wing;a column member, integral to and extending from the laterally-extending wing at a location laterally displaced from the air bearing surfaces, the column member extending toward the disc being tested and dimensioned to have a lowermost surface which is disposed at a second height above the disc when the glide test head is in operational engagement with a disc being tested, the second height being less that the first height; anda piezo element mounted on the laterally extending wing at a position opposite the column member, the piezo element being responsive to any contact between the lowermost surface of the column member and asperities on the disc surface, and including signal output means for outputting a surface defect detection signal indicative of such contact between the lowermost surface of the column member and asperities on the surfaces of the discs.