Patent ID: 6215621
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A data storage system comprising:a base;a disc rotationally coupled to the base and having a disc surface;a disc motor; anda head operably supported relative to the disc surface for operation, said head including:at least one transducer element; anda slider supporting the at least one transducer element and the slider including:a substrate formed of a first substrate material and including a first bearing surface facing the disc surface, anda layer of a second tribological material deposited on a selected portion of the first bearing surface and not on the entire first bearing surface to form a second offset bearing surface spaced from the first bearing surface said first and second offset bearing surfaces forming a multi-tier bearing structure and the deposited layer having a thickness sized to position the first and second offset bearing surfaces in close proximity to provide bearing lift force and to offset the first and second bearing surfaces a distance to provide dampening and stiffness characteristics.