Patent ID: 9117474
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for implementing a write head device for writer-to-disk contact detection and spacing sensing of recording heads in hard disk drives (HDDs) comprising: providing a write head device disposed in electrical contact engagement with a main pole tip and extending between the main pole tip and a magnetic shield of a writer in a recording head; providing a voltage source with a respective connection to the magnetic shield and coupled to the main pole tip of the writer in the recording head, and applying voltage between the magnetic shield and the main pole tip and to the write head device; measuring current responsive to said applied voltage and identifying resistance of the write head device at power-up and periodically during HDD operation; and detecting writer to disk spacing and writer to disk contact using the identified resistance of the write head device, eliminating use of an embedded contact sensor (ECS) with implementing said write head device for writer-to-disk contact detection and spacing sensing.