A data storage device is disclosed wherein an elevator actuator is controlled to move a head along an axial dimension toward a first disk surface of a first disk while processing a proximity signal generated by a proximity sensor. A first actuator position is detected when the actuator arm is proximate the first disk surface of the first disk based on the proximity signal.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising an elevator actuator configured to actuate a head along an axial dimension, and a position sensor configured to generate a sinusoidal sensor signal representing a position of the head along the axial dimension, wherein the position sensor comprises a sensor element and an encoder strip comprising a pattern having at least one region that causes a disturbance in the sinusoidal sensor signal. The elevator actuator is controlled to move the head in a first direction along the axial dimension to detect the disturbance in the sinusoidal sensor signal, and when the disturbance in the sinusoidal signal is detected, the elevator actuator is controlled to move the head in a second direction along the axial dimension opposite the first direction in order to measure a zero crossing of the sinusoidal sensor signal.

A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

A data storage device (DSD) includes a base-deck, a disc above the base-deck, and a shaft extending perpendicular from the base-deck. The DSD also includes a head stack assembly (HSA) including a head gimbal assembly having a load beam and a head at a first end of the HSA. The head interacts with a surface of the disc. The HSA also includes a second end movably mounted on the shaft. The DSD additionally includes an elevator that linearly moves the HSA along the shaft to adjust a distance between the load beam and the surface of the disc in response to receiving a feedback signal associated with the interaction of the head with the surface of the disc. The feedback signal is one of a plurality of feedback signals employed by the elevator to adjust the distance between the load beam and the surface of the disc.

A data storage device can employ a gimbal tongue flexure suspended from a load beam with a transducing head mounted to the gimbal tongue flexure. The transducing head can be separated from a magnetic recording medium by an air bearing. At least one active or non-active damper may be positioned on a strut of the gimbal tongue flexure.

A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.

A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Narrow band dwell occurs when air bearings corresponding to a set of read and/or write heads within a hard disc drive remain within a fixed narrow band of one or more storage platters for an extended period of time. The air bearings displace lubricant on the storage platters and may redeposit the lubricant as droplets on the platters. The presently disclosure technology is directed to monitoring a hard disc drive for narrow band dwell, and in some implementations, implementing operations to mitigate narrow band dwell. More specifically, the presently disclosure technology may detect an overflying air-bearing slider position, apply a lubrication film displacement formula to a narrow band of the storage platter, apply a lubrication film reflow formula to one or more other narrow bands of the storage platter, and track lubrication film thickness over time in each of the narrow bands of the storage platter.

The invention generally relates to hard disk drives with a disk and a read/write head, and methods for preventing contact between the disk and the read/write head. The hard disk drive includes a z-axis actuator configured to control movement of the read/write head, and to prevent contact between the read/write head and the disk, based on signals from a controller that indicate when the distance between the read/write head and the disk are outside a predetermined range, such as between 0 and 10.0 nm.