Apparatus and method of sensing the position of a magnetic head

U.S. Patent Number: 5388014

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the position of a magnetic head from a magnetic track in a storage medium. The magnetic head includes two magneto-resistive elements electrically separated by an insulative layer; current leads for biasing the MR elements and rotating the magnetization of the MR elements in opposite directions that are transverse from the respective axes of the elements; and circuitry to monitor the resistance changes of the respective MR elements and producing respective first and second output signals and to manipulate the output signals to provide an indication of the cross-track position of the magnetic head relative to the magnetic track.

Inventors: Brug; James A. (Menlo Park, CA), Henze; Richard H. (San Carlos, CA), Naberhuis; Steven L. (Fremont, CA)

Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, CA)

Application Number: 08/119,468

Issued: 1995-02-07

Expired: 2007-02-07

Classes: 360/66 ; 324/207.21; 360/315; 360/77.06

Field of search: 360/55,77.11,113,77.06,77.12,77.13,66,63 324/207.21,252

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