Effect of environment humidity and temperature on stationary and transient flying responses of air bearing slider

It is well known that the environment humidity and temperature have a significant influence on the flying height of an air bearing slider. However, not many research papers address this topic, especially when the transient flying response is considered. This paper studies the influences of the environment humidity and temperature on both the stationary and transient flying responses of slider by simulation. A slider design for the thermal protrusion application is addressed. The reason for causing the drop of the air bearing pressure is discussed, and the methods for decreasing the drop are proposed. It is observed that the environment humidity and temperature may determine whether the slider is in full flying state or in partial flying/partial dragging state, when the slider is released from a certain height. The reason may be due to the high humidity and temperature which weakens the air bearing. As a result, the air bearing becomes not strong enough to support well the full flying of slider when the influence of the intermolecular force is significant. Slider vibrations for the full flying case and the partial flying/partial dragging case are analyzed in frequency domain, and the slider vibration frequencies are discussed. It shows that the environment temperature and humidity have significant effects on both the stationary and transient flying responses of the slider.     

Effect of relative humidity and disk acceleration on tribocharge build-up at a slider–disk interface

High performance disk drives require high spindle speed. The spindle speed of typical hard disk drives has increased in recent years from 5400 to 15000 rpm and even higher speeds are anticipated in the near future. The increasing disk velocity leads to increasing disk acceleration and slider–disk interaction. As the head-to-disk spacing continues to decrease to facilitate increasing recording densities in disk drives, the slider–disk interaction has become much more severe due to the direct contact of head and disk surfaces in both start/stop and flying cases. The slider–disk interaction in contact-start-stop (CSS) mode is an important source of particle generation and tribocharge. Charge build-up in the slider–disk interface can cause electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage and lubricant decomposition. In turn, ESD can cause severe melting damage to MR or GMR heads. We measured the tribocurrent/voltage build-up generated at increasing disk acceleration. In addition, we examined the effects of relative humidity on the tribocharge build-up. We found that the tribocurrent/voltage was generated during pico-slider/disk interaction and that its level was below 250 pA and 0.5 V, respectively. Tribocurrent/voltage build-up was reduced with increasing disk acceleration. Higher humidity conditions (75–80%) yielded lower levels of tribovoltage/current. Therefore, a higher tribocharge is expected at a lower disk acceleration and lower relative humidity condition.     

The effects of texture height and thickness of amorphous carbon nitride coating of a hard disk slider on the friction and wear of the slider against a disk

In order to minimize the stiction force caused by contact of the extremely smooth surfaces of head sliders and disks in hard disk drives, texture is usually applied on the disk surface. For future contact/near-contact recording, the stiction-induced high friction between slider and disk will become a problem. Texture on the slider/disk interface will still be an expected method to reduce friction. Recently, it was suggested to texture the slider surface. A protective coating is usually required on the textured slider surface to reduce wear of the texture. The results showed that texture on the slider surface was effective in reducing the friction between head sliders and disks. On the other hand, the texture and coating on the slider surface increase the spacing between the read/write element and the magnetic layer of the disk. The necessary and effective texture height and coating thickness are still not clear. In the present research, island-type textures with different heights (3–18 mn) were formed on slider surfaces by ion-beam etching. Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN_x) coatings of different thicknesses (0–50 nm) were coated on the textured slider surfaces as a protective overcoat. The friction and wear properties of these sliders were evaluated by constant-speed drag tests against hard disks coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC). The results show that 2 nm texture on a slider surface is sufficient for low (0.3–0.5) and stable friction of the slider against the disk in a drag test, and coatings thicker than 5 nm show similar wear resistances of the texture on slider surfaces.     

Mechanism studies of the multiple flying states of the air bearing slider

The multiple flying states of a negative pressure air bearing slider is demonstrated and verified by simulation. It is observed that a slider may have one to three balanced flying states under certain conditions. One of these states is the intended flying state, while the other two are much higher and could make the read/write operations unreliable. It is observed that there is no suction force when the slider is at the highest flying state, but there is a small or no suction force in the median flying state. It is noticed that these three states could interchange with each other under certain circumstances. Some aspects of their physical meanings and characteristics are discussed. Simulations were done for loading forces of 2.5 and 1.5 g, respectively. Negative air bearing stiffness is found in certain regions, and the regions could affect the load/unload performance of the slider.     

Numerical investigation of pocketed slip slider bearing with non-Newtonian lubricant

Boundary slip as well as surface texturing is an effective method to improve the tribological performance of lubricated mechanical components. This article analyzes the combined effect of single texturing (pocketing) and wall slip on pressure that strongly related to the load-carrying capacity of slider bearing. The modified Reynolds equation for lubrication with non-Newtonian power-law fluid is proposed. The equation was solved numerically using a finite difference equation obtained by means of the micro-control volume approach. Further, numerical computations for slider bearing with several power-law indexes were compared with the presence of the pocket and slip. The numerical results showed that the characteristic of non-Newtonian is similar to Newtonian fluid with respect to hydrodynamic pressure distribution. The maximum load support is achieved when the pocket depth is equal to the film thickness.     

Air Bearing Design to Prevent Reverse Flow from the Trailing Edge of the Slider

A simulation approach that relies on an analysis of the flow patterns closest to an air bearing surface (ABS) was used to predict the lubricant accumulation on the ABS of a head slider. The lubricant accumulation patterns obtained through the simulation were in good agreement with experimental results and with our experimental apparatus. We used this method to study and analyze flow pattern droplets close to the trailing edge of a number of sliders and found that there was a reverse flow from the slider’s trailing edge on both sides of the trailing pad and behind the read/write element, which could result in a lubricant accumulation on the slider surface close to the trailing edge of a slider and thus lead a transient slider vibration and magnetic-signal loss in a hard disk drive. Further simulations and analyses revealed that the reverse flow is dependent on the depth of slider surface on adjacent to the trailing edge of the slider, and that if the depth is less than a critical depth, which is dependent on the velocity of the disk, the reverse flow could be eliminated. On the basis of these findings, we propose a new ABS design concept for effectively suppressing the reverse flow of lubricants from the trailing edge of the slider. In this concept, the slider has a “smooth flow pad” and the depths of outlet recesses are specified as being smaller than the critical depth. It was confirmed by both simulation and experiment that lube accumulation on the slider surface is obviously decreased and the reliability of a hard disk drive with this air bearing design is consequently improved.     

Effects of ultra-thin liquid lubricant films on contact slider dynamics in hard-disk drives

This paper describes the effects of ultra-thin liquid lubricant films on contact slider dynamics in hard-disk drives. In the experiments, the contact slider dynamics as well as ultra-thin liquid lubricants behavior are investigated using three types of lubricants, which have different end-groups and molecular weight as a function of lubricant film thickness. The dynamics of a contact slider is mainly monitored using acoustic emission (AE). The disks are also examined with a scanning micro-ellipsometer before and after contact slider experiments. It is found that the lubricant film thickness instability occurs as a result of slider–disk contacts, when the lubricant film thickness is thicker than one monolayer. Their unstable lubricant behavior depends on the chemical structure of functional end-groups and molecular weight. In addition, it is also found that the AE RMS values, which indicate the contact slider dynamics, are almost same, independent of the end-groups and molecular weight for the lubricants, when the lubricant film thickness is approximately one monolayer. The molecular weight, however, affects the contact slider dynamics, when the lubricant film thickness is less than one monolayer. In other words, the AE RMS values increase remarkably as the molecular weight for the lubricant increases. When the lubricant film thickness is more than one monolayer, the AE RMS values decrease because of the effect of mobile lubricant layer, while the lubricant instability affects the contact slider dynamics. Therefore, it may be concluded that the lubricant film thickness should be designed to be approximately one monolayer thickness region in order to achieve contact recording for future head–disk interface.     

Roughness effects on head–disk interface durability and reliability

This paper deals with the tribological reliability and durability issues in modern magnetic recording hard disk drives, where the slider flies at typically less than 10 nm. Specifically, we investigate the effect of disk surface roughness on the above performance characteristics. The durability of the interface is investigated using low-pressure on-track tests. The drive-level reliability data are presented to confirm general conclusions reached from the component-level testing. Component-level slider–disk clearance measurements are also used to better understand how the roughness affects both durability and reliability. Finally, we discuss possible explanations for the experimentally observed relationships.     

Analysis and measurement of torque hysteresis of pivot bearing in hard disk drive applications

During hard disk drive (HDD) operation in the track-following, short seek and seek settling modes, the motion of the actuator, which is supported by a pivot bearing cartridge, has very small amplitudes. The effect of hysteresis friction from the pivot bearing becomes significant, impacting servo performance. Often such effects are not well understood and thus, it is not being taken into consideration during servo design. A study of the hysteresis friction behaviour of pivot bearings is presented. An integrated test apparatus for pivot bearing analysis was designed and built where a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) was used to accurately measure the displacement and velocity of the actuator for feedback control. Using this test apparatus, the hysteresis friction behaviour in both frequency and time domain was analysed. The effects of pre-load, oscillating magnitude and oscillating frequency were investigated. The results obtained can now be used for servo design and pivot bearing evaluation.     

Numerical simulation of typical contact situations of brake friction materials

In the paper, a model typical for contact situations of automotive brakes is established based on the method of movable cellular automata. The processes taking place at local contacts in an automotive brake system are analysed. Based on microscopic and micro-analytical observations, the following contact situations were simulated: (i) a couple of ferritic steel against pearlitic steel, both covered by an oxide layer mixed with graphite nanoparticles and (ii) the same situation but without oxide layers. The results of calculated mean coefficients of friction of the oxide-on-oxide contact correspond well to expected values for a real braking system, whereas steel-on-steel contact are twice as high. This allows one to make some conclusions; for example, oxide formation will take place more quickly than friction layer elimination, and finally this is responsible for the stabilisation of the coefficient of friction.     

绝热毛细管长度数值计算

根据均相流假设,运用两相流动基本方程建立了绝热毛细管分布参数的稳态数学模型,结合制冷工质HFC-134a基于MH状态方程的热力学性质计算模型,采用新的基团贡献法计算粘度,用熵增判据考虑壅塞流动的影响,进行数值模拟计算确定毛细管长度。对理论计算结果与相关文献的实验数据进行比较,结果吻合得很好,计算精度有所提高。     

压气机超速制造过程的数值仿真研究

为配合压气机叶轮超速制造工艺的施行,根据我国现行增压器压气机叶轮的设计数据及使用要求,采用由参变量变分原理导出的有限元参数二次规划法对某增压器压气机进行了加载、卸载再加载的弹塑性变形全过程的数值模拟,针对不同的超速转速进行了大量计算,研究压气机叶轮在不同超速转速下,超速预过载处理后在工作状态下压气机叶轮应力、位移的大小及相应分布规律.结果表明随着超速转速的增加,超速预过载处理后的叶轮残余最大应力和最大位移值增加.超速转速大于33000r/min时,最大轴向、径向位移随超速转速的增大而迅速增大.     

基于iSIGHT的变循环发动机性能优化

通过对变循环发动机结构形式和工作机理的分析研究,依照模块化合成程序的计算流程,给出了变循环发动机数学模型,利用面向对象的C++程序语言发展了基于部件类的变循环发动机数值仿真软件。利用商用软件iSIGHT的多学科优化能力,该仿真软件具有可视化操作界面,具备进行设计点的性能仿真计算、非设计点特性仿真计算以及设计点任务分析的仿真计算的能力。基于iSIGHT优化平台,对变循环发动机的性能进行了优化分析。     

摆碾铆接过程数值模拟分析

应用DEFORM-3D有限元分析软件建立碾压铆接有限元模型,对摆碾铆接工艺过程进行数值模拟。分析了其成形过程的三个阶段、应力应变和行程载荷曲线的变化趋势,结果表明最大应力应变都集中在铆钉头部边缘区,边缘区点最先受到旋压力开始变形,最早发生屈服现象并进入弹塑性变形阶段;铆钉在相同行程下达到相同的成形效果时,碾压铆接需要的载荷要远远低于传统铆接的载荷。最后分析了影响碾压铆接质量的几个核心因素,如铆头速度、铆头倾斜角度等,为有效地进行碾压铆接工艺研究提了供理论依据。     

Numerical study of the thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication phenomena in porous journal bearings

In this work, a numerical simulation is presented for the thermo-hydrodynamic self-lubrication aspect analysis of porous circular journal bearing of finite length with sealed ends. It consists in analyzing the thermal effects on the behavior of circular porous journal bearings. The Reynolds equation of thin viscous films is used taking into account the oil leakage into the porous matrix, by applying Darcy’s law to determine the fluid flow in the porous media. The presented results are in good agreement with those cited in the literature. The effects of dimensionless permeability parameter and eccentricity ratio on performance parameters are presented and discussed. The results showed that the temperature influence on the journal bearings performance is important in some operating cases, and that a progressive reduction in the pressure distribution, in the load capacity and attitude angle is a consequence of the increasing permeability.     

铆接装配过程数值模拟

为提高对铆接装配中铆钉成型过程的认识,通过有限元软件对沉头铆钉成型过程进行了数值模拟分析.详细介绍了铆接模型的建立过程和材料大变形的性能处理方法,并根据应力时间曲线对成型过程进行了阶段划分.结果表明,数值模拟方法可有效的用于铆接成型过程分析,为后续的铆接强度和疲劳的模拟分析奠定了基础.     

微管道中压力驱动液体流动特性的数值模拟研究

MEMS系统的飞速发展让人们对微尺度领域的研究产生了极大的兴趣.对压力驱动下蒸馏水流过直径20μm微管道的流量-压力、流速-压力特性进行了数值模拟研究.结果表明,在该仿真条件下,蒸馏水的流动规律基本符合宏观条件下的Navier-Stokes和Hagen-Poiseuille方程.在仿真研究中还考虑了重力对流动特性的影响,结果发现,在微米尺度下,重力对流动的流量与速度的影响很小,几乎可以忽略不计.     

Numerical simulation of the tube erosion resulted from particle impacts

In this paper, tube erosion caused by the turbulent flow of a dilute particle-laden gas is studied numerically. The particle impact and rebound model and the erosion model of ductile alloys obtained by Tabakoff et al. are used to predict the particle rebound phenomena and the erosion suffered by the tubes. The results obtained in this study include the distributions of particle collision frequency and erosion of tube surface.     

Numerical simulation of displacement instabilities of surface grooves on an alumina forming alloy during thermal cycling oxidation

Displacement instability of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) is a fundamental source of failure in thermal barrier systems. In this work, a finite element analysis has been performed to analyze the displacement instability occurring at a heat resistant metal with superficial TGO subjected to thermal cycling. Lateral and in-plane growth of the TGO which happens during high temperature is simulated by means of material property change from the substrate metal to the TGO. Most of the material properties including the TGO growth are based on the results experimentally obtained in-house. Results of the finite element analyses agree well with the experimental observation, which proves the accuracy and validity of this simulation. The technique will be useful for future work on more complicated phenomena such as deformation under thermo-mechanical cycling. This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Maenghyo Cho Jun Ding received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chongqing Institute of Technology, China, in 2000. He then received his M.S. degree from Chongqing University, China, in 2004. Currently a Ph. D candidate at the Graduate School of Mechanical Systems Engineering at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, Korea, he is mainly working on the theoretical and numerical analyses of mechanical behaviors of various materials. Feng-Xun Li received his B.S. degree from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Yanbian University, China, in 2005. He then received his M.S. degree from Chonnam National University, Korea, in 2007. He is currently a Ph. D candidate at the Graduate School of Mechanical Systems Engineering at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, Korea and is mainly working on the deformation mechanism of thermally grown oxide. Ki-Ju Kang received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chonnam National University, Korea, in 1981. He then received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in 1983 and 1988, respectively. Dr. Kang is currently a Professor at the School of Mechanical Systems Engineering at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, Korea. His laboratory is designated as a national research laboratory. His research interests include the optimal designs and manufacturing technologies of various types of porous cellular metal and mechanical behaviors of a thermally grown oxide at high temperature.     

AOD转炉托圈结构强度的数值仿真分析

氩氧炉(AOD)是生产不锈钢最常用的精炼炉,由于其体积和重量大,加之内装钢水,使得其重量超过一百吨。为了保证氩氧炉安全运行,炉体托圈对氩氧炉支持强度至关重要。应用有限元方法对托圈进行了强度分析,得到了托圈在不同转角位置下的最大应力以及分布规律,获得了应力随转角的变动曲线,为氩氧炉安全运行提供了可靠数据,并为大型设备安全强度设计提供了较好数值分析方法和计算方法。