Particle monitoring method using acoustic emission signal for analysis of slider/disk/particle interaction

One of the most important reliability issues in an information storage device is the contamination problem. The slider and disk can be damaged by the particles intruded into the slider/disk interface (SDI). In this work, in order to monitor the slider/disk interaction due to particle injection the acoustic emission (AE) method, which is typically utilized for the detection of slider contact, was used. The raw as well as frequency spectrum of the AE signal were obtained during the particle injection test. The particles were artificially injected inside the test apparatus to simulate the effect of contamination on the slider/disk interaction. SiC and polystyrene particles were used for the tests. As a result, the 1st torsional and bending mode frequencies of the nano-slider were observed when 1 μm SiC particles and 60 nm polystyrene particles were injected into the SDI. Also, it was shown that the particle behavior at the SDI can be predicted from the characteristics of the AE raw signal.     

Experimental and analytical studies of dynamic friction at the head/disk interface

Friction is an important parameter that critically impacts the tribological performance of a head/disk interface. The head/disk interface with laser zone texture affords a model system for the study of dynamic friction by virtue of its precisely-controlled contact geometry. By using two types of head sliders, i.e. the conventional slider and the padded slider, and a matrix of hard disks with a wide range of laser zone texture parameters, head/disk contacts involving a small number as well as a large number of bumps are realized. A rich variety of dynamic friction behaviors are observed with respect to bump height and bump density variations. To shed new light on the nature of HDI dynamic friction, an analytical model that treats both the deformational and the adhesive friction components on equal footings is formulated. It is shown that, based on the model analysis, the friction is deformation-dominated for HDIs involving a small number of contacting bumps and adhesion-dominated for HDIs involving a large number of contacting bumps. In the former case the friction decreases with bump density, whereas in the latter the friction increases with bump density.     

Investigation of soot formation in a D.I. diesel engine by using laser induced scattering and laser induced incandescence

Soot has a great effect on the formation of PM (Paniculate Matter) in D.I. (Direct Injection) Diesel engines. Soot in diesel flame is formed by incomplete combustion when the fuel atomization and mixture formation were poor. Therefore, the understanding of soot formation in a D.I. diesel engine is mandatory to reduce PM in exhaust gas. To investigate soot formation in diesel combustion, various measurements have been performed with laser diagnostics. In this study, the relative soot diameter and the relative number density in a D.I. engine was measured by using LIS (Laser Induced Scattering) and LII (Laser Induced Incandescence) methods simultaneously which are planar imaging techniques. And a visualization D.I. diesel engine was used to introduce a laser beam into the combustion chamber and investigate the diffusion flame characteristics. To find the optimal condition that reduces soot formation in diesel combustion, various injection timing and the swirl flow in the cylinder using the SCV (Swirl Control Valve) were applied. From this experiment, the effects of injection timing and swirl on soot formation were established. Effective reduction of soot formation is possible through the control of these two factors.