SBIR Phase II: Commutational Ramp Load Disk Drive Actuator

该小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将设计、制造、测试和验证一个完全可运行的磁盘驱动器原型，其中包含一个换向斜坡负载致动器(CRLA)。CRLA是一种独特的变革性磁盘驱动器致动器，通过提高性能和降低成本，显著改进了现有的致动器技术。研究目标包括CRLA部件的系统分布参数设计，固有参数和性能特性的量化，满足匝道装卸要求的鲁棒轨迹和控制算法的设计和综合，以及匝道装卸过程的重复性和可靠性验证。CRLA的设计要求通过一个磁性过渡区，该过渡区在执行器扫掠角度内的斜坡上的某个位置出现输入奇异性，这是由于零扭矩因数造成的。为了促进匝道上的行驶和通过匝道上输入奇异点附近的区域，将开发一种稳健的闭环控制算法，该算法将通过过渡区提供故障安全的匝道加载/卸载操作。预计这项研究将导致技术上健全和坚固的CRLA原型执行器，这将提供显着的性能改进和成本节约。这个项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是直接和长期的。直接的商业潜力是将该技术具体应用于目前每年5.5亿台计算机、服务器、数据备份系统、通信技术和许多消费产品(如数字录像机)的磁盘驱动器市场。CRLA技术预计将在每个磁盘驱动器的磁铁、线圈和闩锁材料上节省0.17至0.47美元的成本。通过降低产品责任、保修和退货成本实现了额外的成本节约。这项技术将通过制造成本更低、性能更高的消费产品来直接造福社会。这一创新将增强对需要通过单一区域进行控制的设备的科学和技术理解。具有在柴油发动机和各种军事防御和安全技术中的潜在应用。其他更广泛的影响包括：(A)对学生进行切合实际的工程培训；(B)通过创造制造业就业机会来改善当地经济；(C)本科生的参与和项目模块的准备，以加强本科生的课程；(D)与执业工程师合作；以及(E)立即将技术转移到磁盘驱动器行业。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will design, build, test, and validate a fully operational prototype disk drive incorporating a commutational ramp load actuator (CRLA). The CRLA is a unique and transformative actuator for disk drives that provides significant improvements over existing actuator technology by increasing performance and reducing cost. The research objectives consist of a systematic distributed parameter design for the CRLA components, quantification of intrinsic parameters and performance characteristics, design and synthesis of a robust trajectory and control algorithm to fulfill the ramp load/unload requirements, and verification of repeatability and reliability of the ramp load/unload process. The CRLA design requires travel through a magnetic transition zone which presents an input singularity at a location on the ramp within the actuator sweep angle resulting from a zero torque factor. To promote travel on the ramp and through the region near the input singularity point on the ramp, a robust closed-loop control algorithm will be developed that will provide failsafe ramp load/unload operation through the transition zone. It is anticipated that the research will lead to a technically sound and robust CRLA prototype actuator which will provide significant performance improvements and cost savings. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is immediate and long-term. The immediate commercial potential is the specific application of the technology to the current 550 million units per year disk drive market for computers, servers, data backup systems, communication technologies, and many consumer products such as digital video recorders. The CRLA technology is expected to provide cost savings of $0.17 to $0.47 on magnet, coil, and latch materials for each disk drive. Additional cost savings are realized through a reduction in product liability, warranty, and return costs. This technology will provide a direct benefit to society via manufacture of a consumer product that is of a lower cost and higher performance. This innovation will enhance scientific and technological understanding of devices that require ?control through singular regions,? with potential application in diesel engines and various military defense and security technologies. Additional broader impacts include: (a) realistic engineering training for students; (b) improving local economy by creating manufacturing jobs; (c) involvement of undergraduate students and preparation of project modules to enhance undergraduate curriculum; (d) collaboration with practicing engineers; and (e) immediate transfer of technology to disk drive industry.