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Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!seismo!mcvax!ukc!stc!root44!jgh
From: jgh@root44.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Higher transfer-rate disks
Message-ID: <399@root44.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 14-Aug-87 07:25:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: root44.399
Posted: Fri Aug 14 07:25:54 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Aug-87 08:46:49 EDT
References: <2432@ames.arpa> <3721@well.UUCP> <2838@phri.UUCP>
Reply-To: jgh@root44.UUCP (Jeremy G Harris)
Distribution: world
Organization: Root Computers Ltd, London, England
Lines: 30
Keywords: disk vacuum magnetic
Summary: Run in vacuum, maglev

[Foolish ideas dept]

In article <2838@phri.UUCP> roy@phri.UUCP (Roy Smith) writes:
>	So, why not put the disk in a vacuum?

The problem is, of course, flying the heads. I was batting this idea
around with a lunatic friend last night in the pub, and we came up with
the following:


Build the disk platters as a sandwich of (from the outside) oxide
(plated, sputtered, whatever), metal (strength member), superconductor.
Since liquid-nitrogen class superconductors are due Real Soon Now,
this won't be too expensive :-)

Replace the flying-shape part of the head with a (relatively) large,
low strength magnet. Strong enough to float over the superconductor,
weak enough not to affect the data.
Low cost versions use permanent magnets and never land on the platter
even without head lifters. High performance version use electromagnets
for low head mass.

While you're at it, use maglev bearings for the spindle and head-arm.


Opinions, anybody?

Jeremy
-- 
Jeremy Harris			jgh@root.co.uk