Method and system for detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk

1. A method, comprising:

detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk, the change being caused by head-disk contact,

wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in a current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof,

wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in frequency of an alternating current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a change in the rotational velocity of the spindle is detected.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising inducing the head-disk contact, wherein the head-disk contact is induced by heating the head.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising inducing the head-disk contact, wherein the head-disk contact is induced by rotating the magnetic disk at a rotational velocity below a velocity required to maintain a constant separation of the head and disk.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes detecting a deceleration of the spindle or the magnetic disk coupled to the spindle.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring changes in time intervals between servo sector readings.

7. A method, comprising:

detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk, the change being caused by head-disk contact; and

detecting bounce of the head along the disk, and processing signals correlating to the change in rotational velocity and detection of bounce together for detecting head-disk contact,

wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in a current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in frequency of an alternating current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof.

9. A method for detecting head-disk contact, comprising:

measuring a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk;

detecting a change in the rotational velocity, the change being caused by head-disk contact;

detecting bounce of the head along the disk, and processing signals correlating to the change in rotational velocity and detection of bounce together for detecting head-disk contact; and

correlating the change in rotational velocity with the head-disk contact.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the rotational velocity of the spindle is measured.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising inducing the head-disk contact, wherein the head-disk contact is induced by heating the head.

12. A method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising inducing the head-disk contact, wherein the head-disk contact is induced by rotating the magnetic disk at a rotational velocity below a velocity required to maintain a constant separation of the head and disk.

13. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes detecting a deceleration of the spindle or the magnetic disk coupled to the spindle.

14. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof.

15. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring a change in frequency of an alternating current applied to a motor driving the spindle to maintain about a constant rotational velocity thereof.

16. A method as recited in claim 9 , wherein detecting the change in the rotational velocity includes measuring changes in time intervals between servo sector readings.

17. A method for setting a head-disk clearance spacing, the method comprising:

inducing a head-disk contact;

measuring a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk;

detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk, the change being caused by the head-disk contact;

detecting bounce of the head along the disk, and processing signals correlating to the change in rotational velocity and detection of bounce together for detecting the head-disk contact; and

determining a condition to avoid prolonged head-disk contact;

wherein the condition includes a rotational velocity of the disk relative to the head.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein determining the condition to avoid prolonged head-disk contact includes determining a condition to achieve a desired head-disk clearance spacing.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the condition includes an amount of thermally induced protrusion of the head.

20. A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising storing the condition in a table.

21. A method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising performing the method at at least two different radial positions relative to the disk.