Abstract: The present invention provides a cost-effective method and apparatus for controlling engine speed. One embodiment generally comprises a controller and a linear actuator. The controller generates a plurality of voltage pulses having a duration and frequency related to a difference between a desired engine speed and an actual engine speed. The linear actuator converts the plurality of voltage pulses into a throttle position.

Abstract: A data storage disk drive is provided with a spindle which supports at least one disk having at least one magnetic disk surface to form a spindle assembly for rotation of the disk surfaces about a common axis and a rotary actuator which supports at least one magnetic tranducers for movement about respective disk surfaces. The enclosure includes a base casting and a cover casting. The base casting include predetermined registration surfaces for mounting the spindle and the rotary actuator and having a mating face. The cover casting has a mating face for engaging the base mating face to define the disk drive enclosure for enclosing the spindle, the at least one disk surface, the at least one magnetic transducer and the actuator. The mating faces extend along the length of the disk drive enclosure.

Abstract: A novel inertial actuator latch assembly adapted for use within the compact housing configuration of a very small form factor data storage system comprises an actuator latch and a separate latch spring. A portion of an inertia member of the actuator latch extends over a portion of a surface of the data storage disk and is separated therefrom by a clearance gap having a size typically on the order of tenths of a millimeter. A novel tilt limiting apparatus prevents deleterious contact between the inertia member and the sensitive surface of the data storage disk in response to a strong external rotational shock force being exerted on the data storage system housing. Automatic registration and coupling features provide for easy and efficient installation of the tilt limiting inertial actuator latch assembly in a top-down assembly process.

Abstract: A disk drive or direct access storage device (DASD) of the type having multiple disks and multiple actuator arms, both the disks and the actuator arms assembled in a stacked manner, advantageously assembled with the locating surface or flange of the actuator disposed on the opposite side of the stacked actuator arms from the side of the disk stack having the locating surface or flange for the disk hub. This opposite flange design results in a substantial reduction in the effects of tolerance buildup and therefore permits the design of the disk drive equal in all other respects to a conventional same side flange arrangement, but permitting additional disks, lower height, less tightly defined tolerances on components or the use of cheaper manufacturing techniques and technologies for recording data.

Abstract: A resilient and compliant shock rail is provided on the sides of the bottom cover for a PCMCIA standard Direct Access Storage Device. The shock rails, being of a resilient and easily deformable material, lengthen the impact time and attenuates the shock forces exerted on the DASD, thereby bringing the deceleration forces to acceptable levels. The shock rail may be further provided with low friction surfaces by bonding thin metal plates to the top and bottom surfaces of the shock rails to ease insertion and withdrawal of the PCMCIA DASD. The shock rail is provided with reinforcing members to insure that the keying scheme required for proper insertion is effective.

Abstract: A data storage disk drive is provided with a spindle which supports a plurality of disks having at least one magnetic disk surface to form a spindle assembly for rotation of the disk surfaces about a common axis and a rotary actuator which supports magnetic transducers for movement in unison about respective disk surfaces. The disk drive includes a voltage reference tab provided for quick assembly and removal from an actuator comb. The voltage reference tab maintains the magneto-resistive transducers and the magnetic disks at the same reference voltage potential thus minimizing electrical discharge from the transducer to the disk. The voltage reference tab is a copper tab having symmetrical slots about a fastening hole to facilitate the bending operation and to reduce the rate at which heat is conducted during the soldering process. The tab maintains the voltage reference potential between the head and disk through an extension of the flex cable attached to the actuator.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a cast base upon which is mounted the disk stack-spindle assembly and the actuator assembly and a cover that is loosely received by the cast base to form the head-disk enclosure. The cover is secured and sealed to the cast base by a malleable metal foil tape that surrounds the enclosure and continuously overlies the interface between cover and base. The tape complies with the surface irregularities and does not creep, to provide permanent shielding and sealing between base and cover. Further, cables exiting the enclosure may be sealed using a piece of double sided adhesive which is interposed between cable and casting followed by application of the malleable foil tape thereover. Thus in a compact device, no significant thickness is added to the enclosure wherein a maximum available height is used to house the stack of disks while providing noise and EMC shielding in addition to securing and sealing the cover.

Abstract: A disk drive structure is shown which maximizes the axial length available for mounting disks within a predetermined height such as dictated by a form factor. A cast aluminum box frame is used which supports the spindle and actuator assemblies and forms a part of the head disk enclosure in cooperation with a drawn metal cover. The box frame captures the spindle and actuator shafts at each end to ensure maximum overall assembly stiffness and minimize the axial length required by the structure supporting the spindle. The box casting geometry is angled to establish the casting/cover joint region at a location beyond the zone of tangency of the disks nearest the form factor so that only the thinner cover is interposed in the region where the disks most closely approach the form factor. The cover and box frame are sealed and secured to one another by a thin compliant tape that does not contribute stress to the box frame during thermal cycling.

Abstract: A disk drive within the dimensional confines of a form factor can optimize volumetric density by using the full height dimension to house disks, but must thereafter utilize the remaining space for electrical components. The structure shown uses a stack of parallel cards with an interface card on the rear end wall to provide the principal drive control and data circuits exterior of the head-disk assembly (HDA). The motor driver circuitry is mounted on a flat flexible cable and is secured to the front wall at the opposite end of the drive in heat transfer relation. The heat generating motor drive circuits are physically isolated from the data/control circuits by the frame and HDA while some of the printed circuit cards are secured to the frame in a manner that enhances rigidity; the allocation of modules to the cards anticipates flow of data and control signals to minimize the number of connections and signal delays that impair performance.

Abstract: A fastening structure is provided to secure a shaft between parallel walls of a box shaped casting which will secure ans locate the shaft without inducing a distortion of the casting walls. One end of the shaft is secured to the adjacent wall and the other end of the shaft is secured through a wall opening using an annular slug and a deformable washer which is compressed by a bolt attached axially to the shaft end to cause the deformed washer to engage the surfaces defining the wall opening. The uniform axisymmetric expansion of the washer does not affect the position of the shaft and the radial fore secures the shaft end without influencing the structure of the casting.

Abstract: Shown and described is a recirculating air system for a disk drive assembly wherein air moves radially over the disk surfaces, over the transducer carriage at an increased velocity, past the actuator mechanism and through a filter before recirculation is induced by the hub assembly on which the disks are mounted and which functions also as an impeller. The hub-disk assembly also forms an integral part of the drive motor rotor assembly. Also, a breather filter and breather opening communicate with the recirculating air path at the low pressure location of the recirculating path to assure that air entering the system passes through the breather filter.

Abstract: A print ribbon driving mechanism including a switching bail swingingly mounted on a reciprocatively mounted support movable between two opposite spindles carrying print ribbon spools. The spindles have ratchet teeth, and the switching bail has a pair of opposite pawl surfaces for engaging the ratchet teeth as the support and bail are moved in opposite directions. A trigger lever is provided on each of the spindles which is responsive to the existence of ribbon on the associated spools so that the trigger lever drops into an operative position on depletion of the ribbon from the associated spool, and the switching bail is provided with two opposite camming surfaces adapted to engage the trigger levers in their operative dropped positions for swinging the switching bail into a position to engage the ratchet teeth of the spindle of the dropped trigger lever so as to wind ribbon onto this particular spool.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a flat, substantially horizontal, guide portion on which the document to be printed is initially placed, a curved guide portion connected with the horizontal guide portion across which the document may be pushed manually and a final vertical guide portion connected with the curved guide portion providing a vertical passage across which a print head traverses for the purpose of printing on the document as it moves upwardly through the vertical passage. Drive rolls are provided in the vertical passage just above the line of traverse of the head for first continuously pulling the document upwardly through the passage once it has been manually pushed to this point and then incrementing the document upwardly through the machine and in the vertical passage for each of the lines of print provided by the print head.