Abstract: Methods for adhering parts together using part gap spacers are provided herein. Part gap spacers are formed in a selected pattern and a selected height on a surface of at least one surface of two parts to be oppositely disposed. When disposed opposite each other, at least some of the part gap spacers contact the opposite surface, and establish a standoff distance that is generally uniform, and thereby creating voids. Adhesive is disposed in at least some of the voids to adhere the part surfaces to each other. Further methods comprise forming part gap spacers on multiple sides of a third part to be disposed intermediate two surfaces. The part gap spacers can be formed in a variety of shapes, including bumps, tapers, ribs, and flange edges.

Abstract: Provided herein is a motor including a plastic component; a stationary component having a thrustplate; and a rotatable component having a sleeve and a counterplate, wherein the plastic component is positioned outside the sleeve, and wherein the thrustplate and the counterplate are positioned to form a fluid dynamic bearing (“FDB”) at a top portion of the sleeve. Also provided is a motor comprising a plastic component; a stationary component comprising a thrustplate; and a rotatable component comprising a sleeve; wherein the plastic component is affixed to the sleeve, and wherein the thrustplate and the plastic component are positioned to form a FDB. Also provided is a motor comprising a plastic component; a stationary component comprising an inner component; and a rotatable component comprising the plastic component and a supporting means for supporting the inner component, wherein the inner component and the supporting means are positioned to form a FDB.

Abstract: Methods for adhering parts together using part gap spacers are provided herein. Part gap spacers are formed in a selected pattern and a selected height on a surface of at least one surface of two parts to be oppositely disposed. When disposed opposite each other, at least some of the part gap spacers contact the opposite surface, and establish a standoff distance that is generally uniform, and thereby creating voids. Adhesive is disposed in at least some of the voids to adhere the part surfaces to each other. Further methods comprise forming part gap spacers on multiple sides of a third part to be disposed intermediate two surfaces. The part gap spacers can be formed in a variety of shapes, including bumps, tapers, ribs, and flange edges.

Abstract: Methods for adhering parts together using part gap spacers are provided herein. Part gap spacers are formed in a selected pattern and a selected height on a surface of at least one surface of two parts to be oppositely disposed. When disposed opposite each other, at least some of the part gap spacers contact the opposite surface, and establish a standoff distance that is generally uniform, and thereby creating voids. Adhesive is disposed in at least some of the voids to adhere the part surfaces to each other. Further methods comprise forming part gap spacers on multiple sides of a third part to be disposed intermediate two surfaces. The part gap spacers can be formed in a variety of shapes, including bumps, tapers, ribs, and flange edges.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.

Abstract: Motors having a magnetic force attenuator are described. In some embodiments, the motors comprise a stationary member having a base and a stator, a rotating assembly having a magnet and a magnetic force attenuator to attenuate the magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the base; and a fluid bearing to support rotation of the rotating assembly relative to the stationary member. The magnetic force attenuator typically comprises a material of high magnetic permeability, and modulates the magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the base of the motor.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor features a stationary assembly, a rotating assembly supported on the stationary assembly, a fluid dynamic bearing system in a gap between the stationary and rotating assemblies, a radial capillary seal defined proximate a first end of the journal gap, and at least one re-circulation hole extending from the radial capillary seal to a second end of the journal gap. A single thrust shaft end bearing which pressurizes the shaft end to create an axial thrust bearing and drive bubbles in the fluid (where the fluid is a liquid) to the outer diameter of the shaft and into the recirculation path. The journal may be supported for rotation by dual sets of grooves; the dual groove asymmetry in the journal maintains a positive pressure between the journals.

Abstract: Part gap spacers that are disposed between parts in a fluid dynamic bearing motor or hard disk assembly are provided herein. Part gap spacers are designed to off-set adjacent parts such that part-to-part spacing has less variation in tolerance accumulation. Part gap spacers also allow for greater control of bond line thickness of adhesives, and control of gap distances for bearing fluids, and allows for electrical conductivity across bonded parts.

Abstract: An active fluid bearing system is provided. In one example, the active fluid bearing system includes an interface region formed between an outer surface of an inner member and an opposing inner surface of an outer member. The inner and outer members are disposed for relative rotation of the inner and outer members, and thereby form an interface region having a hydrodynamic bearing region and an active bearing region. A liquid is disposed in the interface region at the hydrodynamic bearing region, and is further disposed in the active bearing region if the inner and outer members are not relatively rotating. The bearing system is operable for evacuating at least a portion of the liquid from the active bearing region during relative rotation of the inner and outer members. The active bearing region may be a journal bearing or a thrust bearing.

Abstract: For a motor having fluid dynamic bearing(s) defined by surfaces of relatively rotatable motor members, aspects include providing a capillary reservoir between relatively irrotatable surfaces. The capillary reservoir may comprise a tapering gap that is vented to a gaseous environment through one end of the gap and is in fluidic communication with the fluid dynamic bearing(s) through another end of the gap. The gap may be axial, and the capillary reservoir may be disposed coaxially with one or more of the fluid dynamic bearing(s) about an axis of rotation. The capillary reservoir may extend from proximate a top portion of the motor to proximate a bottom portion of the motor.

Abstract: For a motor having liquid lubricated bearing surface(s), aspects include providing a column shaped Capillary Seal (CS) for storing and supply lubricating liquid to the bearing surface(s). The column shaped CS may have a cross-section substantially topologically equivalent to a circle. Aspects include disposing the column shaped CS between relatively rotational motor members or between relatively irrotational motor members. Other aspects include disposition of the column shaped CS in a spiral shape where one opening of the CS fluidicly communicates with the bearing surface and another opening vents to a gas environment. Still other aspects include disposing the column shaped CS circumferentially on surfaces of generally cylindrical shaped motor members. Such surfaces may oppose a second surface that is one of relatively rotational and relatively irrotational vis the surface. The column shaped CS may circumscribe an axis of a rotating member or may be disposed parallel to the axis of the rotating member.

Abstract: Hybrid orbital fluid dynamic bearing motors are disclosed. The motors achieve improved efficiency advantages observed in fluid dynamic bearing motors containing an orbital ring. In addition, the hybrid orbital FDB motor has serial thrust bearings and traditional style journal bearings, which provide typically higher radial and angular stiffness not observed in previous orbital fluid dynamic bearing motor designs. Designs for centering orbital rings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor features a stationary assembly, a rotating assembly supported on the stationary assembly, a fluid dynamic bearing system in a gap between the stationary and rotating assemblies, a radial capillary seal defined proximate a first end of the journal gap, and at least one re-circulation hole extending from the radial capillary seal to a second end of the journal gap. A single thrust shaft end bearing which pressurizes the shaft end to create an axial thrust bearing and drive bubbles in the fluid (where the fluid is a liquid) to the outer diameter of the shaft and into the recirculation path. The journal may be supported for rotation by dual sets of grooves; the dual groove asymmetry in the journal maintains a positive pressure between the journals.

Abstract: A single thrust bearing fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) design, including a typical dynamic bearing design which has a ring-shaped or circular thrust plate mounted at or near the end of a shaft, wherein the shaft defines together with the surrounding sleeve a journal bearing by providing grooves on one of the two surfaces facing the gap between the shaft and sleeve. On the thrust plate, only one of the two surfaces is grooved to establish an active thrust bearing. The rotor is then biased against the single active thrust bearing with a constant force generated by a magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A method for detecting air-contamination within a hydrodynamic bearing used with a disc drive comprises in one embodiment, a method to detect air-contamination with hydrodynamic fluid by measuring operating signals of the disc drive between different external air pressure conditions (including ambient) on the hydrodynamic bearing and comparing the operating signals to predetermined threshold values. In another aspect, the invention provides an air-contamination detecting apparatus adapted to detect air-contamination within the fluid of a hydrodynamic bearing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method to determine air-contamination within hydrodynamic bearings using the change in disc drive input/output signals responsive to air-pressure changes on the hydrodynamic bearings.

Abstract: A method for setting one or more hydrodynamic bearing gaps in a disc drive spindle motor is provided. In one embodiment, a method setting one or more hydrodynamic bearing gaps in a disc drive spindle motor includes disposing a rotary member against one or more working surfaces such that substantially no gap exists therebetween and inducing creep between the rotary member and the working surfaces. The creep creates a bearing gap therebetween the rotary member and at least one of the working surfaces. The creep may be induced by thermally cycling the motor components or applying a force to a tool coupled to a member having at least one of the working surfaces disposed thereon.

Abstract: The tooth saturation level is improved and electromagnetic harmonics reduced by reducing the path cross-section of area in the tooth with a geometrical means such as punched holes through the stator laminations. The punched holes alter the magnetic flux pattern by forcing the flux to go around the holes, providing a greater concentration of the flux within regions of the teeth, as well as, depending on the position of the hole along the long axis of the tooth, redistributing the flux density in the air gap. This redistributed flux density will also reduce the harmonics to improve the electromechanical device electromagnetic performance.