Abstract: A novel actuator latch includes a catch portion interfering with actuator rotation with the latch in a closed position. The latch includes a first stop portion that is in contact with a fixed member with the latch in the closed position. The latch includes a pusher portion that is in contact with the actuator with the latch in the closed position and with the actuator in an extreme rotational position. The latch includes a second stop portion comprising a cantilevered finger having a supported end and a free distal end. The free distal end is in contact with the second fixed member with the latch in the open position. Neither the catch portion nor the pusher portion is disposed on the cantilevered finger.

Abstract: An improved disk stack assembly for a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a generally cylindrical hub with flange having a downward sloping conical flange surface. The conical flange surface is defined between a radially inner circular ridge and a radially outer circular edge. The bottom disk in the stack is in contact with the flange inner circular ridge. The disk stack assembly also includes a disk clamp with a contact surface having a contact rim that is in contact with either the radially inner portion of the top disk in the stack or a spacer ring. The clamp contact rim is located at approximately the same radial distance from the hub's central cylindrical axis as the flange circular ridge so that the clamping force is applied to the disks close to the area where the disk stack is supported on the conical flange surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing of a hard-disk drive using a bulk eraser for erasing recorded information on a magnetic-recording disk. The method includes providing a bulk eraser that produces magnetic-flux density in a gap sufficient to erase recorded information from a magnetic-recording disk, a hard-disk drive, a disk-stack having at least one magnetic-recording disk, and a drive motor for rotating the magnetic-recording disk. The method also includes configuring a plurality of magnets and a structure of the bulk eraser such that magnetic-flux density is oriented parallel to and in a radial direction of the magnetic-recording disk; and rotating the magnetic-recording disk. The method further includes inserting the hard-disk drive into the gap of the bulk eraser; and erasing recorded information from the magnetic-recording disk located in the gap; and removing the hard-disk drive from the gap.

Abstract: A combined bulk thermal-assister and bulk eraser. The bulk thermal-assister is configured to produce a temperature in a magnetic-recording disk in a hard-disk drive when the hard-disk drive is disposed in the bulk eraser. The temperature is about equal to a second temperature greater than a first temperature of the magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser is configured to erase recorded information from the magnetic-recording disk at the second temperature.

Abstract: A disk drive has a novel head stack assembly that includes a flex cable having a width, an actuator body, and a clip. A top portion of the clip includes a first top slot and a second top slot, forming a non-zero acute angle. The bottom portion of the clip includes a first bottom slot that is substantially aligned to face and oppose the first top slot, and a second bottom slot that is substantially aligned to face and oppose the second top slot. A first maximum distance between the first top slot and the first bottom slot equals or exceeds the width. A second maximum distance between the second top slot and the second bottom slot equals or exceeds the width. The slots retain the flex cable. The top portion and the bottom portion are a single monolithic piece.

Abstract: A novel actuator latch includes a catch portion interfering with actuator rotation with the latch in a closed position. The latch includes a first stop portion that is in contact with a fixed member with the latch in the closed position. The latch includes a pusher portion that is in contact with the actuator with the latch in the closed position and with the actuator in an extreme rotational position. The pusher portion has a torsional stiffness about the latch pivot location in the range 5 JA/rad·sec2 to 30 JA/rad·sec2, where JA is the rotational inertia of the actuator about the actuator pivot location expressed in units of kg·m2. The first stop portion has a torsional stiffness about the latch pivot location that is at least 5 times that of the pusher portion.

Abstract: A bulk eraser for erasing recorded information on a magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser includes at least three magnets and a structure magnetically coupled with the at least three magnets to produce magnetic-flux density in a gap. The gap has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, such that a first magnet and a second magnet are disposed with opposing end poles across the first portion. The at least three magnets and the structure are configured to produce a magnetic-flux density in the second portion sufficient to erase recorded information from a portion of at least one magnetic-recording disk in a disk-stack when a hard-disk drive is inserted into the second portion. In addition, the at least three magnets and the structure are configured to direct the magnetic-flux density in a substantially radial direction of the portion of the magnetic-recording disk in the second portion.

Abstract: Multilayer magnetic structures control the switching field and tighten the switching field distribution in bit patterned media. A strain-inducing layer is excited, e.g., by a localized magnetic field or a localized thermal heating or a voltage, and induces a strain on the magnetic layer(s) of the patterned bit to initiate switching of the bit magnetization. The strain induced on the magnetic layer forces a rotation or an amplitude variation of the magnetic layer anisotropy. A localized magnetic field is simultaneously or subsequently applied to complete the switching of the bit magnetization. The invention provides control of switching field and switching field distribution for bit-patterned media devices.

Abstract: An improved disk stack assembly for a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a generally cylindrical hub with flange having a downward sloping conical flange surface. The conical flange surface is defined between a radially inner circular ridge and a radially outer circular edge. The bottom disk in the stack is in contact with the flange inner circular ridge. The disk stack assembly also includes a disk clamp with a contact surface having a contact rim that is in contact with either the radially inner portion of the top disk in the stack or a spacer ring. The clamp contact rim is located at approximately the same radial distance from the hub's central cylindrical axis as the flange circular ridge so that the clamping force is applied to the disks close to the area where the disk stack is supported on the conical flange surface.

Abstract: A combined bulk thermal-assister and bulk eraser. The bulk thermal-assister is configured to produce a temperature in a magnetic-recording disk in a hard-disk drive when the hard-disk drive is disposed in the bulk eraser. The temperature is about equal to a second temperature greater than a first temperature of the magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser is configured to erase recorded information from the magnetic-recording disk at the second temperature.

Abstract: A bulk eraser for erasing recorded information on a magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser includes a plurality of magnets and a structure magnetically coupled with the plurality of magnets to produce magnetic-flux density in a gap. The gap has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. Two magnets are disposed with opposing polarity across the first portion of the gap. The plurality of magnets and the structure are configured to produce a magnetic-flux density in the second portion of the gap sufficient to erase recorded information from a portion of at least one magnetic-recording disk in a disk-stack of the hard-disk drive when the hard-disk drive is inserted into the second portion of the gap. The plurality of magnets and the structure are configured to direct the magnetic-flux density in a substantially radial direction of the portion of the magnetic-recording disk.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing of a hard-disk drive using a bulk eraser for erasing recorded information on a magnetic-recording disk. The method includes providing a bulk eraser that produces magnetic-flux density in a gap sufficient to erase recorded information from a magnetic-recording disk, a hard-disk drive, a disk-stack having at least one magnetic-recording disk, and a drive motor for rotating the magnetic-recording disk. The method also includes configuring a plurality of magnets and a structure of the bulk eraser such that magnetic-flux density is oriented parallel to and in a radial direction of the magnetic-recording disk; and rotating the magnetic-recording disk. The method further includes inserting the hard-disk drive into the gap of the bulk eraser; and erasing recorded information from the magnetic-recording disk located in the gap; and removing the hard-disk drive from the gap.

Abstract: A bulk eraser for erasing recorded information on a magnetic-recording disk. The bulk eraser includes at least three magnets and a structure magnetically coupled with the at least three magnets to produce magnetic-flux density in a gap. The gap has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, such that a first magnet and a second magnet are disposed with opposing end poles across the first portion. The at least three magnets and the structure are configured to produce a magnetic-flux density in the second portion sufficient to erase recorded information from a portion of at least one magnetic-recording disk in a disk-stack when a hard-disk drive is inserted into the second portion. In addition, the at least three magnets and the structure are configured to direct the magnetic-flux density in a substantially radial direction of the portion of the magnetic-recording disk in the second portion.

Abstract: A vacuum chuck includes a first surface with a cavity formed in the first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a relatively deformable portion disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The vacuum chuck is formed using a resilient material, and the relatively deformable portion changes shape in response to pressure more easily than other portions of the vacuum chuck.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a disk drive base, an actuator rotatably coupled to the disk drive base, a magnet disposed adjacent the actuator, and a latch. The latch is coupled to the disk drive base. The latch includes a latch body, a retention bore, a seating cavity, and a biasing ball. The retention bore extends into the latch body along a bore longitudinal axis. The retention bore includes a ball entrance defining a ball entrance diameter. The seating cavity extends from within the retention bore into the latch body. The seating cavity has an interior dimension perpendicular to the bore longitudinal axis greater than the ball entrance diameter. The biasing ball is disposed at least partially in the retention bore and at least partially within the seating cavity. The biasing ball comprises a magnetic material and has a ball diameter greater than the ball entrance diameter.

Abstract: A disk drive having a translatable ramp is disclosed. The disk drive includes a head gimbal assembly having a proximate end that is attached to an actuator, and a distal end that includes a lift tab. The ramp includes a lift tab supporting surface located as close to a pivot axis of the actuator as is the lift tab. The ramp also includes a ramp guiding surface that is in contact with a mating surface of the disk drive base. A fastener selectively allows or prevents relative translation between the ramp and the disk drive base. The aforementioned contact constrains the relative translation so that the relative translation changes the distance between the lift tab supporting surface and the disk axis of rotation more than the relative translation changes the distance between the lift tab supporting surface and the actuator pivot axis.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a housing including a support post extending from the housing. The support post defines a post axis. The disk drive further includes an actuator rotatably coupled to the housing. The disk drive further includes a VCM top plate physically coupled to the housing and comprising a ferromagnetic metal. The disk drive further includes a VCM magnet magnetically coupled to the VCM top plate. The disk drive further includes an actuator latch contactable with the actuator. The latch includes a post opening. The latch is pivotably mounted about the support post with the support post disposed in the post opening. The disk drive further includes a pivot ball disposed in the post opening and partially protruding from the latch between the VCM top plate and the latch along the post axis.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base and an actuator that is rotatably coupled to the disk drive base. The actuator has an axis of rotation. The disk drive further includes a latch. The latch includes a fixed portion that is firmly coupled to the disk drive base, and a latching portion. The latch further includes a latch arm portion connecting the latching portion to the fixed portion. The latch arm portion includes a hinge region. The latch arm portion is thinner in a direction normal to the axis of rotation in the hinge region than the latch arm portion is outside of the hinge region. The latch arm portion, the latching portion, and the fixed portion are a single component having material continuity rather than an assembly of sub-components.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a ramp having a fixed portion that is fixed to the disk drive base, and a guide portion that is not. The guide portion includes a guide surface having a parking region that is in contact with an HGA lift-tab with the disk drive in a non-operational state. The guide surface also has a load/unload region that extends over a disk outer periphery. The guide surface defines a guide surface length that is measured from the parking region to the load/unload region. The ramp also includes a torsionally-compliant member connecting the fixed portion to the guide portion. A distance between the torsionally-compliant member and the parking region, measured approximately parallel to the guide surface length, is less than half the guide surface length. The guide portion is not connected to the fixed portion over at least two-thirds of the guide surface length.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring the optical properties of solids, gels, and liquids are disclosed. The apparatuses may be constructed on miniature substrates using conventional semiconductor wafer and packaging processes. The substrates may be mass-produced on wafers, which are then diced to provide individual miniature substrates. High measurement precision, low-manufacturing costs, and other benefits are provided by the present inventions.