Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a disc drive actuator assembly including an e-block, a plurality of bearings, and one or more heat transfer components. The heat transfer component(s) operates to conductively draw heat from the plurality of bearings through the e-block, and convectively dissipate the heat into an atmosphere in contact therewith. The heat transfer component(s) mitigates temperature rise of the bearings during operation of a disc drive, thereby mitigating bearing lubricant outgassing from within the bearings.

Abstract: A disc drive has an improved electrical interconnect assembly mated to a suspension assembly for coupling one or more conductive paths leading from a read/write head to control circuitry located off the suspension assembly. The interconnect assembly has a portion that extends along an edge of the suspension assembly that is oriented towards the outer diameter of a disc on the disc drive. The suspension may be made of a laminate material and may include a trench formed in the suspension that is configured to mount a portion of the interconnect assembly. Positioning a portion of the interconnect assembly on the edge of the suspension towards the disc outer diameter and mounting another portion of the interconnect assembly in a trench formed in the suspension assembly reduces windage-induced vibrations of the suspension assembly and, consequently, the head.

Abstract: A disc drive has an improved electrical interconnect assembly mated to a suspension assembly for coupling one or more conductive paths leading from a read/write head to control circuitry located off the suspension assembly. The interconnect assembly has a portion that is located adjacent to and transversely extending from an edge of the suspension assembly located towards the inner diameter of a disc on the disc drive. The suspension optionally includes a cross-over section of the interconnect assembly to electrically couple the head on the suspension to the control circuitry located away from the suspension assembly. Locating the interconnect assembly on the edge of the suspension towards the disc inner diameter reduces windage induced vibrations of the suspension assembly and, consequently, the head.

Abstract: A flex circuit for use in a head gimbal assembly having additional polyamide features which improve the damping properties of the flex circuit. An elbow or damping strips with or without metal traces can be added to the flex circuit to dampen the first torsion gain. The elbow or damping strips with or without metal traces do not act as a substrate for electrical circuitry, but rather provide damping properties to the head gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A method for swaging a suspension assembly to an actuator arm of a data storage device is disclosed. The method includes steps of inserting a deformable tubular stake into an aperture of an actuator arm and inserting an expandable swaging member into a channel of the tubular stake within the aperture of the actuator arm. Thereafter, the method includes the step of expanding the swaging member to deform the tubular stake to swage the tubular stake to the actuator arm of the data storage device.

Abstract: A disc drive has an improved electrical interconnect assembly mated to a suspension assembly for coupling one or more conductive paths leading from a read/write head to control circuitry located off the suspension assembly. The interconnect assembly has a portion that extends along an edge of the suspension assembly that is oriented towards the outer diameter of a disc on the disc drive. The suspension may be made of a laminate material and may include a trench formed in the suspension that is configured to mount a portion of the interconnect assembly. Positioning a portion of the interconnect assembly on the edge of the suspension towards the disc outer diameter and mounting another portion of the interconnect assembly in a trench formed in the suspension assembly reduces windage-induced vibrations of the suspension assembly and, consequently, the head.

Abstract: A microactuation system selectively alters a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disk having a plurality of concentric tracks. The microactuation system includes a head suspension having a first portion and a second portion coupled by one or more flexible hinges. An electroactive element is attached to the first portion of the head suspension at one end and the second portion of the load beam at the other end. The electroactive element bends in response to a control signal applied thereto. The hinge is sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion of the head suspension.

Abstract: A disc drive has an improved electrical interconnect assembly mated to a suspension assembly for coupling one or more conductive paths leading from a read/write head to control circuitry located off the suspension assembly. The interconnect assembly has a portion that is located adjacent to and transversely extending from an edge of the suspension assembly located towards the inner diameter of a disc on the disc drive. The suspension optionally includes a cross-over section of the interconnect assembly to electrically couple the head on the suspension to the control circuitry located away from the suspension assembly. Locating the interconnect assembly on the edge of the suspension towards the disc inner diameter reduces windage induced vibrations of the suspension assembly and, consequently, the head.

Abstract: A gimbal spring for supporting a slider relative to a disc surface. The gimbal spring includes opposed flexure arms extending from a base of the gimbal spring. The flexure arms are designed to support the slider coupled to the gimbal spring via a mounting tab to pitch and roll relative to the disc surface. The flexure arms are formed of elongated members extending from the base to define a fixed end and an extended end. The flexure arms include an intermediate portion between the fixed end and the extended end having a reduced mass, which is less than the fixed end and extended end. The reduced mass enhances the operation characteristics of the gimbal spring.

Abstract: A swaging device for connecting suspension assemblies to an actuator block of a disc drive. The swaging device includes an expandable member which is designed for insertion into channels of tubular stakes coupled to suspension assemblies to swage the tubular stakes relative to a hole of an actuator arm. The expandable member is expandable between an insertion dimension and a swaging dimension. In the insertion dimension, the expandable member is sized for insertion into the channels of the tubular stakes. The expandable member is inserted into stake channels and is expanded to the swaging dimension to impart a swaging force to connect tubular stakes to actuator arms.

Abstract: A base plate is used to attach the head/gimbal assembly of a disc drive to an actuator arm. The base plate has a boss which fits into an opening in the actuator arm. In one embodiment, the boss includes a plurality of raised portions defining a cylinder having a relaxed outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the opening in the actuator arm. The outer surfaces of the plurality of portions engage the inner surface of the actuator arm to elastically deform and conform to and bias against the inner surface of the actuator arm, thereby providing a connection with superior holding friction, and retention torque.

Abstract: A gimbal spring (38) for supporting a slider (20) relative to a disc (12) surface. The gimbal spring (38) includes opposed flexure arms (48,50) extending from a base of the gimbal spring (38). The flexure arms (48,50) are designed to support the slider (20) coupled to the gimbal spring (38) via a mounting tab (54) to pitch and roll relative to the disc (12) surface. The flexure arms (48,50) are formed of elongated members extending from the base to define a fixed end and an extended end. The flexure arms (48,50) include an intermediate portion between the fixed end and the extended end having a reduced mass, which is less than the fixed end and extended end. The reduced mass enhances the operation characteristics of the gimbal spring (38).

Abstract: A gimbal spring for supporting a slider relative to a disc surface. The gimbal spring includes opposed flexure arms extending from a base of the gimbal spring. The flexure arms are designed to support the slider coupled to the gimbal spring via a mounting tab to pitch and roll relative to the disc surface. The flexure arms are formed of elongated members extending from the base to define a fixed end and an extended end. The flexure arms include an intermediate portion between the fixed end and the extended end having a reduced mass, which is less than the fixed end and extended end. The reduced mass enhances the operation characteristics of the gimbal spring.

Abstract: A microactuation system is disclosed for selectively altering a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disk having a plurality of concentric tracks. The disc drive system includes a load beam having a base for attachment to an actuator arm and a head suspension for supporting the slider over the rotatable disc. A microactuation system includes a piezoelectric element attached between the base and the head suspension of the load beam and beams or hinges connecting the head suspension to the base. The piezoelectric element is deformable in response to a voltage applied thereto. The beams are sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the head suspension with respect to the base upon deformation of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A base plate is used to attach the head/gimbal assembly of a disc drive to an actuator arm. The base plate has a boss which fits into an opening in the actuator arm. In one embodiment, the boss includes a plurality of raised portions defining a cylinder having a relaxed outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the opening in the actuator arm. The outer surfaces of the plurality of portions engage the inner surface of the actuator arm to elastically deform and conform to and bias against the inner surface of the actuator arm, thereby providing a connection with superior holding friction, and retention torque.

Abstract: A microactuator is disclosed for selectively altering a position of a transducing head carried by a slider in a disc drive system with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks. The disc drive system includes a head mounting block for attachment to an actuator arm and a head suspension supporting the slider over the rotatable disc. The microactuator includes a piezoelectric element attached between the head mounting block and the head suspension and beams connecting the head mounting block and the head suspension. The piezoelectric element is deformable in response to a voltage applied thereto. The beams are flexible to permit movement of the head suspension with respect to the head mounting block upon deformation of the piezoelectric elements, and have heights extending out of the general plane of the head mounting block and the head suspension.

Abstract: A base plate is used to attach the head/gimbal assembly of a disc drive to an actuator arm. The base plate has a boss which fits into an opening in the actuator arm. In one embodiment, the boss includes a plurality of raised portions defining a cylinder having a relaxed outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the opening in the actuator arm. The outer surfaces of the plurality of portions engage the inner surface of the actuator arm to elastically deform and conform to and bias against the inner surface of the actuator arm, thereby providing a connection with superior holding friction, and retention torque.