Abstract: Storing data to a storage medium with a device that has moving parts supported by a bearing and which maintains separation between opposing bearing surfaces in the bearing with a pressurized working fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to attenuating excitation energy of a rotatable storage medium using one or more plates each having a plurality of parallel channels to buffer fluid flow across an associated medium surface. A preferred embodiment includes a plurality of channels in facing relation to a common surface of a rotatable storage medium. Further included in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of channels are sequentially arranged into a first, second, and third channels with differing sidewall characterizations. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of storage mediums which are axially aligned have a plurality of channels in facing relation to either a top or bottom surface of a rotatable storage medium.

Abstract: A servo track writer assembly and method are provided for recording servo pattern information on a disc. The servo track writer assembly includes a spindle assembly, an actuator assembly and a servo recording head. The spindle assembly has a hub, which supports the disc and a spindle motor for rotating the hub. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm supported by an actuator bearing for positioning the actuator arm relative to the disc. At least one of the spindle motor and the actuator bearing has a gas-lubricated bearing with a working fluid, which includes helium. The servo recording head is supported by the actuator arm relative to the disc to record the servo pattern information on the disc as the spindle motor rotates the disc and the actuator bearing positions the actuator arm.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided comprising a data transfer head moved by an actuator arm in a data storing and retrieving relationship with a data storage medium. Streamwise arranged aerodynamic fluid re-directing and drag-reducing features on a surface of the actuator arm modify frictional forces acting on the arm from a fluid flow created by moving the medium. A method is provided for improving nonrepeatable runnout disturbances in a data storage device by aligning the drag-reducing features of the actuator assembly with a direction of a mean flow direction of the fluid at an outer diameter of the storage medium to divert the fluid flow away from the head gimbal assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a body portion having at least one actuator arm extending therefrom is disclosed. The body portion includes a body damping assembly to control vibration modes of the actuator body. The damping assembly is coupled to the actuator body of a head actuator assembly to control vibration modes of the actuator body to reduce head positioning errors.

Abstract: A servo track writing apparatus for recording servo information or patterns on a disc or discs for a data storage device is disclosed. The servo track writing apparatus includes a shroud proximate to and downstream of a cantilevered head assembly to limit DC wander for writing servo information to disc or discs. In particular, the shroud is position in an operating zone or sector of the cantilevered head assembly or between an air dam and stripper of a servo track writing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for damping operational vibration modes of an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly preferably supports a data transducing head adjacent a storage medium in a servo track writing environment. The actuator assembly further supports a circuit assembly comprising circuit board, card or other circuit portion to facilitate electrical communication with the data transducing head. A damping assembly is interposed between the circuit assembly and the actuator assembly to mechanically decouple the circuit assembly from the actuator assembly. Preferably, the damper assembly comprises one or more rigid damper plates and one or more viscoelastic layers therebetween to provide constrain layer damping. As desired, the plates can be provided with progressively larger thickness dimensions in a direction away from the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a housing surrounding a voice coil in a voice coil cavity, and a disc in a disc cavity. The disc has data tracks and an outer diameter. The disc rotates to induce an airflow along the outer diameter. The voice coil actuates an actuator arm in the disc cavity to access the data tracks. An air dam is in the disc cavity upstream of the actuator arm. The airflow includes a straight line tangent airflow portion along a straight edge of a shroud that is free of obstructions and upstream of the air dam. The straight line airflow portion extends from an arc airflow portion around the outer diameter to the voice coil cavity along a straight line path tangent to the outer diameter.

Abstract: A fluid flow stripper for attenuating excitation energy in a data writing device comprising a first zone defining opposing spatially disposed planar surfaces substantially parallel to the disc and comprising a second zone comprising a protuberant surface defining a radially disposed channel. A method for equalizing a static pressure of a fluid flow created by the rotating disc, comprising admitting the fluid flow to an inlet of the fluid stripper, and passing the fluid in the stripper past the radially extending baffle.

Abstract: A windage management arrangement for attenuating fluid flow disturbances on an actuator and a moving disc, comprising in combination a fluid flow stripper upstream of the actuator and a disc edge damper downstream of the actuator. A method for managing fluid flow created by a rotating disc that is operably disposed adjacent to an actuator, comprising diverting an upstream portion of the fluid flow, with respect to the actuator, away from the actuator; and diverting a downstream portion of the fluid flow, with respect to the actuator, away from a disc edge.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a damping assembly between a circuit board or circuit portion and actuator block or body is disclosed. The damping assembly is designed to control vibration modes of the actuator block excited via vibration of the circuit board or interface therefor.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a body portion having at least one actuator arm extending therefrom is disclosed. The body portion includes a body damping assembly to control vibration modes of the actuator body. The damping assembly is coupled to the actuator body of a head actuator assembly to control vibration modes of the actuator body to reduce head positioning errors.

Abstract: An apparatus including a cantilevered head assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow control device to control flow proximate to the cantilevered head assembly. In one embodiment, the flow control device includes a blower assembly coupleable to a pressure source and/or vacuum assembly to limit flow disturbances proximate to the cantilevered head assembly.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a housing surrounding a voice coil in a voice coil cavity, and a disc in a disc cavity. The disc has data tracks and an outer diameter. The disc rotates to induce an airflow along the outer diameter. The voice coil actuates an actuator arm in the disc cavity to access the data tracks. An air dam is in the disc cavity upstream of the actuator arm. The airflow includes a straight line tangent airflow portion along a straight edge of a shroud that is free of obstructions and upstream of the air dam. The straight line airflow portion extends from an arc airflow portion around the outer diameter to the voice coil cavity along a straight line path tangent to the outer diameter.

Abstract: A servo track writing apparatus for recording servo information or patterns on a disc or discs for a data storage device is disclosed. The servo track writing apparatus includes a shroud proximate to and downstream of a cantilevered head assembly to limit DC wander for writing servo information to disc or discs. In particular, the shroud is position in an operating zone or sector of the cantilevered head assembly or between an air dam and stripper of a servo track writing apparatus.

Abstract: A servo track writer assembly and method are provided for recording servo pattern information on a disc. The servo track writer assembly includes a spindle assembly, an actuator assembly and a servo recording head. The spindle assembly has a hub, which supports the disc and a spindle motor for rotating the hub. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm supported by an actuator bearing for positioning the actuator arm relative to the disc. At least one of the spindle motor and the actuator bearing has a gas-lubricated bearing with a working fluid, which includes helium. The servo recording head is supported by the actuator arm relative to the disc to record the servo pattern information on the disc as the spindle motor rotates the disc and the actuator bearing positions the actuator arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for damping armature vibrations in a disc drive is provided. A vibration damper is attached along a side of an armature. The vibration damper reduces vibrations in the armature during operation of the disc drive.