Abstract: A control method is provided for loading a data transfer head to a data storage medium comprising: determining a desired maximum displacement between a parked position of the head and an encroaching position of the head in relation to a selected data storage track of the medium; determining a spin interval associated with a predetermined quantity of medium movement before the head reaches the encroaching position; rotating the data storage medium at a beginning of the spin interval; and moving the actuator during the spin interval from the parked position and at a velocity resulting in the head being displaced at the end of the spin interval a distance that is less than the maximum displacement. A data storage device is contemplated comprising programmed instructions for performing this method for a predetermined number of loading occurrences, or in relation to observing a threshold data transfer error rate.

Abstract: A disk drive head stack assembly (66) of a configuration that facilitates the assembly thereof is disclosed. One or more head/arm assemblies (74) are mounted on a pivot bearing (118). This pivot bearing (118) includes a tapered section (126). Each head/arm assembly (74) may be mounted on the pivot bearing (118). Thereafter, a retainer ring (102) may be advanced relative to the pivot bearing (118). Advancement of the retainer ring (102) along the tapered section (126) expands the retainer ring (102) so that the same may be disposed within a retainer ring slot (130) of the pivot bearing (118). Each head/arm assembly (74) is maintained between this retainer ring (102) and a flange (134) of the pivot bearing (118).

Abstract: A circuit assembly for mounting one or more integrated circuits that effectively dissipates heat generated by the integrated circuits, and a corresponding method for fabricating such a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a substrate, a thermally-conductive adhesive layer and a heat-dissipating layer. The substrate includes an opening extending between a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. An integrated circuit is to be mounted on the first surface of the substrate substantially coincident with the opening. The thermally-conductive adhesive layer is at least partially disposed within the opening in the substrate. The heat-dissipating layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and includes a raised portion that at least partially extends through the opening in the substrate.

Abstract: A method for attaching a printed circuit card assembly to an actuator assembly in a disc drive comprises forming one or more pins integrally with the actuator assembly, inserting each pin through a corresponding pin opening in the printed circuit card assembly, and attaching the pins to the printed circuit card assembly. The pins may be attached to the printed circuit card assembly by a soldering process, or alternatively, pressure may be applied to a top surface of the pins to cause them to deform over the printed circuit card assembly, thereby securing the printed circuit card assembly to the actuator assembly. A disc drive in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention has an actuator assembly with one or more integral pins and a printed circuit card assembly attached to the integral pins.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disc drive actuator is provided. The method includes manufacturing a disc drive actuator and machining a peripheral surface of the actuator. The peripheral surface is machined to obtain a desired profile dimension and thereby reduce variations in resonance characteristics from one actuator to the next.

Abstract: A driver for a voice coil motor in a disk drive includes a sensor that provides a sense current by sensing a coil current in the voice coil motor, a comparator that provides an error current by determining a difference between a command current and the sense current, an integrator that provides an integrated error current by integrating the error current, and an amplifier that provides the coil current by amplifying the integrated error current.

Abstract: The upper voice coil motor magnet assembly (64a?) of a disk drive (10?) is magnetically aligned with the lower voice coil motor magnet assembly (64b?) using an alignment fixture (126). The alignment fixture (126) engages the upper voice coil motor magnet assembly (64a?) and lifts the same into a suspended position above the lower voice coil motor magnet assembly (64b?). In this suspended condition, the alignment fixture (126) allows the magnetic field to move the upper voice coil motor magnet assembly (64a?) within the horizontal dimension to a magnetically aligned position with the lower voice coil motor magnet assembly (64b?). Thereafter, the alignment fixture (126) lowers the upper voice coil motor magnet assembly (64a?) to a position where the same is again supported above the lower voice coil motor magnet assembly (64b?).

Abstract: Positive retention features are provided on an actuator of a magnetic disk drive thereby increasing the structural rigidity of the actuator in attachment of a voice coil to the actuator. The positive retention features are defined by a plurality of protrusions having compound curved shapes including reverse or inward facing edges. The natural tendency of thermoplastic resin to shrink during cooling is used to an advantage in enhancing the rigidity of the connection between the voice coil and actuator body. The compound curved shapes of the positive retention features allows shrinkage of the thermoplastic resin in multiple directions around the features thereby maintaining desired actuator stiffness.

Abstract: An actuator pivot assembly in a data storage device includes a base, a cover attached to the base, and a shaft mounted on the base and extending upward into a hole defined by the cover. A sheet on top of the cover spans the hole, and an adhesive layer beneath the sheet adheres the sheet to the cover and to the shaft, thereby securing the actuator shaft to the cover, damping vibrations in the actuator pivot assembly, and sealing the hole defined by the cover. These functions are performed while saving space, reducing costs and simplifying assembly of the data storage device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and combination for reducing acoustical noise at start-up of a device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an internal temperature of the device, and unlatching an actuator of the device based on the determined internal temperature of the device, by steps for unlatching the actuator of the device. The apparatus includes a thermistor providing a resistance value to a controller that selects an unlatch process based on the resistance value of the thermistor, and an unlatch procedure programmed into the controller executing the selected unlatch process. The device combination includes a base deck supporting an actuator confined by a magnetic latch for periods of inactivity, and unlatched from the magnetic latch for periods of activity by steps for unlatching the actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus for latching an actuator, such as used in a data storage device. A moveable electrical coil is disposed adjacent a magnetically permeable structure. The coil is latched by magnetic flux passing across a gap extending into the structure which establishes a retention force upon the coil. The coil is subsequently unlatched by application of current to the coil which reduces the magnetic flux across the gap and hence, the magnitude of the retention force upon the coil. The current also concurrently induces movement of the coil away from the gap. The structure preferably comprises a unitary, c-shaped structure comprising a base member, a support member and a pole member, with the coil configured to surround and travel along a lateral extent of the pole member. A permanent magnet is nested on the base member. A plate is preferably coupled to the coil for abutment across the gap.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: Longitudinal edges of an actuator arm are provided with stiffening elements in order to raise natural resonant frequencies of the arm so as to prevent resonance from occurring. The stiffening element is shaped and positioned so as to be able to individually “tune” the natural resonant frequency of a given bending mode without significantly affecting the natural frequencies in other bending modes.

Abstract: A head flexure assembly having a flexure with a built in microactuator is disclosed. The flexure is divided into four portions: a base plate portion for attaching the flexure to an actuator arm; a load beam portion for suspending a transducing head; a parallelogram portion connecting the load beam portion and the base plate portion and allowing for the translational movement of the load beam portion with respect to the base plate portion; and a driving frame portion. The parallelogram portion has two substantially parallel members that attach the base plate portion to the load beam portion. The parallel members limit the movement of the load beam portion relative to the base plate portion to translational movement. The driving frame portion has piezoelectric element that in response to a control signal produces a force, orthogonal to the flexure's longitudinal axis, between the base plate portion and the load beam portion.

Abstract: An apparatus restricting motion of an actuator assembly to preclude damage to a read/write head or a disc of a disc drive, the apparatus includes a pole piece with a crash stop mounting aperture and an overmolded crash stop communicating with the crash stop mounting aperture. The overmolded crash stop includes a retention channel formed by a top retention portion, a bottom retention portion and a main body portion during a process of molding the overmolded crash stop to the pole piece. The main body portion conforms to the crash stop mounting aperture, thereby precluding motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in a lateral direction, while the top retention portion and the bottom retention portion constrain motion of the overmolded crash stop relative to the pole piece in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a base, a disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base the actuator assembly. An actuator assembly has an opening at the pivot therein. An actuator arm attached to the main body, and a voice coil motor is positioned within the opening of the actuator assembly. The voice coil motor also includes at least two magnets attached to the main body of the actuator arm. The magnets are arranged as a Halbach array. The voice coil motor is positioned within the opening of the actuator assembly, and near one end of the actuator assembly and at least one load spring and transducer are positioned at the other end of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A data access assembly with a load arm formed from an Mn—Cu alloy is disclosed. The load arm may be supported by and actuator arm formed from a common Mn—Cu damping alloy, which has a composition (X)Fe—(A)Mn—(B)Cu—(C)Ni. In one embodiment, X is substantially 73, A is substantially 20, B is substantially 5 and C is substantially 2, wherein A, B, C and X represent the weight percent of the respective elements in the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a flexural pivot that can be fitted within a cavity of an actuator. The pivot includes a first member that can be coupled to the wall defining the cavity and a second member that can be mounted to the disc drive housing component of the disc drive. At least two leaves join external surfaces of the first member to the second member. The present invention offers a flexural pivot that can be easily incorporated with rotary actuators traditionally designed for use with a ball bearing pivot cartridge. In addition, it avoids the difficulties encountered by conventional designs when trying to assemble intersecting flat springs within a cylindrical sleeve. Furthermore, in comparison with conventional flexural pivots that are located outside the actuator body, the present invention provides a compact pivot that can be mounted substantially in a cavity of the actuator body such that the center of rotation of the actuator is located nearer the center of mass.

Abstract: A stacked actuator assembly has symmetrical actuator arms and spacers stacked on a rotatable sleeve. The assembly may have circuit elements or other elements attached on one side of the assembly. The weight of these elements is counter balanced by a screw or pin mounted on the other side of the assembly. The screw passes through the stacked armature arms and spacers to clamp the arms and spacers relative to each other and prevent them from rotating relative to each other. In addition, the spacers may be position registered relative to each other by registration members molded into the spacers. The registration members in adjacent spacers mate with each other to register the spacers relative to each other. The stacked actuator assembly may be assembled on a jig. The jig has a mounting hole or post to receive the sleeve for the stacked actuator assembly, and it has a post to register the arms when they are stacked on the sleeve.