Abstract: Method and apparatus for attenuating resonances in a flex circuit which interconnects a stationary element and a moveable element, such as a connector and a head stack assembly (HSA) in a data storage device. An intermediary portion of the flex circuit forms a dynamic loop between the stationary element and the moveable element. A damper member is attached to the flex circuit so as to continuously extend adjacent the stationary element and along less than an overall extent of the dynamic loop. The damper member attenuates resonances excited in the flex circuit during movement of the moveable element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for attenuating resonances in a flex circuit which interconnects a stationary element and a moveable element, such as a connector and a head stack assembly (HSA) in a data storage device. An intermediary portion of the flex circuit forms a dynamic loop between the stationary element and the moveable element. A damper member is attached to the flex circuit so as to continuously extend adjacent the stationary element and along less than an overall extent of the dynamic loop. The damper member attenuates resonances excited in the flex circuit during movement of the moveable element.

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.

Abstract: A stacked actuator arm assembly has an actuator arm and spacer stacked on a rotatable pivot bearing sleeve. The stacked actuator arm assembly has a nut washer on the pivot bearing sleeve where the nut washer has an extension to maintain its proper position. One spacer has an overmold, and the actuator arm is registered in rotational position to the overmold. A load beam for each actuator arm has its proximal end attached to the actuator arm and its distal end supporting a read/write head. A clamping nut is threaded on the sleeve to clamp the actuator arms and spacers together. A registration nut washer is registered in rotational position to the overmold so that, as the nut tightens down on the stacked actuator arm assembly, the nut washer does not rotate relative to the actuator arms and spacers. The registration nut washer has a key extension that engages a slot in the overmold to register the nut washer in rotational position to the overmold.

Abstract: A shroud feature and method for incorporating an airflow shroud feature in a disc drive assembly. The airflow shroud feature is connected to the cover of the disc drive rather than the base plate. When the disc drive cover incorporating the shroud feature is placed on the disc drive, the shroud feature surrounds at least a portion of the circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the disc to reduce turbulence when the disc is operated. The shroud is rigidly connected to the top cover by engagement of the shroud with a physical feature of the top cover. The shroud operably directs air-flow along the peripheral edge of the disc during drive operation when the cover is installed on the base plate.

Abstract: The outer surface of the cartridge sleeve is provided with features which increase the frictional coefficient between the cartridge sleeve and a tolerance ring placed around the cartridge. The cartridge and ring are then press-fit into the actuator bore together. The increased friction between the cartridge and ring prevents slip between them, eliminating the need to increase compressive forces between the ring and the bore and bearing.

Abstract: A thermally conducting and electrically insulating overmold encapsulates and supports an actuator coil in a disc drive assembly. The overmold is made from a base resin mixed with a ceramic filler compound such as boron nitride, alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, chromium oxide or some combination thereof. The base resin is preferably polypheneline sulfide. Glass filler and/or a coupling agent are also preferably added. The overmold reduces off track read/write head position errors due to popping caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the actuator coil.

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.

Abstract: A method of assembling disc drive components involving the use of a shipping comb to deliver one or more head gimbal assemblies to a ramp in a disc drive. The shipping comb is configured to engage the head gimbal assembly by its load beam. The load beam is part of a head gimbal assembly which includes a suspension such that the load beam extends from the head gimbal assembly away from the suspension. In the assembly process, a proximal end of the shipping comb is brought into abutment with a distal end of the ramp. The shipping comb may have first features at its proximal end which are configured for mating with second features at the distal end of the ramp.

Abstract: An actuator assembly suitable for a disc drive with at least one rotating disc for storing information. The actuator assembly has an actuator body having a mounting opening with at least a portion of the mounting opening being threaded and a bearing cartridge having an outer surface with at least a portion of the outer surface being threaded. The bearing cartridge is threadably received within the mounting opening of the actuator body so that the actuator body is releasably secured to the bearing cartridge. A method for securing an actuator body to a bearing cartridge in an actuator assembly of a disc drive is also provided.

Abstract: A disc drive having a base plate and an information storage disc supported for rotation by a drive motor on the base plate. The disc drive further includes a rotary actuator assembly mounted on the base plate adjacent the information storage disc. The actuator assembly has an actuator arm carrying a transducer at a distal end thereof and a voice coil motor operably attached to the actuator arm for movement of the transducer over the disc. The voice coil motor has a vertically extending shroud flange positioned adjacent the outer peripheral edge of the disc, whereby the shroud flange directs air-flow along the peripheral edge of the disc during drive operation.

Abstract: A method of assembling disc drive components involving the use of a shipping comb to deliver one or more head gimbal assemblies to a ramp in a disc drive. The shipping comb is configured to engage the head gimbal assembly by its load beam. The load beam is part of a head gimbal assembly which includes a suspension such that the load beam extends from the head gimbal assembly away from the suspension. In the assembly process, a proximal end of the shipping comb is brought into abutment with a distal end of the ramp. The shipping comb may have first features at its proximal end which are configured for mating with second features at the distal end of the ramp.

Abstract: A thermally conducting and electrically insulating overmold encapsulates and supports an actuator coil in a disc drive assembly. The overmold is made from a base resin mixed with a ceramic filler compound such as boron nitride, alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, chromium oxide or some combination thereof. The base resin is preferably polypheneline sulfide. Glass filler and/or a coupling agent are also preferably added. The overmold reduces off track read/write head position errors due to popping caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the actuator coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved ramp such that the head gimbal assemblies (HGAs) are prevented from moving off the ramp away from the discs. In a preferred embodiment, a ramp has a surface against which a load beam of a HGA rests when the HGA is in the unloaded position. The surface includes a sharp detent configured for retaining the load beam and thus preventing the load beam from sliding off the surface.

Abstract: The outer surface of the cartridge sleeve is provided with features which increase the frictional coefficient between the cartridge sleeve and a tolerance ring placed around the cartridge. The cartridge and ring are then press-fit into the actuator bore together. The increased friction between the cartridge and ring prevents slip between them, eliminating the need to increase compressive forces between the ring and the bore and bearing.

Abstract: An acoustic noise suppressor for a disc drive, the disc drive having a spinning spindle hub supporting a data disc in rotation. The suppressor comprises an annular spacer defining a bore, the spacer comprising a top surface and a bottom surface communicating with the longitudinal extents of the bore. A mass-loading element extends from the spacer opposite the bore, the mass-loading element comprising a top surface and a bottom surface in substantially parallel relation intermediate the spacer top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A resilient linear latch and crash stop device incorporates a magnetic latch and a linear impact absorbing crash stop into a single composite body made up of a magnet member for contacting a strike plate on the actuator arm, an energy absorbing member, and a latch base body assembled together. The energy absorbing member fastens the magnet member to the base body and absorbs impact energy in a generally linear fashion throughout the range of anticipated impact magnitudes. The energy absorbing member is a generally rectangular elastomeric bellows member formed in place and sandwiched between the magnetic mounting plate and the base body. The elastomeric bellows member has a vertically open tubular passage therethrough that preferably has a bell shaped horizontal cross sectional shape.