Abstract: A disk drive having a hermetically sealed disk chamber capable of being filled with gas at pressures above ambient pressure with a specially designed connector assembly for use with the sealed chamber. Helium or nitrogen is injected into the sealed disk chamber. To decrease power consumption at high platter spin rates, the present invention advantageously utilizes a sealed disk chamber filled with helium to reduce tribological resistance forces associated with the surfaces of the spinning platters. Nitrogen is used to reduce oxidation of the disk platters. Special fixtures maintaining high position tolerance and connectors are designed to coupled the PC board controller of the disk drive unit to the components of the disk drive within the sealed disk chamber to eliminate connecting flexcircuits from the junction of the hermetically sealed chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to compensate the outer actuator arms of a disk drive actuator assembly from an imbalanced moment to maintain a selected preload force. The present invention advantageously utilizes thin actuator arms to hold read/write head assemblies. During disk drive operation, the outer actuator arm receives an unbalanced outward moment originating from the flying read/write head associated with the outer actuator arm. This unbalanced outward moment is balanced by initially displacing the outer read/write heads inward so that they are not aligned straight. This special alignment creates an additional preload force which is decreased to a normal preload force when the outer actuator arm is returned to a straight alignment by said imbalanced moment. The present invention maintains a uniform preload value and therefore uniform read/write head flying height.

Abstract: An adapter plate for removably coupling an actuator arm end with a load beam and a transducer head. The adapter plate can be installed with a reliable, verifiable pressure, and removed easily without damage for rework or repair of the transducer head. The adapter plate includes a plate surface for coupling with a load beam, a latch hook formed on a first edge, and a coupling hook formed on a second, opposite edge. The coupling hook includes a notch formed centrally therein and extending inward toward the plate surface. The actuator arm end includes a grooved edge with a V-shaped groove formed therein and a latching edge opposite the grooved edge. A tapered pin is inserted between the notch in the coupling hook and the V-shaped groove so that the plate surface is pressured against the portion of the actuator arm end proximate thereto.

Abstract: An improved pivot arrangement for the arcuately movable transducer head support arm of a floppy disk drive, wherein the pivot comprises at least partially spherical bearing surfaces located between the movable support arm and its support, the bearing surfaces being seated in positioning bearing recesses formed in either the support arm or its support.