Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary sleeve and a shaft operable to rotate with respect to the stationary sleeve. A hub rotates with respect to the stationary sleeve in response to the shaft rotating. A mechanically adjustable gap forming component is attached to the stationary sleeve and radially extends between the hub and a base. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component forms a radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component is mechanically adjustable in an axial direction with respect to the stationary sleeve. The hub dynamically adjusts the radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component during rotation of the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary sleeve and a shaft operable to rotate with respect to the stationary sleeve. A hub rotates with respect to the stationary sleeve in response to the shaft rotating. A mechanically adjustable gap forming component is attached to the stationary sleeve and radially extends between the hub and a base. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component forms a radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component is mechanically adjustable in an axial direction with respect to the stationary sleeve. The hub dynamically adjusts the radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component during rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A fluid bearing motor. The fluid bearing motor includes a stationary sleeve, a backiron, a hub coupled to the backiron, and a gap forming component. The hub is operable to rotate with respect to the stationary sleeve. The gap forming component is attached to the stationary sleeve and forms a gap between the stationary sleeve and the backiron. The size of the gap dynamically changes in response to changes in temperature.

Abstract: A fluid bearing motor. The fluid bearing motor includes a stationary sleeve, a backiron, a hub coupled to the backiron, and a gap forming component. The hub is operable to rotate with respect to the stationary sleeve. The gap forming component is attached to the stationary sleeve and forms a gap between the stationary sleeve and the backiron. The size of the gap dynamically changes in response to changes in temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for a fluid dynamic bearing motor as may be utilized in a disc drive memory system. A fluid seal is situated at a first axial end of a bearing, and a grooved pumping seal is situated at a second axial end of the bearing. In an aspect, a fluid recirculation passageway is defined through a shaft and a thrustplate, to recirculate fluid from axially above the grooved pumping seal at the second axial end of the bearing to the first axial end of the bearing. Any air ingested at the grooved pumping seal, or which came out of solution from the fluid, is purged into a fluid reservoir and out the fluid seal. In an aspect, fluid is recirculated from the center of the journal bearing and the bearing pressure grooves to the fluid recirculation passageway and toward an air purging fluid seal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for a fluid dynamic bearing motor as may be utilized in a disc drive memory system. A fluid seal is situated at a first axial end of a bearing, and a grooved pumping seal is situated at a second axial end of the bearing. In an aspect, a fluid recirculation passageway is defined through a shaft and a thrustplate, to recirculate fluid from axially above the grooved pumping seal at the second axial end of the bearing to the first axial end of the bearing. Any air ingested at the grooved pumping seal, or which came out of solution from the fluid, is purged into a fluid reservoir and out the fluid seal. In an aspect, fluid is recirculated from the center of the journal bearing and the bearing pressure grooves to the fluid recirculation passageway and toward an air purging fluid seal.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and means is provided for electrochemical machining of hydrodynamic bearing assemblies in spindle motors. In an aspect, a cartridge is provided that receives and accurately positions an electrode in three dimensions in a near frictionless manner. The electrode reaches and maintains an equilibrium position in response to a first and second predetermined force, the equilibrium position being a predetermined three dimensional orientation relative to the work piece and defining a critical orifice with the work piece. In an aspect, a hydrostatic bearing is employed within the electrode for radially adjusting the electrode.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.

Abstract: A single plate hydrodynamic bearing motor comprising an integrated hub and shaft assembly. The hub is formed of molded plastic and at least one disk is affixed to the hub.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and means is provided for electrochemical machining of hydrodynamic bearing assemblies in spindle motors. In an aspect, a cartridge is provided that receives and accurately positions an electrode in three dimensions in a near frictionless manner. The electrode reaches and maintains an equilibrium position in response to a first and second predetermined force, the equilibrium position being a predetermined three dimensional orientation relative to the work piece and defining a critical orifice with the work piece. In an aspect, a hydrostatic bearing is employed within the electrode for radially adjusting the electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a conical bearing is provided having a seal shield having an angle supported from the hub or sleeve which surrounds the shaft, and extending at an angle toward the outer surface of the shaft and spaced slightly away from the upper angular surface of the cone. As the cone and seal shield rotate relative to one another, fluid is drawn toward the lower inner region of the reservoir. However, due to shock or the like, some fluid may reach the radial gap between the end of the shield and the outer surface of the shaft, therefore, a ring is either incorporated into the upper end of the cone or pressed against the axial outer end of the cone, defining an axial gap which is smaller than the radial gap. In a preferred form of the invention, the ratio is about 1:3.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.

Abstract: A single plate hydrodynamic bearing motor comprising an integrated hub and shaft assembly. The hub is formed of molded plastic and at least one disk is affixed to the hub.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a conical bearing is provided having a seal shield having an angle supported from the hub or sleeve which surrounds the shaft, and extending at an angle toward the outer surface of the shaft and spaced slightly away from the upper angular surface of the cone. As the cone and seal shield rotate relative to one another, fluid is drawn toward the lower inner region of the reservoir. However, due to shock or the like, some fluid may reach the radial gap between the end of the shield and the outer surface of the shaft, therefore, a ring is either incorporated into the upper end of the cone or pressed against the axial outer end of the cone, defining an axial gap which is smaller than the radial gap. In a preferred form of the invention, the ratio is about 1:3.

Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.

Abstract: The improved disk drive system has an improved actuator arm assembly where the arms are independently and individually insertable and removable from the actuator member. Furthermore, each arm is individually self-locked into the actuator member without the need for external retaining means such as screws, springs, and rings. Since the arms are individually insertable/removable, the arms can be made very thin thereby allowing easy attachment of the head suspension assembly to the arm without the need for swaging, bonding, welding or screw-in. Since the arms can be made very thin, that provides substantial reduction in disk to disk spacing and therefore, substantial reduction in the overall height of a disk drive system.