Abstract: A hard disk drive damper plate comprises a planar main body having a generally rectangular cross-section and a splitter portion extending away from the main body in a radial direction. The splitter portion operates to disrupt vortex shedding corresponding to secondary gas flow associated with the planar main body. Various embodiments involve the length, thickness, and shape of the splitter portion, as well as how much of the planar main body may be provisioned with such a splitter portion.

Abstract: A hard disk drive damper plate comprises a planar main body having a generally rectangular cross-section and a splitter portion extending away from the main body in a radial direction. The splitter portion operates to disrupt vortex shedding corresponding to secondary gas flow associated with the planar main body. Various embodiments involve the length, thickness, and shape of the splitter portion, as well as how much of the planar main body may be provisioned with such a splitter portion.

Abstract: A unitary enclosure base for a data storage device integrally includes a first surface beneath a bottom disk, a bypass channel formed with an entry area with a lower surface below the first surface, a second surface lower than the first surface and beneath an actuator arm that services the bottom surface of the bottom disk, and a flow diverter extending upward from the first surface and positioned upstream of the actuator arm. The diverter may be positioned relative to the bypass channel such that disk-generated gas flow is diverted into the bypass channel away from the actuator arm. The base may further include a spoiler extending upward from the first surface and positioned downstream of the actuator arm. The spoiler may be positioned to inhibit a wake effect upon the actuator arm.

Abstract: A hard disk drive damper plate comprises a planar main body having a generally rectangular cross-section and a splitter portion extending away from the main body in a radial direction. The splitter portion operates to disrupt vortex shedding corresponding to secondary gas flow associated with the planar main body. Various embodiments involve the length, thickness, and shape of the splitter portion, as well as how much of the planar main body may be provisioned with such a splitter portion.

Abstract: An airflow control device for a hard disk drive comprises an outer perimeter having a radius equal to or greater than an outer radius of a disk in the hard disk drive. The airflow control device has a thickness less than the spacing between adjacent disks in the hard disk drive. The airflow control device has a central opening with an inner perimeter greater than the outer circumference of a spacer ring of the hard disk drive. A notch in the outer perimeter is configured to accommodate the actuator assembly of the hard disk drive. A bypass slot transecting the perimeter has a bend with a radius nearly centered to the central opening.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) includes a base plate where the base plate includes a disk housing, at least one disk located within a disk shroud in the base plate, a drive cover configured to cover the at least one said disk within said base plate and a reservoir between the base plate and the drive cover and the reservoir is proximate along a periphery of the at least one disk. The HDD also includes a reservoir seal configured to isolate unstable air pressure in the reservoir from the at least one disk.

Abstract: An integrated bypass channel and diverter assembly for hard disk drives having small form factors is disclosed. A bypass channel is formed directly in the base plate to allow a partial bypass to exist with or without a diverter feature. The design addresses the issue of proper disk shrouding at the same time as providing the desired features for small form factor drives. The invention includes three datum planes for aligning the machined features of the bypass channel with the drive during assembly. The machined bypass channel and the upstream diverter may be combined to form the integrated assembly. The primary air flow direction from the disk stack is through the integrated partial bypass in the enclosure body and around the diverter into the main bypass channel. The invention provides a drop-in position for the diverter that has minimal encroachment into the VCM area of the drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive enclosure with conductive paths. A base plate comprising an electrically conductive material with at least one contact surface that allows for an electrically conductive path, wherein the at least one contact surface has a substantially flat surface. A cover comprising an electrically conductive material comprising at least one tab with a substantially flat surface for contacting the at least one contact surface of the base plate, wherein the at least one tab contacts the at least one contact surface of the base plate with a force and forms an electrically conductive path between the cover and the based plate, and wherein the at least one tab deforms upon the contact with the at least one contact surface of the base plate with the force.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a recirculation filter that shrouds the rims of disks at the inlet and outlet of the filter. The shroud is aerodynamically shaped to reduce flow-induced disk vibration of the read/write head. A significant improvement in non-repeatable run-out is provided when the inlet and outlet are shrouded along the rims of the disks.

Abstract: An airflow diverter in a hard disk drive system. A top portion configured to couple with a top housing of the disk drive system. A thickness configured to create a top clearance between the diverter and a top actuator arm of the disk drive system wherein the top clearance approximates a bottom clearance between a bottom housing of the disk drive system and a bottom actuator arm of the disk drive system. At least one surface configured to divert the airflow in the disk drive system during the operation of the disk drive system.

Abstract: A sickle-shaped disk drive spoiler for reducing turbulence of airflow in a hard disk drive is provided. The sickle-shaped spoiler is configured to direct airflow generated by a rotating disk and includes a tapered first end portion configured to direct the airflow toward the inner diameter of the disk and to reduce the airflow on the side of the disk opposing the spoiler.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for reducing flutter in disk drive spoilers positions the center of mass of the mean aerodynamic section of the spoiler at or ahead of the quarter-chord location nearest the leading edge of the spoiler. A balance weight may be formed in or attached to the spoiler. The center of gravity is located no farther back from the leading edge than one quarter-chord in a direction of the flow field. Alternatively, the spoiler trailing edge is lightened by making the trailing edge more porous or thinner than other sections of the spoiler.

Abstract: A lightweight spoiler wing design for depopulated disk drives reduces unnecessary weight from the spoiler while maintaining the aerodynamic function and structural rigidity required. The invention includes spoiler designs having U-shapes with leading edge or trailing edge treatments, hollow boxes, L-shapes, vertical wall designs, and different bar support designs having upper and lower horizontal walls.

Abstract: A spoiler implementable in a hard disk drive. The spoiler includes a structure. The structure includes a diffuser integrated therewith. The structure further includes an extension emanating there from, the extension configured to complete a wall of a bypass channel in said hard disk drive, said inner wall having a portion removed there from.

Abstract: A hard disk drive including a base plate and a drive cover. The hard disk drive also includes a capacitive coupling feature disposed between the base plate and the drive cover. The capacitive coupling feature is configured to provide grounding between the base plate and the drive cover.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) includes a base plate where the base plate includes a disk housing, at least one disk located within a disk shroud in the base plate, a drive cover configured to cover the at least one said disk within said base plate and a reservoir between the base plate and the drive cover and the reservoir is proximate along a periphery of the at least one disk. The HDD also includes a reservoir seal configured to isolate unstable air pressure in the reservoir from the at least one disk.

Abstract: A hard disk drive bypass channel architecture incorporates enhanced cooling for voice coil motors. A cooling slot formed in a bypass channel component that is adjacent to the VCM alleviates VCM overheating problems. The slot compromises airflow from the bypass channel to provide sufficient secondary flow to cool the VCM and actuator coil area. The slot may be formed in the integrated wall of the spoiler or diverter. The spoiler has an extension in which the cooling slot is formed.

Abstract: A sickle-shaped disk drive spoiler for reducing turbulence of airflow in a hard disk drive is provided. The sickle-shaped spoiler is configured to direct airflow generated by a rotating disk and includes a tapered first end portion configured to direct the airflow toward the inner diameter of the disk and to reduce the airflow on the side of the disk opposing the spoiler.

Abstract: A seal is formed between bypass walls and a cover for a disk drive to improve control and regulation of airflow in the disk drive. The seal is formed with a gasket comprising a bead of form-in-place gasket between the upper edge of the bypass wall and the cover. The seal also may be formed between the cover and the slit shroud, spoiler, and filter. Minimum compression of the gasket is required to form the seal.

Abstract: A disk drive slit shroud mitigates a discontinuity in the bypass channel with an additional wall feature formed on the slit shroud. When installed, the wall feature fills the gap in the wall of the bypass channel that would otherwise be required to accommodate a slit shroud of sufficient surface area. The discontinuity in the channel wall is needed for manufacturing clearance during the installation of the slit shroud. The slit shroud design includes the wall feature which, when installed, fills up the gap in the channel wall to maintain a relatively flush conduit for the bypass channel.