Abstract: A short form fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided comprising a stationary shaft attached at a first end to a motor cover, a plate supported on a second end of the shaft, a hub rotatably supported on the shaft, a journal gap defined between an outer diameter of the shaft and an inner diameter of the hub, a fluid bearing in the journal gap, a thrust gap defined between a lower surface of the hub and an upper surface of the plate, and an air (or other gas) bearing in the thrust gap.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary member and a rotating member. The motor further includes a fluid dynamic thrust bearing disposed along an axial surface of a sleeve. The thrust bearing is configured to axially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid towards a corner of the sleeve. The motor also includes a fluid dynamic journal bearing disposed radially inboard of the thrust bearing along a radial surface of the sleeve, where the radial surface is adjacent to the axial surface. The journal bearing is configured to radially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid to the corner of the sleeve.

Abstract: The fluid dynamic bearings system of the invention provides a device located in a non-grooved low pressure region located at some point in the overall fluid circulation path of the fluid dynamic bearing to collect and trap any air bubbles which may be found in the fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing. More specifically, the air extraction device of the invention comprises a shallow angle V-shaped region which is located in fluid communication with but not in a grooved region of the hydrodynamic bearing. In summary, according to the present invention the hydrodynamic bearing comprises a shaft with a thrust plate at or near at least one end thereof. The thrust bearings are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the thrust plate (301) and journal bearing (320) on the shaft or facing sleeve surface. Lubricant lies between each of these surfaces and facing surface of a sleeve (312) or counter-plate (308) which overlies the thrust bearing, and fluid lies in all these regions.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is provided having two surfaces rotatable with respect to each other, a lubricating medium located in a gap between the two surfaces during rotation of the bearing, and an interrupted and offset groove pattern formed on one of the two surfaces to distribute the lubricating medium over the surface of the bearing. The groove design is intended to be useable in either a journal, thrust or other fluid bearing design.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided that comprises a stationary member, a rotating member that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, a fluid dynamic bearing that is configured to support relative rotation between the stationary member and the rotating member, and a dynamic radial capillary seal defined at least in part by the rotating member.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing assembly is described. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an inner member. The assembly further includes an outer member configured to rotate about a rotational axis at a first angular velocity. The assembly also includes an orbital ring disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The orbital ring is configured to rotate about the rotational axis at a second angular velocity, which is less than the first angular velocity.

Abstract: A disk drive motor is provided comprising a stationary assembly supported from a base, a rotating assembly supported by the stationary assembly, a fluid dynamic bearing positioned in a gap between the rotating assembly and the stationary assembly, a seal reservoir defined between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly, at least one fluid re-circulation path extending through the stationary assembly and ending in the seal reservoir, and a pressure-regulating obstruction located in the re-circulation path.

Abstract: A fluid bearing design is provided which according to one aspect includes a shaft defining together with a surrounding sleeve an asymmetric journal bearing, and a thrust bearing at or near an end of the shaft towards which the asymmetric journal bearing is pumping, with that end of the shaft being closed off. The journal bearing asymmetry establishes a hydraulic pressure toward the closed end of the shaft. This pressure provides an axial thrust to set the bearing gap for the conical bearing. The conical bearing itself is a relatively balanced bearing, although it may have a bias pumping toward the shaft and the journal bearing. A pressure closed equalization path from the journal bearing through the conical bearing to the end of the shaft may be established to maintain a constant hydraulic force across the conical bearing, and which may also prevent any asymmetry in the conical bearing from affecting the net thrust force acting upon the end of the shaft where the conical bearing is located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fluid dynamic bearings. Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and method useful for maintaining axial movement of a rotor in a high speed spindle motor assembly.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary shaft having a first end coupled to a first plate and a second end coupled to a second plate. The motor also includes a hub that is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. A fluid dynamic journal bearing, disposed between the shaft and the hub, radially supports the relative rotation of the shaft. The motor further includes a first seal, which is defined in part by the first plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing, and a second seal, which is defined in part by the second plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid dynamic bearing on a thrust plate of a hub/shaft/thrust plate assembly suitable for use in ultra small form factors having limited axial space.

Abstract: A disc drive design comprising a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. At least a part of the shaft is generally conical in cross-section, so that a downward force component is developed to balance upward pressure on end of shaft; this conical region typically includes a fluid dynamic bearing (grooves being on either the shaft or sleeve). A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate may be defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing counterplate plate during relative rotation. A diamond-like coating (DLC) may be applied to the counterplate surface or to the end of the shaft; further, either the counterplate or shaft may be made out of ceramic material to enhance this performance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method for detecting air contamination within a fluid dynamic bearing used with a disc drive. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method to determine the amount of air contamination with hydrodynamic fluid by comparing the differential displacement of the fluid dynamic bearing between vacuum and non-vacuum conditions. In another aspect, the invention provides an air-contamination detecting apparatus adapted to detect air contamination within the fluid of a fluid dynamic bearing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method to determine air contamination within fluid dynamic bearings using the change in fly height of one or more probes disposed above the surface of a rotating surface of the disc drive.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having an annular sleeve, a shaft disposed through the sleeve, a hub supported on a first end of the shaft, a journal between the sleeve and the shaft, and a fluid dynamic bearing in the journal, wherein the fluid dynamic bearing comprises an axial bearing and a radial bearing, the axial and radial bearings being formed on respectively angles surfaces to form one corner bearing.

Abstract: The fluid dynamic bearings system of the invention provides a device located in a non-grooved low pressure region located at some point in the overall fluid circulation path of the fluid dynamic bearing to collect and trap any air bubbles which may be found in the fluid of the hydrodynamic bearing. More specifically, the air extraction device of the invention comprises a shallow angle V-shaped region which is located in fluid communication with but not in a grooved region of the hydrodynamic bearing. In summary, according to the present invention the hydrodynamic bearing comprises a shaft with a thrust plate at or near at least one end thereof. The thrust bearings are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the thrust plate (301) and journal bearing (320) on the shaft or facing sleeve surface. Lubricant lies between each of these surfaces and facing surface of a sleeve (312) or counter-plate (308) which overlies the thrust bearing, and fluid lies in all these regions.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is provided having two surfaces rotatable with respect to each other, a lubricating medium located in a gap between the two surfaces during rotation of the bearing, and an interrupted and offset groove pattern formed on one of the two surfaces to distribute the lubricating medium over the surface of the bearing. The groove design is intended to be useable in either a journal, thrust or other fluid bearing design.

Abstract: A disc drive design comprising a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. At least a part of the shaft is generally conical in cross-section, so that a downward force component is developed to balance upward pressure on end of shaft; this conical region typically includes a fluid dynamic bearing (grooves being on either the shaft or sleeve). A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate may be defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing counterplate plate during relative rotation. A diamond-like coating (DLC) may be applied to the counterplate surface or to the end of the shaft; further, either the counterplate or shaft may be made out of ceramic material to enhance this performance.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary shaft having a first end coupled to a first plate and a second end coupled to a second plate. The motor also includes a hub that is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. A fluid dynamic journal bearing, disposed between the shaft and the hub, radially supports the relative rotation of the shaft. The motor further includes a first seal, which is defined in part by the first plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing, and a second seal, which is defined in part by the second plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing.

Abstract: A short form fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided comprising a stationary shaft attached at a first end to a motor cover, a plate supported on a second end of the shaft, a hub rotatably supported on the shaft, a journal gap defined between an outer diameter of the shaft and an inner diameter of the hub, a fluid bearing in the journal gap, a thrust gap defined between a lower surface of the hub and an upper surface of the plate, and an air (or other gas) bearing in the thrust gap.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary member and a rotating member. The motor further includes a fluid dynamic thrust bearing disposed along an axial surface of a sleeve. The thrust bearing is configured to axially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid towards a corner of the sleeve. The motor also includes a fluid dynamic journal bearing disposed radially inboard of the thrust bearing along a radial surface of the sleeve, where the radial surface is adjacent to the axial surface. The journal bearing is configured to radially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid to the corner of the sleeve.