Abstract: The present application is directed to thermoelectric coolers that include multiple temperature zones. The thermoelectric cooler may include a first series of thermoelectric intermediate members interconnecting a second plate with a first section of a first plate, and a second series of thermoelectric intermediate members interconnecting the second plate with a second section of the first plate. The first series may form a first temperature zone and the second series may form a second temperature zone. Each of the first and second series of thermoelectric intermediate members may be configured to electrically connect with a DC power supply to energize the first and second series and independently control temperatures of the first and second sections of the second plate.

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: According to one embodiment, the present application includes a tunable optical transmitter configured in a small package. The tunable optical transmitter includes a housing with a volume formed by exterior walls. An electrical input interface is positioned at the first end of the housing and configured to receive an information-containing electrical signal. An optical output interface is positioned at the second end of the housing and configured to transmit an optical communication beam. A tunable semiconductor laser is positioned in the interior space and operable to emit a laser beam having a selectable wavelength. A semiconductor-based modulator is positioned in the interior space along an optical path of the laser beam and operatively coupled to the optical output interface. The semiconductor-based modulator is configured to impart modulation to the laser beam corresponding to an information-containing electrical signal received through the electrical input interface.

Abstract: A method of redefining nodal points of rotation comprises providing an actuator assembly with a comb, a pivot having an axis of rotation, comb legs on one side of the pivot, a voice coil motor, an arm, and a head gimbal assembly mounted to the arm with a head opposite the arm; defining a first nodal point of rotation for the actuator at a position that is on the arm between the pivot and the head; defining a second nodal point of rotation for the actuator at a position adjacent to the pivot and the coil; moving the first nodal point in a radial direction away from the axis toward the head; and moving the second nodal point in a radial direction away from the pivot to a geometric center of active legs of the coil.

Abstract: The present application is directed to thermoelectric coolers that include multiple temperature zones. The thermoelectric cooler may include a first series of thermoelectric intermediate members interconnecting a second plate with a first section of a first plate, and a second series of thermoelectric intermediate members interconnecting the second plate with a second section of the first plate. The first series may form a first temperature zone and the second series may form a second temperature zone. Each of the first and second series of thermoelectric intermediate members may be configured to electrically connect with a DC power supply to energize the first and second series and independently control temperatures of the first and second sections of the second plate.

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: The dynamics of a disk drive actuator are enhanced by redistributing the mass and stiffness of the structure. The two nodal points of the second primary bending mode of the actuator are relocated to positions that are both radially outboard of their original positions. One nodal point is positioned as close to the read-write head as possible at one end of the actuator, and the other nodal point is positioned at the center of the active legs of the VCM coil at the other end of the actuator. This is done to reduce the off-track displacement associated with this fundamental resonance to near zero, allowing higher track densities to be supported.

Abstract: The dynamics of a disk drive actuator are enhanced by redistributing the mass and stiffness of the structure. The two nodal points of the second primary bending mode of the actuator are relocated to positions that are both radially outboard of their original positions. One nodal point is positioned as close to the read-write head as possible at one end of the actuator, and the other nodal point is positioned at the center of the active legs of the VCM coil at the other end of the actuator. This is done to reduce the off-track displacement associated with this fundamental resonance to near zero, allowing higher track densities to be supported.

Abstract: Embodiments include a disk drive having a drive motor assembly including at least one component selected from the group consisting of a rotatable hub, disk spacer, disk clamp, backiron, lower bearing bushing, and lower mounting flange. At least one of the components comprises a low sulfur outgassing free machining stainless steel material. The low sulfur outgassing free machining stainless steel material may include a free machining stainless steel that outgases sulfur at a rate insufficient to cause visually observable sulfide corrosion when tested by placing a copper strip into contact with the free machining stainless steel in an environment having a temperature of 50° C. and 90% relative humidity for a 7 day test period and then observing the copper strip.

Abstract: A limit stop for a magnetic storage system having a combination of visco elastic inner core and a thin walled outer shell enclosing the visco-elastic material, and a method of manufacturing the same. The thin wall is hermetically sealed to isolate the inner core material and eliminate the possibility of contamination to the disk drive interior. The visco-elastic inner core has the properties of very good energy dissipation, while the outer shell provides high dimensional control and stability.

Abstract: In a disk drive system transducer suspensions are swaged to the actuator arms. The end actuator arms in the arm stack experience unbalanced forces which detrimentally effect the flying height of the transducers. A compensating swage plate is swaged on the opposite surface of each of the end actuator arms such that these unbalanced forces are canceled and the transducer maintains the proper flying height.