Abstract: An actuator with a moveable block and supporting a cantilevered arm has a windage stripper supported for movement in unison with the block and spanning a cantilevered length of the arm. The actuator has a load member connected to the arm and supports a data head at a cantilevered end, wherein the stripper comprises a vane terminating at a distal end beyond the cantilevered end. A method including moving a data storage medium creating windage adjacent to an actuator supporting a data head at a cantilevered end, and supporting a windage stripper comprising a vane at the cantilevered end for movement in unison with the actuator in shielding the cantilevered end from windage-induced excitation.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer incorporates an actuator block, rotational air bearing, translational air bearing, adaptor plate, E-block and actuator arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, is directly controlled by the movement of the rotational air bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The air bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational air bearing laterally positions the actuator assembly within the multi-disc servo-track writer for servo-track recording.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transducer position detection uses inert contact surfaces to engage an actuator temporarily. The inert contact surfaces are part of an apparatus that also includes an optical sensor such as a retroreflector or diffraction grating. The assembly is thus configured to permit multiple uses while exerting a near-zero net torque about the length of the arm that supports the transducer. This is useful where there is a temporary need for especially precise position control, such as when servowriting a data storage media surface.

Abstract: An air flow control device for reducing turbulence on a rotating multi-disc stack. Air flow control device includes a first air dam having cavities formed by a series of alternating plate sections forming gaps therebetween adjacent plates. Gaps define cavities capable of receiving discs when disc stack is rotating. A method for writing data onto an annular writeable surface of a plurality of discs including the steps of mounting the plurality of discs into a coaxial stack, extending one or more dam plates each between a consecutive pair of the plurality of discs and adjacent at least a selected one of the writeable surfaces; and writing data onto the selected surface while a first one of the dam plates overlaps enough of the selected surface so that the first dam plate limits a windage-induced error in the written data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer preferably uses two gas bearings, an adaptor plate, and an actuator assembly including an E-block and arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, can be controlled by the movement of a rotational gas bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The gas bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational gas bearing can be used for laterally positioning the actuator assembly for servo track recording.

Abstract: A disc positioning system for releasably securing a disc stack array on a spindle hub in a multi-disc writer system. The system includes a disc clamp with an axial catch and a retaining arrangement for engaging the catch. The retaining arrangement includes at least one radially movable member that engages and secures the axial catch in an engagement position and disengages the axial catch in a disengagement position.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer incorporates an actuator block, rotational air bearing, translational air bearing, adaptor plate, E-block and actuator arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, is directly controlled by the movement of the rotational air bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The air bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational air bearing laterally positions the actuator assembly within the multi-disc servo-track writer for servo-track recording.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for damping armature vibrations in a disc drive is provided. A vibration damper is attached along a side of an armature. The vibration damper reduces vibrations in the armature during operation of the disc drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transducer position detection uses inert contact surfaces to engage an actuator temporarily. The inert contact surfaces are part of an apparatus that also includes an optical sensor such as a retroreflector or diffraction grating. The assembly is thus configured to permit multiple uses while exerting a near-zero net torque about the length of the arm that supports the transducer. This is useful where there is a temporary need for especially precise position control, such as when servowriting a data storage media surface.

Abstract: An air flow control device for reducing turbulence on a rotating multi-disc stack. Air flow control device includes a first air dam having cavities formed by a series of alternating plate sections forming gaps therebetween adjacent plates. Gaps define cavities capable of receiving discs when disc stack is rotating. A method for writing data onto an annular writeable surface of a plurality of discs including the steps of mounting the plurality of discs into a coaxial stack, extending one or more dam plates each between a consecutive pair of the plurality of discs and adjacent at least a selected one of the writeable surfaces; and writing data onto the selected surface while a first one of the dam plates overlaps enough of the selected surface so that the first dam plate limits a windage-induced error in the written data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer preferably uses two gas bearings, an adaptor plate, and an actuator assembly including an E-block and arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, can be controlled by the movement of a rotational gas bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The gas bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational gas bearing can be used for laterally positioning the actuator assembly for servo track recording.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented servo track writer assembly and method for recording servo pattern on a disc surface includes a spindle hub assembly that rotates one or more discs in a substantially vertical plane and an actuator assembly that pivots an E-block about a substantially horizontal axis. The E-block includes one or more actuator arms and associated flexures, with each flexure including a servo recording head. Pivoting motion of the E-block moves each servo recording head in a substantially vertical plane adjacent a surface of an associated disc to record servo pattern information on the disc surface. The method further includes laterally moving the actuator assembly into and out of engagement with the spindle hub assembly to simplify loading and unloading discs from the spindle hub assembly.

Abstract: A disc positioning system for releasably securing a disc stack array on a spindle hub in a multi-disc writer system. The system includes a disc clamp with an axial catch and a retaining arrangement for engaging the catch. The retaining arrangement includes at least one radially movable member that engages and secure the axial catch in an engagement position and disengages the axial catch in a disengagement position.