Abstract: A data storage device includes a primary storage media, a drive storage controller electrically coupled to media recording electronics and a controller-override mechanism. The controller-override mechanism is selectively controllable by a user to override control actions of the drive storage controller to prevent the drive storage controller from altering the primary storage media at a time when the storage device is otherwise configured for nominal data storage operations.

Abstract: A data storage device (DSD) includes a base-deck, a disc above the base-deck, and a shaft extending perpendicular from the base-deck. The DSD also includes a head stack assembly (HSA) including a head gimbal assembly having a load beam and a head at a first end of the HSA. The head interacts with a surface of the disc. The HSA also includes a second end movably mounted on the shaft. The DSD additionally includes an elevator that linearly moves the HSA along the shaft to adjust a distance between the load beam and the surface of the disc in response to receiving a feedback signal associated with the interaction of the head with the surface of the disc. The feedback signal is one of a plurality of feedback signals employed by the elevator to adjust the distance between the load beam and the surface of the disc.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a ramp that supports at least one head, and a retraction mechanism that moves the ramp from a non-retracted position to a retracted position. The movement of the ramp is enabled by at least one of expansion or contraction of at least a portion of the retraction mechanism. The data storage device further includes a ramp retraction control module operably coupled to the retraction mechanism. The ramp retraction control module provides the retraction mechanism with a first control signal that causes the retraction mechanism to move the ramp from the non-retracted position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A storage system includes a media player including a preamplifier that is adapted to provide data access to a storage cartridge lacking an independent read/write preamplifier. The media player couples to the storage cartridges across an interconnect, and the storage cartridge is adapted to perform data access operations responsive to signals received from the media player through the interconnect.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a hard disk drive includes a base deck, which includes a base member and sidewalls extending from the base member. The base member and the sidewalls both include a non-metallic material and a metallic stiffening material.

Abstract: A system includes a data storage drive having a housing with one or more data storage media therein. The housing includes a top cover and a base-deck. The base-deck includes a floor and a frame having a plurality of sides. The data storage drive also includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) mounted on an exterior of one of the plurality of sides of the frame.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a base, a shaft that extends perpendicular from the base, and a head stack assembly (HSA) having a first end to which a head is coupled and a second end that is movably mounted on the shaft. The data storage device also includes either a first actuator assembly or a second actuator assembly. The first actuator assembly includes a first coil-permanent magnet assembly that rotatably moves the HSA about the shaft, and a second coil-permanent magnet assembly that serves as a first elevator to linearly move the HSA along the shaft. The second actuator assembly includes a third coil-permanent magnet assembly that rotatably moves the HSA about the shaft, and a second elevator that linearly moves the HSA along the shaft and also moves a data storage device ramp in unison with the HSA.

Abstract: A data storage library includes a number of storage cartridges arranged in a rack accessed by a actuated media player. The actuated media player is adapted to move the along a plane relative to a fixed subset of the storage cartridges in the rack to and to selectively couple to each storage cartridge of the fixed subset to facilitate selective read/write access.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a ramp that supports at least one head, and a retraction mechanism that moves the ramp from a non-retracted position to a retracted position. The movement of the ramp is enabled by at least one of expansion or contraction of at least a portion of the retraction mechanism. The data storage device further includes a ramp retraction control module operably coupled to the retraction mechanism. The ramp retraction control module provides the retraction mechanism with a first control signal that causes the retraction mechanism to move the ramp from the non-retracted position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method for making a monocrystalline structure is disclosed. The method includes depositing a first volume of a material on a substrate to create a first crystal seed and depositing a second volume of the material towards the substrate to nucleate with the first crystal seed to create a first initial epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A brake crawler for an elevator-type hard disk drive generally includes a first and second set of clamp arms vertically arranged, each of the first and second sets of clamp arms being capable of exerting a clamping force on a shaft or slider via activation or deactivation of an actuator element associated with each set of clamp arms. The brake crawler further includes an actuator element disposed between the first and second set of clamp arms which allows for movement of the first set of clamp arms away from the second set of clamp arms upon a change in state of the actuator element. Via a specific sequence of activating and deactivating various of the actuator elements associated with the brake crawler, the brake crawler is capable of inch worm-type movement up and down the shaft.

Abstract: A storage system includes a media player including a preamplifier that is adapted to provide data access to a storage cartridge lacking an independent read/write preamplifier. The media player couples to the storage cartridges across an interconnect, and the storage cartridge is adapted to perform data access operations responsive to signals received from the media player through the interconnect.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a data storage foil mounted within the data storage system, the data storage foil has at least one data storage surface. The data storage system also includes a head configured to interact with the at least one data storage surface to carry out at least one of data read or data write operations.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a base, a shaft that extends perpendicular from the base, and a head stack assembly (HSA) having a first end to which a head is coupled and a second end that is movably mounted on the shaft. The data storage device also includes either a first actuator assembly or a second actuator assembly. The first actuator assembly includes a first coil-permanent magnet assembly that rotatably moves the HSA about the shaft, and a second coil-permanent magnet assembly that serves as a first elevator to linearly move the HSA along the shaft. The second actuator assembly includes a third coil-permanent magnet assembly that rotatably moves the HSA about the shaft, and a second elevator that linearly moves the HSA along the shaft and also moves a data storage device ramp in unison with the HSA.

Abstract: An opener assembly for a data storage component testing system is disclosed. The opener assembly includes an actuator assembly with a first opener actuator and a body having a distal end, a proximal end, a first arm, and a second arm. The first and second arms extend between the proximal end and the distal end and define a spacing at the distal end. The first opener actuator is operatively coupled to the first and second arms and configured to actuate the actuator assembly between a closed position and an opened position.

Abstract: A data storage device includes at least one head supported by an actuator arm. The at least one head interacts with the at least one data storage disc when positioned over the at least one data storage disc. The data storage device further includes a split ramp for supporting the at least one head when the at least one head is moved away from the at least one data storage disc. The split ramp has a first ramp portion adjacent to a first outer diameter (OD) of the at least one data storage disc and a second ramp portion adjacent to the first ramp portion, such that the first ramp portion is between the second ramp portion and the first OD. At least one of the first ramp portion or the second ramp portion is independently moveable.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of storage media mounted on a rotatable spindle. The apparatus also includes an actuator with at least one actuator arm configured to translate among the plurality of storage media and at least two heads supported on the at least one actuator arm. Each of the at least two heads is configured to communicate with the plurality of storage media.

Abstract: A storage system includes a media player including a preamplifier that is adapted to provide data access to a storage cartridge lacking an independent read/write preamplifier. The media player couples to the storage cartridges across an interconnect, and the storage cartridge is adapted perform data access operations responsive to signals received from the media player through the interconnect.

Abstract: An implementation of a system disclosed herein includes a control board including multiple cartridge slots and hardware for coupling each of the multiple cartridge slots to an associated storage cartridge. The system further includes multiple voice coil motor (VCM) actuator components mounted to the control board, each one of the multiple VCM actuator configured to contribute to an electromagnetic interaction that drives movement of an actuator arm within a storage cartridge coupled to one of the multiple cartridge slots.

Abstract: A data storage system can provide low cost and optimized performance with a cartridge housing multiple separate data storage devices and each of the data storage devices being concurrently engaged by a device player. The device player may have a processor configured to analyze mechanical performance of each data storage device and data performance of data resident in each data storage device.