Abstract: A limit stop filter support apparatus for use in controlling fluidic currents and limiting movement of an actuator within a housing, such as in a data storage device. First and second filter retention members extend from a filter support base to confine opposing ends of a filter used to filter fluidic currents within the housing, and a cantilevered limit stop extends from the base to contactingly limit movement of an actuator moveable within the housing. The limit stop preferably comprises a spring member supporting a latch member, the latch member selectively confining the actuator in a parked position. The first and second retention members each preferably include a shroud surface adjacent an outer peripheral edge of a rotatable storage medium to direct the fluidic currents established by rotation of the medium.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus and associated method for recirculating fluid in a data storage device. The filtering apparatus comprises a fluid flow guiding member and a filter. The fluid flow guiding member comprises a shroud disposable substantially transverse to the disc comprising an arcuate surface in a closely mating relationship with the disc edge. The fluid flow guiding member further comprises a recessed surface disposable radially outwardly from the disc and cooperatively with the shroud defining a fluid passageway. First edges in the shroud define an inlet to the passageway, and second edges in the shroud define an outlet from the passageway. The filtering apparatus further comprises a filter that is supportable by the fluid flow guiding member within the passageway. The filter provides a curved member against which the fluid flow first impingingly engages upon entering the passageway, thereby being guided by the curved filter toward the outlet.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base and supporting a slider and a transducer at a distal end thereof. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near an arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. Surfaces are aligned with and extend in a coplanar relationship with the disc to transfer an outwardly directed airflow away from the disc without impinging turbulent flow on or at the disc edge.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus and associated method for recirculating fluid in a data storage device. The filtering apparatus comprises a fluid flow guiding member and a filter. The fluid flow guiding member comprises a shroud disposable substantially transverse to the disc comprising an arcuate surface in a closely mating relationship with the disc edge. The fluid flow guiding member further comprises a recessed surface disposable radially outwardly from the disc and cooperatively with the shroud defining a fluid passageway. First edges in the shroud define an inlet to the passageway, and second edges in the shroud define an outlet from the passageway. The filtering apparatus further comprises a filter that is supportable by the fluid flow guiding member within the passageway. The filter provides a curved member against which the fluid flow first impingingly engages upon entering the passageway, thereby being guided by the curved filter toward the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which reduces flow-induced disturbances of the head. A disc drive assembly is provided which includes a basedeck and top cover. A spindle motor mounted to the basedeck which rotates around a central axis; at least one magnetic storage disc mounted to the spindle motor for rotation around the central axis and an actuator arm assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm rotatably attached to a pivot axis and a suspension arm attached to a distal end of the actuator arm. A magnetic transducing head is attached to the suspension. The head is used to read and write data to the magnetic storage disc. Finally, a leading surface portion of the actuator arm utilizes several turbulence-reducing portions laterally recessed so as to guide an airflow to reduce a flow-induced disturbance acting on the transducing head.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base. The actuator assembly also has a suspension assembly having an attached end and a free end. The suspension assembly further includes a slider attached to attached to the free end of the suspension assembly; and a transducer attached to the slider. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. The slider and transducer are rotated through an arc over the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which reduce flow-induced disturbances of the head. A disc drive assembly is provided which includes a basedeck and top cover. A spindle motor mounted to the basedeck which rotates around a central axis; at least one magnetic storage disc mounted to the spindle motor for rotation around the central axis and an actuator arm assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm rotatably attached to a pivot axis and a suspension arm attached to a distal end of the actuator arm. A magnetic transducing head is attached to the suspension. The head is used to read and write data to the magnetic storage disc. Finally, leading surface portion of the actuator arm utilizes several turbulence-reducing portions laterally recessed so as to guide an airflow to reduce a flow-induced disturbance acting on the transducing head.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base. The actuator assembly also has a suspension assembly having an attached end and a free end. The suspension assembly further includes a slider attached to attached to the free end of the suspension assembly; and a transducer attached to the slider. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. The slider and transducer are rotated through an arc over the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing disc deflection in response to the application of a non-operational mechanical shock to a disc drive. The disc drive comprises discs rotatable about a disc axis and each having an outer diameter. A circumferentially extending snubber is provided proximate a substantial portion of the outer diameter of each of the discs. The snubber includes a shroud portion immediately proximate the outer diameter of each disc and snubber arms which extend from the shroud portion in a direction toward the disc axis. The snubber limits deflection of the outer diameter of each disc in response to the application of a nonoperational mechanical shock to the disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are described which change the mechanical response characteristics of an actuator arm in a disc drive such that damage to the disc drive resulting from mechanical shock is minimized. An actuator arm is provided which has a groove that extends along a side portion of the actuator arm. A side rail is attached to the side portion of the actuator arm, and is preferably T-shaped so that the side rail mates with the groove. The side rail can be constructed of a stiffening material and/or a damping material as desired to change the mechanical response characteristics of the actuator arm to reduce contact between the actuator arm and the disc surface which results from mechanical shock to the disc drive assembly. In the method of use, a groove is machined into a side portion of an actuator arm and then an actuator arm side rail is inserted into the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing disc deflection in response to the application of a non-operational mechanical shock to a disc drive. The disc drive comprises discs rotatable about a disc axis and each having an outer diameter. A circumferentially extending snubber is provided proximate a substantial portion of the outer diameter of each of the discs. The snubber includes a shroud portion immediately proximate the outer diameter of each disc and snubber arms which extend from the shroud portion in a direction toward the disc axis. The snubber limits deflection of the outer diameter of each disc in response to the application of a nonoperational mechanical shock to the disc drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are described which reduce air turbulence in a disc drive assembly. In a method of use, a groove is machined into a side portion of an actuator arm and then a streamlined actuator arm side rail is inserted into the groove to provide streamlining characteristics to the actuator arms. An actuator arm is provided which has a groove which extends along a side portion of the actuator arm. A streamlined side rail is attached to the side portion of the actuator arm, and is preferably arrowhead-shaped so that the side rail mates with the groove. The streamlined side rail reduces air turbulence in the disc drive caused by air flow against and around the actuator arms, yielding an improvement in the power consumption of the disc pack spindle motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for enhancing the convective cooling of a voice coil motor (VCM) of a disc drive. A portion of an air flow established by the rotation of a disc of the disc drive is diverted from the disc and is directed through a channel to the VCM. In one embodiment, an air foil is provided to support first and second magnetic paths of the VCM, the air foil having a shroud surface adjacent portions of the circumference of the disc and a diverter surface angularly extending from the shroud surface, the diverter surface diverting the air to the VCM. Alternatively, a base deck of the disc drive is provided with a shroud circumferentially adjacent portions of the disc and the channel extends through the shroud to direct the air from the disc to the VCM.