Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device a desiccant device that comprises a first desiccant material, a second desiccant material, and an activated carbon layer. The first desiccant material has a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption while the second desiccant material has a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. The activated carbon layer absorbs airborne organic airborne particles. The desiccant device may be a breather filer or may be disposed entirely within the interior of the electronic equipment, e.g., the desiccant device may be a recirculation filter.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. The desiccant device may be constructed using a laminate material that comprises an interior facing material and an exterior facing material. The exterior facing material permits water to diffuse faster therethrough than the interior facing material.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. A hard-disk drive (HDD) may comprise a desiccant device that provides a source of a beneficial vapor, such as an antioxidant, a vapor corrosion inhibitor, or a colubricant, within an enclosure of the HDD. The desiccant device absorbs water vapor within the enclosure but does not absorb the beneficial vapor within the enclosure. The desiccant device may comprise a desiccant that has a plurality of micropores within a size range selected so as to allow the absorption of water but exclude the absorption of the beneficial vapor. The desiccant may be, but need not be, within the same physical container as the source of the beneficial vapor.

Abstract: Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprised within a sealed enclosure that is filled with a substantially helium gas are provided. The HDD may include a shroud that surrounds a majority of a perimeter of a magnetic-recording disk. The HDD may also include an upstream spoiler having one or more wings. The shape of the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of the substantially helium gas that circulates when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating from a magnetic-recording head to a plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has a mouth that allows a portion of the circulating flow of substantially helium gas to flow therein. The mouth of the plenum chamber is a gap in the shroud that is prior to the upstream spoiler in the circulating flow of the substantially helium gas. A portion of the plenum chamber is formed using a particle filter opposing the gap.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device having a dual stage humidity control for use within sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that comprises a first absorbing portion that comprises a first desiccant material and a second absorbing portion that comprises a second desiccant material. The first absorbing portion possesses a relatively rapid permeation rate for water vapor, while the second absorbing portion possesses a relatively low permeation rate for water vapor. The first desiccant material may have a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption, while the second desiccant material may have a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. In this way, embodiments allow for the sensitive equipment to be dried out rapidly in manufacturing and yet have a slow reversible water absorption rate during operation.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device having a dual stage humidity control for use within sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that comprises a first absorbing portion that comprises a first desiccant material and a second absorbing portion that comprises a second desiccant material. The first absorbing portion possesses a relatively rapid permeation rate for water vapor, while the second absorbing portion possesses a relatively low permeation rate for water vapor. The first desiccant material may have a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption, while the second desiccant material may have a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. In this way, embodiments allow for the sensitive equipment to be dried out rapidly in manufacturing and yet have a slow reversible water absorption rate during operation.

Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.

Abstract: Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprised within a sealed enclosure that is filled with a substantially helium gas are provided. The HDD may include a shroud that surrounds a majority of a perimeter of a magnetic-recording disk. The HDD may also include an upstream spoiler having one or more wings. The shape of the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of the substantially helium gas that circulates when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating from a magnetic-recording head to a plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has a mouth that allows a portion of the circulating flow of substantially helium gas to flow therein. The mouth of the plenum chamber is a gap in the shroud that is prior to the upstream spoiler in the circulating flow of the substantially helium gas. A portion of the plenum chamber is formed using a particle filter opposing the gap.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. The desiccant device may be constructed using a laminate material that comprises an interior facing material and an exterior facing material. The exterior facing material permits water to diffuse faster therethrough than the interior facing material.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device a desiccant device that comprises a first desiccant material, a second desiccant material, and an activated carbon layer. The first desiccant material has a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption while the second desiccant material has a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. The activated carbon layer absorbs airborne organic airborne particles. The desiccant device may be a breather filer or may be disposed entirely within the interior of the electronic equipment, e.g., the desiccant device may be a recirculation filter.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment.

Abstract: A disk drive disk has a disk rim and a shroud faces the disk rim. At least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface have features formed thereon that cause both axial and circumferential air flow when the disk is rotated relative to the shroud, and the features extend for an axial distance of no more than the axial thickness of the disk. The features may extend both axially and circumferentially relative to said at least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface. The features may be slanted or helical slits. The disk rim also may be asymmetric, such as asymmetrically beveled.

Abstract: Approaches for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation, and preventing the same, using an atmospheric pressure sensor are provided. The HDD comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor capable of determining the altitude at which the HDD is currently located. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the current altitude of the HDD, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of a particle counter, differential pressure sensor, and a chemical vapor sensor for use by the risk assessment component. If the HDD is above a particular altitude, the Thermal Fly-Height control settings of the heads may be adjusted to reduce risk of error.

Abstract: Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. A hard-disk drive (HDD) may comprise a desiccant device that provides a source of a beneficial vapor, such as an antioxidant, a vapor corrosion inhibitor, or a colubricant, within an enclosure of the HDD. The desiccant device absorbs water vapor within the enclosure but does not absorb the beneficial vapor within the enclosure. The desiccant device may comprise a desiccant that has a plurality of micropores within a size range selected so as to allow the absorption of water but exclude the absorption of the beneficial vapor. The desiccant may be, but need not be, within the same physical container as the source of the beneficial vapor.

Abstract: Approaches for integrating an upstream spoiler with a particle filter in a hard-disk drive (HDD). According to an approach, a single part may comprise an upstream spoiler and an opening. The single part has a structure which enables an airborne particle filter to be positioned over or within the opening. The airborne particle filter, which covers the opening, has a curvature that follows the curvature of a shroud. When the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of air, which circulates within the enclosure when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating, from the magnetic-recording head, the upstream spoiler creates an area of relatively greater pressure. Air in the area of greater pressure flows through the airborne particle filter to an area of relatively lesser pressure, thereby removing airborne particles within the enclosure of the HDD. Alternately, the airborne particle filter may be positioned within slits present in the shroud and the upstream spoiler.

Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation is provided. The HDD comprises a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring the difference in the pressure between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. The differential pressure sensor may reside in a breather filter covering an air passage within the enclosure. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the difference in pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of an atmospheric pressure sensor, a particle counter, and a chemical vapor sensor which may be used by the risk assessment component.

Abstract: Approaches for integrating an upstream spoiler with a particle filter in a hard-disk drive (HDD). According to an approach, a single part may comprise an upstream spoiler and an opening. The single part has a structure which enables an airborne particle filter to be positioned over or within the opening. The airborne particle filter, which covers the opening, has a curvature that follows the curvature of a shroud. When the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of air, which circulates within the enclosure when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating, from the magnetic-recording head, the upstream spoiler creates an area of relatively greater pressure. Air in the area of greater pressure flows through the airborne particle filter to an area of relatively lesser pressure, thereby removing airborne particles within the enclosure of the HDD. Alternately, the airborne particle filter may be positioned within slits present in the shroud and the upstream spoiler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation is provided. The HDD comprises a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring the difference in the pressure between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. The differential pressure sensor may reside in a breather filter covering an air passage within the enclosure. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the difference in pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of an atmospheric pressure sensor, a particle counter, and a chemical vapor sensor which may be used by the risk assessment component.