Abstract: A fan motor suitable for use in an electronic device, such as a consumer electronic device, is disclosed. The fan motor includes a stator and a rotor. In order to minimize a varying torque applied to the rotor, the stator includes modifications. For example, the stator includes stator teeth, each with an arc defined by a radius of curvature that varies. The radius (from a reference point to the arc) can vary in accordance with a sinusoidal curve. Furthermore, the corners of each stator tooth may be rounded. The rounded corners of the stator teeth may include a uniform (or constant, non-varying) radius of curvature. These enhancement are designed to provide a more uniform torque by the stator to the rotor. As a result, the rotation of the rotor is subject to smaller fluctuations, and the fan motor undergoes less vibration and generates less acoustical noise.

Abstract: An electronic device with a fan assembly is disclosed. The fan assembly includes an impeller and an insert separated from the impeller by a gap. The fan assembly increases airflow by rotationally driving the impeller. For a sufficient rotational speed of the impeller, the airflow reaches a level that provides a force that displaces the insert. The displacement may include movement and/or compression of the insert. As a result of the displacement, the gap between the impeller and the insert increases. The increased gap reduces the pressure and associated noise that is otherwise caused by the airflow. When the rotational speed of the impeller reduces or ceases, the insert returns to its initial position. In this manner, the fan assembly includes a self-adjusting gap that changes based on the airflow.

Abstract: A fan motor suitable for use in an electronic device, such as a consumer electronic device, is disclosed. The fan motor includes a stator and a rotor. In order to minimize a varying torque applied to the rotor, the stator includes modifications. For example, the stator includes stator teeth, each with an arc defined by a radius of curvature that varies. The radius (from a reference point to the arc) can vary in accordance with a sinusoidal curve. Furthermore, the corners of each stator tooth may be rounded. The rounded corners of the stator teeth may include a uniform (or constant, non-varying) radius of curvature. These enhancement are designed to provide a more uniform torque by the stator to the rotor. As a result, the rotation of the rotor is subject to smaller fluctuations, and the fan motor undergoes less vibration and generates less acoustical noise.

Abstract: An electronic device with a fan assembly is disclosed. The fan assembly includes an impeller and an insert separated from the impeller by a gap. The fan assembly increases airflow by rotationally driving the impeller. For a sufficient rotational speed of the impeller, the airflow reaches a level that provides a force that displaces the insert. The displacement may include movement and/or compression of the insert. As a result of the displacement, the gap between the impeller and the insert increases. The increased gap reduces the pressure and associated noise that is otherwise caused by the airflow. When the rotational speed of the impeller reduces or ceases, the insert returns to its initial position. In this manner, the fan assembly includes a self-adjusting gap that changes based on the airflow.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer housing, a component, and a shock-absorption assembly is disclosed. A shock-absorption assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the component can include one or more elements adapted to dampen a mechanical shock to the component. The shock-absorption assembly elements can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the component. Shock-absorption assembly elements can include a first portion comprising protrusions that provide initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second portion comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.

Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include hard drive mounting structures. The hard drive mounting structures may include elastomeric support members. Each elastomeric support member may have a relatively rigid inner portion. The inner portion may include a hole that receives a hard drive mounting pin. Each elastomeric support member may also have a relatively flexible outer portion. The relatively flexible outer portion may be mounted within an opening in a plastic support member. The rigid inner portion may have a square outline and may be mounted within a square opening in the flexible outer portion.

Abstract: A computer system that generates a disposition instruction and an associated access command directed to a block of data at a logical address is described. The disposition instruction and the access command are communicated to a memory system in the computer system via a communication link. Note that the memory system includes different types of memory having different performance characteristics, and the disposition instruction is generated based on the different performance characteristics. In response to the access command, the memory system accesses the block of data at the logical address in a first type of memory in the different types of memory. Furthermore, based on the disposition instruction, the memory system moves the block of data to a second type of memory in the different types of memory to facilitate subsequent accesses to the block of data.

Abstract: A computer system that generates a disposition instruction and an associated access command directed to a block of data at a logical address is described. The disposition instruction and the access command are communicated to a memory system in the computer system via a communication link. Note that the memory system includes different types of memory having different performance characteristics, and the disposition instruction is generated based on the different performance characteristics. In response to the access command, the memory system accesses the block of data at the logical address in a first type of memory in the different types of memory. Furthermore, based on the disposition instruction, the memory system moves the block of data to a second type of memory in the different types of memory to facilitate subsequent accesses to the block of data.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer housing, a component, and a shock-absorption assembly is disclosed. A shock-absorption assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the component can include one or more elements adapted to dampen a mechanical shock to the component. The shock-absorption assembly elements can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the component. Shock-absorption assembly elements can include a first portion comprising protrusions that provide initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second portion comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.

Abstract: A portable computing device having an outer housing, and internal hard disk drive and a shock damping mounting assembly is disclosed. Multiple outer dimensions of the portable computing device can be less than the width of the hard drive due to a diagonal arrangement of the hard drive within the overall device. The hard drive can comply with a standardized form factor, such as a 3.5 inch form factor. A mounting assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the hard drive can include one or more components adapted to damp a mechanical shock to the hard drive, which components can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the hard drive. Mounting assembly components can includes a first stage spring comprising a finger geometry that provides initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second stage spring comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.

Abstract: A portable computing device having an outer housing, and internal hard disk drive and a shock damping mounting assembly is disclosed. Multiple outer dimensions of the portable computing device can be less than the width of the hard drive due to a diagonal arrangement of the hard drive within the overall device. The hard drive can comply with a standardized form factor, such as a 3.5 inch form factor. A mounting assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the hard drive can include one or more components adapted to damp a mechanical shock to the hard drive, which components can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the hard drive. Mounting assembly components can includes a first stage spring comprising a finger geometry that provides initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second stage spring comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock.

Abstract: Preventative actions normally performed in response to detecting a trigger event triggered by an accelerometer attached to a portable device may be bypassed during a quiet period. The quiet period may be initiated in response to detecting at least one repeated trigger event within a time window encompassing the first trigger event, and may be terminated based on an expiration criterion.

Abstract: A type of flaw present in a mass storage device can be inferred by examining the results of I/O operations performed on only a portion of the device, without testing or examining the entire device.

Abstract: A type of flaw present in a mass storage device can be inferred by examining the results of I/O operations performed on only a portion of the device, without testing or examining the entire device.