Abstract: Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods.

Abstract: A one-way fill valve for use in electronic enclosures is disclosed. The one-way fill valve allows an inert gas to be added to an electronic enclosure without contamination and without excessive leakage. A scrim layer is provided between a breathable layer and a sealing element to protect the breathable layer from possible rupture and allow for greater air flow across the breathable layer.

Abstract: An adsorbent construction for use in an electronic enclosure is disclosed. In certain embodiments the adsorbent construction comprises an adsorbent material and a polymeric material substantially surrounding the adsorbent material. The polymeric material regulates the flow of water vapor into and out of the adsorbent material. In example implementations one or more openings are present in the polymeric cover, the openings permitting flow of water vapor through the polymeric cover. A filter material can cover the opening in the polymeric cover. The adsorbent material can comprise, for example, activated carbon, silica gel, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A one-way fill valve for use in electronic enclosures is disclosed. The one-way fill valve allows an inert gas to be added to an electronic enclosure without contamination and without excessive leakage. A scrim layer is provided between a breathable layer and a sealing element to protect the breathable layer from possible rupture and allow for greater air flow across the breathable layer.

Abstract: Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods.

Abstract: Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Filters and filtering methods for placement in an electronic enclosure, such as a hard disk drive housing, are disclosed. In one embodiment the filter includes a housing having a top, a base, and at least one sidewall extending from the top to the base, the housing defining an inlet port and an outlet port through the sidewall, and a breather port in the base, the housing further defining an internal volume. Adsorbent filter media is disposed within the internal volume of the housing such that the housing defines a first path for flow of fluid through the breather port in the base to the filter media and a second path for flow of fluid through the inlet port, into contact with the filter media, and out the outlet port.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a data storage device. The filter assembly includes a flow passage having an inlet and outlet to provide a recirculating filter. The filter assembly is positioned to provide a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the flow passage. A breather filter includes an opening for ambient air exchange through a second flow passage which is opened to the pressure differential of the flow passage of the recirculating filter to enhance ambient air exchange. An air dam assembly interposed in an air flow path provides a high pressure region and low pressure region. An assembly structure includes an air dam and a filter flow passage to enhance the pressure differential across the flow passage. Flow turbulence through the flow passage is reduced via flow plates supported between raised edge portions of the flow passage.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: The filter construction includes a first portion that removes or reduces contaminants entering a disk drive enclosure from the external atmosphere and a second portion that removes or reduces contaminants present within the disk drive enclosure. Air exits the first portion in an area of the disk drive enclosure having a low air pressure. The second portion has an adsorbent filter, such as a recirculation filter, which allows air or gas to flow therethrough with little resistance. The filter construction has an exit positioned approximately parallel to the periphery of a disk in the disk drive enclosure, so that air exiting the filter construction is generally perpendicular to the air currents produced by the spinning disk.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a data storage device. The filter assembly includes a flow passage having an inlet and outlet to provide a recirculating filter. The filter assembly is positioned to provide a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the flow passage. A breather filter includes an opening for ambient air exchange through a second flow passage which is opened to the pressure differential of the flow passage of the recirculating filter to enhance ambient air exchange. An air dam assembly interposed in an air flow path provides a high pressure region and low pressure region. An assembly structure includes an air dam and a filter flow passage to enhance the pressure differential across the flow passage. Flow turbulence through the flow passage is reduced via flow plates supported between raised edge portions of the flow passage.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally includes a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: A filter construction for use in a disk drive enclosure. The filter construction includes a first portion that removes or reduces contaminants entering the disk drive enclosure from the external atmosphere; the filter construction further includes a second portion that removes or reduces contaminants present within the disk drive enclosure. In one embodiment, the first portion has a diffusion channel in airflow communication with a port extending to the exterior of the enclosure, and may include an adsorbent filter or element. Air exits the first portion in an area of the disk drive enclosure having a low air pressure. The second portion has an adsorbent filter, such as a recirculation filter, which allows air or gas to flow therethrough with little resistance. The filter construction has an exit positioned approximately parallel to the periphery of a disk in the disk drive enclosure, so that air exiting the filter construction is generally perpendicular to the air currents produced by the spinning disk.

Abstract: A filter construction for use in a disk drive enclosure. The filter construction includes a first filter portion that removes or reduces contaminants entering the disk drive enclosure; the filter construction further includes a second filter portion that removes or reduces contaminants present within the disk drive enclosure. In one embodiment, the first filter portion has an adsorbent filter, such as a breather filter, positioned over the disk drive port that extends from the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure. A diffusion channel can be combined with the adsorbent filter. The second filter portion includes an adsorbent filter, such as a recirculation filter, which allows air or gas to flow through with little resistance.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally includes a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: An adsorbent pouch assembly for removing gaseous contaminants and impurities from a gas stream. The assembly is particularly designed for non-adhesively mounting into the internal enclosure of a disk drive.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffiusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a shaped adsorbent article disposed in a housing. The shaped adsorbent article has one or more projections extending from a surface of the article toward the housing to provide for flow of fluid between the shaped adsorbent article and the housing. The filter assembly may optionally include a diffusion channel for additional filtering and/or one or more porous polymer films disposed over inlet or outlet openings in the housing to reduce or prevent particulate contamination. The filter assembly may be used in a device, such as a computer disk drive, to filter a fluid, such as air, within and/or entering or exiting the device.