Abstract: A storage drive configured for use in a storage drive block and a storage drive block are provided. The storage drive block in one example includes a plurality of storage drives joined together into a substantially rigid storage drive block, a block communication element extending to the plurality of storage drives and adapted to communicatively link a plurality of communication boards of the plurality of storage drives to a mass storage chassis assembly, and one or more joining elements affixing the one or more mounting elements of each storage drive to form the storage drive block.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a spindle motor attached to a disk drive base. The spindle motor includes a hub that rotates about a spindle rotation axis. An annular disk is mounted on the hub. A clamp is attached to the hub. The clamp has a body portion that is stamped from a metal sheet. The clamp also includes an annular rib that protrudes from the stamped sheet metal body portion towards the annular disk. The annular rib includes an annular contact surface that may be lapped to enhance flatness and that contacts the annular disk. The annular rib also includes inner and outer side walls that are each normal to the annular contact surface.

Abstract: A disk drive housing, base assembly for use as part of the housing and associated method are disclosed. The base assembly is configured for receiving a cover. In one feature, a base housing serves to define a housing interior in cooperation with the cover for receiving a plurality of components therein as part of the disk drive and the base housing includes a peripheral edge configuration. A molding surrounds and sealingly engages the base housing such that the molding defines a peripheral sealing surface for use in sealing the cover to the base assembly. In another feature, accommodating one or more given components within a given base housing outline, which would not otherwise be accommodated, is described by outsetting a peripheral sidewall of the base housing, adjacent to the given component.

Abstract: A digital storage apparatus includes a housing defining a housing interior and defining a ramp support surface. A disk is supported for rotation in the housing. A head gimbal assembly is supported for use in pivotally accessing the disk in performing one or more data accesses and for moving to an unloaded position from an access position. A ramp arrangement receives the head gimbal assembly in the unloaded position. The ramp arrangement includes at least three feet for sliding engagement with the ramp support surface for use in at least partially establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement. In one aspect, the housing defines a first surface and a second surface, which are in a transverse relationship with respect to one another. The ramp arrangement engages the first surface and the second surface for establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement in the housing interior.

Abstract: A head stack assembly of a disk drive has a hub including a side margin defining a channel for carrying VCM conductors at least partially around an angular offset such that the conductors are contained within a peripheral outline of the hub and the conductors can extend completely within an overmolding thickness. A first portion of a flexible interconnection biases against a side margin of the hub such that a rotation of the HSA causes a length of the first portion to change. A floating portion of length of the flexible extension follows a semicircular path between a first contact position on the hub and a second contact position on the support surface such that a floating loop diameter is defined between the contact positions. The hub and the support surface can be configured for changing the floating loop diameter with rotation to vary resilient biasing torque to the HSA.

Abstract: A digital storage apparatus includes a housing defining a housing interior and defining a ramp support surface. A disk is supported for rotation in the housing. A head gimbal assembly is supported for use in pivotally accessing the disk in performing one or more data accesses and for moving to an unloaded position from an access position. A ramp arrangement receives the head gimbal assembly in the unloaded position. The ramp arrangement includes at least three feet for sliding engagement with the ramp support surface for use in at least partially establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement. In one aspect, the housing defines a first surface and a second surface, which are in a transverse relationship with respect to one another. The ramp arrangement engages the first surface and the second surface for establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement in the housing interior.

Abstract: An actuator/coil assembly (136) is disclosed where two different bonding operations are used. First, a bobbin (164) is overmolded to a coil (172), and a first overmolded part (176) is overmolded to both the coil (172) and a fan tail (152) of the actuator (140). The overmolding operation defines one or more adhesive receptacles (168) in the bobbin (164) on a perimeter that interfaces with the coil (172), and further defines one or more adhesive receptacles (180) in the first overmolded part (176) on a perimeter that interfaces with the coil (172) and that interfaces with the fan tail (152) of the actuator (140). Adhesive (184) is disposed within these receptacles (168, 180) to increase the stiffness of the actuator/coil assembly (136).

Abstract: A digital storage apparatus includes a housing defining a housing interior and defining a ramp support surface. A disk is supported for rotation in the housing. A head gimbal assembly is supported for use in pivotally accessing the disk in performing one or more data accesses and for moving to an unloaded position from an access position. A ramp arrangement receives the head gimbal assembly in the unloaded position. The ramp arrangement includes at least three feet for sliding engagement with the ramp support surface for use in at least partially establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement. In one aspect, the housing defines a first surface and a second surface, which are in a transverse relationship with respect to one another. The ramp arrangement engages the first surface and the second surface for establishing an operational position of the ramp arrangement in the housing interior.