Abstract: A circular magnetizer is disclosed comprising circular insulating inset holding pans of axially disposed wires, each pair carrying a current oppositely directed from the adjacent pair, the insert being disposed within and facing a back iron across a circular gap of sufficient width to allow a circular magnet to be disposed therein and spaced by a gap from the insert and/or back iron. The pan's of wires are arranged to create flux lines which will establish alternating magnetic poles separated by null zones in the magnet.

Abstract: The counterplate and/or sleeve are modified to reduce or eliminate distortion in the counterplate in a laser welded fluid bearing design. It is known to directly weld the counterplate which lies across the end of the shaft and the thrust plate to a wall or shoulder of the sleeve in which the counterplate is fit. The radial stiffness of the sleeve is weakened by cutting grooves or the like at or near the interface between the sleeve wall and the counterplate, or on the outer diameter of the sleeve wall to essentially weaken the sleeve wall. This weakening of the sleeve wall prevents bowing or distortion of the counterplate being imposed by the sleeve.

Abstract: The tooth saturation level is improved and electromagnetic harmonics reduced by reducing the path cross-section of area in the tooth with a geometrical means such as punched holes through the stator laminations. The punched holes alter the magnetic flux pattern by forcing the flux to go around the holes, providing a greater concentration of the flux within regions of the teeth, as well as, depending on the position of the hole along the long axis of the tooth, redistributing the flux density in the air gap. This redistributed flux density will also reduce the harmonics to improve the electromechanical device electromagnetic performance.

Abstract: Apparatus for defining patterns electrochemically on conductive materials by forming the patterns as conductive features of a tool, providing insulative properties about the conductive features so the patterns are defined; then providing an immersive medium including an etchant or plating material for defining the pattern on a workpiece, providing an electric direct current so that the immersive medium is concentrated at desired locations defined by the conductive features on the conductive materials; and etching the conductive materials by applying the electric current in a quantity and for an elapsed time to etch or plate patterns in or on the conductive materials.

Abstract: The smallest shaft diameter while retaining rigidity is achieved using either ceramic or tungsten carbide. However, to maintain the stiffness of the shaft of the surrounding sleeve and supported therefrom by a hydrodynamic bearing, the gap must also be adjusted and diminished. According to this method, the shaft thickness and bearing gaps are optimized by first setting a ceramic shaft thickness, then modifying the gaps in relation to that thickness.

Abstract: The counterplate and/or sleeve are modified to reduce or eliminate distortion in the counterplate in a laser welded fluid bearing design. It is known to directly weld the counterplate which lies across the end of the shaft and the thrust plate to a wall or shoulder of the sleeve in which the counterplate is fit. The radial stiffness of the sleeve is weakened by cutting grooves or the like at or near the interface between the sleeve wall and the counterplate, or on the outer diameter of the sleeve wall to essentially weaken the sleeve wall. This weakening of the sleeve wall prevents bowing or distortion of the counterplate being imposed by the sleeve.

Abstract: A spindle drive for a rotating media for data storage in computer systems with a single piece base, the base having a sleeve for fixedly holding a rotating shaft through hydrodynamic bearings, the shaft further affixed to a hub for rotating the media, the base also having a drive assembly with a stator and permanent magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus for defining patterns electrochemically on conductive materials by forming the patterns as conductive features of a tool, providing insulative properties about the conductive features so the patterns are defined; then providing an immersive medium including an etchant or plating material for defining the pattern on a workpiece, providing an electric direct current so that the immersive medium is concentrated at desired locations defined by the conductive features on the conductive materials; and etching the conductive materials by applying the electric current in a quantity and for an elapsed time to etch or plate patterns in or on the conductive materials.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for the assembly of motors utilizing curable adhesives. The method includes stations for: treating motor components with adhesive, assembling the motor components piece by piece, holding assembled motor components under compressive tension, overgramming components as needed, and an operational and life testing station. Integral to using the method are multi-position preload/cure fixtures. These fixtures include frame and base pieces. The frame holds assembled and adhesive treated motor components under compressive tension with spring loaded guide shafts during the curing process. The frame rests on the base. The base features nests which align the motor components for engagement with the guide shafts. The base also features a retractor bar to facilitate the insertion and removal of motor components. The base also features an overgramming means which supplies a brief overgramming pressure on the motor components to fully seat motor components.

Abstract: Apparatus for defining patterns electrochemically on conductive materials by forming the patterns as conductive features of a tool, providing insulative properties about the conductive features so the patterns are defined; then providing an immersive medium including an etchant or plating material for defining the pattern on a workpiece, providing an electric direct current so that the immersive medium is concentrated at desired locations defined by the conductive features on the conductive materials; and etching the conductive materials by applying the electric current in a quantity and for an elapsed time to etch or plate patterns in or on the conductive materials.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for the assembly of motors utilizing curable adhesives. The method includes stations for: treating motor components with adhesive, assembling the motor components piece by piece, holding assembled motor components under compressive tension, overgramming components as needed, and an operational and life testing station. Integral to using the method are multi-position preload/cure fixtures. These fixtures include frame and base pieces. The frame holds assembled and adhesive treated motor components under compressive tension with spring loaded guide shafts during the curing process. The frame rests on the base. The base features nests which align the motor components for engagement with the guide shafts. The base also features a retractor bar to facilitate the insertion and removal of motor components. The base also features an overgramming means which supplies a brief overgramming pressure on the motor components to fully seat motor components.

Abstract: A disc drive spindle motor which has an increased resistance to operating and non-operating shock and vibration is provided, which improves the resistance to non-operating shock, is easy to manufacture and assemble, and which remains low in weight, low in height, and has low power consumption.

Abstract: A disc drive for storing and retrieving data from at least one memory storage disc includes a drive base and a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor hub, a shaft, a bearing unit. The bearing unit rotatably supports the rotor hub about an axis. A controlled resistance electrical pathway is established from the rotor hub to ground to control disc potential and to prevent excess static charge buildup. In one embodiment, the spindle motor includes structural elements made of a conducting plastic having a controlled resistance to establish a controlled resistance electrical pathway from the rotor hub to ground. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the spindle motor includes a conductive contact button electrically connected to the shaft and operatively coupled with a contact shield electrically grounded by an electrical conductor having a controlled resistance.

Abstract: A disc drive for storing and retrieving data from at least one memory storage disc includes a drive base and a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor hub, a shaft, a bearing unit. The bearing unit rotatably supports the rotor hub about an axis. A controlled resistance electrical pathway is established from the rotor hub to ground to control disc potential and to prevent excess static charge buildup. In one embodiment, the spindle motor includes structural elements made of a conducting plastic having a controlled resistance to establish a controlled resistance electrical pathway from the rotor hub to ground. In a second embodiment, the shaft of the spindle motor includes a conductive contact button electrically connected to the shaft and operatively coupled with a contact shield electrically grounded by an electrical conductor having a controlled resistance.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid seal is provided located in an L-shaped holder for defining the location of the seal relative to the shaft and bore. The magnetic seal is located inside the knee of the L-shaped holder, with a small magnetic fluid filled gap between the end of the magnetic seal and the fixed shaft. Immediately below the pieces and magnet of the magnetic seal is a gasket which provides for an airtight seal between the edge of the L-shaped holder and the outer wall or rotor. The entire assembly is held reliably in place by a shield which is typically press-fitted in place.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in a disc drive comprises a shaft, bearings located on either end of said shaft, said bearings having inner and outer races, a hub supported on the outer race of said bearings, for rotation therewith, said inner race of said bearings being welded to said shaft, said outer race of said bearings being laser welded to said hub whereby the components of said motor are permanently fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: A disc drive for storing and retrieving data from at least one memory storage disc includes a drive base and a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor hub, a shaft, a bearing sleeve, and a bearing unit. The bearing unit is operably coupled to the rotor hub and includes an inner race secured to the shaft, an outer race secured to the bearing sleeve, and bearing balls fitted between the inner race and the outer race. The bearing balls rotatably support the rotor hub about an axis. At least one structural element of the spindle motor has a high resistivity so as to electrically isolate the hub from the base. In another embodiment, the drive base has an interface surface for coupling with the spindle motor. The interface surface includes a layer of high resistivity material. In another embodiment, the bearing ball is made of ceramic or ruby material to improve performance characteristics.

Abstract: A specially designed disc-mounting hub is provided having a disc-mounting flange protruding from a substantially cylindrical hub portion. A disc-mounting flange has a raised surface about the periphery of the flange upon which the disc rests. A lapped or ground spacer rests on the surface of the hub above the flange, and the disc in a single disc system or the bottommost disc in a multiple disc system rests upon this spacer. The opposite side of the disc in a single disc device is then clamped in place; if a plurality of discs are being utilized, the remainder of the discs are alternately stacked with spacer rings upon the first disc. A clamping ring is attached opposite the disc or discs-mounting flange and working cooperatively with the flange and ground spacer imparts a force upon the disc and spacer ring stack to hold the discs in place.

Abstract: A novel spindle motor assembly is disclosed that utilizes a fixed shaft and places the motor rotor components on the outside wall of the spindle hub directly below its disc stack supporting flange. The structure disclosed provides a compact yet powerful motor having a relatively low profile.

Abstract: In a disc drive with an integrated casting comprising the housing for the stepper and spindle motors, the transducer is mounted on a normal bearing pivot assembly lightweight actuator arm and biasing strip spring. One end of the strip spring is mounted to a block and the effective force of the spring is aligned with the actuator arm running toward the stepper motor. The other, or head end of the actuator arm contains a gear sector having gear teeth on its face which mesh with a pinion on a motor shaft so rotation of the motor shaft across the face of the gear sector causes movement of the head mounting arm. The actuator arm is formed of a self-lubricating polymer or other lightweight self-lubricating material. This way, wear on the gear is reduced; and as the teeth are worn, the gear is still tightly biased against the pinion to maintain accurate movement of the actuator arm with rotation of the pinion.