Patents by Inventor Donald James MacLeod
Donald James MacLeod has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7119984Abstract: The present invention provides methods for laser sealing of disk drive housings. In addition, laser sealed housings are provided. Laser sealing of hard drives, allows for the disk drive assembly to be maintained in an inert gas environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Donald James Macleod, James Sidney Lee
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Patent number: 6976682Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sealing an outer surface 170 of a shaft 175 to an inner surface 165 of a hub 160. The seal includes a magnet 155, with top and bottom pole pieces 260, 265, and a ferrofluid 270 magnetically held in a gap 275 between the pole pieces 260, 265, and the hub 160 or the shaft 175. The top pole piece 260 has a cross-section that is L-shaped, with a horizontal portion 260a parallel to the magnet 155 and a shorter vertical portion 260b facing the shaft 175. In one version, the vertical portion 260b or the portion of the shaft 175 facing it is contoured to provide a flux gradient that axially concentrates the ferrofluid 270 in the gap 275. In another aspect, a catcher 335 is provided to reduce loss of ferrofluid 270 when the ferrofluidic seal 185 used to form an outside seal. In yet another aspect, a stationary ferrofluidic seal 345 is provided for sealing a stationary shaft 350 to a rotating hub 355.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Donald James Macleod, Robert Michael Pelstring, Marten Fredrick Byl, Jeffry Arnold LeBlanc, Tan Hung Pham, Robert Alan Notingham, Michael James Whittome
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Patent number: 6975484Abstract: Hard disk drive track density is increased by selectively increasing the stiffness of a fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) motor during servo write. Applying a load to the shaft of a fixed shaft FDB motor to close the bearing gaps increases stiffness. Alternatively, the disk drive is cooled to increase bearing fluid viscosity or the motor is operated at an increased rotational velocity.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Troy Michael Herndon, Norbert Steven Parsoneault, Donald James Macleod
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Patent number: 6970327Abstract: A data access assembly with a load arm formed from an Mn—Cu alloy is disclosed. The load arm may be supported by and actuator arm formed from a common Mn—Cu damping alloy, which has a composition (X)Fe—(A)Mn—(B)Cu—(C)Ni. In one embodiment, X is substantially 73, A is substantially 20, B is substantially 5 and C is substantially 2, wherein A, B, C and X represent the weight percent of the respective elements in the composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Donald James MacLeod
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Publication number: 20040066583Abstract: A data access assembly with a load arm formed from an Mn—Cu alloy is disclosed. The load arm may be supported by and actuator arm formed from a common Mn—Cu damping alloy, which has a composition (X)Fe-(A)Mn—(B)Cu—(C)Ni. In one embodiment, X is substantially 73, A is substantially 20, B is substantially 5 and C is substantially 2, wherein A, B, C and X represent the weight percent of the respective elements in the composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventor: Donald James MacLeod
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Publication number: 20030223148Abstract: The present invention provides methods for laser sealing of disk drive housings. In addition, laser sealed housings are provided. Laser sealing of hard drives, allows for the disk drive assembly to be maintained in an inert gas environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Donald James Macleod, James Sidney Lee
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Publication number: 20030117738Abstract: Hard disk drive track density is increased by selectively increasing the stiffness of an FDB motor during servo write. Applying a load to the shaft of a fixed shaft FDB motor to close the bearing gaps increases stiffness. Alternatively, the disk drive is cooled to increase bearing fluid viscosity or the motor is operated at an increased rotational velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Troy Michael Herndon, Norbert Steven Parsoneault, Donald James MacLeod
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Publication number: 20020093256Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Donald James MacLeod
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Publication number: 20020026726Abstract: A system for cleaning disc drive components includes a rotary support member for receiving an assembled disc drive component. A rotary drive motor is coupled to the rotary support member for rotating the rotary support member and disc drive motor supported thereon together at a rotation speed to impart a centrifugal force on any excess lubricant contained by the disc drive motor of sufficient magnitude to draw the excess lubricant from the disc drive motor. The system may also or alternatively include an enclosure defining an interior having an oxygen-containing environment. A support platform is disposed within the oxygen-containing environment of the interior of the enclosure, for supporting a disc drive component within the oxygen-containing environment of the enclosure, for example, after the component is removed from the rotary support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Gregory Ian Rudd, Karl Harold Scheppers, Thomas Patrick McDonnell, Donald James MacLeod, Paul Weidler, Larry Liu, Arnold George Slezak, Robin F. Dorulla, Gregg P. Stevens, Dirk Anthony Krieger, Thaveesin Vasavakul
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Patent number: 6316853Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1996Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Donald James MacLeod
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Patent number: 6231676Abstract: A system for cleaning disc drive components includes a rotary support member for receiving an assembled disc drive component. A rotary drive motor is coupled to the rotary support member for rotating the rotary support member and disc drive motor supported thereon together at a rotation speed to impart a centrifugal force on any excess lubricant contained by the disc drive motor of sufficient magnitude to draw the excess lubricant from the disc drive motor. The system may also or alternatively include an enclosure defining an interior having an oxygen-containing environment. A support platform is disposed within the oxygen-containing environment of the interior of the enclosure, for supporting a disc drive component within the oxygen-containing environment of the enclosure, for example, after the component is removed from the rotary support member.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Gregory Ian Rudd, Karl Harold Scheppers, Thomas Patrick McDonnell, Donald James MacLeod, Paul Weidler, Larry Liu, Arnold George Slezak, Robin F. Dorulla, Gregg P. Stevens, Dirk Anthony Krieger, Thaveesin Vasavakul
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Patent number: 6204996Abstract: A low-profile spindle motor for a disc drive data storage device includes a cylindrical sleeve which is used to mount the motor to a housing base using press-fitting or adhesive bonding, thus eliminating the vertical height required by screws, bolts or other prior art mounting mechanisms. The same cylindrical sleeve is used to mount the stator stack of the motor, and, on the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve, to mount the ball bearing assemblies used to allow rotation of a central shaft and attached disc-mounting hub. In another aspect of the invention, ball bearing assemblies having a sealing element on only one side are used to allow greater separation between the ball bearing assemblies, while maintaining a low-profile motor. In yet another aspect of the invention, signals to drive the motor are directed to the stator windings via a printed circuit cable whose termination pads are disposed in the vertical space between adjacent stator windings.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventor: Donald James MacLeod