Abstract: The disk lubricant tank of the present invention includes a lubricant bath cover device that resides on the lubricant bath surface to suppress surface waves. The bath cover includes a plurality of finger-like projecting members that define a plurality of disk passage slots therebetween. A plurality of disks are disposed upon a disk holding mandrel and are lowered into the lubricant bath. Each disk passes through a separate disk passage slot during the dipping process. The finger-like projections reside on the bath surface between the disk to suppress surface waves that would otherwise impinge upon side surfaces of the disk, leading to lubricant overcoat areas upon the side surfaces of the disk. Therefore, hard disks of the present invention are formed with a more uniform lubricant coating wherein unwanted lubricant overcoat areas formed by surface waves in the lubricant bath are suppressed.

Abstract: A fluid bearing that utilizes a variable depth groove is described. The fluid bearing includes two surfaces that are rotatable relative to one another, with a groove on at least one of the surfaces. The floor of the groove is non-constant in depth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a data storage device that comprises a housing and a disk pack mounted to the housing which has a plurality of disks that are rotatable relative to the housing. The disk pack defines an axis of rotation and a radial direction relative to the axis. The disk pack has an upstream side wherein air flows away from the disks, and a downstream side wherein air flows toward the disk. The data storage device further comprises an actuator mounted to the housing which is movable relative to the disk pack and a bypass channel for directing an airflow generated by rotation of the disks from the upstream side of the disk pack to the downstream side of the disk pack.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fluid dynamic bearing assembly for directing bubbles. The assembly includes a stator with a stator bearing surface. A rotor with a rotor bearing surface rotates with respect to the stator such that the rotor bearing surface opposes the stator bearing surface. Lubricating fluid is disposed between the stator bearing surface and the rotor bearing surface. Features disposed on either the stator bearing surface or the rotor bearing surface direct the bubbles such that the fluid dynamic bearing assembly does not require a recirculation channel.

Abstract: An integrated bypass channel and diverter assembly for hard disk drives having small form factors is disclosed. A bypass channel is formed directly in the base plate to allow a partial bypass to exist with or without a diverter feature. The design addresses the issue of proper disk shrouding at the same time as providing the desired features for small form factor drives. The invention includes three datum planes for aligning the machined features of the bypass channel with the drive during assembly. The machined bypass channel and the upstream diverter may be combined to form the integrated assembly. The primary air flow direction from the disk stack is through the integrated partial bypass in the enclosure body and around the diverter into the main bypass channel. The invention provides a drop-in position for the diverter that has minimal encroachment into the VCM area of the drive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and method for guiding bypass reentry flow through filter integrated in a bypass channel sidewall in a hard disk drive. The method provides a bypass channel for directing airflow away from a first portion of a disk of the hard disk drive and toward a second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive, the bypass channel comprising an inner bypass channel sidewall and an outer bypass channel sidewall. The method further provides a first filter portion integral with the inner bypass channel sidewall, the filter portion for filtering a first portion of the airflow directed toward a third portion of the disk of the hard disk drive wherein a second portion of said airflow is directed toward the second portion of said disk drive.

Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing air flow in a shroud to disk region in a hard disk drive are disclosed. One embodiment provides a hard disk drive having a shroud with machined aerodynamic annulus insertions thereon for stabilizing the Ekman layer of air flow at the peripheral ends of the hard disks and the shroud. The aerodynamic annulus insertions are positioned in between disk pairs at approximately 1 mm from the peripheral ends of each disk to stabilize the air flow as the disk rotate and to ensure that the air flow leaves the hard disk drive at a fixed location.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a recirculation filter that shrouds the rims of disks at the inlet and outlet of the filter. The shroud is aerodynamically shaped to reduce flow-induced disk vibration of the read/write head. A significant improvement in non-repeatable run-out is provided when the inlet and outlet are shrouded along the rims of the disks.

Abstract: A hard disk drive bypass channel architecture incorporates enhanced cooling for voice coil motors. A cooling slot formed in a bypass channel component that is adjacent to the VCM alleviates VCM overheating problems. The slot compromises airflow from the bypass channel to provide sufficient secondary flow to cool the VCM and actuator coil area. The slot may be formed in the integrated wall of the spoiler or diverter. The spoiler has an extension in which the cooling slot is formed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for reducing flutter in disk drive spoilers positions the center of mass of the mean aerodynamic section of the spoiler at or ahead of the quarter-chord location nearest the leading edge of the spoiler. A balance weight may be formed in or attached to the spoiler. The center of gravity is located no farther back from the leading edge than one quarter-chord in a direction of the flow field. Alternatively, the spoiler trailing edge is lightened by making the trailing edge more porous or thinner than other sections of the spoiler.

Abstract: A Spindle motor assembly that utilizes a fluid dynamic bearing electrically grounded to provide a conductive path through the spindle motor assembly. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing includes a liquid metal that is conductive and of low electrical resistance that provides the conductive path between the spindle and the spindle housing.

Abstract: A contoured region is disposed within a capillary buffer of a Fluid Dynamic Bearing. In one embodiment, the contoured region comprises at least one defined edge for arresting the displacement of a lubricant within the capillary buffer.

Abstract: A load/unload ramp spoiler for a hard disk drive is disclosed. One embodiment provides a load/unload ramp body having at least one load/unload ramp associated therewith, the at least one load/unload ramp for receiving at least one slider coupled with an actuator assembly. In addition, at least one spoiler is integrated with the load/unload ramp body to reduce detrimental local excitation of an airflow encountering the load/unload ramp body.

Abstract: A sickle-shaped disk drive spoiler for reducing turbulence of airflow in a hard disk drive is provided. The sickle-shaped spoiler includes a body portion for directing airflow generated by a rotating disk, the rotating disk comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter and wherein the body portion of the spoiler directs airflow away from the outer diameter of the disk and wherein the body portion is curved to substantially mirror the outer diameter of the disk. The sickle-shaped spoiler also includes a first end portion for gradually directing airflow away from the body portion and towards the inner diameter and a second end portion for gradually directing airflow towards the body portion and towards the inner diameter.

Abstract: A seal is formed between bypass walls and a cover for a disk drive to improve control and regulation of airflow in the disk drive. The seal is formed with a gasket comprising a bead of form-in-place gasket between the upper edge of the bypass wall and the cover. The seal also may be formed between the cover and the slit shroud, spoiler, and filter. Minimum compression of the gasket is required to form the seal.

Abstract: A bearing system having variably grooved radial and thrust bearing with reduced groove angle near bearing entry is described. In an embodiment, the bearing system includes a housing. The bearing system also includes a shaft centrally located in the housing. The bearing system additionally includes a rotor portion that is adapted to be rotated about the shaft and contained within the housing. The bearing further includes a variably angled groove disposed on an internal surface of the bearing system. The variably angled groove reduces ingestion of air in the bearing system during operation of the bearing system.

Abstract: Additives that inhibit the passage of oil across oil-air interfaces in disk drives and enable the use of the lower viscosity oil in disk drives are disclosed. Mass transfer of oil from the bulk liquid oil into the vapor phase takes place by oil molecules evaporating from the oil-air interface, or collections of oil molecules being ejected from the oil-air interface as aerosol. The invention reduces mass transfer across the oil-air interface through the use of oil-soluble surfactants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding bypass reentry flow through contraction and filter in a hard disk drive. The method provides a bypass channel for directing airflow away from a first portion of a disk of the hard disk drive and toward a second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A contraction portion is coupled with the bypass channel at a location wherein the bypass channel directs the airflow back toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. The contraction portion accelerates a first portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A filter portion integral with the contraction portion is utilized for filtering a second portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A slider lapping texture for implementation in a lapping environment. The slider lapping texture includes a lapping texture structure for utilization in a lapping process performed on a slider. The structure also includes a first surface having a base elevation. The structure further includes a second surface at an elevation higher than the base elevation. The second surface is for lapping the slider. The structure additionally includes an opening for expelling residue associated with a lapping process. The slider lapping texture is configured to generate an attractive force when the slider is motioned thereupon in a substantially unidirectional manner.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through a diffuser and a contraction. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.