Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes sensing a mode of a motor-base assembly's response to vibration. Based on the sensed response, the method includes adjusting a head-suspension assembly to compensate for off-track motion caused by the vibration. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a sensor positioned on a basedeck such that the sensor senses a mode of the motor-base assembly's response to linear vibration.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes sensing a mode of a motor-base assembly's response to vibration. Based on the sensed response, the method includes adjusting a head-suspension assembly to compensate for off-track motion caused by the vibration. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a sensor positioned on a basedeck such that the sensor senses a mode of the motor-base assembly's response to linear vibration.

Abstract: In a servo control loop, the rate of change of filter coefficients used by an adaptive filter to counteract external disturbances to head position is regulated in response to a characteristic of an acceleration signal. Regulating the rate of change of the filter coefficients may improve the stability of the servo control loop.

Abstract: In a servo control loop, the rate of change of filter coefficients used by an adaptive filter to counteract external disturbances to head position is regulated in response to a characteristic of an acceleration signal. Regulating the rate of change of the filter coefficients may improve the stability of the servo control loop.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a data storage device comprises a sealed housing which encloses a data storage medium. The sealed housing comprises a substantially planar first housing plate with respective length, width and thickness dimensions and a circumferentially extending first peripheral edge, a substantially planar second housing plate with a circumferentially extending second peripheral edge, and a circumferentially extending first sealing member contactingly disposed between the respective first and second peripheral edges. A substantially planar third housing plate extends adjacent the first planar housing plate with respective length and width dimensions substantially corresponding to the length and width dimensions of the first housing plate, and a circumferentially extending third peripheral edge. A circumferentially extending second seal member is contactingly disposed between the second and third peripheral edges to form a hermetic seal for the low density gas.

Abstract: An interface to make interconnections between the interior and exterior of a sealed enclosure may include a flat connector (FC). The FC may comprise at least one layer of a substantially planar substrate. Each substrate layer may include metallization for conducting signals between contacts on an interior-facing surface and contacts on an exterior-facing surface. In an enclosure with an aperture for passing electrical conductors, the FC may be configured to seal the aperture to inhibit the escape of a low density gas, such as helium, for a long period of time. In one embodiment, the FC may include metallization configured to minimize helium leakage. As such, the FC may conduct electrical signals into and out of the sealed enclosure. Such signals may include, for example, power, control, and data signals for operating devices housed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A disc drive has a rotatable disc carried by a spindle motor and an actuator assembly with a read/write head. A base deck supports the spindle motor and the actuator assembly and defines a connector opening for transmitting electrical signals from the read/write head through the base deck to a printed circuit board attached to an exterior surface of the base deck. A bulkhead connector is adhesively affixed to the base deck to cover the connector opening. The bulkhead connector comprises a backing plate and a flex circuit bonded to the backing plate. The flex circuit extends across a top surface of the backing plate, wraps around one edge of the backing plate, and extends across a bottom surface of the backing plate.

Abstract: A method for writing servo information to a data storage medium adapted for use in a data storage device wherein the medium is operably moved in ambient air at a nominal speed in data reading and writing relationship with a data transfer member. In one embodiment the method for writing comprises placing the medium adjacent a data transfer member in an enclosure containing a gaseous environment as a selected state; moving the medium to impart velocity to the gaseous environment which, in turn, impacts the data transfer member with forces flying the writing member at a first fly height from the medium; and subsequently introducing a gas having a density less than the gaseous environment into the enclosure, thereby responsively reducing the fly height of the writing member to a selected height less than the first fly height.

Abstract: A disc drive has a rotatable disc carried by a spindle motor and an actuator assembly with a read/write head. A base deck supports the spindle motor and the actuator assembly and defines a connector opening for transmitting electrical signals from the read/write head through the base deck to a printed circuit board attached to an exterior surface of the base deck. A bulkhead connector is adhesively affixed to the base deck to cover the connector opening. The bulkhead connector comprises a backing plate and a flex circuit bonded to the backing plate. The flex circuit extends across a top surface of the backing plate, wraps around one edge of the backing plate, and extends across a bottom surface of the backing plate.

Abstract: A device for increasing inertia of a disc drive mounted within a computer system, with the disc drive having a first inertia, is provided. The device comprises a mounting plate securable to the disc drive with the mounting plate having a second inertia. The second inertia of the mounting plate being at least equal to the first inertia of the disc drive. At least one resilient compressible member is securable between the mounting plate and the computer system for isolating movement of the mounting plate relative to the computer system. A method for increasing the inertia of a disc drive mounted within a computer system is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for reducing and isolating actuator noise in disc drives. An isolation mount is provided between the disc-drive case and its external mounting assembly. A disc drive that includes an external mounting member, a disc case, and an actuator assembly mounted within the disc case. In some embodiments, the disc drive also includes at least one damper holding the disc case to the external mounting member that allows rotational movement of the disc case relative to the external mounting member in order to reduce the emission of sound from the disc case.

Abstract: A method of controlling an actuator in a disc drive to perform a seek operation prior to a read operation is disclosed. A radial distance between the initial track and the target track is determined. A rotational distance between the initial head rotational position and the target rotational position is also determined. The magnitude of the performance benefit to be gained by reading pre-fetch and post-fetch data is estimated. Then a seek velocity profile is selected based on the radial distance, the rotational distance and the estimated magnitude of the performance benefit that would be gained by reading pre-fetch and post-fetch data. The actuator then is controlled using the selected seek profile. A disc drive for implementing this method is also provided.

Abstract: A spindle shaft attachment technique for a disk drive includes a conical tip formed on, or added to, the top of the spindle shaft in order that it might be embedded in or contact a substantially planar, interior surface of the HDA cover at a location determined by the perpendicularity of the spindle as set by the baseplate without forcing the top of the spindle shaft to a predetermined screw hole or recessed cone location on the cover. The spindle shaft attachment technique disclosed allows for use of a relatively longer spindle shaft for a given height form factor drive and, therefore, allows a greater spacing between upper and lower spindle bearings resulting in greater stiffness and an increased rocking mode frequency.

Abstract: A disk drive having attenuated vibrations for improved disk drive performance. The disk drive has first and second viscoelastic dampers effective in attenuating vibrations during operation of the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk drive data storage device in which the space between adjacent disks is minimized. The disk drive comprises an actuator, a plurality of arm assemblies and at least two disks mounted on a spindle for rotation at a desired speed. Each arm assembly comprises an arm member, one end of which is integrally connected to the actuator and a head flexure assembly connected to the other end of said arm member. A pair of arm assemblies are positioned between each pair of disks with the arm assemblies lying in substantially the same horizontal plane but one arm assembly having a landing zone at the outside diameter of one of the disks and the other arm assembly having a landing zone at the inside diameter of the other one of the disks. The disk drive is assembled using a split baseplate with the actuator mounted on one portion of the baseplate and the spindle/disk assembly mounted on the other portion of the baseplate.

Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly for positioning read/write heads in disk drive mass storage systems. The actuator assembly includes an actuator motor and one or more actuator arms secured thereto. The motor provides rotary motion of the arms, to move the heads. The stator magnet of the motor is an electromagnet wound on an arcuate core; a pair of elongate permanent magnets are attached to the rotor member, for coaction with the stator magnet. The rotor member has a U-shaped cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation; the permanent magnets are fixed to the outside, bottom corners of the U and the actuator arms are mounted across the open end of the U. The rotor is of a very small radius, to minimize inertia. The permanent magnets have a flat face facing the stator, with a channel running longitudinally down the middle, to minimize flux density variations in the permanent magnet-coil gap. The rotor balances the arm relative to the rotor's axis.

Abstract: A housing assembly (1-10) for multiple disks (1-12) used in a disk mass information storage unit in a data processing system. The housing includes fixed baffles (2-84, 86) proximate the outer disk surfaces in the housing to substantially reduce temperature differentials among the disk surfaces.