Abstract: An actuator arm for a rotary actuator assembly of a disc drive comprises a substantially planar sheet of pliable material defining a longitudinal actuator arm having longitudinal edges, a distal end supporting the transducer, a proximal end supporting an actuator coil. Strut means integral with the sheet extends substantially normal to the plane of the sheet along at least a portion of at least one longitudinal edge and the proximal end of the arm to provide rigidity to at least a portion of the arm. In one embodiment, an integral strut portion defines a support for the actuator coil. In another embodiment, integral strut portions extend along opposite longitudinal edges to a location proximal the distal end to define a rigid portion between the strut portions and a flexible suspension region distal to the rigid portion.

Abstract: The outer surface of the cartridge sleeve is provided with features which increase the frictional coefficient between the cartridge sleeve and a tolerance ring placed around the cartridge. The cartridge and ring are then press-fit into the actuator bore together. The increased friction between the cartridge and ring prevents slip between them, eliminating the need to increase compressive forces between the ring and the bore and bearing.

Abstract: A thermally conducting and electrically insulating overmold encapsulates and supports an actuator coil in a disc drive assembly. The overmold is made from a base resin mixed with a ceramic filler compound such as boron nitride, alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, chromium oxide or some combination thereof. The base resin is preferably polypheneline sulfide. Glass filler and/or a coupling agent are also preferably added. The overmold reduces off track read/write head position errors due to popping caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the actuator coil.

Abstract: An actuator arm for a rotary actuator assembly of a disc drive comprises a substantially planar sheet of pliable material defining a longitudinal actuator arm having longitudinal edges, a distal end supporting the transducer, a proximal end supporting an actuator coil. Strut means integral with the sheet extends substantially normal to the plane of the sheet along at least a portion of at least one longitudinal edge and the proximal end of the arm to provide rigidity to at least a portion of the arm. In one embodiment, an integral strut portion defines a support for the actuator coil. In another embodiment, integral strut portions extend along opposite longitudinal edges to a location proximal the distal end to define a rigid portion between the strut portions and a flexible suspension region distal to the rigid portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating actuator noise for a disc-drive system. An isolation material and a plug are combined in such a way to prevent or lessen acoustic actuator noise from the actuator assembly from entering the base plate of a disc drive system. An isolation material and plug form a dampening element. A dampening element may be formed from the elastomeric material without the plug.

Abstract: A thermally conducting and electrically insulating overmold encapsulates and supports an actuator coil in a disc drive assembly. The overmold is made from a base resin mixed with a ceramic filler compound such as boron nitride, alumina, aluminum nitride, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, chromium oxide or some combination thereof. The base resin is preferably polypheneline sulfide. Glass filler and/or a coupling agent are also preferably added. The overmold reduces off track read/write head position errors due to popping caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the actuator coil.

Abstract: A method for assembling a mechanical system is disclosed. A magnet is installed into the system. An actuator having a magnetic element is also assembled into the system such that the actuator is movable between two extremes. At one of the extremes, the actuator is latched in place by way of the magnetic element, which forms a magnetic circuit with the magnet.

Abstract: The outer surface of the cartridge sleeve is provided with features which increase the frictional coefficient between the cartridge sleeve and a tolerance ring placed around the cartridge. The cartridge and ring are then press-fit into the actuator bore together. The increased friction between the cartridge and ring prevents slip between them, eliminating the need to increase compressive forces between the ring and the bore and bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the operative force on an air vane latch apparatus in a disc drive involves providing an additional air vane on the pivoting air filter/latch to provide more torque on the latch during low pressure operating conditions and/or when less than an optimum number of discs are installed in the disc drive. The additional air vane is positioned beneath a top disc in the disc stack to at least catch wind generated adjacent the underside surface of the disc by the rotation of the top disc. The wind so generated pushes against this additional air vane supplementing that generated by the upper air vane thus increasing the torque applied to the pivoting air filter by the wind to ensure that there is sufficient wind pressure accumulation against the air vane and air filter latch to unlatch the actuator during all conditions of normal disc drive operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the operative force on an air vane latch apparatus in a disc drive has a channel formed in the inside surface of the side wall of the head disc assembly cover immediately upstream of the air filter portion of the air vane latch apparatus for redirecting disc generated air flow against an air vane latch air filter and filter support bracket thus increasing the wind force on the air vane latch during disc drive operation to reduce the disc speed at which the latch apparatus moves from a latched position to an unlatched position.

Abstract: A resilient linear latch and crash stop device incorporates a magnetic latch and a linear impact absorbing crash stop into a single composite body made up of a magnet member for contacting a strike plate on the actuator arm, an energy absorbing member, and a latch base body assembled together. The energy absorbing member fastens the magnet member to the base body and absorbs impact energy in a generally linear fashion throughout the range of anticipated impact magnitudes. The energy absorbing member is a generally rectangular elastomeric bellows member formed in place and sandwiched between the magnetic mounting plate and the base body. The elastomeric bellows member has a vertically open tubular passage therethrough that preferably has a bell shaped horizontal cross sectional shape.

Abstract: An acceleration sensing device senses the acceleration of a computer such that the computer is subject to zero support force (i.e., is in a free fall), and a control microprocessor of the disk drive unit determines that such state lasts for longer than a certain minimum of time. Upon these conditions being met, the control microprocessor signals the removal of the heads from the disk to park the heads.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an air bearing slider has a mounting side which has a relieved portion formed by a stepped-contour or a tapered contour. The stepped-contour includes an adherent surface adjacent the rear face of the air bearing slider and a notch surface adjacent the front face of the air bearing slider. The notch surface is closer to the air bearing surface than the adherent surface. The tapered contour includes an adherent surface adjacent the rear face and a taper surface adjacent the front face such that the taper surface is at an angle to the adherent surface. The clearance provided by the relieved portion eliminates interference between the air bearing slider and the load beam surround portions which support the air bearing slider. Depth of the relieved portion of the air bearing slider can be altered easily during grinding for customized multiple drive designs without major retooling effort.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an air bearing slider has a mounting side which has a relieved portion formed by a stepped-contour or a tapered contour. The stepped-contour includes an adherent surface adjacent the rear face of the air bearing slider and a notch surface adjacent the front face of the air bearing slider. The notch surface is closer to the air bearing surface than the adherent surface. The tapered contour includes an adherent surface adjacent the rear face and a taper surface adjacent the front face such that the taper surface is at an angle to the adherent surface. The clearance provided by the relieved portion eliminates interference between the air bearing slider and the load beam surround portions which support the air bearing slider. Depth of the relieved portion of the air bearing slider can be altered easily during grinding for customized multiple drive designs without major retooling effort.

Abstract: A disk drive with a drive motor having a spindle rotatable around an axis of rotation, one or more disks mounted on the spindle separated by annular spacers which have a radial dimension selected to maintain flatness of the disks, an annular ring dimensioned to distribute force evenly to the disks engaging the last mounted disk, a flat annular spring clamp for applying force uniformly to the annular ring, and a retaining member to hold the annular spring clamp in place.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed including a substantially monolithic stator. The stator is formed by a metal injected molding (MIM) process in which high silicon iron is sintered to produce a stator made from loss magnetic material. The low loss magnetic material is a low hysteresis loss, high resistivity material. A substantially monolithic stator without multiple laminations is thus achieved. Avoiding stator laminations in this manner permits the fabrication of a disk drive having a significantly reduced vertical profile while still suppressing undesired eddy current and hysteresis losses in the stator. The stator is advantageously directly machined with a central bore to receive a bearing assembly for the spindle of the hub of the drive motor. The disclosed stator geometry is optimized in three dimensions to minimize stator volume and maximize the stator winding volume.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed including a substantially monolithic stator. The stator is formed by a metal injected molding (MIM) process in which high silicon iron is sintered to produce a stator made from loss magnetic material. The low loss magnetic material is a low hysteresis loss, high resistivity material. A substantially monolithic stator without multiple laminations is thus achieved. Avoiding stator laminations in this manner permits the fabrication of a disk drive having a significantly reduced vertical profile while still suppressing undesired eddy current and hysteresis losses in the stator. The stator is advantageously directly machined with a central bore to receive a bearing assembly for the spindle of the hub of the drive motor. The disclosed stator geometry is optimized in three dimensions to minimize stator volume and maximize the stator winding volume.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a disk in a disk drive and including the disk mounting assembly. The disk mounting assembly includes a hub having a plurality of spoke recesses situated in the upper surface of the hub. The hub includes a protruding ledge for supporting a disk. A disk clamping ring adapted to fit about the hub is utilized. The disk mounting assembly also includes a spring washer having a circumferential edge surface adapted to contact the ring, the spring washer including a plurality of spokes extending inwardly from the circumferential edge surface of the washer to the center of the washer. A retainer is used to hold the center of the spring washer to the hub to squeeze a disk between the protruding ledge of the hub and the ring. The spokes of the spring washer are situated within respective spoke recesses of the hub to provide a low profile disk drive with more vertical room available for stator windings.