Abstract: A data storage cartridge is positioned in a disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the X and Y dimensions by contact between an alignment opening in the cartridge and an XY alignment pin in the disk drive and in the theta (rotational) dimension by contact between an edge of the cartridge and a theta datum in the disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the Z dimension by contact between the cartridge and at least three Z datums.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a housing, a cartridge tray, and a cam plate. The cartridge tray is adapted to hold a cartridge that includes a data storage disk. The housing has a pair of vertical cartridge tray pin slots which hold tray pins that are part of the cartridge tray. The cam plate includes a pair of cam slots formed at an oblique angle to the cartridge tray pin slots. The tray pins extend through the cam slots into the cartridge tray pin slots. Movement of the cam plate back and forth causes the tray pins and cartridge tray to move vertically between a loaded position, where data can be read from or written to the data storage disk, to an unloaded position. The use of two cartridge tray pins allows the cartridge tray to rotate about an axis defined by the tray pins, and this action assists in locating the cartridge precisely in a repeatable position, in contact with a plurality of datums, when it is fully loaded.

Abstract: A first-surface optical disk including features, such as a slot defined on an edge of the housing for providing clearance for a blocking tab in a drawer mechanism so as to allow the cartridge assembly to be fully inserted into the drawer mechanism when the shutter member is in the second position.

Abstract: A disk drive contains a pair of spring elements which act as eject limiters, engaging catches on a cartridge to prevent the cartridge from being completely ejected from the drive. The cartridge contains a data storage disk which could be damaged if, for example, the cartridge were to fall to the floor. After the cartridge has been retained by the eject limiters, the user may manually withdraw the cartridge from the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk drive for a data storage cartridge includes a picker arm for opening a shutter on the cartridge, thereby exposing a data storage disk, as said cartridge is inserted into said disk drive. The picker arm is pivotable about a pin and is spring-biased to an extended position such that the picker arm points generally towards a door of said disk drive. The picker arm has a feature adapted to engage the shutter when the cartridge is inserted into said disk drive. The picker arm rotates about the pin from the extended position to a retracted position, the shutter being in an open position when engaged by the picker arm in its retracted position.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is positioned in a disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the X and Y dimensions by contact between an alignment opening in the cartridge and an XY alignment pin in the disk drive and in the theta (rotational) dimension by contact between an edge of the cartridge and a theta datum in the disk drive. The cartridge is positioned in the Z dimension by contact between the cartridge and at least three Z datums.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a housing, a cartridge tray, and a cam plate. The cartridge tray is adapted to hold a cartridge that includes a data storage disk. The housing has a pair of vertical cartridge tray pin slots which hold tray pins that are part of the cartridge tray. The cam plate includes a pair of cam slots formed at an oblique angle to the cartridge tray pin slots. The tray pins extend through the cam slots into the cartridge tray pin slots. Movement of the cam plate back and forth causes the tray pins and cartridge tray to move vertically between a loaded position, where data can be read from or written to the data storage disk, to an unloaded position. The use of two cartridge tray pins allows the cartridge tray to rotate about an axis defined by the tray pins, and this action assists in locating the cartridge precisely in a repeatable position, in contact with a plurality of datums, when it is fully loaded.

Abstract: A cartridge for an optical disk includes a shutter having a tab which slides in a slot as the shutter moves between closed and open positions, the slot being isolated from an interior of the disk so as to protect the disk from debris generated as the shutter moves.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for a computer disk drive is provided. The carriage assembly comprises a movable carriage for supporting read/write heads for movement relative to one or more magnetic disks, the movable carriage having one or more slots. A guiding structure supports the movable carriage for guiding the movement of the movable carriage, the guiding structure having one or more slots. A plurality of spherical balls is provided with each spherical ball located between a slot of the movable carriage and a slot of the guiding structure.

Abstract: A half-height, 31/2-inch form factor disk drive architecture. The architecture includes at least six storage disks for storing data and a plurality of interactive read/write heads, two per disk, for reading information from and writing information on the storage disks. An actuator assembly, responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the read/write heads with respect to the storage disks, and a latching mechanism are also included. Control electronics are provided on a printed circuit board to generate control signals to control the actuator means, and to provide information signals to and receive information signals from the read/write heads. The architecture also includes a housing defining the maximum height, length, and width of the disk drive, the housing having a maximum height of approximately one and 65/100 ths inches (1.

Abstract: A multiple actuator disk drive utilizes multiple heads, associated with respective ones of multiple actuators, to read data from and write data to all tracks on the surface of a disk. The positioning of each head by the respective actuator is controlled by embedded servo-information recorded in the data tracks. The data tracks have a density of greater than 2000 tracks per inch. Utilizing two actuators provides access times which are reduced with respect to the access times provided by disk drives having a single actuator and an increased data transfer rate.

Abstract: A multiple actuator disk drive utilizes multiple heads, associated with respective ones of multiple actuators, to read data from and write data to all tracks on the surface of a disk. The positioning of each head by the respective actuators is controlled by embedded servo-information recorded in the data tracks. The data tracks have a density of greater than 2000 tracks per inch. Utilizing two actuators provides access times which are reduced with respect to the access times provided by disk drives having a single actuator and an increased data transfer rate.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for locking an actuator arm in a disk drive includes a latch pivotably supported in the disk drive for engaging the actuator arm and an electromagnet for capturing and holding the latch to disengage the latch from the actuator arm. A spring is provided to bias the latch to engage with the actuator arm. A swivel plate is provided on the actuator arm and the electromagnet captures the swivel plate; in particular, the electromagnet has two poles and the swivel plate contacts one of the poles and an air gap exists between the swivel plate and the other pole. The air gap allows the electromagnet to release the swivel plate. The swivelling action of the swivel plate causes the swivel plate to seat with the entire surface of the one pole of the electromagnet, increasing the ability of the electromagnet to hold the swivel plate once the swivel plate has been captured.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly which is resistant to physical shocks and thermally caused distortion, including an end plate, a casing attached to the end plate, and a base plate enclosed in the casing and mounted to the end plate. The base plate supports a rotatably disk and an actuator assembly for reading information from and recording information on the disk. The end plate and the casing form a seal to provide a controlled environment within the casing and the base plate is attached to the end plate in the controlled environment.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly which is resistant to physical shocks and thermally caused distortion, including an end plate, a casing attached to the end plate, and a base plate enclosed in the casing and mounted to the end plate. The end plate supports a rotatable disk and an actuator assembly for reading information from and recording information on the disk. The end plate and the casing form a seal to provide a controlled environment within the casing and the base plate is attached to the end plate in the controlled environment.

Abstract: In a device for retrieving and recording (read/write) information on at least one rigid disk, a stepping motor servo system operated in an open-loop manner is provided to rapidly and accurately position read/write heads relative to the disk. A fixed guide shaft adjacent to and transverse to the motor shaft carries a carriage slidably thereon, preferably on oil impregnated bearings, the carriage member including a gear rack and the stepping motor having a pinion gear thereon interfacing with the gear rack. A preload bearing is urged against the carriage at a position between the guide shaft and the pinion gear such that the carriage is rotated around the guide shaft into engagement with the pinion gear at the rack portion thereof.