Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are provided for use with various disc drive memory device products differently rated by operational rotational speed. The operational speeds are those speeds measured during reading and writing memory operations to the memory device. In an aspect, the present invention meets full operating requirements, including stiffness and power requirements, at multiple rated speeds for use with either standard or high-end performance disc drive products. Costs associated with a dedicated manufacturing line for high-end products are substantially reduced. A single manufacturing line can serve both standard and high-end disc drive memory device products. The present invention is especially useful in reducing costs of 2.5 inch notebook products that are typically marketed in two levels of performance, namely, 5400 RPM standard performance products and 7200 RPM high performance products.

Abstract: Provided herein, is an apparatus that includes a stationary component, a rotatable component, and an upper journal bearing and a lower journal bearing. The upper journal bearing and the lower journal bearing are defined in a gap between the stationary component and the rotatable component, and the stationary component and rotatable component are configured for relative rotation. A thrust bearing is disposed between the upper journal bearing and the lower journal bearing.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a clamping means for clamping at least one disk onto a hub at a mounting point on the hub for the at least one disk, wherein the clamping means is configured to sit wholly above the at least one disk; a seat in an outer perimeter of the hub configured to receive the clamping means; and a locking means for locking the clamping means onto the hub.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a stationary component and a rotatable component; a fluid between the stationary component and the rotatable component; a limiter shoulder of the stationary component; a flanged limiter bushing of the rotatable component; and a separating means for separating the limiter shoulder and the limiter bushing, wherein the separating means comprises the fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a fluid dynamic bearing, wherein the fluid dynamic bearing includes a set of pressure-generating grooves, and wherein the set of pressure-generating grooves includes a plurality of chevron-shaped grooves, each chevron-shaped groove including at least two selected from a non-uniform depth, non-uniform angle, a non-uniform width, or a non-uniform length, selected to provide a predetermined spindle-motor stiffness to the journal bearing during steady-state operation and during a shock event.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a stationary component and a rotatable component; a fluid between the stationary component and the rotatable component; a limiter shoulder of the stationary component; a flanged limiter bushing of the rotatable component; and a separating means for separating the limiter shoulder and the limiter bushing, wherein the separating means comprises the fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein, is an apparatus that includes a stationary component, a rotatable component, and an upper journal bearing and a lower journal bearing. The upper journal bearing and the lower journal bearing are defined in a gap between the stationary component and the rotatable component, and the stationary component and rotatable component are configured for relative rotation. A thrust bearing is disposed between the upper journal bearing and the lower journal bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fluid dynamic bearing and means for dynamically adjusting the stiffness or damping of the fluid dynamic bearing.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of disk clamp notches spaced about an outer lip of an annular disk clamp; an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub; and a mounting point on the hub for at least one disk, wherein the annular disk clamp occupies the annular groove of the hub, clamping the at least one disk onto the hub at the mounting point for the at least one disk.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of teeth extending from an outer perimeter of an annular disk clamp to an inner perimeter of the annular disk clamp and an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub, wherein the plurality of teeth do not engage the annular groove of the hub when the disk clamp is unlocked into an unlocked form, and wherein the plurality of teeth engage the annular groove of the hub when the annular disk clamp is locked into a locked form, clamping at least one disk onto the hub at a mounting point for the at least one disk.

Abstract: A vibration test fixture includes a shaker and a slip plate coupled with the shaker. A mounting plate may be coupled with the slip plate and a cylindrical bridge may be coupled with the mounting plate. A sensor may be coupled with the bridge.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a clamping means for clamping at least one disk onto a hub at a mounting point on the hub for the at least one disk, wherein the clamping means is configured to sit wholly above the at least one disk; a seat in an outer perimeter of the hub configured to receive the clamping means; and a locking means for locking the clamping means onto the hub.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of flanges extending to form an inner perimeter of an inner opening of an annular disk clamp; and an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub configured to receive the plurality of flanges of the annular disk clamp, wherein the disk clamp is seated above at least one disk when clamping the at least one disk onto the hub at a mounting point for the at least one disk.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of disk clamp notches spaced about an outer lip of an annular disk clamp; an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub; and a mounting point on the hub for at least one disk, wherein the annular disk clamp occupies the annular groove of the hub, clamping the at least one disk onto the hub at the mounting point for the at least one disk.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of teeth extending from an outer perimeter of an annular disk clamp to an inner perimeter of the annular disk clamp and an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub, wherein the plurality of teeth do not engage the annular groove of the hub when the disk clamp is unlocked into an unlocked form, and wherein the plurality of teeth engage the annular groove of the hub when the annular disk clamp is locked into a locked form, clamping at least one disk onto the hub at a mounting point for the at least one disk.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a fluid dynamic bearing, wherein the fluid dynamic bearing includes a set of pressure-generating grooves, and wherein the set of pressure-generating grooves includes a plurality of chevron-shaped grooves, each chevron-shaped groove including at least two selected from a non-uniform depth, non-uniform angle, a non-uniform width, or a non-uniform length, selected to provide a predetermined spindle-motor stiffness to the journal bearing during steady-state operation and during a shock event.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are provided for use with various disc drive memory device products differently rated by operational rotational speed. The operational speeds are those speeds measured during reading and writing memory operations to the memory device. In an aspect, the present invention meets full operating requirements, including stiffness and power requirements, at multiple rated speeds for use with either standard or high-end performance disc drive products. Costs associated with a dedicated manufacturing line for high-end products are substantially reduced. A single manufacturing line can serve both standard and high-end disc drive memory device products. The present invention is especially useful in reducing costs of 2.5 inch notebook products that are typically marketed in two levels of performance, namely, 5400 RPM standard performance products and 7200 RPM high performance products.

Abstract: A vibration test fixture includes a shaker and a slip plate coupled with the shaker. A mounting plate may be coupled with the slip plate and a cylindrical bridge may be coupled with the mounting plate. A sensor may be coupled with the bridge.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a motor with a rotatable hub having fluid dynamic journal and thrust bearings can be assembled from four major components: a spindle, a hub, a thrust washer, and a base. The spindle can integrate journal bearing, axial limiter, and ring seal functions. The hub can integrate journal bearing, thrust bearing, ring seal, axial limiter, capillary seal, and bumper functions. The thrust washer can integrate thrust bearing and lubricant circulation functions. The base can integrate capillary seal and lubricant storage and circulation functions. Each function can be integrated as structural feature in its corresponding component. The spindle, hub, and thrust bearing can be preassembled. The base can be loaded with lubricant prior to assembly with the spindle/hub/thrust bearing combination.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a motor with a rotatable hub having fluid dynamic journal and thrust bearings can be assembled from four major components: a spindle, a hub, a thrust washer, and a base. The spindle can integrate journal bearing, axial limiter, and ring seal functions. The hub can integrate journal bearing, thrust bearing, ring seal, axial limiter, capillary seal, and bumper functions. The thrust washer can integrate thrust bearing and lubricant circulation functions. The base can integrate capillary seal and lubricant storage and circulation functions. Each function can be integrated as structural feature in its corresponding component. The spindle, hub, and thrust bearing can be preassembled. The base can be loaded with lubricant prior to assembly with the spindle/hub/thrust bearing combination.