Abstract: An HSA transport comb includes an alignment pin extending from the comb body into a tooling hole of the actuator arm, and a separator finger in contact with a suspension assembly of an HGA with the transport comb in a second angular orientation with respect to the actuator arm, but not in a first angular orientation. The transport comb includes a restraining tower extending into a mass-reduction opening of the actuator arm. The restraining tower includes a first lobe that fits within the mass-reduction opening with the transport comb in the first angular orientation, but not with the transport comb in the second angular orientation. The restraining tower also includes a first neck that fits within the mass-reduction opening with the transport comb in either angular orientation, and has a neck height that is greater than the actuator arm thickness.

Abstract: A novel head stack assembly (HSA) is disclosed and claimed. The HSA includes first and second actuator arms. A first head gimbal assembly is attached to the first actuator arm. The first head gimbal assembly includes a read head. A dummy mass is attached to the second actuator arm. The dummy mass includes a mounting plate portion defining a mounting plate width, a neck portion defining a neck width and a neck length, and a distal mass portion defining a distal mass width and a distal mass length. The neck width is less than the mounting plate width and the neck width is less than the distal mass width.

Abstract: An actuator pivot bearing is disposed at least partially within a pivot bearing bore of a disk drive actuator. The actuator pivot bearing includes a fixed inner bearing shaft having a lower portion that is attached to the disk drive base. It may also have a rotatable outer bearing sleeve that is attached to the actuator body. The actuator pivot bearing also includes an adsorptive element (e.g. comprising activated carbon, silica gel, zeolites) disposed between the fixed inner bearing shaft and an inner surface of the pivot bearing bore. In certain embodiments, the adsorptive element may optionally be disposed within an actuator pivot bearing internal cartridge space. A restricted clearance between the rotating and fixed bearing components may partially block a diffusion path from the pivot bearing lubricant to the read head. The adsorptive element may be disposed adjacent that restricted clearance.

Abstract: An HSA transport comb includes an alignment pin extending from the comb body into a tooling hole of the actuator arm, and a separator finger in contact with a suspension assembly of an HGA with the transport comb in a second angular orientation with respect to the actuator arm, but not in a first angular orientation. The transport comb includes a restraining tower extending into a mass-reduction opening of the actuator arm. The restraining tower includes a first lobe that fits within the mass-reduction opening with the transport comb in the first angular orientation, but not with the transport comb in the second angular orientation. The restraining tower also includes a first neck that fits within the mass-reduction opening with the transport comb in either angular orientation, and has a neck height that is greater than the actuator arm thickness.

Abstract: A novel disk drive includes a flex cable having a first end portion fixed to an actuator assembly, a second end portion fixed to a flex cable bracket, and a free portion between the first and second end portions. The free portion joins the second end portion at a flex exit location. The flex cable bracket includes a flex alignment post that protrudes into a corresponding hole in a disk drive base. A distance between the flex exit location and the actuator pivot axis is at least 4 times greater than a distance between the flex exit location and the flex alignment post.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed with reduced resonance. The disk drive comprises a disk, a fixed spindle shaft disposed axially through the disk, a spindle motor for rotating the disk about the fixed spindle shaft, wherein a resonance is associated with the spindle motor rotating the disk. The disk drive further comprises a head, an actuator arm for actuating the head radially over the disk, a base, and a cover attached to the base to form a head disk assembly chamber. The cover comprises a shaft aperture positioned over the fixed spindle shaft, the shaft aperture for receiving a fastener for attaching the cover to the fixed spindle shaft. The cover further comprises a plurality of slots proximate the shaft aperture, wherein the shaft aperture and slots provide a flexible support for the fixed spindle shaft which reduces the resonance associated with the spindle motor.

Abstract: A head stack assembly for mounting to a pivot bearing cartridge in a disk drive includes a coil having opposite electrical ends and a unitary molded plastic E-block fabricated from a first thermoplastic material containing electrically conductive filler material such that the E-block is electrically conductive. The E-block defines a generally cylindrically shaped body portion and a plurality of elongated arms, the body portion having a pivot bore for receiving the pivot bearing cartridge, a plurality of spaced-apart arm-support regions, and a surface defining a mounting site. Each arm is cantilevered from a respective one of the arm-support regions to project radially away from the pivot bore. The head stack assembly further includes an overmolded coil frame securing the coil to the body portion such that the coil is cantilevered to project radially away from the pivot bore. The overmolded coil frame is fabricated from a second thermoplastic material and is electrically non-conductive.