Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a spindle motor of a magnetic recording storage device, the spindle motor comprising a fluid dynamic bearing comprising a lubricant comprising di-2-ethyl hexyl pimelate, di-2-ethyl hexyl suberate, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A pressure control system for a sealed enclosure may include opposing one-way valves to limit the differential pressure between the atmospheres internal and external to the sealed enclosure. The pressure control system may allow the internal atmosphere to vent out of a first one-way valve if the internal pressure exceeds the external pressure by a first predetermined pressure. The pressure control system may allow the external atmosphere to be drawn in through a second one-way valve if the external pressure exceeds the internal pressure by a second predetermined pressure. By allowing the exchange of gasses only when the differential pressure falls outside of a predetermined range, overall contamination may be reduced. By reducing the ingress of contaminants, such as dust, water, smog, and outgassed substances, performance may be improved and service life of components housed within the sealed enclosure may be extended.

Abstract: The disc drive housing encloses a spindle motor carrying a disc having a data surface. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm carrying a head. The housing includes a first surface portion adjacent to the data surface of the disc. The housing also includes a plurality of surface portions that define a recess, which allows the actuator arm to move over the data surface of the disc. The plurality of surface portions include a sloped surface portion sloping away from the data surface and preventing wind generated by the disc rotating about an axis from separating from the sloped surface portion. Alternatively, a disc drive includes a housing that defines a recess. The housing encloses a disc mounted on a spindle motor that rotates the disc about an axis and thereby generates wind within the housing. An upstream surface portion and a downstream surface portion of the housing both face toward a data surface of the disc.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting a data storage device from fluid-borne contaminants. The device includes a housing in which a rotatable disc is supported, the disc having a data recording surface and an outermost perimeter. A filter assembly includes a first filter adjacent to the data recording surface and a second filter disposed beyond the outermost perimeter of the disc. During disc rotation, fluidic currents are generated and impinge a leading edge guide surface of the first filter. A first portion of the currents passes into a gap between the first filter and the data recording surface. A second portion of the currents passes along the leading edge guide surface to the second filter. The first filter is preferably characterized as a chemical adsorbent filter which adsorbs vapor phase (gaseous) contaminants, and the second filter is preferably characterized as a pass-through recirculation filter which captures particulate contaminants.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a housing enclosing a spindle motor that is able to spin a disc. A filter within the housing is positioned so that a filter stream of moving gas created by a spinning motion of the disc flows through the filter. Additionally, a flow divider is secured to a portion of the housing and positioned within the filter stream upstream of the filter, splitting the filter stream into a first branch and a second branch. Both branches flow through the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are disclosed which can be manufactured using surface-micromachining. These devices utilize an electroosmotic force or an electromagnetic field to generate a flow of a fluid in a microchannel that is lined, at least in part, with silicon nitride. Additional electrodes can be provided within or about the microchannel for separating particular constituents in the fluid during the flow based on charge state or magnetic moment. The fluid can also be pressurized in the channel. The present invention has many different applications including electrokinetic pumping, chemical and biochemical analysis (e.g. based on electrophoresis or chromatography), conducting chemical reactions on a microscopic scale, and forming hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting a data storage device from fluid-borne contaminants. The device includes a housing in which a rotatable disc is supported, the disc having a data recording surface and an outermost perimeter. A filter assembly includes a first filter adjacent to the data recording surface and a second filter disposed beyond the outermost perimeter of the disc. During disc rotation, fluidic currents are generated and impinge a leading edge guide surface of the first filter. A first portion of the currents passes into a gap between the first filter and the data recording surface. A second portion of the currents passes along the leading edge guide surface to the second filter. The first filter is preferably characterized as a chemical adsorbent filter which adsorbs vapor phase (gaseous) contaminants, and the second filter is preferably characterized as a pass-through recirculation filter which captures particulate contaminants.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting a data storage device from fluid-borne contaminants. The device includes a housing in which a rotatable disc is supported, the disc having a data recording surface and an outermost perimeter. A filter assembly includes a first filter adjacent to the data recording surface and a second filter disposed beyond the outermost perimeter of the disc. During disc rotation, fluidic currents are generated and impinge a leading edge guide surface of the first filter. A first portion of the currents passes into a gap between the first filter and the data recording surface. A second portion of the currents passes along the leading edge guide surface to the second filter. The first filter is preferably characterized as a chemical adsorbent filter which adsorbs vapor phase (gaseous) contaminants, and the second filter is preferably characterized as a pass-through recirculation filter which captures particulate contaminants.

Abstract: An optical fiber array in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first plate through which pass a first plurality of holes distributed in a first pattern, and a silicon plate through which pass a second plurality of holes distributed in a second pattern. The first plate is attached to the housing and the silicon plate is attached to the first plate such that each of the second plurality of holes is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the first plurality of holes. The optical fiber array also includes a plurality of optical fibers, each of which passes through a corresponding one of the first plurality of holes and extends into a corresponding one of the second plurality of holes.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a housing enclosing a spindle motor that is able to spin a disc. A filter within the housing is positioned so that a filter stream of moving gas created by a spinning motion of the disc flows through the filter. Additionally, a flow divider is secured to a portion of the housing and positioned within the filter stream upstream of the filter, splitting the filter stream into a first branch and a second branch. Both branches flow through the filter.

Abstract: The disc drive housing encloses a spindle motor carrying a disc having a data surface. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm carrying a head. The housing includes a first surface portion adjacent to the data surface of the disc. The housing also includes a plurality of surface portions that define a recess, which allows the actuator arm to move over the data surface of the disc. The plurality of surface portions include a sloped surface portion sloping away from the data surface and preventing wind generated by the disc rotating about an axis from separating from the sloped surface portion. Alternatively, a disc drive includes a housing that defines a recess. The housing encloses a disc mounted on a spindle motor that rotates the disc about an axis and thereby generates wind within the housing. An upstream surface portion and a downstream surface portion of the housing both face toward a data surface of the disc.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting an actuator mechanical response characteristic in a data handling system, such as a disc drive. An actuator rotates about a pivot system to move a read/write head adjacent a recording surface, the pivot system comprising a stationary shaft and a bearing asesmbly comprising a stationary inner race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable outer race coupled to the actuator. A fastener is provided to engage the shaft and apply an initial amount of axially directed force on the inner race. A broad spectrum excitation is applied to the actuator and a mechanical response characteristic of the actuator is measured. The fastener is repetitively adjusted to increase the amount of axially directed force until the measured mechanical response characteristic of the actuator reaches a desired level.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are disclosed which can be manufactured using surface-micromachining. These devices utilize an electroosmotic force or an electromagnetic field to generate a flow of a fluid in a microchannel that is lined, at least in part, with silicon nitride. Additional electrodes can be provided within or about the microchannel for separating particular constituents in the fluid during the flow based on charge state or magnetic moment. The fluid can also be pressurized in the channel. The present invention has many different applications including electrokinetic pumping, chemical and biochemical analysis (e.g. based on electrophoresis or chromatography), conducting chemical reactions on a microscopic scale, and forming hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing microelectromechanical mirror and mirror array. Control electrodes and addressing circuitry are etched from a metallic layer deposited onto a reference layer substrate. Standoff-posts are etched from a subsequently deposited polyimide layer. A freely movable plate flexibly suspended from a plurality of electrostatic actuators that are flexibly suspended from a support frame is etched from an actuation layer substrate using a high aspect ratio etch. A mirror support post and surface are etched from a mirror substrate using a high aspect ratio etch. The mirror and actuation layer substrates are fusion bonded together. The reference and actuation layer substrates are bonded together and held apart by the standoff posts. A reflective metallic layer is deposited onto the mirror surface and polished. The mirror is etched from the mirror surface to free the microelectromechanical mirror. Mirror arrays are made by performing the aforementioned steps using standard IC processing techniques.

Abstract: The automated method of the present invention provides an efficient arrangement for setting certain financial transactions using a debit point of sale transaction network, as opposed to routing over a credit network. The method and arrangement uses an onsite database of bank identification numbers to conduct a preliminary assessment of whether a particular card is debit capable, and appropriately processes the transaction information based on the preliminary assessment. The system preferably is also updated when a financial transaction is successfully completed as a debit transaction which the database did not initially identify as being debit capable. In this way, the database is continuously updated and over time, a more accurate database is achieved. The system can also be networked, such that information between databases is shard and improved, based on the network experience.