Abstract: A data zone optimization method and architecture for optimizing the location of the data zone on a data storage disk is disclosed. The data zone is preferably biased toward the outer diameter of the disk, and is referenced to a data zone starting location established proximate a load/unload ramp apparatus. An optimum starting location for the data zone of an initially unformatted data storage disk is preferably determined by contacting the load/unload ramp with the transducer assembly, disengaging the transducer assembly from the ramp, and writing servo information indicative of the data zone starting location at a disk location proximate the ramp and transducer assembly contact point. Servo information indicative of the data zone is written at inner diameter disk location with respect to the optimum data zone starting location. The optimized data zone architecture may have a predetermined or variable data storage capacity.

Abstract: A data storage disk drive is provided with a spindle which supports a plurality of disks having at least one magnetic disk surface to form a spindle assembly for rotation of the disk surfaces about a common axis and a rotary actuator which supports magnetic transducers for movement in unison about respective disk surfaces. The disk drive includes a disk drive enclosure having die-cast generated predetermined zero draft geometries for mounting the spindle motor shaft and the actuator bearing shaft. The enclosure includes a base casting and a cover casting, each casting including structure for locating and retaining electrical connectors used for connecting to a planar electronics card located outside the drive enclosure. The disk drive includes an effective and easily manufacturable electrical path from a flex circuit to an actuator comb. The disk drive includes a tubular chemical breather filter arranged with integral housing and diffusion channels formed in the cover casting.

Abstract: A data storage disk drive is provided with a spindle which supports at least one disk having at least one magnetic disk surface to form a spindle assembly for rotation of the disk surfaces about a common axis and a rotary actuator which supports at least one magnetic tranducers for movement about respective disk surfaces. The enclosure includes a base casting and a cover casting. The base casting include predetermined registration surfaces for mounting the spindle and the rotary actuator and having a mating face. The cover casting has a mating face for engaging the base mating face to define the disk drive enclosure for enclosing the spindle, the at least one disk surface, the at least one magnetic transducer and the actuator. The mating faces extend along the length of the disk drive enclosure.

Abstract: A data storage disk drive is provided with a spindle which supports a plurality of disks having at least one magnetic disk surface to form a spindle assembly for rotation of the disk surfaces about a common axis and a rotary actuator which supports magnetic transducers for movement in unison about respective disk surfaces. The disk drive includes a disk drive enclosure having die-cast generated predetermined zero draft geometries for mounting the spindle motor shaft and the actuator bearing shaft. The enclosure includes a base casting and a cover casting, each casting including structure for locating and retaining electrical connectors used for connecting to a planar electronics card located outside the drive enclosure. The disk drive includes an effective and easily manufacturable electrical path from a flex circuit to an actuator comb. The disk drive includes a tubular chemical breather filter arranged with integral housing and diffusion channels formed in the cover casting.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an actuator of a data storage system to a housing which uses a single mounting screw. The mounting screw is disposed within an aperture provided on the housing cover and a central bore of the actuator shaft, and secures the actuator shaft to a housing cover and base casting. A mounting boss is disposed on the base casting and adapted for registering with the actuator shaft and receiving the mounting screw. Efficient top-down assembly of standard and small form factor data storage systems is facilitated by employment of the novel actuator mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A direct access storage device (DASD) includes a plurality of motion limiters and/or a continuous motion limiter projecting from at least one of the base and cover, each motion limiter having faces disposed in close proximity to and confronting opposite surfaces of a data storage disk adjacent a peripheral portion of the disk that does not contain data. Preferably, the motion limiters are disposed at several points about the periphery of the disk, and may be incorporated in a load/unload ramp and/or side rails of the DASD. The faces of the motion limiters are disposed relative to the disk so that when the DASD is subjected to an acceleration, the disk contacts at least one of the faces only at the peripheral portion of the disk, outside the data zone. Accordingly, the motion limiters prevent data zone and spindle bearing damage when the DASD is dropped.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for optimizing movement of a disk drive's head actuator arm away from a magnetic latch that holds the arm in a parked position at the Inner Diameter (ID) of a disk. Current energizing of the arm's actuator motor moves the arm away from the magnetic latch and is controlled to compensate for any change in magnetic holding force. When the disk drive is powered up, a current pulse of one polarity is applied to the actuator motor. This initial current pulse normally moves the arm away from the magnetic latch and is followed by a current pulse of the opposite polarity to decelerate movement of the arm. If this initial sequence fails to move the arm away from the magnetic latch, the magnitude of the two current pulses is increased, and the opposite polarity pulse is followed by a small magnitude current of the one polarity. The read signal from the head is monitored to indicate that the arm has moved into the disk's central databand area, and then into the disk's Outer Diameter (OD) area.

Abstract: A Direct Access Storage Device (DASD), either magnetic or optical, wherein the chamber which encloses the disk, actuator and electrical connections is sealed from the outside conditions by disposing a seal or gasket about a connector which is surface mounted on a flex cable and disposing the connector in a passage through the base of the DASD. The flex cable is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the cover, and a tail portion of the flex cable is folded to an orientation to position the tail so that it may be attached to an actuator or similar mechanism within the DASD. The tail is maintained in its proper orientation once inserted into a slot formed into the base member. The slot side walls constrain the tail without the need to have the tail fixedly attached to the base member at any point and thereby easing assembly, disassembly, rework and/or repair of the DASD.