Abstract: Reducing a spreading of contaminants within a hard disk drive is described. An adhesive is applied to a first side of a desiccant. Then, the desiccant is utilized to cover a component of a hard disk drive, the component comprising a countersink area surrounding a fastener, wherein said fastener is countersunk within the component. The adhesive is then coupled with the component to encapsulate contaminants lying within the countersink area, thereby reducing a spreading of the contaminants within the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method for controlling the effects of seek-induced vibration of a component part in a hard-disk drive. The method includes determining a resonant frequency of seek-induced vibration of the component part and a reference amplitude of a frequency-component in a first voice-coil-motor signal (VCMS) at the resonant frequency. The method also includes synthesizing a second VCMS with an amplitude of a frequency-component attenuated below the reference amplitude of the frequency-component in the first VCMS at a frequency in a resonance-band bracketing the resonant frequency. The method also includes driving a voice-coil of a voice-coil motor with the second VCMS to reduce an amplitude of a frequency-component at the resonant frequency in a second PES of the seek of the data track associated with the second VCMS below a reference amplitude of a frequency-component at the resonant frequency in the first PES associated with the first VCMS.

Abstract: A flex cable comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, and at least two signal traces coupled with the first adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises a second adhesive layer coupled with the signal traces and the first adhesive layer, and a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the signal traces, and parallel with the base film and the cover film.

Abstract: A flex cable for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, and at least one interrogation trace and at least one signal trace coupled with the first adhesive layer. The interrogation trace is configured to be probed to measure a deterioration of electrical conductivity. The flex cable has a second adhesive layer that is coupled with the interrogation trace, the signal trace, and the first adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A flex circuit comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, at least two signal traces coupled with the first adhesive layer, and at least one dummy trace positioned between the two signal traces and coupled with the first adhesive layer. The flex circuit comprises a second adhesive layer coupled with the signal traces, the dummy trace, and the first adhesive layer, and a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one mechanical fastener is used to mount a voice coil magnet assembly of a hard disk drive on a housing of the hard disk drive. A layer of a material having a low friction coefficient is disposed between the housing and the voice coil magnet assembly.

Abstract: A method of reducing oscillation at the read write element of a hard disk drive, is described. In one embodiment, a flex cable for conducing data signals from a head stack assembly to a connector is provided. One or more weights are then coupled with the flex cable at one or more predetermined locations. The one or more predetermined locations are selected based upon mass distribution along the flex cable.

Abstract: A flex cable assembly for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a flex cable for conducting data signals from the head stack assembly to a connector. The flex cable has a dynamic loop section between a termination for the head stack assembly and the connector. The flex cable has a constrained layer damper for attenuating random transient vibration. The constrained layer damper has a symmetrically tapered shape for reducing stress concentration and is coupled with the dynamic loop section of the flex cable adjacent to an area of the flex cable configured for receiving a coupler for coupling the flex cable assembly with the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing the vibrational characteristics of rotating devices, such as hard disk drives and jet engines, that are coupled through bearings to flexible supports. In the method, the rotating device is discretized, for example, using a mesh suitable for finite element analysis. The support is also discretized. The natural frequency of elastic vibration modes for the rotating device is calculated and the natural frequency of vibration modes for the support is calculated. The mode shapes are then calculated and a set of modal basis corresponding to the mode shapes is utilized. Bearing stiffness and damping matrices are input, and the Lagrangian equations of motion are integrated numerically in the modal space, to calculate the vibrational response of the rotating device and support. The modal space results are then transformed into ordinary space. The vibrational analysis may be used to design devices having desired vibrational characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biasing a neutral axis of a flex cable in a hard drive are discussed. The hard drive comprises a flex cable, a read/write head, and a control card. The flex cable comprises a base film, adhesives, a conductive trace, a cover film, and a neutral axis. The neutral axis is configured to be biased so that stresses in the conductive trace are more compressive and less tensile than stresses without a biased neutral axis.

Abstract: A card-through-connector fastener for reducing connector distortion is disclosed. One embodiment provides circuit card coupled with electronics associated with an actuator. A connector assembly is also coupled with the circuit card, the connector assembly for conveying data with respect to the circuit card. In addition, a fastener connectively couples the connector assembly with a portion of the housing, the fastener passing through the circuit card and providing fixed support between the connector assembly and the hard disk drive housing to reduce distortion transfer from the circuit card to the connector.

Abstract: Components and assemblies for a hard disk drive (HDD) with a recessed actuator joint are described. A rotary actuator hub assembly comprises a shaft having a flange, and a pivot seat on which the flange is seated when the shaft is fastened to an HDD chassis. According to an embodiment, the pivot seat has at least one “contact-reducing feature” recessed from the surface of the pivot seat at which the seat contacts the flange. A purpose of the contact-reducing feature(s) of the pivot seat is to weaken the joint between the actuator hub assembly and the chassis, thereby mechanically loosening the rotary actuator assembly from the chassis. Consequently, movements to and vibrations from the chassis are less likely to be transmitted to the rotary actuator assembly and, ultimately, to the HDD read/write head(s).

Abstract: A windage blocker integrated with a base for a hard disk drive is disclosed. One embodiment provides a cavity portion comprising a planar surface defining an inner bottom surface of the cavity, the cavity portion for receiving an actuator assembly, the actuator assembly comprising a flex cable. The cavity includes at least one windage blocker integrated with the planar surface of the cavity of the base, the windage blocker for reducing detrimental local excitation of an airflow encountering the flex cable.

Abstract: A flex cable assembly for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a flex cable for conducting data signals from the head stack assembly to a connector. The flex cable comprises a dynamic loop section between a termination for the head stack assembly and the connector. A constrained layer damper is attached adjacently to an area of the flex cable that is configured to receive the coupler. The constrained layer damper extends into the dynamic loop section of the flex cable.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a flexible cable and a flexible cable damper positioned adjacent to but separate from the flexible cable. The damper is a thin film loop with a damper patch that is completely independent of the flexible cable. The damper strip is a non-signal carrying substrate and has the constraint layer attached to it opposite the flexible cable. Both the damper and flexible cable extend in an arcuate configuration from the base to an integrated lead suspension tail extending from the actuator.

Abstract: A card-through-connector fastener for reducing connector distortion is disclosed. One embodiment provides circuit card coupled with electronics associated with an actuator. A connector assembly is also coupled with the circuit card, the connector assembly for conveying data with respect to the circuit card. In addition, a fastener connectively couples the connector assembly with a portion of the housing, the fastener passing through the circuit card and providing fixed support between the connector assembly and the hard disk drive housing to reduce distortion transfer from the circuit card to the connector.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing with a modified air-gap is disclosed. One embodiment provides a clamp adjacent to the fluid dynamic bearing, the clamp for clamping at least one disk with respect to the fluid dynamic bearing. In addition, a cap is also provided proximal to a shaft of the fluid dynamic bearing, the cap having an outer end proximal to the clamp such that an air-gap is provided between the outer end of the cap and the clamp.

Abstract: A post-assembly head/disk offset adjuster is disclosed. One embodiment provides a housing and at least one disk coupled with the housing. In addition, an adjustable pivot plate is coupled with the housing such that access to at least one adjustment point of the adjustable pivot plate is provided regardless of a state of assembly of the hard disk drive. Furthermore, an actuator is coupled with the adjustable pivot plate. In so doing, an adjustment to the at least one adjustment point of the adjustable pivot plate results in an adjustment to the actuator regardless of the state of assembly of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding bypass reentry flow through contraction and filter in a hard disk drive. The method provides a bypass channel for directing airflow away from a first portion of a disk of the hard disk drive and toward a second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A contraction portion is coupled with the bypass channel at a location wherein the bypass channel directs the airflow back toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. The contraction portion accelerates a first portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A filter portion integral with the contraction portion is utilized for filtering a second portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention clamp assembly for a disk which includes a cavity for trapping the excess lubricant which migrates from the load bearing threads of the screws that hold the assembly in place. In a preferred embodiment a flexible structure, called a screw lubricant trap, is included between a clamp and hub. A recess for the screw lubricant trap is formed in one or both of the mating surfaces of the clamp and/or the hub. The screws are arranged in the interior of the screw lubricant trap, so that when the hub is spinning, the excess lubricant is forced into the cavity to keep the excess lubricant from migrating onto the disk. The screw lubricant trap is preferably made to be non-load bearing to avoid affecting the load on the screw. Alternatively, a groove can be machined in the clamp to serve as the lubricant trap.