Abstract: A system for locating and determining the orientation of fasteners in hard disk drive spindle assemblies utilizes a sensor system that facilitates an automated rework process for the spindle assemblies. The screw locating system identifies the locations of the screws in a spindle and generates a signal for a screw driver system to align tool bits with the screws. The sensor is highly advantageous when reworking spindle motors with opaque labels that cover and/or block the fasteners. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art techniques by using a screw locating system that is based on a selected capacitance probe without requiring the use of timing features.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through a diffuser and a contraction. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.

Abstract: A system for reducing written-in high-frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration occurring during writing of servo information onto a hard disk implementable in a hard disk drive is described. The system includes an excitation frequency adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequencies away from mechanical modes to provide desired rotation speed of a servo track writer. The mechanical modes are present in said hard disk drive. The system also includes an excitation level adjuster enabled to adjust excitation level to provide a desired DC gain level associated with a motor controller of the servo track writer. The system further includes an excitation frequency content adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequency content to provide desired current profile of the motor controller, such that a reduction of written-in high frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration is realized.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a combination disk drive counterbalance and disk clamp seal is provided. The disk drive comprises a spindle for rotating a disk, the spindle comprising a hub. The disk drive further comprises a disk clamp for clamping the disk to the hub and a clamp seal coupled to the disk clamp for sealing the disk clamp from contamination wherein the clamp seal comprises a counter balance weight for balancing rotation of the disk.

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 device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through a diffuser and a contraction. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a stress distributing cavity to reduce the stress concentration on disk under the screw locations. The cavity may comprise a single, completely circumferential annular slot located in the perimeter side wall of the clamp, or a series of smaller cavities that are angularly aligned with each screw in the perimeter of the clamp. In the case of adding a series of small stress distribution cavities, the load distribution is modulated to higher harmonic components, thus reducing the peak-to-valley value of reaction force on the contact ring by about 20% to 50%.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through the diffuser. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.

Abstract: A system for reducing written-in high-frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration occurring during writing of servo information onto a hard disk implementable in a hard disk drive is described. The system includes an excitation frequency adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequencies away from mechanical modes to provide desired rotation speed of a servo track writer. The mechanical modes are present in said hard disk drive. The system also includes an excitation level adjuster enabled to adjust excitation level to provide a desired DC gain level associated with a motor controller of the servo track writer. The system further includes an excitation frequency content adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequency content to provide desired current profile of the motor controller, such that a reduction of written-in high frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration is realized.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing a data storage disk to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive prevents the migration of lubricant into sensitive areas of the disk drive. The problem of lubrication migration due to the use and presence of fastener lubricant is resolved by using a rib on a composite disk clamp. The rib strengthens the clamp structure and has a sealing ring. The ring has a semi-circular sectional profile with a flat surface that is used to bond the ring to the rib. The ring has elastic properties that compensate for hub vibration to isolate the disk clamp from the hub, and also provides damping between the hub and the disk clamp.

Abstract: A method for reducing written-in high frequency repeatable run out track mis-registration of a hard disk is described. The method includes adjusting the excitation frequencies away from mechanical modes to provide desired rotating speed of a servo track writer. The mechanical modes are relative to said hard disk drive. The method further includes adjusting excitation levels to provide desired DC gain level associated with a motor controller of the servo track writer, wherein instances of the written-in high frequency repeatable run out track mis-registration are reduced.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A system for locating and determining the orientation of fasteners in hard disk drive spindle assemblies utilizes a sensor system that facilitates an automated rework process for the spindle assemblies. The screw locating system identifies the locations of the screws in a spindle and generates a signal for a screw driver system to align tool bits with the screws. The sensor is highly advantageous when reworking spindle motors with opaque labels that cover and/or block the fasteners. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art techniques by using a screw locating system that is based on a selected capacitance probe without requiring the use of timing features.

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 kept 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.

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: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing a data storage disk to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive prevents the migration of lubricant into sensitive areas of the disk drive. The problem of lubrication migration due to the use and presence of fastener lubricant is resolved by using a rib on a composite disk clamp. The rib strengthens the clamp structure and has a sealing ring. The ring has a semi-circular sectional profile with a flat surface that is used to bond the ring to the rib. The ring has elastic properties that compensate for hub vibration to isolate the disk clamp from the hub, and also provides damping between the hub and the disk clamp.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a stress distributing cavity to reduce the stress concentration on disk under the screw locations. The cavity may comprise a single, completely circumferential annular slot located in the perimeter side wall of the clamp, or a series of smaller cavities that are angularly aligned with each screw in the perimeter of the clamp. In the case of adding a series of small stress distribution cavities, the load distribution is modulated to higher harmonic components, thus reducing the peak-to-valley value of reaction force on the contact ring by about 20% to 50%.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive has symmetrically spaced apart countersunk apertures in the top surface of the disk clamp. The apertures enable the disk clamp to maintain a proper orientation before the fasteners are attached. This design overcomes issues related to rotation and displacement of the clamp while it is being fastened to the hub, and reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly. Less tooling complexity also allows multi-fastener driver systems to be employed so that all of the fasteners required to complete the assembly may be simultaneously attached arid driven into the disk clamp. The countersunk apertures on the disk clamp are designed to couple with tapered sleeves on the installation tool to quickly and precisely center the fasteners in the disk clamp while providing anti-rotation torque for the disk clamp.