Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of sidewalls of a bent sheet metal cover, either pre-formed or shaped-in-place, overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls of an enclosure base, using an applied epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the data storage device with a lighter-than-air gas.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include pleated corners, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include pleated corners, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.

Abstract: A method of assembling a data storage device comprises forming an enclosure by overlapping each of a plurality of sidewalls of a cover with a corresponding sidewall of a base part, dispensing a liquid adhesive between the respective sidewalls of the cover and base part in such a quantity at each of a plurality of locations to promote capillary flow of the liquid adhesive to form a continuous film of liquid adhesive between the sidewalls, and curing the continuous film of liquid adhesive to form a hermetic seal between the cover and the base part. Embodiments may include surface treating the sidewall surface(s), which can help promote the capillary flow of the liquid adhesive. The hermetic seal provides for a lighter-than-air gas to be held therein.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of sidewalls of a bent sheet metal cover, either pre-formed or shaped-in-place, overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls of an enclosure base, using an applied epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the data storage device with a lighter-than-air gas.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include corners having a tapered radius that decreases from the top to the bottom edge, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include corners having a tapered radius that decreases from the top to the bottom edge, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.

Abstract: A method of assembling a data storage device comprises forming an enclosure by overlapping each of a plurality of sidewalls of a cover with a corresponding sidewall of a base part, dispensing a liquid adhesive between the respective sidewalls of the cover and base part in such a quantity at each of a plurality of locations to promote capillary flow of the liquid adhesive to form a continuous film of liquid adhesive between the sidewalls, and curing the continuous film of liquid adhesive to form a hermetic seal between the cover and the base part. Embodiments may include surface treating the sidewall surface(s), which can help promote the capillary flow of the liquid adhesive. The hermetic seal provides for a lighter-than-air gas to be held therein.

Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of sidewalls of a bent sheet metal cover, either pre-formed or shaped-in-place, overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls of an enclosure base, using an applied epoxy adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape seal. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the data storage device with a lighter-than-air gas.

Abstract: A method for forming a seal for hermetically sealing a hard disk drive assembly. The method includes forming a solder channel within a top cover of a disk drive enclosure and disposing a solder preform on a base of the disk drive enclosure such that the solder preform aligns with the solder channel when the top cover is positioned on the base.

Abstract: A method for forming a seal for hermetically sealing a hard disk drive assembly. The method includes forming a solder channel within a top cover of a disk drive enclosure and disposing a solder preform on a base of the disk drive enclosure such that the solder preform aligns with the solder channel when the top cover is positioned on the base.

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: An airflow diverter in a hard disk drive system. A top portion configured to couple with a top housing of the disk drive system. A thickness configured to create a top clearance between the diverter and a top actuator arm of the disk drive system wherein the top clearance approximates a bottom clearance between a bottom housing of the disk drive system and a bottom actuator arm of the disk drive system. At least one surface configured to divert the airflow in the disk drive system during the operation of the disk drive system.

Abstract: An airflow diverter in a hard disk drive system. A top portion configured to couple with a top housing of the disk drive system. A thickness configured to create a top clearance between the diverter and a top actuator arm of the disk drive system wherein the top clearance approximates a bottom clearance between a bottom housing of the disk drive system and a bottom actuator arm of the disk drive system. At least one surface configured to divert the airflow in the disk drive system during the operation of the disk drive system.

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: 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 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 method for forming a seal for hermetically sealing a hard disk drive assembly. The method includes forming a solder channel within a top cover of a disk drive enclosure and disposing a solder preform on a base of the disk drive enclosure such that the solder preform aligns with the solder channel when the top cover is positioned on the base.

Abstract: A magnetic disk conditioner is provided. The disk conditioner comprises a tunnel having a top inside surface and a bottom inside surface. A first array of magnets of alternating polarity is coupled to the top inside surface, the first array of magnets comprising a first portion of reduced field strength. The tunnel further comprises a second array of magnets of alternating polarity coupled to the bottom inside surface, the second array of magnets comprising a second portion of reduced field strength and separated from the first array of magnets by a distance that allows a plurality of disks to simultaneously pass through the tunnel for conditioning.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for reducing vibration in dual stage actuators of storage devices such as hard disk drives. The apparatus comprises a compensating mass disposed on an outer arm of the storage device in order to balance the mass and inertia of the outer arm. The compensating mass is provided with an actuator that is driven in unison with a dual stage actuator also disposed on the outer arm. The excitation caused by the dual stage actuator is balanced by the excitation caused by the actuator of the compensating mass. The shape and mass of the compensating mass are selected to simulate the mass and inertia of the inner dual stage actuator. By driving the inner dual stage actuator in unison with the actuator and compensating mass, the torsional input of the voice coil motor is substantially reduced.