Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus for use with a hub and spindle assembly for a disc drive storage system comprising a spindle; a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle; a capsule formed at least in part from an electrically conductive material that can be placed in electrical communication with the hub and defining a chamber configured to hold an electrically conductive fluid and defining at least one capillary channel in fluid communication with an opening formed in the capsule, the opening configured to permit rotation about the spindle, and to permit a meniscus formed by the conductive fluid proximate to the opening to electrically contact the spindle during rotation of the hub about the spindle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor assembly method for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus for use with a hub and spindle assembly for a disc drive storage system comprising a spindle; a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle; a capsule formed at least in part from an electrically conductive material that can be placed in electrical communication with the hub and defining a chamber configured to hold an electrically conductive fluid and defining at least one capillary channel in fluid communication with an opening formed in the capsule, the opening configured to permit rotation about the spindle, and to permit a meniscus formed by the conductive fluid proximate to the opening to electrically contact the spindle during rotation of the hub about the spindle.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus for use with a hub and spindle assembly for a disc drive storage system comprising a spindle; a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle; a capsule formed at least in part from an electrically conductive material that can be placed in electrical communication with the hub and defining a chamber configured to hold an electrically conductive fluid and defining at least one capillary channel in fluid communication with an opening formed in the capsule, the opening configured to permit rotation about the spindle, and to permit a meniscus formed by the conductive fluid proximate to the opening to electrically contact the spindle during rotation of the hub about the spindle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor assembly for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor assembly for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is provided having a first surface having at least a first groove pattern formed therein; and the second surface having at least a second groove pattern formed therein; wherein one of the surfaces is configured to be rotated relative to the other surface. The groove patterns may be conventional patterns or patterns described herein. Further, the patterns discussed herein may be disposed wholly on each surface or may be divided between the two surfaces. The groove design is intended to be useable in either a journal, thrust or other fluid bearing design.

Abstract: A short form fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided comprising a stationary shaft attached at a first end to a motor cover, a plate supported on a second end of the shaft, a hub rotatably supported on the shaft, a journal gap defined between an outer diameter of the shaft and an inner diameter of the hub, a fluid bearing in the journal gap, a thrust gap defined between a lower surface of the hub and an upper surface of the plate, and an air (or other gas) bearing in the thrust gap.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrodynamic bearing surface on a workpiece is provided. The method comprises electrochemically etching away all material in a region of the surface, except for portions of the region defined by a land pattern on an etching cathode. The step of removing forms a continuous recessed region comprising grooves formed between the portions of the region defined by the land pattern, and a relief cut region circumscribing the workpiece.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary member and a rotating member. The motor further includes a fluid dynamic thrust bearing disposed along an axial surface of a sleeve. The thrust bearing is configured to axially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid towards a corner of the sleeve. The motor also includes a fluid dynamic journal bearing disposed radially inboard of the thrust bearing along a radial surface of the sleeve, where the radial surface is adjacent to the axial surface. The journal bearing is configured to radially support the relative rotation of the rotating member and the stationary member and to pump bearing fluid to the corner of the sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided that comprises a stationary member, a rotating member that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, a fluid dynamic bearing that is configured to support relative rotation between the stationary member and the rotating member, and a dynamic radial capillary seal defined at least in part by the rotating member.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing assembly is described. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an inner member. The assembly further includes an outer member configured to rotate about a rotational axis at a first angular velocity. The assembly also includes an orbital ring disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The orbital ring is configured to rotate about the rotational axis at a second angular velocity, which is less than the first angular velocity.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary shaft having a first end coupled to a first plate and a second end coupled to a second plate. The motor also includes a hub that is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. A fluid dynamic journal bearing, disposed between the shaft and the hub, radially supports the relative rotation of the shaft. The motor further includes a first seal, which is defined in part by the first plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing, and a second seal, which is defined in part by the second plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing.

Abstract: The design comprises a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate is defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing thrust plate during relative rotation. In one embodiment, to establish and maintain the gap between the shaft end and the facing counterplate, the journal bearing has an asymmetry to pump toward the shaft end having the bearing. In a further refinement, to maintain the shaft and gap within an optimum spacing, a magnet is mounted to provide an axially directed magnetic force on the shaft which works against the axial force created by shaft end thrust bearing.

Abstract: A disc drive design comprising a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. At least a part of the shaft is generally conical in cross-section, so that a downward force component is developed to balance upward pressure on end of shaft; this conical region typically includes a fluid dynamic bearing (grooves being on either the shaft or sleeve). A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate may be defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing counterplate plate during relative rotation. A diamond-like coating (DLC) may be applied to the counterplate surface or to the end of the shaft; further, either the counterplate or shaft may be made out of ceramic material to enhance this performance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method for detecting air contamination within a fluid dynamic bearing used with a disc drive. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method to determine the amount of air contamination with hydrodynamic fluid by comparing the differential displacement of the fluid dynamic bearing between vacuum and non-vacuum conditions. In another aspect, the invention provides an air-contamination detecting apparatus adapted to detect air contamination within the fluid of a fluid dynamic bearing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method to determine air contamination within fluid dynamic bearings using the change in fly height of one or more probes disposed above the surface of a rotating surface of the disc drive.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having an annular sleeve, a shaft disposed through the sleeve, a hub supported on a first end of the shaft, a journal between the sleeve and the shaft, and a fluid dynamic bearing in the journal, wherein the fluid dynamic bearing comprises an axial bearing and a radial bearing, the axial and radial bearings being formed on respectively angles surfaces to form one corner bearing.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided comprising a base, a counter plate fixed to the base, a stationary sleeve fixed to the base and supported on the counter plate, a rotating shaft axially disposed through the sleeve, and a fluid dynamic bearing disposed between the shaft and the sleeve and between a free end of the shaft and a first surface of the counter plate, wherein at least one of the free end of the shaft and the first surface of the counter plate comprises a single spiral-shaped groove formed thereon.

Abstract: A disc drive design comprising a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. At least a part of the shaft is generally conical in cross-section, so that a downward force component is developed to balance upward pressure on end of shaft; this conical region typically includes a fluid dynamic bearing (grooves being on either the shaft or sleeve). A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate may be defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing counterplate plate during relative rotation. A diamond-like coating (DLC) may be applied to the counterplate surface or to the end of the shaft; further, either the counterplate or shaft may be made out of ceramic material to enhance this performance.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary shaft having a first end coupled to a first plate and a second end coupled to a second plate. The motor also includes a hub that is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. A fluid dynamic journal bearing, disposed between the shaft and the hub, radially supports the relative rotation of the shaft. The motor further includes a first seal, which is defined in part by the first plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing, and a second seal, which is defined in part by the second plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing.