Abstract: Described are enclosures for electronic devices; the enclosures include a cover, a base, and a snap-fit engagement between the cover and the base; also described are methods of preparing the devices.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base deck and a load/unload ramp component. The base deck includes a floor and sidewalls. The load/unload ramp component is coupled to the floor of the base deck. At least one of the sidewalls includes an arcuate extension portion that extends to contact the load/unload ramp component.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base deck and a load/unload ramp component. The base deck includes a floor and sidewalls. The load/unload ramp component is coupled to the floor of the base deck. At least one of the sidewalls includes an arcuate extension portion that extends to contact the load/unload ramp component.

Abstract: A hard disk drive comprises a sensor configured to detect a mixing ratio within the hard disk drive and a membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a gas flow path that couples an inside of the hard disk drive to an outside of the hard disk drive, and the gas flow path includes a cathode and anode that electrolytically remove water vapor from the inside of the hard disk drive. The drive further includes an energy source coupled to the membrane electrode assembly and a controller coupled to the sensor and the energy source. The controller is configured to activate the energy source in response to the sensor detecting a mixing ratio greater than a threshold mixing ratio and to deactivate the energy source in response to the sensor detecting a mixing ratio less than the threshold mixing ratio.

Abstract: A mechanical seal designed for gas applications minimizes leakage even when the pressure differential changes direction, such as during rapid deceleration of a turbocharger. The seal faces include both inner (ID) and outer (OD) diameter recessed features configured to admit gas between the faces from the inner and outer face diameters respectively. In embodiments, the ID features hydro-dynamically provide a pressurized gas cushion between the seal faces under normal conditions, and the OD features provide a cushion when the pressure differential is reversed. According to the embodiment, the ID and OD features can be provided in only one seal face, or distributed among both seal faces. For example, one seal face can include the ID features and the other the OD features. The ratio of the area covered by the ID and OD features, divided by the total seal face area, can be at least 0.75 or greater.

Abstract: A mechanical seal designed for gas applications minimizes leakage even when the pressure differential changes direction, such as during rapid deceleration of a turbocharger. The seal faces include both inner (ID) and outer (OD) diameter recessed features configured to admit gas between the faces from the inner and outer face diameters respectively. In embodiments, the ID features hydro-dynamically provide a pressurized gas cushion between the seal faces under normal conditions, and the OD features provide a cushion when the pressure differential is reversed. According to the embodiment, the ID and OD features can be provided in only one seal face, or distributed among both seal faces. For example, one seal face can include the ID features and the other the OD features. The ratio of the area covered by the ID and OD features, divided by the total seal face area, can be at least 0.75 or greater.

Abstract: A system for measuring a physical characteristic of mechanical face seal includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor. The permanent magnet is affixed to a structure proximate to a bearing surface of the mechanical face seal. The permanent magnet has a magnetic field that decreases as a function of temperature. The magnetic sensor is mounted on the mechanical face seal in a magnetic field sensing relationship with the permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor is configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to a sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces which define a sealing region therebetween. The sealing region extends radially between the inside and outside diameters of the seal rings to seal a fluid in a sealing chamber near one diameter thereof. The seal faces are provided with tapered channel macro/micro features which generate hydrodynamic lift during relative rotation of the seal rings. The tapered channel macro/micro feature shows significant improvement in seal performance when compared to an untextured face. Low contact and hence low wear are attributed to a more distributed hydrodynamic load support function. Likewise, low leakage is believed to be the result of optimized cavitation function, and no debris was discovered in the micro-features at the conclusion of any testing.

Abstract: An abeyance seal includes a polymer actuation ring, which defines a flexible sealing lip normally spaced from the shaft. When subjected to leakage, this element collapses against the shaft and forms an initial sealing. Secondarily, a metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring provides a second seal during leakage. The polymer ring provides the initial sealing function during leakage at low differential pressure, and once the polymer ring seals to the shaft, increased sealed pressure loads the polymer ring against the metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring causing it to deform so that the metal ring comes into contact with the shaft to form a second seal.

Abstract: A system for measuring a physical characteristic of mechanical face seal includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor. The permanent magnet is affixed to a structure proximate to a bearing surface of the mechanical face seal. The permanent magnet has a magnetic field that decreases as a function of temperature. The magnetic sensor is mounted on the mechanical face seal in a magnetic field sensing relationship with the permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor is configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to a sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an enclosure that has a breather port therethrough. A first labyrinth path may be disposed inside the disk drive enclosure, in fluid connection with the breather port. A second labyrinth path may be temporarily disposed outside the disk drive enclosure, in fluid connection with the breather port. An alternative gas such as helium may be allowed to bleed out through the second labyrinth path during a period of servo track writing. The second labyrinth path may be removed after servo track writing.

Abstract: An abeyance seal includes a polymer actuation ring, which defines a flexible sealing lip normally spaced from the shaft. When subjected to leakage, this element collapses against the shaft and forms an initial sealing. Secondarily, a metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring provides a second seal during leakage. The polymer ring provides the initial sealing function during leakage at low differential pressure, and once the polymer ring seals to the shaft, increased sealed pressure loads the polymer ring against the metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring causing it to deform so that the metal ring comes into contact with the shaft to form a second seal.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces which define a sealing region therebetween. The sealing region extends radially between the inside and outside diameters of the seal rings to seal a fluid in a sealing chamber near one diameter thereof. The seal faces are provided with tapered channel macro/micro features which generate hydrodynamic lift during relative rotation of the seal rings. The tapered channel macro/micro feature shows significant improvement in seal performance when compared to an untextured face. Low contact and hence low wear are attributed to a more distributed hydrodynamic load support function. Likewise, low leakage is believed to be the result of optimized cavitation function, and no debris was discovered in the micro-features at the conclusion of any testing.

Abstract: A seal ring arrangement generally includes a pair of opposed seal rings which define a shaft seal to prevent leakage along the shaft of rotary equipment. A seal face treatment process has been developed using seal ring machining equipment which has a laser unit that forms micro-topography depth features in the seal face and then performs a material surface treatment process to selectively alter the conductivity of the seal face so as to virtually eliminate electro-corrosion in the seal rings. The seal rings preferably are provided in a conventional combination of a carbide seal ring material for one of the seal rings and a silicon carbide material for the other seal ring. The laser machining and the laser treatment processes are preferably applied to the silicon carbide material.

Abstract: A mechanical seal typically includes gaskets as secondary seals therein. An improved gasket is provided which has a U cup design wherein the gasket is formed with a first spring-energized groove which opens radially and has a deflectable sealing wall which is deflectable axially, and includes a second spring-energized groove which is canted at an angle relative to the axial and radial directions wherein the groove defines a sealing leg which is deflectable at an angle relative to the axial and radial directions. A support ring supports the canted sealing leg along the major extent thereof wherein an end portion of the canted sealing leg is disposed for sealing contact with an axially-extending component surface.

Abstract: A mechanical seal typically includes gaskets as secondary seals therein. An improved gasket is provided which has a U cup design wherein the gasket is formed with a first spring-energized groove which opens radially and has a deflectable sealing wall which is deflectable axially, and includes a second spring-energized groove which is canted at an angle relative to the axial and radial directions wherein the groove defines a sealing leg which is deflectable at an angle relative to the axial and radial directions. A support ring supports the canted sealing leg along the major extent thereof wherein an end portion of the canted sealing leg is disposed for sealing contact with an axially-extending component surface.

Abstract: A seal ring arrangement generally includes a pair of opposed seal rings which define a shaft seal to prevent leakage along the shaft of rotary equipment. A seal face treatment process has been developed using seal ring machining equipment which has a laser unit that forms micro-topography depth features in the seal face and then performs a material surface treatment process to selectively alter the conductivity of the seal face so as to virtually eliminate electro-corrosion in the seal rings. The seal rings preferably are provided in a conventional combination of a carbide seal ring material for one of the seal rings and a silicon carbide material for the other seal ring. The laser machining and the laser treatment processes are preferably applied to the silicon carbide material.

Abstract: A seal ring of a shaft seal has micro-topography depth features, such as wavy faces or radial grooves, formed in the seal face which define a hydrodynamic seal region between opposing seal faces. The micro-topography depth features are formed by an excimer laser shaped such that the beam shape at least has non-linear side edges which define convergent side areas of the beam. The convergent side areas are defined by side edge sections which converge toward each other and preferably are non-linear. For example, the beam shape may be circular or elliptical. The laser beam first cuts repeatedly along the same beam path to define a cut with an increasing depth, whereby the laser beam is shifted incrementally sidewardly to define multiple adjacent beam cuts that form the micro-topography feature such as a valley of a wavy face, a radial groove or the like.

Abstract: A seal ring of a shaft seal has micro-topography depth features, such as wavy faces or radial grooves, formed in the seal face which define a hydrodynamic seal region between opposing seal faces. The micro-topography depth features are formed by an excimer laser shaped such that the beam shape at least has non-linear side edges which define convergent side areas of the beam. The convergent side areas are defined by side edge sections which converge toward each other and preferably are non-linear. For example, the beam shape may be circular or elliptical. The laser beam first cuts repeatedly along the same beam path to define a cut with an increasing depth, whereby the laser beam is shifted incrementally sidewardly to define multiple adjacent beam cuts that form the micro-topography feature such as a valley of a wavy face, a radial groove or the like.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces which define a sealing region therebetween. The sealing region extends radially between the inside and outside diameters of the seal rings to seal a fluid in a sealing chamber near one diameter thereof. The seal faces are provided with hydrodynamic lift features near the sealing chamber to provide a lift load that permits a liquid between the seal faces to form a fluid film therebetween. The hydrodynamic lift features primarily function to hydrodynamically generate a hydrodynamic lift load while a plurality of concentric grooves are also provided on the seal face to serve as a leakage barrier during shaft rotation of the that prevents the liquid film from leaking across the seal faces.