Abstract: A disk drive enclosure may comprise a tray-less chassis comprising a backplane and defining an opening configured to receive a disk drive. A door may be coupled to the tray-less chassis and configured to enclose the disk drive within the opening when the door is closed. An elastomeric element may be configured to bias the disk drive against the backplane when the door is closed and may be further configured to provide damping so as to dissipate energy imparted to the tray-less chassis during the operation of the disk drive.

Abstract: A data storage device (DSD) is disclosed comprising a SATA connector and control circuitry comprising a communication module for communicating with a host. At least one pin of the SATA connector is evaluated to detect a host type. When the host type is SATA, the communication module is configured to operate according to a SATA protocol, and when the host type is non-SATA, the communication module is configured to operate according to a non-SATA protocol.

Abstract: A removable disc drive cartridge providing an improved combination of shock protection and electrical alignment (registration) of a enclosed removable disc drive.

Abstract: A removable disc drive cartridge providing an improved combination of shock protection and electrical alignment (registration) of a enclosed removable disc drive.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting an actuator mechanical response characteristic in a data handling system, such as a disc drive. An actuator rotates about a pivot system to move a read/write head adjacent a recording surface, the pivot system comprising a stationary shaft and a bearing asesmbly comprising a stationary inner race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable outer race coupled to the actuator. A fastener is provided to engage the shaft and apply an initial amount of axially directed force on the inner race. A broad spectrum excitation is applied to the actuator and a mechanical response characteristic of the actuator is measured. The fastener is repetitively adjusted to increase the amount of axially directed force until the measured mechanical response characteristic of the actuator reaches a desired level.

Abstract: A method of measuring the vibration of an actuator assembly in a disc drive in the plane of rotation of the actuator assembly and determining the resonance behavior of the actuator assembly from the measured vibrations is disclosed. The method involves use of a laser to measure the vibrational behavior of the actuator assembly in the rotational plane. A method is described for adjusting the resonance behavior of the actuator assembly during the manufacturing process without the use of glue or extra parts. The resonance behavior is determined and the preload on the bearings in the actuator assembly is adjusted until a desired resonance behavior is achieved.

Abstract: A latch for retaining a transducer substantially in a landing zone of a storage disk of a disk drive is provided herein. The disk drive includes an actuator assembly having an actuator contact area which moves on an actuator path. The latch includes a latch arm, a latch contact area, a return device, an air vane, and a secondary stop. The latch arm rotates between an engaged position in which the latch contact area is positioned in the actuator path and a disengaged position in which the latch contact area is positioned outside the actuator path. The return member includes a ferromagnetic body which moves along a body path which is closest to a magnet of the actuator assembly when the latch arm is in the engaged position. The attraction between the ferromagnetic body and the magnet retains the latch arm in the engaged position during non-rotation of the disk. The secondary stop is spaced apart from a latch crash stop of the disk drive when the latch arm is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A tape transport system has a cassette housing with two stationary generally cylindrical guide members. The bottom wall has two openings extending therethrough, each of which receive one end of a respective one of the guide members. Each guide member is bonded to the bottom wall by an epoxy resin which forms the sole connection of each of the guide members to the cassette housing. Each of the guide members has an outer exposed substantially precise registration surface at the one end which is received in the bottom wall opening. A cassette tape drive has a pair of spaced apart substantially precise registration and support surfaces which is of a dimension to engage solely the precise registration surface of a respective one of the guide members. The registration surfaces of the guide members and the cassette tape drive are all aligned in the same plane and form a reference plane.

Abstract: In a tape drive system, a cassette comprises a pair of spaced apart flangeless hubs and an access opening between the hubs. Each hub is provided with a cap of magnetically attractive material. Each hub receives a rotatable spindle which has a magnetic portion at its upper end. There are abutting surfaces on each hub and spindle which act as registration surfaces to provide a contiguous but non engaging relationship between the spindle magnetic portion and the hub cap of magnetically attractive material. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic portion of each spindle and its respective hub is the sole force urging each hub into engagement with its respective spindle. The abutting registration surfaces are located on each spindle relative to the bottom wall of the cassette so as to suspend its respective hub between the housing top and bottom walls.