Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sealing an outer surface 170 of a shaft 175 to an inner surface 165 of a hub 160. The seal includes a magnet 155, with top and bottom pole pieces 260, 265, and a ferrofluid 270 magnetically held in a gap 275 between the pole pieces 260, 265, and the hub 160 or the shaft 175. The top pole piece 260 has a cross-section that is L-shaped, with a horizontal portion 260a parallel to the magnet 155 and a shorter vertical portion 260b facing the shaft 175. In one version, the vertical portion 260b or the portion of the shaft 175 facing it is contoured to provide a flux gradient that axially concentrates the ferrofluid 270 in the gap 275. In another aspect, a catcher 335 is provided to reduce loss of ferrofluid 270 when the ferrofluidic seal 185 used to form an outside seal. In yet another aspect, a stationary ferrofluidic seal 345 is provided for sealing a stationary shaft 350 to a rotating hub 355.

Abstract: A low-profile in-shaft connector including a female connector (82) and a male connector (90) for electrically connecting a power source to the electrical windings of a motor for rotating a magnetic disc storage system. The female connector (82) includes a sleeve extension (50) that extends down and around the three pins (72, 74, 76) of the female connector and engages the outward sides of the pins in order to prevent lateral deflection of the pins and thereby increase the spring biasing force of the electrical connection between the male and female connector components.