Abstract: A gear assembly is provided that simplifies the integration of a differential assembly into the hollow rotor of an electric motor. The gear assembly utilizes a hollow cross member that includes a central portion and a plurality of hollow extension members onto which the gears are mounted. Within each of the hollow extension members is a pin. When the pins are withdrawn, the assembly fits unimpeded within the hollow rotor. When the pins are partially extended out of the corresponding extension members, the ends of the pins fit within apertures in the rotor. A plug fits within a centrally located thru-hole in the central portion of the hollow cross member, thereby locking the pins in the extended position and locking the gear assembly in place.

Abstract: A gear assembly is provided that simplifies the integration of a differential assembly into the hollow rotor of an electric motor. The gear assembly utilizes a hollow cross member that includes a central portion and a plurality of hollow extension members onto which the gears are mounted. Within each of the hollow extension members is a pin. When the pins are withdrawn, the assembly fits unimpeded within the hollow rotor. When the pins are partially extended out of the corresponding extension members, the ends of the pins fit within apertures in the rotor. A plug fits within a centrally located thru-hole in the central portion of the hollow cross member, thereby locking the pins in the extended position and locking the gear assembly in place.

Abstract: A gear assembly is provided that simplifies the integration of a differential assembly into the hollow rotor of an electric motor. The gear assembly utilizes a hollow cross member that includes a central portion and a plurality of hollow extension members onto which the gears are mounted. Within each of the hollow extension members is a pin. When the pins are withdrawn, the assembly fits unimpeded within the hollow rotor. When the pins are partially extended out of the corresponding extension members, the ends of the pins fit within apertures in the rotor. A plug fits within a centrally located thru-hole in the central portion of the hollow cross member, thereby locking the pins in the extended position and locking the gear assembly in place.

Abstract: A fluid bearing design is provided which according to one aspect includes a shaft defining together with a surrounding sleeve an asymmetric journal bearing, and a thrust bearing at or near an end of the shaft towards which the asymmetric journal bearing is pumping, with that end of the shaft being closed off. The journal bearing asymmetry establishes a hydraulic pressure toward the closed end of the shaft. This pressure provides an axial thrust to set the bearing gap for the conical bearing. The conical bearing itself is a relatively balanced bearing, although it may have a bias pumping toward the shaft and the journal bearing. A pressure closed equalization path from the journal bearing through the conical bearing to the end of the shaft may be established to maintain a constant hydraulic force across the conical bearing, and which may also prevent any asymmetry in the conical bearing from affecting the net thrust force acting upon the end of the shaft where the conical bearing is located.

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 method and apparatus for assembling a hydrodynamic bearing in a motor is provided. The method comprises affixing a first bearing upon a shaft, applying an axial tension force to the shaft, and affixing a second bearing upon the shaft in a spaced apart relation to the first bearing, as the axial force is applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A bearing system in which an axially stiff narrow gap fluid dynamic gas bearing. As an example two fluid dynamic bearings are provided spaced apart along a shaft, one of the bearings comprising a fluid dynamic bearing, the other comprising an air bearing. The fluid dynamic bearing has a larger gap, while the air bearing has a relatively small gap. The overall working surface area of the air bearing may be twice as much or more than the working surface area of the fluid 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: A fluid bearing design is provided which according to one aspect includes a shaft defining together with a surrounding sleeve an asymmetric journal bearing, and a thrust bearing at or near an end of the shaft towards which the asymmetric journal bearing is pumping, with that end of the shaft being closed off. The journal bearing asymmetry establishes a hydraulic pressure toward the closed end of the shaft. This pressure provides an axial thrust to set the bearing gap for the conical bearing. The conical bearing itself is a relatively balanced bearing, although it may have a bias pumping toward the shaft and the journal bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a hydrodynamic bearing in a motor is provided. The method comprises affixing a first bearing upon a shaft, applying an axial tension force to the shaft, and affixing a second bearing upon the shaft in a spaced apart relation to the first bearing, as the axial force is applied to the shaft.

Abstract: To accurately locate a fluid dynamic bearing element along a shaft, the shaft is excited at or near its resonant frequency while applying a press force to the shaft, and holding the bearing element still. The assembly process then becomes a dynamic process, with the result that the positioning or locating of the shaft relative to the cone or other bearing element can be achieved with much greater accuracy.

Abstract: A bearing system in which an axially stiff narrow gap fluid dynamic gas bearing. As an example two fluid dynamic bearings are provided spaced apart along a shaft, one of the bearings comprising a fluid dynamic bearing, the other comprising an air bearing. The fluid dynamic bearing has a larger gap, while the air bearing has a relatively small gap. The overall working surface area of the air bearing may be twice as much or more than the working surface area of the fluid bearing.

Abstract: The hydrodynamic bearing arrangement comprises a journal sleeve defining a journal bore and a journal thrust surface. A shaft is mounted in the journal bore by means of a hydrodynamic journal bearing which permits rotation of the shaft and the journal sleeve relative to one another. A thrust plate extends transversely from the shaft and defines two hydrodynamic thrust bearings in combination with the journal thrust surface and a counterplate which is mounted adjacent to the thrust plate. A porous lubricant reservoir is mounted adjacent to the thrust plate. The porous lubricant reservoir serves to remove wear particles from the lubricant in the bearing arrangement, and provides a supply of lubricant to the hydrodynamic journal and thrust bearings should they become depleted of lubricant.