Abstract: A disc drive having a pivot cartridge and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly consists of an actuator body which has a bore therein to receive the pivot cartridge. The actuator body further consists of an opening which serves as a ledge to engage a biased retaining ring. The biased retaining ring couples onto the pivot cartridge and forces the pivot cartridge to contact against one side of the bore of the actuator body.

Abstract: A pivot cartridge assembly with improved resonance characteristics. One end of the pivot bearing shaft is mounted to the base of the disc drive, and the other end is secured to the cover of the disc drive in such a manner that the resonance characteristics of the pivot bearing assembly is improved in both the axial and radial direction of the pivot bearing shaft.

Abstract: An actuator having a relatively low mass for supporting flexible head suspension assemblies to read data from or write data to discs. The actuator includes an actuator body adapted to rotationally coupled to a base chassis of the disc drive and a yoke assembly including yoke arms extending from the actuator body. The actuator includes at least one rigid actuator arm rigidly supporting the flexible head suspension assemblies. The rigid actuator arm includes multiple arm plates supported in spaced relation to provide a thickness of the actuator arm for lateral stiffness.

Abstract: A method for minimizing unbalance in the disc pack of a disc drive where the unbalance of the spindle motor is quantified and incorporated into the biasing assembly of the disc pack. In the assembly process, the discs are biased in a manner such that the unbalance of the spindle motor is considered.

Abstract: A method of testing a data storage system such that the data storage system meets vibration performance standards includes the step of adding a reference vibration signal having varying magnitudes into a servo loop of the data storage system to simulate external vibration. The method also includes the step of verifying the external vibration performance by using the simulated external vibration. The simulated external vibration is simulated rotational vibration. Also disclosed is a data storage system configured to implement the method.

Abstract: A method for minimizing unbalance in the disc pack of a disc drive where the unbalance of the spindle motor is quantified and incorporated into the biasing assembly of the disc pack. In the assembly process, the discs are biased in a manner such that the unbalance of the spindle motor is considered.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for using an actuator in a disc drive having a limited range of rotation wherein an actuator arm for providing motion for reading or writing data to or from media engages a shaft or post fixed within the actuator arm for communicating with the actuator arm by means of clips affixed to the shaft. The clips have flexible wings affixed to the actuator arm whereby the shaft and the actuator arm are held in a fixed relationship allowing the arm to rotate with respect to the shaft while movement between the actuator arm and the shaft other than by rotation is prevented by the shape of the flexible wings.

Abstract: A disc drive having an actuator assembly which includes an actuator arm and having a pivot cartridge which consists of a sleeve, a shaft and a hinge. The hinge is thin and short in the horizontal direction along the x-y plane and long in the vertical direction along the z-axis. The hinge engages the sleeve and the shaft with the ends of the hinge, allowing only the central part of the hinge configured to be flexible. The assembly of the pivot cartridge into the actuator assembly forces the actuator arm to rotate only about the z-axis.

Abstract: There is provided an inertial latching system which includes a first latch member configured to engage a second latch member at a junction point. The first latch member includes a latch pivot mounted to the base. One side of the latch pivot extends to form a first arm whilst a balancing mass is found at another side of the latch pivot. Joined to the first arm is a finger which provides a contact line ending in a proximal point. The second latch member has a contact surface which provides a contact point. The inertial latching system is configured such that the ratio of a first length to a second length is smaller than the ratio of a third length to a fourth length.

Abstract: An actuator having a relatively low mass for supporting flexible head suspension assemblies to read data from or write data to discs. The actuator includes an actuator body adapted to rotationally coupled to a base chassis of the disc drive and a yoke assembly including yoke arms extending from the actuator body. The actuator includes at least one rigid actuator arm rigidly supporting the flexible head suspension assemblies. The rigid actuator arm includes multiple arm plates supported in spaced relation to provide a thickness of the actuator arm for lateral stiffness.

Abstract: The shock absorber apparatus for a disc drive is a molded polymeric enclosure adapted to receive and retain a disc drive. One preferred embodiment of the present invention has a shock absorbing material of a first thickness adjacent a critical region of the drive and a second thickness of shock absorbing material adjacent a non-critical region of the disc drive. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness in order to absorb a greater shock load to protect the critical region of the disc drive.

Abstract: A disc drive having a pivot cartridge and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly consists of an actuator body which has a bore therein to receive the pivot cartridge. The actuator body further consists of an opening which serves as a ledge to engage a biased retaining ring. The biased retaining ring couples onto the pivot cartridge and forces the pivot cartridge to contact against one side of the bore of the actuator body.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disc drive, including a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The disc stack assembly includes a spindle hub rotatably coupled to the disc drive. The spindle hub has an axis of rotation about which the disc stack assembly rotates. The spindle hub includes a cylindrical portion. The disc stack assembly also includes a clamp, a disc spacer, and a disc coupled to a spindle hub. The disc spacer has an opening therein dimensioned to receive the cylindrical portion of the spindle hub. The disc spacer is asymmetrical and positioned to counter balance a mass offset in the disc stack assembly. The asymmetrical disc spacer also includes a registration surface. The registration surface is on the outer perimeter of the disc spacer. The disc spacer has a center of mass offset from the axial centerline of the opening. The disc spacer is used to counter the center of mass offset of the disc stack assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating vibration in pivot bearing assemblies that is incorporated in a standard pivot bearing assembly without requiring modification of the pivot bearing assembly. Washers are used between the pivot bearing assembly and the base plate of a disc drive upon which the assembly is mounted. In addition, a second washer is positioned on the shaft of the assembly and is held in place by a shoulder screw which fastens the assembly to the base plate.