Abstract: An apparatus includes an actuator assembly, a dampening assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, and a vibration sensor assembly coupled to the dampening assembly and coupled to the actuator assembly by way of the dampening assembly. A method includes attaching a dampening assembly to an actuator assembly and attaching a vibration sensor assembly to the dampening assembly. The dampening assembly is positioned between the vibration sensor assembly and the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A hard drive includes a base deck with sidewalls to define a cavity. The hard drive further includes a weld lip that is positioned along and extends from the sidewalls. The weld lip includes a thermal choke that is configured to reduce heat transfer from the weld lip to the sidewalls.

Abstract: A hard drive includes a base deck with sidewalls to define a cavity. The hard drive further includes a weld lip that is positioned along and extends from the sidewalls. The weld lip includes a thermal choke that is configured to reduce heat transfer from the weld lip to the sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an actuator assembly, a dampening assembly coupled to the actuator assembly, and a vibration sensor assembly coupled to the dampening assembly and coupled to the actuator assembly by way of the dampening assembly. A method includes attaching a dampening assembly to an actuator assembly and attaching a vibration sensor assembly to the dampening assembly. The dampening assembly is positioned between the vibration sensor assembly and the actuator assembly.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes calculating a mixing ratio of air internal to a disk drive. In response to the calculated mixing ratio, a head-to-media spacing is adjusted. In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller that adjusts head-to-media spacing in response to a calculated mixing ratio of air internal to a disk drive.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing having a base deck, a cover member and a seal assembly constructed of a liquid crystal material (LCM), the base deck and cover member forming an enclosure containing an inert gas atmosphere. Various embodiments have the LCM seal bonded to one or both of the base deck and cover member and bonded to seal the enclosure by molding, compression, adhesive bonding, thermoplastic welding or soldering, or a combination of such.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing encloses an inert gas atmosphere, and an electrical interconnect has at least one electrically conductive signal trace embedded onto a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) body to extend from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a low permeable interface in a hermetically sealed housing. The housing includes a substantially planar housing member with an aperture extending therethrough. An electrical feedthrough assembly extends adjacent the aperture to provide one or more electrical signal transmission paths. An elastic ring couples a peripheral edge of the electrical feedthrough assembly to the housing member to form a low permeable interface therebetween. The ring preferably operates to compensate for the differential between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the feedthrough assembly and the housing member. The ring is preferably provided with an elongated cross-sectional shape with a segment that extends in a direction non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the feedthrough assembly, thereby enhancing the spring characteristics of the ring. The housing is preferably characterized as a housing of a data storage device, and retains an inert gas atmosphere, such as at least 95% (w/w) helium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for head-disc interface (HDI) modal response monitoring. A sensing element disposed on a rigid actuator arm is mechanically impedance matched to a head-disc interface (HDI) supported by the actuator arm to resonate at a predetermined frequency corresponding to at least one disturbance associated with the HDI.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing encloses an inert gas atmosphere, and an electrical interconnect has at least one electrically conductive signal trace embedded onto a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) body to extend from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for replenishing an inert gas atmosphere. A replenishment structure includes a reservoir which encloses an internal inert gas atmosphere. The reservoir has a permeable wall through which inert gas molecules from the internal atmosphere diffuse substantially at a first rate. A control material adjacent the reservoir provides a path through which the inert gas molecules further diffuse substantially at a second rate less than the first rate to replenish a surrounding inert gas atmosphere. The control material preferably surrounds or otherwise confines the reservoir, and diffuses the molecules at a rate selected in relation to which inert gas molecules from a surrounding gas atmosphere escape from a housing in which the replenishment structure is disposed. The permeable wall preferably comprises glass and the inert gas preferably comprises helium. As desired, the inert gas molecules can further be diffused through a second control material to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: An interface to make interconnections between the interior and exterior of a sealed enclosure may include a flat connector (FC). The FC may comprise at least one layer of a substantially planar substrate. Each substrate layer may include metallization for conducting signals between contacts on an interior-facing surface and contacts on an exterior-facing surface. In an enclosure with an aperture for passing electrical conductors, the FC may be configured to seal the aperture to inhibit the escape of a low density gas, such as helium, for a long period of time. In one embodiment, the FC may include metallization configured to minimize helium leakage. As such, the FC may conduct electrical signals into and out of the sealed enclosure. Such signals may include, for example, power, control, and data signals for operating devices housed within the enclosure.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough is provided to establish an electrical conduction path from an interior of a hermetically sealed housing to an exterior environment. The feedthrough comprises an elongated electrically conductive pin having opposing proximal and distal ends and a medial portion configured to be supported within a corresponding aperture in a first housing member. A first cantilevered spring contact is affixed to and projects from a selected one of the proximal and distal ends of the pin. Preferably, a second cantilevered spring contact is further affixed to and projects from the remaining one of the proximal and distal ends of the pin. A plurality of feedthroughs are preferably affixed through an insertion member to form a feedthrough assembly which is then affixed adjacent an aperture in the first housing member. An insulating member in the plate preferably supports and isolates a pair of the pins to transmit a differential signal.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing such as for use in a data storage device. The housing is formed from a pair of opposing, substantially planar first and second housing members. A gasket seal is compressed between the housing members to form a hermetic seal. A compression limit spacer limits the compression of the gasket seal to a predetermined compression level. Preferably, the gasket seal is nested within and is contactingly supported by the compression limit spacer. A plurality of fasteners secure the first and second housing members and apply a compressive force to the gasket seal. The compression limit spacer preferably comprises a plurality of discrete, spaced apart bosses through which the plurality of fasteners extend. The gasket seal preferably has a hexagonal or a c-shaped cross-sectional shape. An inert fluidic atmosphere is preferably retained within the housing.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for establishing an electrical connection path through an aperture in a side wall of a housing, and a method of fabrication thereof. The feedthrough assembly comprises a plate and at least one electrical contact which extends through the plate. Preferably, a heating member is further provided to extend along a circumference of the plate. The plate is sized to span and surround the aperture so that, upon generation of heat by the heating member, at least one ring of sealing material adjacent the heating member flows to establish a seal between the plate and the housing wall surrounding the aperture. The heat is preferably generated by applying current to the heating member. The feedthrough assembly is preferably fabricated using a microfabrication process. A batch fabrication operation is preferably employed so that a population of the plates are formed from a single panel and subsequently separated therefrom.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing such as for use in a data storage device. Opposing first and second housing members are coupled together with respective interior surfaces in facing relationship to form a hermetically sealed interior environment. An internally mounted shaft includes a medial portion about which a rotatable article rotates, a proximal end internally supported by the first housing member, and a distal end internally supported by the second housing member. In some embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends fits into a corresponding recess formed in the respective housing member. In other embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends includes a cup-shaped recess which accommodates a pin that projects from the respective housing member. Layers of compliant material are preferably provided at the interfaces between the ends of the shaft and the respective housing members.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough is provided to establish an electrical conduction path from an interior of a hermetically sealed housing to an exterior environment. The feedthrough comprises an elongated electrically conductive pin having opposing proximal and distal ends and a medial portion configured to be supported within a corresponding aperture in a first housing member. A first cantilevered spring contact is affixed to and projects from a selected one of the proximal and distal ends of the pin. Preferably, a second cantilevered spring contact is further affixed to and projects from the remaining one of the proximal and distal ends of the pin. A plurality of feedthroughs are preferably affixed through an insertion member to form a feedthrough assembly which is then affixed adjacent an aperture in the first housing member. An insulating member in the plate preferably supports and isolates a pair of the pins to transmit a differential signal.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing such as for use in a data storage device. Opposing first and second housing members are coupled together with respective interior surfaces in facing relationship to form a hermetically sealed interior environment. An internally mounted shaft includes a medial portion about which a rotatable article rotates, a proximal end internally supported by the first housing member, and a distal end internally supported by the second housing member. In some embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends fits into a corresponding recess formed in the respective housing member. In other embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal ends includes a cup-shaped recess which accommodates a pin that projects from the respective housing member. Layers of compliant material are preferably provided at the interfaces between the ends of the shaft and the respective housing members.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing such as for use in a data storage device. The housing is formed from a pair of opposing, substantially planar first and second housing members. A gasket seal is compressed between the housing members to form a hermetic seal. A compression limit spacer limits the compression of the gasket seal to a predetermined compression level. Preferably, the gasket seal is nested within and is contactingly supported by the compression limit spacer. A plurality of fasteners secure the first and second housing members and apply a compressive force to the gasket seal. The compression limit spacer preferably comprises a plurality of discrete, spaced apart bosses through which the plurality of fasteners extend. The gasket seal preferably has a hexagonal or a c-shaped cross-sectional shape. An inert fluidic atmosphere is preferably retained within the housing.