Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a base deck and a base deck cover interface with one another to provide a permeability path. The base deck includes an outer region, and the base deck cover includes a lip that interfaces with the outer region of the base deck to provide the permeability path. The permeability is further defined by at least three interleaved sidewalls of the base deck and base deck cover that define two segments of the permeability path. The permeability path is filled with a polymer material that creates a seal between the base deck and base deck cover.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a base deck and a base deck cover interface with one another to provide a permeability path. The base deck includes an outer region, and the base deck cover includes a lip that interfaces with the outer region of the base deck to provide the permeability path. The permeability is further defined by at least three interleaved sidewalls of the base deck and base deck cover that define two segments of the permeability path. The permeability path is filled with a polymer material that creates a seal between the base deck and base deck cover.

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: In an enclosure, electrical connections to a bulkhead connector may be made using a flex spring. The flex spring may have a frame and one or more spring members supported at their proximal ends by the frame. At their distal ends, the spring members may be configured to apply a distributed load to compress a set of contacts on a flex assembly against a corresponding set of contacts on a bulkhead connector. The pressure applied by the flex spring may be distributed to make reliable electrical connection between the corresponding sets of contacts. In one embodiment, the frame of the flex spring may be attached to a flex bracket. The flex bracket may mount to a wall of a base to which the bulkhead connector is mounted.

Abstract: Method for providing relative humidity control in a sealed housing, and apparatus formed thereby. A water vapor emission assembly, such as a desiccant, is placed within a housing in a first gas atmosphere such as ambient air. The first gas atmosphere is subsequently replaced with a second gas atmosphere, such as an inert gas atmosphere (e.g., helium). The second gas atmosphere has an initial relative humidity less than a desired relative humidity. Upon replacement, water vapor from the water vapor emission assembly is emitted to achieve the desired relative humidity within the second gas atmosphere. The housing is preferably characterized as a housing of a data storage device.

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: 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 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: Method and apparatus for sealing a housing, and a housing sealed using the same. A peripherally extending flex seal assembly includes a heating member formed of an elongated conductor embedded within a flexible, thin-film dielectric ribbon. The flex seal assembly is placed on a first housing member and a second, mating housing member is placed on the flex seal assembly. Preferably, fasteners are used to affix the first and second housing members to compress the flex seal assembly therebetween. Current is applied to the heating member to fuse at least one ring of sealing material and form a corresponding number of hardened seal joints. The seal joints can be discrete rings to allow the formation of a hermetic housing seal. The seal joints can alternatively be arranged in a continuous spiral to form an elongated diffusion path between the interior of the housing and the exterior environment.

Abstract: A hermetic seal includes a spring seal compressed with a limited sealing force between sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces surround a gas-filled cavity that houses heat sensitive components. The hermetic seal includes a film that joins the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The film includes a material that is softenable by heat to hermetically seal the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The hermetic seal includes an externally accessible surface for selectively application of the heat to the film, without overheating the heat sensitive components.