Abstract: An actuator stop for a disc drive having a compliant suspension member joining a rigidly supported stop pin and a noncompliant contact member. The contact member is characterized by a relatively greater compressive yield strength than that of the suspension member so that in response to an abutting engagement with the actuator. The contact member is displaceable relative to the stop pin in relation to the deflection characteristics of the suspension member.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which reduces flow-induced disturbances of the head. A disc drive assembly is provided which includes a basedeck and top cover. A spindle motor mounted to the basedeck which rotates around a central axis; at least one magnetic storage disc mounted to the spindle motor for rotation around the central axis and an actuator arm assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm rotatably attached to a pivot axis and a suspension arm attached to a distal end of the actuator arm. A magnetic transducing head is attached to the suspension. The head is used to read and write data to the magnetic storage disc. Finally, a leading surface portion of the actuator arm utilizes several turbulence-reducing portions laterally recessed so as to guide an airflow to reduce a flow-induced disturbance acting on the transducing head.

Abstract: An actuator stop for a disc drive having a compliant suspension member joining a rigidly supported stop pin and a noncompliant contact member. The contact member is characterized by a relatively greater compressive yield strength than that of the suspension member so that in response to an abutting engagement with the actuator. The contact member is displaceable relative to the stop pin in relation to the deflection characteristics of the suspension member.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which reduce flow-induced disturbances of the head. A disc drive assembly is provided which includes a basedeck and top cover. A spindle motor mounted to the basedeck which rotates around a central axis; at least one magnetic storage disc mounted to the spindle motor for rotation around the central axis and an actuator arm assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm rotatably attached to a pivot axis and a suspension arm attached to a distal end of the actuator arm. A magnetic transducing head is attached to the suspension. The head is used to read and write data to the magnetic storage disc. Finally, leading surface portion of the actuator arm utilizes several turbulence-reducing portions laterally recessed so as to guide an airflow to reduce a flow-induced disturbance acting on the transducing head.

Abstract: An inductive rotational accelerometer for assisting in servo control of a hard disc drive using a torsional mass-spring system in combination with an inductance sensitive circuit to detect and measure the rotational vibrations imposed on a hard disc drive. The inductive rotational accelerometer includes a frame member coupled to the disc drive, the frame member supporting a pin on which is disposed a rotational mass. The rotational mass supports conductive blocks which with the rotational mass and the frame member provide a path for inductance.

Abstract: An actuator latch for latching an actuator of a disc drive having a rotating disc that induces airflow when the disc drive is operational, the actuator latch having a horizontally disposed shaft supported by a pair of bearing clips for sliding and rotational movement of the shaft, the shaft supporting a plurality of propeller blades to rotate the shaft in response to airflow generated by rotation of the disc. A torsion return spring is attached to the shaft at a proximal end and to the disc drive at a proximal end, so that rotation of the shaft winds up the torsion return spring and urges the shaft longitudinally in a direction toward the torsion spring distal end. In the absence of airflow the torsion spring unwinds and urges the shaft in a direction away from the distal end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the mechanical response characteristics of an actuator arm in a disc drive such that damage to the disc drive resulting from mechanical shock is prevented or minimized. An actuator arm is provided with a lightening hole in which is supported a stiffening arm mass damper and a retaining filler. The stiffening arm mass damper can be made of a stiffening material or a damping material as desired, such as a metallic cylindrical member, to change the mechanical response characteristics of the actuator arm to reduce contact between the actuator arm and the disc surface resulting from mechanical shock to the disc drive. The filler is preferably a moldable elastomeric material that substantially encapsulates the stiffening arm mass damper within the lightening hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the mass and the responsive inertia of a bearing cartridge for a disc drive actuator assembly, the bearing cartridge including a stationary shaft, a bearing assembly and a bearing sleeve. The bearing assembly is disposed between, and rigidly attached to, the stationary shaft and the bearing sleeve, to facilitate radial movement of the bearing sleeve relative to the stationary shaft. The disc drive actuator assembly has an actuator rigidly attached to, and supported by, the bearing cartridge. The bearing assembly has an inner race rigidly attached to the stationary shaft, and an outer race rollingly engaging a plurality of roller bearings disposed between the inner and outer races. The outer race has a chamfered edge in a plane between a reference vertical axis and a reference horizontal axis, and the bearing sleeve has an internal taper matingly joining the chamfered edge to provide a miter joint therebetween.

Abstract: An actuator latch for latching an actuator of a disc drive having a rotating disc that induces airflow when the disc drive is operational, the actuator latch having a shaft supported by a baseplate, the shaft supporting a plurality of vanes to rotate the shaft in response to airflow generated by disc rotation. A locking member is operably engaged with the shaft and moveable thereby to a latched position and to an unlatched position, the actuator being secured by the locking member in the latched position and the actuator being released to move freely in the unlatched position. The locking member is caused to be positioned in the unlatched position when airflow rotates the vanes and shaft, and a biasing member reverse rotates the shaft when the airflow ceases, thus returning the locking member to the latched position when the disc drive becomes non-operational.