Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a drive carrier that has a damping material positioned between an inertia weight and the drive carrier. In certain embodiments, a method includes attaching a damping material to a drive carrier and attaching a mass to the damping material.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a portable data storage device comprising a mass data storage device, a cartridge housing enclosing a mass data storage device, and a flexible interconnect. The flexible interconnect includes an external electrical connector mechanically coupled to the cartridge, an internal electrical connector mechanically and electrically coupled to a data port of the mass data storage device, and a set of flexible electrical conductors electrically coupling the external electrical connector to the internal electrical connector. The flexible electrical conductors are routed within the cartridge such that no portion of the set of flexible electrical conductors lies in a volume defined by the space between the external electrical connector and the internal electrical connector.

Abstract: A solid state data storage assembly includes thermal interface material that conducts heat away from electrical components of the assembly. In some examples, the thermal interface material is positioned between a printed circuit board assembly, which includes electrical components, and a cover of a housing of the data storage assembly. The thermal interface material may also provide shock protection for the data storage assembly by at least one of increasing a stiffness of the data storage assembly, absorbing some mechanical loads applied to the data storage assembly or distributing the applied loads. In addition, in some examples, the thermal interface material exhibits some tackiness, such that removal of a thermal interface material from a data storage assembly and subsequent repositioning of the thermal interface material within the data storage assembly may provide a visual indication of tampering.

Abstract: This disclosure includes an elastic shock mount for a mass data storage device cartridge comprising a shock mount body forming a void configured to receive a mass data storage device; and a set of elastic shock mount protrusions extending outward from the shock mount body. The elastic shock mount protrusions are configured to transfer shock forces experienced by the cartridge housing to durable portions of the mass data storage device.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring, by a data storage device, signals generated by one or more sensors that relate to a mechanical vibration of the data storage device. The one or more sensors are in electrical communication with the data storage device. The method includes storing a representation of the signals as data in the data storage device.

Abstract: A solid state data storage assembly includes thermal interface material that conducts heat away from electrical components of the assembly. In some examples, the thermal interface material is positioned between a printed circuit board assembly, which includes electrical components, and a cover of a housing of the data storage assembly. The thermal interface material may also provide shock protection for the data storage assembly by at least one of increasing a stiffness of the data storage assembly, absorbing some mechanical loads applied to the data storage assembly or distributing the applied loads. In addition, in some examples, the thermal interface material exhibits some tackiness, such that removal of a thermal interface material from a data storage assembly and subsequent repositioning of the thermal interface material within the data storage assembly may provide a visual indication of tampering.

Abstract: This disclosure includes an elastic shock mount for a mass data storage device cartridge comprising a shock mount body forming a void configured to receive a mass data storage device; and a set of elastic shock mount protrusions extending outward from the shock mount body. The elastic shock mount protrusions are configured to transfer shock forces experienced by the cartridge housing to durable portions of the mass data storage device.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a portable data storage device comprising a mass data storage device, a cartridge housing enclosing a mass data storage device, and a flexible interconnect. The flexible interconnect includes an external electrical connector mechanically coupled to the cartridge, an internal electrical connector mechanically and electrically coupled to a data port of the mass data storage device, and a set of flexible electrical conductors electrically coupling the external electrical connector to the internal electrical connector. The flexible electrical conductors are routed within the cartridge such that no portion of the set of flexible electrical conductors lies in a volume defined by the space between the external electrical connector and the internal electrical connector.

Abstract: A housing structure for a disc drive including a rigid housing having opposed inner and outer surfaces and a spindle opening. A spindle cap is sized to fit in the spindle opening and includes opposed inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the spindle cap is raised above or spaced from the inner surface of the rigid housing for spindle clearance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an insert for use in a disc drive to dampen acoustic vibration and shield electronic elements from stray magnetic flux generated by a magnet assembly of a voice coil motor. The insert includes an acoustic insulator portion and a magnetic shield. The acoustic insulator portion is compressed between a base and a circuit board of the disc drive to suppress vibration of the circuit board. The magnetic shield is attached to the acoustic insulator portion below the magnet assembly and is shaped to shield a portion of the circuit board from stray magnetic flux generated by the magnet assembly.