Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards dual cavity apparatus and related methods involving hermetically sealing the cavities by evacuating and atmosphere therein, filling the cavity with a gas, and sealing the gas in the cavities. This evacuation and fill approach is carried out through openings that provide access to the cavities. During evacuation of at least one of the cavities through one of the openings, one or more spacers prevent the cavity from collapsing in response to the vacuum force.

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: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a disc drive apparatus. A base deck and a cover are joined to one another by a friction-stir weld along a lip of the cover that extends along a periphery of the cover and over a surface of the base deck. The base deck and cover enclose a cavity, which is hermetically sealed by the weld.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards dual cavity apparatus and related methods involving hermetically sealing the cavities by evacuating and atmosphere therein, filling the cavity with a gas, and sealing the gas in the cavities. This evacuation and fill approach is carried out through openings that provide access to the cavities. During evacuation of at least one of the cavities through one of the openings, one or more spacers prevent the cavity from collapsing in response to the vacuum force.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a disc drive apparatus. A base deck and a cover are joined to one another by a friction-stir weld along a lip of the cover that extends along a periphery of the cover and over a surface of the base deck. The base deck and cover enclose a cavity, which is hermetically sealed by the weld.

Abstract: An apparatus for accelerating and concentrating wind generated by spinning discs in a disc drive includes a stationary air vane member mounted on a disc drive base plate beneath a bottom disc. The air vane member preferably has a rib with an upper edge in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the disc adjacent a bottom surface of the disc and curves from the inner diameter of the disc to the outer diameter in the direction of rotation of the disc. The rib terminates adjacent a wind actuated pivoting air filter latch which holds an actuator assembly in a parked position when the drive is de-energized. This arrangement accelerates and concentrates the wind at the latch apparatus to increase wind force on the pivoting air filter latch to move the latch to an unlatched position when the rotating discs reach normal operating speed to permit the actuator to move from the parked position.

Abstract: A method for testing rolling contact bearings, where each bearing has an inner race and an outer race. The method comprises: coupling the outer race of the bearing to a strain gauge; rotating the inner race of the bearing in a first direction and measuring the torque exerted on the outer race; and rotating the inner race of the bearing in a second direction and measuring the torque exerted on the outer race. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for testing bearings. The apparatus includes elements for rotating the inner race of the bearing; a strain gauge; elements for coupling the outer race of the bearing to a strain gauge; and elements, coupled to the strain gauge, for measuring the force applied to the strain gauge when the inner race is rotated.