Abstract: A disk drive motor having a capillary bearing seal is provided. In one embodiment, a disk drive motor includes a stationary assembly and a rotating assembly having a fluid dynamic journal bearing disposed therebetween. A capillary seal is defined proximate an upper end of the journal bearing and coupled to at least one re-circulation path. The capillary seal is configured to advantageously retain lubricating fluids within the motor when the motor is subjected to lateral shock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sealing an outer surface 170 of a shaft 175 to an inner surface 165 of a hub 160. The seal includes a magnet 155, with top and bottom pole pieces 260, 265, and a ferrofluid 270 magnetically held in a gap 275 between the pole pieces 260, 265, and the hub 160 or the shaft 175. The top pole piece 260 has a cross-section that is L-shaped, with a horizontal portion 260a parallel to the magnet 155 and a shorter vertical portion 260b facing the shaft 175. In one version, the vertical portion 260b or the portion of the shaft 175 facing it is contoured to provide a flux gradient that axially concentrates the ferrofluid 270 in the gap 275. In another aspect, a catcher 335 is provided to reduce loss of ferrofluid 270 when the ferrofluidic seal 185 used to form an outside seal. In yet another aspect, a stationary ferrofluidic seal 345 is provided for sealing a stationary shaft 350 to a rotating hub 355.

Abstract: A disk drive motor having a capillary bearing seal is provided. In one embodiment, a disk drive motor includes a stationary assembly and a rotating assembly having a fluid dynamic journal bearing disposed therebetween. A capillary seal is defined proximate an upper end of the journal bearing and coupled to at least one re-circulation path. The capillary seal is configured to advantageously retain lubricating fluids within the motor when the motor is subjected to lateral shock.

Abstract: A spindle motor incorporates a hollow shaft and a prewound stator having an interconnect ring attached to one end of the stator assembly. The interconnect ring is preferably a printed circuit or flexible printed circuit; it is bonded to the stator stack before the coils are wound, and the start and finish of each phase winding is terminated to the interconnect ring. Once the stator is assembled onto the shaft, connector wires can be fed up through the shaft and terminated at the interconnect ring. Traces on the interconnect ring join the wires to the proper phases and to the commons to control motor operation.

Abstract: A spindle motor in a disc drive has a rotor assembly rotatably mounted to a base. A stator is mounted to the base and a magnet is mounted to the rotor assembly. The magnet or the stator is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to the other under the influence of magnetic interaction between the magnet and the stator. The magnet and stator are then rigidly fixed relative to one another in the axial direction.

Abstract: A spindle motor incorporates a hollow shaft and a prewound stator having an interconnect ring attached to one end of the stator assembly. The interconnect ring is preferably a printed circuit or flexible printed circuit; it is bonded to the stator stack before the coils are wound, and the start and finish of each phase winding is terminated to the interconnect ring. Once the stator is assembled onto the shaft, connector wires can be fed up through the shaft and terminated at the interconnect ring. Traces on the interconnect ring join the wires to the proper phases and to the commons to control motor operation.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed which includes a shaft and a hub rotating relative to one another and defining a bore therebetween. Also disclosed is a magnetic fluid seal which includes pole pieces supported from the hub, the pole pieces extend toward the shaft. The pole pieces sandwich a non-conducting magnet in a space between the pole pieces. In addition, a contacting process is supported from one of the pole pieces for making electrical contact with the other pole piece to enhance electrical conductivity between the hub and shaft.

Abstract: A simplified spindle motor assembly is disclosed, in which the need for scrap or rework of the motor as it is being assembled is reduced, and a protective shield for the magnet protects the magnet from bumping into the sharp edges of the stator when the sleeve of the motor which supports the magnet is being assembled into the base of the disc drive. In addition, the simplified device for aligning the magnet axially along the sleeve properly aligns the magnet axially with the stator which is separately supported from the base when the sleeve and shaft are assembled into the base.

Abstract: An improved, simplified spindle motor design for use in a disc drive is provided, which utilizes a two-piece shaft and provides a central connector in the bottom section of the shaft which can be easily connected through the base to a power source for the motor. The improved spindle motor has a stator and motor connector which can be easily assembled into the spindle motor before the bearings and other elements are installed so that the cleaning and soldering of the stator and motor connector can be efficiently achieved. Further, the spindle and motor connector design incorporates an effective electrical grounding path between the stator and the central shaft of the spindle motor.

Abstract: Spindle motor electrical- and motor-to-base interfaces. A compliant connector along with a circuit on a support flange is provided below a stator assembly for providing: An insertable spindle motor to drive base with less specific orientation. The support flange may comprise a small printed circuit cable or a printed circuit board. Additionally, non-specific orientation of a spindle motor to drive base assembly is described using circular traces oriented about a support flange. A circular connector is also described, as a biased support flange.

Abstract: Bearings in a motor or bearing cartridge are positioned relative to the shaft and an outer sleeve, and a bearing retainer is then pressed against the outer races of one of the bearings in order to hold the bearings in position and preload the bearings in a desired orientation. The bearing retainer is chilled to a temperature significantly different than the sleeve with which it cooperates; shrinking the retainer to a size where it may be slip fit within a sleeve or other means for supporting the bearings in place. The retainer is then pressed against the outer races of the bearings, and held in place while it returns to the temperature of the sleeve within which it is fit. In this way, the preload is defined and maintained for the long term, as the retainer is pressed tightly against the outer race of the bearings; and the retainer is held within the sleeve as it returns to the same temperature being chilled is eliminated.

Abstract: A spindle motor in a disc drive has a rotor assembly rotatably mounted to a base. A stator is mounted to the base and a magnet is mounted to the rotor assembly. The magnet or the stator is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to the other under the influence of magnetic interaction between the magnet and the stator. The magnet and stator are then rigidly fixed relative to one another in the axial direction.