Abstract: A data storage device includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis. The data storage device further includes a first electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the first actuator via a first flexible circuit. The data storage device further includes a second electrical connector separate from but in a stacked arrangement with the first electrical connector. The second electrical connector is configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator via a second flexible circuit.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis. The data storage device further includes a first electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the first actuator via a first flexible circuit. The data storage device further includes a second electrical connector separate from but in a stacked arrangement with the first electrical connector. The second electrical connector is configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator via a second flexible circuit.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a storage device includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis. The storage device further includes a first electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the first actuator, and a second electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator and to communicate electrical signals to and from the first electrical connector. The storage device includes a hermetically-sealed body, the hermetically-sealed body including a base deck and a top cover, wherein the second electrical connector is configured to send and receive electrical signals to and from the first actuator and the second actuator through a single aperture in the hermetically-sealed body.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a storage device includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis. The storage device further includes a first electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the first actuator, and a second electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator and to communicate electrical signals to and from the first electrical connector. The storage device includes a hermetically-sealed body, the hermetically-sealed body including a base deck and a top cover, wherein the second electrical connector is configured to send and receive electrical signals to and from the first actuator and the second actuator through a single aperture in the hermetically-sealed body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one actuator shaft. First and second head stack assemblies are coaxially located on the actuator shaft(s). The first and second head stack assemblies each include: at least one bearing having an inner race coupled to an outer surface of the actuator shaft(s); an E-block surrounding an outer race of the at least one bearing; an annular gap is between the E-block and the outer race of the at least one bearing; a ring of bonding material filling the annular gap; and an access gap providing a fluid path to the annular gap from at least one of a top and a bottom of the E-block.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an actuator arm has a shelf overlapping a coil region. The shelf defines at least one cutout over the coil region. In certain embodiments, an actuator arm includes a shelf and a coil. The shelf extends over the coil and forms at least one cutout along a rim of the shelf.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. A rotating hinge rotates the distal end about the longitudinal axis in response to vertical motion of the distal end relative to the proximal end. In one example, the suspension includes a preformed twist deformation, which rotates the distal end about the longitudinal axis relative to the proximal end axis in a direction opposite to rotation by the rotating hinge, in response to the vertical motion.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which has a base, a load beam and a hinge structure. The hinge structure and at least one of the base and the load beam are formed of a single continuous piece of multiple layer laminate material, which includes first and second layers. The hinge structure includes a first beam formed by the first layer and a second beam formed by the second layer. The first layer is absent along the second beam and the second layer is absent along the first beam such that the first and second beams are vertically offset from one another. The first and second beams extend between the base and the load beam.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. A rotating hinge rotates the distal end about the longitudinal axis in response to vertical motion of the distal end relative to the proximal end.

Abstract: A coil support apparatus is provided that is configured for supporting a moveable coil within a magnetic field in a voice coil motor. The apparatus comprises a support arm with a characteristic cross section defining a first portion with a thickness related to a thickness of the coil for providing a mounting surface for attaching the coil. The support arm further defines a discontinuous second portion extending from the first portion in a direction away from the coil with a thickness substantially smaller than the first portion thickness. In some embodiments an actuator assembly is provided comprising a T-beam coil support.

Abstract: A disc drive suspension is provided, which includes a longitudinal axis, a rigid load beam section and a preload transfer section. The rigid load beam section extends along the longitudinal axis and has first and second opposing lateral side edges with respective first and second stiffening rails. The first and second stiffening rails are bent out-of-plane with respect to a main body portion of the rigid load beam section and terminate at a distal end of the rigid load beam section. The preload transfer section extends distally from the distal end of the rigid load beam section and has a third stiffening rail. The third stiffening rail is bent out-of-plane with respect to a main body portion of the preload transfer section and extends longitudinally from the distal end of the rigid load beam section.

Abstract: A dynamically symmetric actuator is disclosed for reducing off-track motion. The dynamically symmetric actuator of the present invention limits torsional or twisting motion of the actuator arm which reduces off-track motion. In one embodiment, the actuator arm includes a thickness step designed to balance stiffness of inner and outer portions of the actuator arm. The thickness step forms multi-thickness tiers, the dimensions of which can be modeled to optimize a first bending mode frequency of the actuator arm to further reduce off-track motion or errors.

Abstract: A disc drive has a recording disc rotatable around an axis, a slider supporting a transducing head for transducing data with the disc, and a dual-stage actuation assembly supporting the slider to position the transducing head adjacent a selected radial track of the disc. The dual-stage actuation assembly includes a movable actuator arm, a suspension assembly supported by the actuator arm and including a flexure, a tongue supporting the slider, and a microactuator. The microactuator includes a rotor attached to the tongue and a stator attached to the flexure and operatively connected to the rotor to radially move the rotor with respect to the stator. At least one beam is attached between the slider bond pad and the stator.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a spindle motor, a spindle, a disc, control circuitry, an actuator, and an armature. The spindle motor is coupled to the spindle to which the disc is also coupled. The control circuitry is coupled to the actuator and provides the actuator with control signals. The armature includes a load beam coupled to the actuator such that energization of the actuator displaces the load beam. The gimbal is coupled to the head and is also coupled to the load beam by a plurality of spaced apart. attachment points. An interconnect operably couples the head to the control circuitry.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a spindle motor, a spindle, a disc, control circuitry, an actuator, and an armature. The spindle motor is coupled to the spindle to which the disc is also coupled. The control circuitry is coupled to the actuator and provides the actuator with control signals. The armature includes a load beam coupled to the actuator such that energization of the actuator displaces the load beam. The gimbal is coupled to the head and is also coupled to the load beam by a plurality of spaced apart attachment points. An interconnect operably couples the head to the control circuitry.

Abstract: Non operational shock resistance is achieved by preventing separation of the read/write head from the disk. Embodiments include optimizing the normal stiction force of a lubricant topcoat by controlling the texture geometry of the landing zone and lubricant topcoat thickness, particularly the density of protrusions. Laser textured landing zones having a protrusion density above about 4,500 protrusions/mm.sup.2 can provide an optimal normal stiction force in excess of 25 gf per interface and a lateral stiction force below 10 gf per interface.

Abstract: A disc drive flex circuit head interconnect includes a base dielectric layer, a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on the base dielectric layer, and a displacement limiter coupled to the base dielectric layer. The displacement limiter is adapted to contact a disc drive load beam when the interconnect is displaced a selected distance.A disc drive head suspension assembly includes a load beam, a flex circuit head interconnect, and a head. The load beam has a tongue with a distal end and a dimple extending downwardly therefrom. The flex circuit head interconnect is disposed on the load beam, the interconnect has a base dielectric layer, a plurality of electrical conductors disposed thereon, and a head attach region. The head has a top side and an air bearing surface bottom side, the head is coupled to the head attach region of the flex circuit head interconnect such that the head gimbals about the dimple.

Abstract: A disc drive head suspension assembly includes a recording head, a load beam and a gimbal. The recording head includes a recording surface and a back surface. The load beam includes a front surface, a back surface, a distal end and a load protrusion. The load protrusion extends from the front surface of the load beam toward the back surface of the recording head. The gimbal is attached to the back surface of the load beam and includes a head mounting tab which is positioned beyond the distal end of the load beam. The recording head is attached to the head mounting tab. A first displacement limiter extends between the load beam and the gimbal, which limits vertical displacement of the gimbal in a direction toward the recording head relative to the load beam.

Abstract: A transducer support assembly supports a transducer relative to a disc in a disc drive. The transducer support assembly includes a slider coupled to the transducer and a suspension assembly supporting the slider. The suspension assembly includes a bias member configured such that, upon relative movement of the disc and the suspension assembly toward one another a sufficient distance, the bias member contacts the disc and exerts a bias thereagainst before a remainder of the suspension assembly contacts the disc.

Abstract: A gimbal structure comprises a gimbal, a dielectric layer attached to the gimbal and subjecting the gimbal to hygroscopic deformation, and a plurality of conductors attached to the dielectric layer. A hygroscopic balancer is attached to the gimbal and hygroscopically opposes the hygroscopic deformation subjected by the dielectric layer to reduce net hygroscopic deformation of the gimbal.