Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for reducing particle collection on a slider or gimbal tongue. The gimbal tongue is shaped so as to interact with airflow within a disc drive to direct particles away from the slider and gimbal tongue. The leading edge of the gimbal tongue overhangs the leading edge of the slider. As air current approaches such a geometry, a large pocket of slow moving, high pressure air is created just upwind of the slider. Thus, as particulate matter encounters this pocket, the matter is slowed and its momentum is partially dissipated. A vent is provided in the gimbal tongue. The vent permits an escape route for the particles to move to an area of lower pressure, located on the other side of the gimbal tongue.

Abstract: A disc drive has an actuator assembly that includes an actuator arm and a suspension having a load beam for supporting a head above a surface of a disc. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of surface features formed on a surface of at least one of the actuator arm and the load beam to reduce aerodynamic drag forces experienced by the actuator assembly. The disc drive may also include an air dam having a finger extending over the surface of the disc, where the finger includes a plurality of surface features to reduce flow separation of an airflow passing over the finger. The surface features may comprise dimples or V-shaped shark skin denticles.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method and apparatus for reducing particle collection on a slider or gimbal tongue. The gimbal tongue is shaped so as to interact with airflow within a disc drive to direct particles away from the slider and gimbal tongue. The leading edge of the gimbal tongue overhangs the leading edge of the slider. As air current approaches such a geometry, a large pocket of slow moving, high pressure air is created just upwind of the slider. Thus, as particulate matter encounters this pocket, the matter is slowed and its momentum is partially dissipated. A vent is provided in the gimbal tongue. The vent permits an escape route for the particles to move to an area of lower pressure, located on the other side of the gimbal tongue.

Abstract: A disc drive has an actuator assembly that includes an actuator arm and a suspension having a load beam for supporting a head above a surface of a disc. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of surface features formed on a surface of at least one of the actuator arm and the load beam to reduce aerodynamic drag forces experienced by the actuator assembly. The disc drive may also include an air dam having a finger extending over the surface of the disc, where the finger includes a plurality of surface features to reduce flow separation of an airflow passing over the finger. The surface features may comprise dimples or V-shaped shark skin denticles.