Abstract: A spindle motor (10) including a stator component (16), a rotor component (18), including a hub (14) for supporting one or more discs, and a bearing assembly between tHe components, formed of a journal bearing (54) and a thrust bearing (52), wherein the journal bearing (54) is an aerodynamic bearing and the thrust bearing is adapted to function in a bi-directional manner and includes an annular member (30) projecting radially from one of the components into an associated recess (76) formed in the other of the components. Preferably, the annular member has two opposed bearing faces (68,70) arranged adjacent corresponding bearing surfaces of the recess, and a hydrodynamic bearing is formed between the respective bearing faces and surfaces.

Abstract: A high precision spindle suitable for hard disk drives, optical disk drives, such as DVDs, CD drives, and other applications includes a hub, a hybrid hydrodynamic an aerodynamic bearing system, a brushless motor, a starting/stopping assistant device and a base. The hybrid fluid film bearing system ensures that the spindle works at high precision, low acoustic noise and low power consumption. The starting/stopping assistant device lifts the rotating portion of the spindle and its load by means of magnetic force, hence, reduces the friction between the contacted surfaces of thrust air bearing. It reduces the starting/stopping time and lessens the wear of bearing, therefore, effectively suppresses the contamination caused by wear particles. Magnetic seals are also provide to prevent journal bearing fluid from leaking.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for positioning read/write heads above a data storage media comprises a pivotally mounted carriage arm assembly with a voice coil and a magnetic device having a plurality of poles for generating a magnetic field. The voice coil is positioned with its effective portions crossing through the magnetic field to generate at least one pair of driving forces in a direction substantially orthogonal to a seeking direction of the read/write heads. The carriage arm driven by said pair of forces has substantially no reacting force generated onto the pivot so that the servo bandwidth of the head positioning assembly can be improved and achieves a high degree of head positioning accuracy.

Abstract: An electrostatic microactuator for a slider in a disc drive is characterised in that it is formed from a single crystal silicon wafer. This provides a microactuator that has very low parasitic capacitance, virtually no mechanical or thermal creep, or mismatch problems as may occur when parts are separately fabricated. It also allows for efficient mass production by allowing for many of the microactuators to be simultaneously formed from the single crystal silicon wafer. The microactuator comprises a first (stationary) part (22) for attachment to a flexure of a head positioning system in a disc drive and a second (movable) part (24) to which a slider is attachable, which is pivotally coupled (42, 44) to the first part. The first and second parts include elongate strips (30, 32) which are interdigitated to provide comb electrodes.

Abstract: An electric spindle motor for use in precision instruments such as hard disk drives comprises a stationary sub-assembly and a rotary sub-assembly movable relative to the stationary sub-assembly for carrying magnetic disks. The electric spindle motor has an integrated bearing system including a hydrodynamic journal bearing for providing desired radial load and a magnetic bearing for reducing friction resistance during staring/stopping and running of the electric spindle motor. The rotary sub-assembly is suspended from the stationary sub-assembly by the activation of the magnetic bearing during the rotating of the electric spindle motor. The electric spindle motor having integrated hydrodynamic journal bearing and magnetic bearing of the present invention is capable of high speed and high accuracy running, providing increased radial load and stiffness, and reduces the friction resistance therefore improves the performance and power saving.

Abstract: A slider assembly 60 for a data storage device, the assembly comprising a slider main body 110; a piezoelectric element 130 mounted on the slider main body 110; and a head 140 mounted on the piezoelectric element; wherein the slider main body can be moved and the piezoelectric element can be operated to adjust the position of the head with respect to a data storage medium.

Abstract: A spindle motor (10) including a stator component (16), a rotor component (18), including a hub (14) for supporting one or more discs, and a bearing assembly between tile components, formed of a journal bearing (54) and a thrust bearing (52), wherein the journal bearing (54) is an aerodynamic bearing and the thrust bearing is adapted to function in a bi-directional manner and includes an annular member (30) projecting radially from one of the components into an associated recess (76) formed in the other of the components. Preferably, the annular member has two opposed bearing faces (68,70) arranged adjacent corresponding, bearing surfaces of the recess, and a hydrodynamic bearing is formed between the respective bearing, faces and surfaces.

Abstract: An electric spindle motor for use in precision instruments such as hard disk drives comprises a stationary sub-assembly and a rotary sub-assembly movable relative to the stationary sub-assembly for carrying magnetic disks. The electric spindle motor has an integrated bearing system including a hydrodynamic journal bearing for providing desired radial load and a magnetic bearing for reducing friction resistance during staring/stopping and running of the electric spindle motor. The rotary sub-assembly is suspended from the stationary sub-assembly by the activation of the magnetic bearing during the rotating of the electric spindle motor. The electric spindle motor having integrated hydrodynamic journal bearing and magnetic bearing of the present invention is capable of high speed and high accuracy running, providing increased radial load and stiffness, and reduces the friction resistance therefore improves the performance and power saving.

Abstract: An electric spindle motor has a base assembly (19) and a hollow notatable hub (16) housing a motor. The hub (16) is mounted for rotation about an axis and a stator (12) is mounted on the base assembly (19) inside the hub (16). A liquid filled journal bearing (11, 21) acts between the base assembly (19) and the hub (16) to provide radial support of the hub (16). A gas filled thrust bearing (26, 27, 35) also acts between the hub (16) and base assembly (19) to provide at least axial support of the hub (16).

Abstract: An electric spindle motor has a base assembly (19) and a hollow notatable hub (16) housing a motor. The hub (16) is mounted for rotation about an axis and a stator (12) is mounted on the base assembly (19) inside the hub (16). A liquid filled journal bearing (11,21) acts between the base assembly (19) and the hub (16) to provide radial support of the hub (16). A gas filled thrust bearing (26, 27, 35) also acts between the hub (16) and base assembly (19) to provide at least axial support of the hub (16).