Abstract: A vibration control device for controlling vibration of a disc drive supported in a compartment of a mass storage array. Disc drives stored in a compartment of a mass storage array may move within the compartment during operation of the mass storage array. Movement of a disc drive in a compartment may affect the performance of the disc drive to retrieve data from and write data to selected data tracks of a disc. In particular, vibration along an extent of the disc drive aligned with an operational stroke of the actuator mechanism may skew the operational stroke of the disc heads supported via the actuator mechanism. The vibration control device includes a spring which is adapted to exert a biasing force to a disc drive inserted into a compartment to restrict movement of the disc drive within the compartment.

Abstract: A head actuator supporting a data head for read or write operations. The actuator includes a head support excitation shield along a flow path to a leading edge of the slider (or head) to isolate the head support from flow induced excitation and vibration. A method for reading or writing data on a disc via a data head supported by a head support including rotating the disc to create an airflow stream and diverting the air flow stream to shield the head support from excitation.

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 head actuator supporting a data head for read or write operations. The actuator includes a head support excitation shield along a flow path to a leading edge of the slider (or head) to isolate the head support from flow induced excitation and vibration. A method for reading or writing data on a disc via a data head supported by a head support including rotating the disc to create an airflow stream and diverting the air flow stream to shield the head support from excitation.

Abstract: A vibration control device for controlling vibration of a disc drive supported in a compartment of a mass storage array. Disc drives stored in a compartment of a mass storage array may move within the compartment during operation of the mass storage array. Movement of a disc drive in a compartment may affect the performance of the disc drive to retrieve data from and write data to selected data tracks of a disc. In particular, vibration along an extent of the disc drive aligned with an operational stroke of the actuator mechanism may skew the operational stroke of the disc heads supported via the actuator mechanism. The vibration control device includes a spring which is adapted to exert a biasing force to a disc drive inserted into a compartment to restrict movement of the disc drive within the compartment.