Patents by Inventor Thilo Rehm
Thilo Rehm has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9214182Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system having a bearing bush and a shaft that are rotatable with respect to one another about a common rotational axis and form a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid between associated bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces form at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing. A rotor component is disposed on the shaft. A stopper ring is disposed on the shaft or on the rotor component and adjoins the bearing bush, wherein a gap is formed between the mutually facing surfaces of the bearing bush and the stopper component that is filled with a bearing fluid and connected to the bearing gap and extends substantially in a radial direction. According to the invention, the surfaces of the bearing bush and/or the stopper component are formed such that the gap is tapered, narrowing radially outwards.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.Inventors: Thilo Rehm, Martin Bauer
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Patent number: 8182154Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises at least one stationary part that has a shaft and two bearing plates disposed on the shaft at a mutual spacing, and at least one rotating part that is supported so as to rotate about a rotational axis with respect to the stationary part, and comprises a bearing bush and a sleeve enclosing the bearing bush. A bearing gap filled with bearing fluid is provided between the parts and at least one sealing gap for sealing the bearing gap that extends concentric to the rotational axis. The bearing comprises at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing and two fluid dynamic axial bearings and at least one recirculation channel that connects the two axial bearing regions to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Martin Bauer, Jurgen Fleig, Stefan Schwamberger, Martin Engesser, Igor Ross, Thilo Rehm
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Publication number: 20110285231Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system having a bearing bush and a shaft that are rotatable with respect to one another about a common rotational axis and form a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid between associated bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces form at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing. A rotor component is disposed on the shaft. A stopper ring is disposed on the shaft or on the rotor component and adjoins the bearing bush, wherein a gap is formed between the mutually facing surfaces of the bearing bush and the stopper component that is filled with a bearing fluid and connected to the bearing gap and extends substantially in a radial direction. According to the invention, the surfaces of the bearing bush and/or the stopper component are formed such that the gap is tapered, narrowing radially outwards.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Thilo Rehm, Martin Bauer
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Patent number: 7791833Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a deep-drawn baseplate and an aperture to receive and secure a bearing system to rotatably support a rotor. To avoid having to machine the bearing receiving portion of the baseplate in a complex process, the invention provides for a separate bush to be disposed in the aperture in the baseplate to receive and secure the bearing system. Compared to the baseplate, this bush can be worked in a simpler and more cost-saving process.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thilo Rehm, Claudia Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20090102300Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor for a hard disk drive comprising a baseplate (1), a shaft (2) fixedly connected to the baseplate (1), a thrust plate (3) fixedly connected to the free end of the shaft, a bearing bush (4) disposed about the shaft (2) and the thrust plate (3) and rotatably supported with respect to these components, a bearing gap (5) that is provided between the adjoining surfaces of the shaft (2), the bearing bush (4) and the thrust plate (3), at least one radial bearing (6; 7) formed by the adjoining surfaces of the shaft (2) and the bearing bush (4), an axial bearing (8) formed by the adjoining surfaces of the thrust plate (3) and the bearing bush (4), an annular rotor component (9) connected to the bearing bush (4), and an electromagnetic drive system having a rotor magnet (11) fixed to a rotating component and a stator arrangement (12) disposed on the baseplate (1) opposite the rotor magnet (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Thilo Rehm, Olaf Winterhalter, Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Toshimitsu Horiuchi
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Publication number: 20090080819Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing, particularly for rotatably supporting a spindle motor comprising: a first bearing part (16) having a substantially cylindrical bore, a substantially cylindrical second bearing part (20) that is disposed in the bore of the first bearing part (16) and rotatably supported about a rotational axis (50) with respect to the first bearing part, the bearing parts having associated radial bearing faces and axial bearing faces, or tapered bearing faces, a bearing gap (22) filled with bearing fluid that separates the mutually facing surfaces of the two bearing parts (16, 20) from one another and has an open end and a closed end remote from the open end, a sealing gap (40) that is disposed between an outside circumference of the first bearing part (16) and an inside circumference of a part connected to the second bearing part (20) and connected directly or indirectly to the bearing gap (22), a recirculation channel (44) that is disposed in the first bearing part (16) anType: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventor: Thilo Rehm
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Publication number: 20080260310Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises at least one stationary part that has a shaft and two bearing plates disposed on the shaft at a mutual spacing, and at least one rotating part that is supported so as to rotate about a rotational axis with respect to the stationary part, and comprises a bearing bush and a sleeve enclosing the bearing bush. A bearing gap filled with bearing fluid is provided between the parts and at least one sealing gap for sealing the bearing gap that extends concentric to the rotational axis. The bearing comprises at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing and two fluid dynamic axial bearings and at least one recirculation channel that connects the two axial bearing regions to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Martin Bauer, Jurgen Fleig, Stefan Schwamberger, Martin Engesser, Igor Ross, Thilo Rehm
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Publication number: 20080101739Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system having at least one stationary (10) and at least one moving bearing part (22) that are rotatable about a common rotational axis (16) with respect to one another and form a bearing gap (14) filled with a bearing fluid between associated bearing surfaces, wherein a sealing gap (38) adjoins one end of the bearing gap, the sealing gap being disposed between a sleeve surface (40) of the stationary bearing part (10) and an opposing sleeve surface (42) of the moving bearing part (22) and comprising a radial section and an axial section and being at least partially filled with bearing fluid, wherein in the region of the axial section of the sealing gap (38), the sleeve surface (40) of the stationary bearing part (10) forms an acute angle a with the rotational axis (16) and the sleeve surface (42) of the moving bearing part (12, 22) forms an acute angle ? with the rotational axis (16), wherein for the angles the condition ???>0° applies, and the difference B2Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Matthias Wildpreth, Andreas Kull, Martin Hafen, Olaf Winterhalter, Thilo Rehm
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Patent number: 7345392Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a hydrodynamic bearing system, particularly to drive platters in a hard disk drive, the platters being disposed on a rotor, and the bearing system being formed by a bearing sleeve arranged on a baseplate and a shaft rotatably supported in an opening in the bearing sleeve and at least one thrust plate connected to the shaft. A liquid lubricant is filled into a bearing gap formed between the shaft, the thrust plate and the bearing sleeve. The invention is characterized in that the thrust plate rests directly against the rotor and is accommodated in an annular recess in the bearing sleeve facing the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Martin Hafen, Joerg Hoffmann, Andreas Kull, Tobias Kirchmeier, Rudolf Neumann, Thilo Rehm, Olaf Winterhalter
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Publication number: 20050270693Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a deep-drawn baseplate and an aperture to receive and secure a bearing system to rotatably support a rotor. To avoid having to machine the bearing receiving portion of the baseplate in a complex process, the invention provides for a separate bush to be disposed in the aperture in the baseplate to receive and secure the bearing system. Compared to the baseplate, this bush can be worked in a simpler and more cost-saving process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: Thilo Rehm, Claudia Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20050225187Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a hydrodynamic bearing system, particularly to drive platters in a hard disk drive, the platters being disposed on a rotor, and the bearing system being formed by a bearing sleeve arranged on a baseplate and a shaft rotatably supported in an opening in the bearing sleeve and at least one thrust plate connected to the shaft. A liquid lubricant is filled into a bearing gap formed between the shaft, the thrust plate and the bearing sleeve. The invention is characterized in that the thrust plate rests directly against the rotor and is accommodated in an annular recess in the bearing sleeve facing the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Martin Hafen, Joerg Hoffmann, Andreas Kull, Tobias Kirchmeier, Rudolf Neumann, Thilo Rehm, Olaf Winterhalter
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Patent number: 6945696Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing, particularly forming a part of a bearing system for a rotary bearing of spindle motors utilized to power hard disk drives. The thrust bearing includes at least one annular thrust plate and a counter bearing corresponding to the thrust plate. The thrust plate is fixedly mounted on a shaft rotatably supported by means of a radial bearing system. The thrust plate is arranged on the shaft which is provided with an axial bore in the area where the thrust plate is to be positioned. A spherical element fixing the thrust plate is pressed into the axial bore. An outer diameter of the fixing element is greater than the inner diameter of the axial bore. This type of press connection between the thrust plate and the shaft allows comparatively thinner thrust plates to be used while the performance of the thrust bearing remains the same or improves.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ralf Dittes, Helmut Hueneke, Joerg Hoffman, Jürgen Oelsch, Thilo Rehm, Mathias Wildpreth, Olaf Winterhalter
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Patent number: 6940193Abstract: Permanent electro-conductive connection is achieved between a bearing component and a baseplate/flange by providing at least one solid-state contact element between the baseplate/flange and the bearing component. The contact element establishes an electric contact between these parts by exercising mechanical force on the baseplate/flange and/or the bearing component. Alternatively, at least one welding seam may be formed between the baseplate/flange and the bearing component to establish the electro-conductive connection.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joerg Hoffmann, Thilo Rehm
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Publication number: 20050018351Abstract: A spindle motor for hard disk drives having a base-plate, a stator, a rotor, a shaft, a bearing recess formed in either the rotor or the base-plate; and an upper roller bearing and a lower roller bearing. Each roller bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. Inner rings are fixedly mounted on the shaft. At least one outer ring is secured to the bearing recess by welding or bonding at predetermined spots located at a first end face of the outer ring. The outer ring is secured to the bearing recess without applying an adhesive between an outer perimeter of the outer ring and the inner wall of the bearing recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joerg Hoffmann, Ljubomir Francuski, Milena Francuski, Thilo Rehm
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Patent number: 6753636Abstract: The invention related to a spindle motor for hard disk drives with improved running accuracy where the sheet metal package or the complete stator consisting of sheet metal package and windings is encompassed by a centering casing of plastic, which is preferably applied by means of an injection molding operation. Depending on the design of the spindle motor the centering casing can be centered on the stationary shaft and/or on the outer rings/inner raceways pertaining to the sets of roolling bodies. Furthermore, a stator without centering casing is described whose sheet metal package is centered directly on the outer rings/inner raceways.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea GmbHInventors: Thilo Rehm, Jörg Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20040108780Abstract: Permanent electro-conductive connection is achieved between a bearing component and a baseplate/flange by providing at least one solid-state contact element between the baseplate/flange and the bearing component. The contact element establishes an electric contact between these parts by exercising mechanical force on the baseplate/flange and/or the bearing component. Alternatively, at least one welding seam may be formed between the baseplate/flange and the bearing component to establish the electro-conductive connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joerg Hoffmann, Thilo Rehm
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Publication number: 20040081378Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing, particularly forming a part of a bearing system for a rotary bearing of spindle motors utilized to power hard disk drives. The thrust bearing includes at least one annular thrust plate and a counter bearing corresponding to the thrust plate. The thrust plate is fixedly mounted on a shaft rotatably supported by means of a radial bearing system. The thrust plate is arranged on the shaft which is provided with an axial bore in the area where the thrust plate is to be positioned. A spherical element fixing the thrust plate is pressed into the axial bore. An outer diameter of the fixing element is greater than the inner diameter of the axial bore. This type of press connection between the thrust plate and the shaft allows comparatively thinner thrust plates to be used while the performance of the thrust bearing remains the same or improves.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ralf Dittes, Helmut Hueneke, Joerg Hoffman, Jurgen Oelsch, Thilo Rehm, Mathias Wildpreth, Olaf Winterhalter
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Patent number: 6566776Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a sealing support film which prevents exchange of air between the interior and surroundings of the spindle motor. In spindle motors for hard disk drives it is extremely important to construct the spindle motor so that it is sealed tight against the external environment, ie so that from the connecting side of the spindle motor no admission of air to the interior of the spindle motor can occur. A further characteristic of the invention consists in that the support film is bonded and fixed in place in sealing manner by means of an adhesive which does not give off gas or does so only very slightly.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea GmbHInventors: Jörg Hoffmann, Thilo Rehm
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Patent number: 6543781Abstract: A spindle-drive motor for hard drives having a baseplate, a shaft and one or more bearings for rotational mounting of a rotationally driven rotor, with at least one magnetic fluid seal arranged between the stationary part and the rotating part of the spindle-drive motor. The seal is formed of an upper and a lower yoke lamination and a magnet disk arranged between the yoke laminations, where a concentric chamber is formed so that it is open toward the inside on one side to hold a magnetically conducting fluid. A flux concentrating lamination extends into this chamber. In one embodiment of this invention, the flux concentrating lamination is in direct or indirect contact with one end face of the inner bearing ring of the bearing, while the outer part of the magnetic fluid seal is in direct or indirect contact with the end face of the outer bearing ring of the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea GmbHInventors: Thilo Rehm, Jörg Hoffmann
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Patent number: 6445535Abstract: The invention relates to a disk drive with spindle motor and electrical connection arrangement, comprising a baseplate, a central shaft, an armature which is mounted rotatably with respect to the baseplate by means of a suitable bearings and on which at least one storage disk is arranged, and a stator-side winding stack provided with coils and attached to the baseplate by means of a winding support, the electrical connection of the coils of the winding stack being effected by means of terminal tags. The terminal tags simultaneously serve as soldering terminals for the ends of the wires coming from the coils and as contact springs for non-positive spring-loaded connection to corresponding contact lands on the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Precision Motors Deutsche Minebea GmbHInventor: Thilo Rehm