Abstract: A stabilized headband may include a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism may be configured so that at least one pad is pivotable about at least one pivot axis and disposed between the at least one pad and one of first and second ends of the headband. The stabilized headband may further include a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism may be configured so that the at least one pad is rotatable about at least one rotation axis and disposed between the at least one pad and the one of the first and second ends of the headband.

Abstract: A stabilized headband includes a headband having two ends with an arcuate section extending between the ends. The headband further includes a pair of pads with each pad having a contoured surface to engage a head in a contact region where the head has a contour that is similar to the contoured surface. The pads may include a compliant member to improve contact with the head. Each pad is pivotably coupled to the headband proximate to one of the ends at a location that is behind the arcuate section when the headband is worn on the head to improve fit, stability and comfort. The arcuate section defines a headband plane which is at a non-zero angle with respect to a vertical plane when the headband is worn on the head.

Abstract: A stabilized headband includes a headband having two ends with an arcuate section extending between the ends. The headband further includes a pair of pads with each pad having a contoured surface to engage a head in a contact region where the head has a contour that is similar to the contoured surface. The pads may include a compliant member to improve contact with the head. Each pad is pivotably coupled to the headband proximate to one of the ends at a location that is behind the arcuate section when the headband is worn on the head to improve fit, stability and comfort. The arcuate section defines a headband plane which is at a non-zero angle with respect to a vertical plane when the headband is worn on the head.

Abstract: A stabilized headband may include a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism may be configured so that at least one pad is pivotable about at least one pivot axis and disposed between the at least one pad and one of first and second ends of the headband. The stabilized headband may further include a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism may be configured so that the at least one pad is rotatable about at least one rotation axis and disposed between the at least one pad and the one of the first and second ends of the headband.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a data storage device has a housing with a cover and a base to define an interior environment. Fasteners extend through the housing to secure respective shafts that support a rotatable data recording medium and an actuator assembly, respectively. Spaced apart first and second seals contactingly engage and surround the housing to sealingly cover the fasteners. Third and fourth seals contactingly engage the first and second seals and the housing to seal the first and second seals.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a housing includes a first housing component having a through hole covered by a first seal at one end of the through hole. The housing also includes a second seal that covers the first seal. In accordance with certain embodiments, a housing maintains a low density gas. The housing includes a fastening means for attaching a cover to a base, a first sealing means for sealing a through hole in the housing, and a second sealing means for inhibiting diffusion of the low-density gas through the first sealing means.

Abstract: A hermetic seal is provided for sealing a discrete opening in a disk drive base plate. The hermetic seal comprises a sealing gasket that is disposed between planar facing surfaces of a component inserted through the opening and a recess formed on the interior of the base plate. As the gasket is compressed, a deformable plating applied to the gasket deforms and flows to fill microscopic voids that may be found in the abutting planar surfaces. Required access to the disk drive through the opening may be made in a rework process without destroying the seal. To seal the opening of the drive again, the sealing gasket is simply recompressed between the planar abutting surfaces. The invention also comprises a method by which to seal the castings of the disk drive housing, to include the base plate and top cover the disk drive. The method generally includes a two-time resin impregnation process to fill exposed pores on the surface of the castings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preformed seals used in the manufacture of low density gas filled disk drives. The seals may be preformed to facilitate positioning in the disk drive and eliminate the need for manually applied or semi-automatically applied epoxies, thereby reducing manual labor costs, non-uniform seals, waste and inefficiencies due to equipment malfunction. The epoxy seals may soften and seal after being positioned, thereby forming an in-place hermetic or substantially hermetic seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing disk drive housing castings and the resulting housings. A housing component of a data storage device is placed in an environment of decreased pressure where a first tank that is an autoclave is pressurized at a selected pressure and the environment is a first tank that encloses the housing component. A second tank that is an autoclave is pressurized at substantially the same pressure as the first tank while the second tank is fluidically coupled to the first tank and encloses a sealant. The sealant is applied to a surface of the component when it is under decreased pressure by transferring the sealant from the first tank to the second tank. A pressure of at least one atmosphere is further applied so that a portion of the sealant contactingly permeates voids in the housing component before the sealant is subsequently cured.

Abstract: A hermetic seal is provided for sealing discrete openings in a disk drive, such as an opening made in a base plate of the drive for a spindle motor shaft and openings made in the base plate for spindle motor lead wires. The hermetic seal for the spindle motor shaft comprises an undercut made in the portion of the spindle shaft that is secured to the base plate, and an epoxy material fills the gap between the surface defining the opening and the undercut made in the spindle motor shaft. Epoxy is also used to seal the openings made for the motor lead wires. The invention also comprises the method by which the base plate casting may be sealed by a two-time resin impregnation process which fills exposed pores on the surfaces of the castings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a hard disk drive with a low-density gas is provided. A valve body is positioned over an opening in the hard disk drive housing. The valve body is in communication with a source of low-density gas, a vacuum source and the interior of the disk drive. The vacuum source evacuates the internal cavity of the disk drive through the opening. The cavity is then filled with the low-density gas. A reciprocating member then positions a sealing member in the opening to seal the opening and capture the low-density gas within the disk drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing low-density gas-filled disk drives involving test equipment utilized to determine gas leaks occurring in disk drives subjected to shock and vibration events. A disk drive is placed in a sealed container, which, in turn, is connected to a gas detection device. Following shock or vibration testing, the gas detection device determines if a leak has occurred, as well as the quality of gas leaked from the disk drive. The present invention also involves a test apparatus designed to check the accuracy and calibration of associated gas detection devices used during the shock and vibration tests. The test apparatus utilizes a sealed test chamber containing a known quantity of gas, which is released during a test event. Knowing the quantity of gas released, the output of the gas detection device can be monitored and calibrated as needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and securing a spindle shaft and actuator shaft in a low-density gas-filled hard disk drive and independent of the disk drive cover is provided. A capture plate is positioned above the memory disk(s) and is secured to the base plate. The spindle shaft and, optionally, the actuator shaft are secured between the base plate and capture plate. The capture plate may be configured to reduce vibration. This structure eliminates use of the cover to secure the spindle shaft and actuator shaft and, thereby, eliminates a potential pathway for low-density gas to escape. The capture plate may also be configured to reduce air turbulence created by the rotating disk and reduce track misregistration of the read/write element(s).

Abstract: A disk drive having a fluid evacuation/fill valve is disclosed for allowing for the removal of a fluid from an enclosed space within a disk drive housing, for allowing for the introduction of a fluid into this enclosed space, or both. The valve assembly utilizes a sealing member that may be biased into sealing engagement with a portion of an external surface of the disk drive housing to at least substantially isolate the enclosed space from the external environment to the disk drive. These biasing forces may be reduced and/or overcome to allow the valve assembly to “open” and allow for a fluid flow out of and/or into the enclosed space, utilizing a port that extends through a wall of the disk drive housing and a space between a sealing member of the valve assembly and the external surface of the disk drive housing.

Abstract: A microwave antenna and receiver assembly is described for use at gigaherz frequencies wherein the antenna is a microstrip antenna and the receiver includes a stripline filter circuit which is integrated in a layered configuration with both the microstrip antenna and the amplifier so as to achieve a very low noise figure, a low SWR and preserve good receiver characteristics, while being easily assembled inside a common radome housing. An inexpensive substrate material formed of alternating layers of polypropylene and woven glass is described for use with the microstrip antenna and other microwave structures.