Abstract: An actuator assembly has a generally flat sheet metal body with upper and lower surfaces and an actuator bore passing therebetween. The actuator bore is sized to receive the bearing cartridge assembly therethrough. A plurality of tabs project inward from an interior surface of the actuator bore, wherein the tabs extend only partially along a depth of the actuator bore between the upper and lower surfaces. The tabs contact the bearing cartridge assembly and secure it within the actuator bore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disk drive that includes a head disk assembly on a base plate, a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the head disk assembly, and a printed circuit board fastened beneath the head disk assembly. The printed circuit board has a port connector at one end of the board opposite an end having power and signal connectors.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on the base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage device, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on said base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage means, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on the base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage device, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on said base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage means, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on said base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage means, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on said base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage means, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A low height disk drive having an overall height of approximately one inch (1″). The drive includes a head disk assembly, including a base plate, two disks rotatably supported on the base plate, a motor for rotating the disks, at least two heads for reading information from and writing information on respective ones of the disks; an actuator, supported on said base plate and responsive to control signals, for selectively positioning the heads with respect to the disks, and a cover sealably attached to the base plate to enclose the storage means, the head, and the actuator. The disk drive also includes control circuitry for generating control signals, and for providing information signals to and receiving information signals from the heads. The head disk assembly and the control circuitry have a combined height of approximately one inch or less.

Abstract: A disc drive and method of making a disc drive, including a voice coil magnet assembly. The voice coil magnet assembly includes a top magnetic return plate, a bottom magnetic return plate and at least one pair of magnets affixed to at least one of the plates. The voice coil magnet assembly is pre-assembled prior to attachment to a base plate. The pre-assembled voice coil magnet assembly is then structurally coupled to the base plate at a boss or attachment point, and is done so in a rotatable manner at the boss or attachment point, such that the voice coil of an actuator assembly is sandwiched by the rotation of the pre-assembled unit about the structural attachment point or boss.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the effects of disc flutter or noise in a disc drive incorporates damping material or rings that are clamped or sandwiched against mounted information storage disc at a distance from a hub portion of a spindle assembly. The damping rings are positioned between a disc clamp and a bottom annular flange of the hub portion so as to engage and reduce vibrations in the mounted information storage disc or discs. The damping rings can be retained in grooves defined in the disc clamp, bottom annular flange and top and bottom surfaces of an annular disc spacer. Alternatively, the damping rings can be reatined on tubular sidewalls defined on the disc clamp, bottom annular flange of the hub portion and annular disc spacer. The arrangement of damping rings absorbs energy transmitted by vibrations in information storage disc and thus minimizes the effects of disc flutter in a disc drive.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided to position a transducing bead with respect to a selected radial track of a rotatable recording disc in a disc drive including an actuator arm and a suspension load beam connected to the actuator arm. A plate is hingedly attached to the load beam, and a flexure is attached to the plate. A slider supporting the transducing head is attached to the flexure. A microactuator is attached to the plate and is operable in response to electrical control signals to move the plate relative to the load beam in the general plane of the load beam to selectively position the transducing head proximate to the selected radial track on the rotatable recording disc.

Abstract: A jacket for holding and retaining a disk drive unit in a computer device bay. The jacket protects the disk drive unit from damage during handling, use and storage. The configuration of the jacket permits electrical and electrical ground coupling of the disk drive unit to a computer device bay. The configuration of the jacket also permits engagement with a retaining mechanism in the computer device bay, and permits ejection from the computer device bay without imparting an excessive shock load to the disk drive unit.

Abstract: A parking device for an actuator in a storage device which includes a voice coil motor having a magnet, providing a magnetic field including a magnetic flux, and a coil coupled to the actuator. The parking device includes a magnetically permeable capture structure forming a path for the magnetic flux and generating a capture region, the capture region being a region of magnetic flux adjacent to the capture structure; and a capture member, having a face plate, coupled to the actuator such that the capture member enters the capture region to park the actuator when the actuator is in a park position. In a further aspect, the parking device includes a magnet structure supporting the magnet, having a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein the capture structure is positioned between the top and bottom plates and forms a magnetic circuit path for the magnetic flux with the magnet, and the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for a disk drive having at least one disk mounted in a housing having a controlled environment defined by the housing. Such a disk drive generally includes, within the controlled environment, one or more transducers for reading information from and writing information to the disk, and at least one actuator for selectively positioning the transducers with respect to the disks. Each actuator includes at least one magnet for providing a magnetic field and an actuator coil, mounted on the actuator, arranged so that a current in said coil creates a force to pivot the actuator. The apparatus comprises a magnet shield encasing each such magnet for preventing matter, generated during the decomposition of said magnet over a period of time, from interfering with the operation of the disk drive.