Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base, a disk rotatably coupled to the disk drive base having a disk surface, a head stack assembly rotatably coupled to the disk drive base adjacent the disk surface, and a cover attached to the disk drive base enclosing the disk and head stack assembly there between. The cover includes a metal layer and a polymer layer substantially coextensive with the metal layer and extending substantially across the disk drive base. The polymer layer includes a polymer layer feature extending away from the metal layer towards the disk drive base. The polymer layer feature defines a cavity between the polymer layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base and a cover engaged with the disk drive base. The disk drive further includes a formed-in-place gasket disposed between the disk drive base and the cover. The formed-in-place gasket is formed of a cured elastomer having a cross-sectional cavity for allowing the formed-in-place gasket to compress upon engagement of the cover and the disk drive base.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive housing having a breather hole formed through the disk drive housing. A breather filter is configured for attachment to the disk drive housing and for limiting and filtering airflow into the disk drive housing. The breather filter includes a breather filter housing portion having a breather filter housing surface that defines a filter housing hole. The filter housing hole is configured to align with the breather hole formed in the disk drive housing. A filter portion is fitted within the filter housing portion. A leveling layer is provided that defines a first leveling layer surface and a second leveling layer surface. The leveling layer is formed of a material that is impermeable to air. A first adhesive layer is provided to adhere the breather filter housing surface to the first leveling layer surface. A second adhesive layer 40 is also provided to adhere the second leveling layer surface to the disk drive housing.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base and a cover including a cover outer surface and a fastener opening disposed through the cover. The disk drive further includes an electrically insulative coating disposed upon the cover outer surface. The disk drive further includes a fastener that includes a fastener head and a fastener shaft. The disk drive further includes a fastener support disposed adjacent to the fastener opening. The fastener support includes a top surface for engaging the fastener head. The fastener support includes a central opening sized and configured to receive the fastener shaft through the central opening for mechanically coupling the cover and the disk drive base. The disk drive further includes a conductive path disposed between the disk drive base and the cover. The conductive path includes the fastener and the fastener support.

Abstract: A disk drive includes at least one rotatable disk including a disk edge and a disk drive housing having a breather hole formed through the disk drive housing. The disk drive further includes a breather shroud in mechanical communication with the disk drive housing. The breather shroud includes a shroud portion positioned adjacent the disk. The shroud portion is formed to extend along the disk edge for mitigating airflow adjacent the disk. The breather shroud further includes an air filter housing portion integrated with the shroud portion. The air filter housing portion is disposed adjacent the breather hole for filtering airflow through the breather hole. The air filter housing portion is positioned with the shroud portion between the air filter housing portion and the disk edge for mitigating airflow from the breather hole to adjacent to the disk.