Abstract: A disc drive device includes a base plate having an upper surface, a voice coil motor operably attached to the upper surface of the base plate, and a damper pad positioned on the upper surface of the base plate between the base plate and the voice coil motor such that vibrations occurring in the base plate and/or the voice coil motor are effectively damped. In this manner, vibrationally induced noise in a disc drive servo system and vibrationally induced acoustical emissions from the disc drive device are reduced.

Abstract: A disc drive gas supply system for supplying a gas other than air to an enclosed environment containing a disc includes a source of gas other than air, which can be connected to the enclosed environment. A pressure sensor produces a pressure signal, such as an electrical, pneumatic, or mechanical signal, that is representative of the pressure within the enclosed environment. A control module receives the pressure signal and connects the source of gas other than air to the enclosed environment if the pressure within the enclosed environment is within a predetermined pressure range. When the pressure within the enclosed environment is above the predetermined pressure range, the control module disconnects the source of gas other than air from the enclosed environment. A disc drive shipping and storage package includes a disc drive defining an internal enclosed environment containing a gas other than air.

Abstract: A system for filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes a filling system connection apparatus that can be connected to a corresponding disc drive connection apparatus that is connected to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A vacuum source and a source of gas other than air can be connected to the filling system connection apparatus. The filling system also includes a pressure sensor can produce a pressure signal representative of the pressure within the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A control module receives the pressure signal and directs one of the vacuum source and the source of gas other than air through the filling system connection apparatus to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A method of filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes connecting the enclosed environment to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A system for boosting a concentration of a gas other than air, such as helium, within an enclosed disc drive environment includes a pressurized reservoir of the gas other than air within the disc drive environment. The gas other than air flows from the reservoir through an outlet and into the disc drive environment. Additionally, a particle trap within the disc drive environment traps air particles.

Abstract: A method of detecting that a concentration of a low-density gas such as helium in a disc drive is in danger of reaching an unacceptable level includes monitoring a signal varying in response to variations in the concentration of the gas in the disc drive. A criterion is determined based on the signal where the criterion indicates that the gas level is about to reach the unacceptable level. Finally, a flag is set once the criterion is met. A disc drive containing a low-density gas such as helium includes a sensor within the drive that produces a signal responsive to variations in the concentration of the low-density gas in the disc drive. The disc drive also includes a processor that monitors the signal and sets a flag if a predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: By dynamically adjusting the maximum voice coil motor driving current produced by an amplifier in a disc drive, amplifier saturation may be reduced, while still maintaining optimal current to quickly drive the voice coil motor during seek operations. Reducing disc drive saturation, and thus non-linearities in the driving current, increases notch filter performance. As the notch filter is used in the disc drive to remove frequencies from the driving current that tend to cause or excite the mechanical oscillations in the disc drive, increased notch filter performance reduces mechanical oscillations and improves disc drive noise characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing audible noise in disc drives during idle periods uses a low-noise velocity profile and/or low noise position profile to govern the movement of a seeking actuator assembly. The low-noise velocity profile is selected to govern all actuator movement and seeking during idle periods, i.e., during internal drive housekeeping operations. The noise level associated with each actuator position in the drive is preferably determined through actual tests and/or modeling and is utilized to determine the low noise profiles. The relative amount of time the actuator assembly spends in the relatively noisier actuator assembly positions may also be optimally reduced thus reducing the overall amount of noise generated by an idle disc drive.

Abstract: A shock protection assembly for a disc drive includes a protective cover mounted as the lowest portion of the disc drive. The disc drive includes a base plate and two mounting rails, wherein a printed circuit board assembly is attached to the base plate between the two mounting rails. The protective cover is mounted to the base plate to cover a majority of the printed circuit board assembly while extending a predetermined distance below the mounting rails to shield the mounting rails and the base plate from contact. The shock protection assembly may further include a shock damper positioned between the protective cover and the printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing transmission of EMI noise effects originating within disc drives by including a grounding member positioned between at least a portion of a flex circuit and an EMI noise source. The grounding member makes electrically conductive contact with the cover and base plate of the disc drive and thereby provides an alternative pathway for EMI noise, as opposed to traveling along the actuator arm (E block). By reducing the transmission of EMI noise, the number of read errors from the disc is likewise minimized.

Abstract: A disc drive device includes a base plate having an upper surface, a voice coil motor operably attached to the upper surface of the base plate, and a damper pad positioned on the upper surface of the base plate between the base plate and the voice coil motor such that vibrations occurring in the base plate and/or the voice coil motor are effectively damped. In this manner, vibrationally induced noise in a disc drive servo system and vibrationally induced acoustical emissions from the disc drive device are reduced.

Abstract: A protective cover used as a heat sink is disclosed. The protective cover serves as a heat sink and removes heat from electrical components mounted to a disc drive printed circuit board assembly. The heat sink includes a thermally conductive cover fastened to the base of the disc drive assembly having the disc drive circuit board disposed between the base and the thermally conductive cover. Furthermore, the heat sink further includes at least one thermally conductive member that extends between the cover and the circuit board. The thermally conductive members are in thermal communication with the cover and at least one electrical component on the circuit board. Alternatively, the thermally conductive members are tabs that are integrally formed from the protective cover.

Abstract: Coating of fine particles such as magnetizable particles in a binder which is a soluble hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane block copolymer comprising soft or flexible blocks synthesized from polyester or polyether diols and hard blocks synthesized from aliphatic diols containing tertiary amine and p,p'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. The block copolymer is capable of dispersing as well as acting as a binder for the particles.