Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for suspending a test object in a gravitational field from a support member, exciting the test object by noncontactingly engaging it with a predetermined waveform force, and characterizing the test object qualitatively in relation to an observed modal frequency response of the test object to the excitation.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a housing and a rotatable data disc within the housing. The rotatable data disc creates a gas flow within the housing when the rotatable data disc rotates. The assembly further comprises a filter at a perimeter position of the rotatable data disc positioned to capture a portion of the gas flow, a first support element fixed relative to the housing and adjacent an upstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow circumscribes the first support element and a second support element fixed to the housing and adjacent a downstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow also circumscribes the second support element.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for making a base for a data storage device. The base has a plurality of raised pads defining coplanar supporting surfaces. The surfaces are adapted for supportingly engaging intermittent portions of a component supported by the base so that the base clearingly disengages other portions of the component between the pads.

Abstract: A base assembly for use in an airtight enclosure. The base assembly includes a metal stamped section and an overmold section formed adjacent to the metal stamped section. The overmold section includes at least one stress relief feature for eliminating distortion stresses exerted on the metal stamped section by the overmold section.

Abstract: Flow guides in the form of extensions that project internally from the housing of an electronic consumer device can contribute to undesirable noise emissions from the device. Proposed is an improved flow guide or extension that reduces propagation of flow induced vibrations to the housing, thereby improving the overall acoustic performance of the device.

Abstract: A base of a data storage system includes a motor assembly. The motor assembly s includes a rotor that extends through an aperture in the base. The aperture extends from an inner surface to an outer surface of the base. The motor assembly also includes a motor stator mounted on the outer surface of the base. The motor stator includes a plurality of stator teeth radially and symmetrically arranged about the aperture in the base which are configured to support stator wires.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for suspending a test object in a gravitational field from a support member, exciting the test object by noncontactingly engaging it with a predetermined waveform force, and characterizing the test object qualitatively in relation to an observed modal frequency response of the test object to the excitation.

Abstract: A base plate for a disc drive incorporates a printed circuit board and connector assembly into an integral composite base that is bonded together to form a single composite structure. This structure provides the strength, stiffness and rigidity necessary to permit a reduction in overall thickness of a miniature disc drive to that substantially required for a Type I compact flash form factor data storage device.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a housing and a rotatable data disc within the housing. The rotatable data disc creates a gas flow within the housing when the rotatable data disc rotates. The assembly further comprises a filter at a perimeter position of the rotatable data disc positioned to capture a portion of the gas flow, a first support element fixed relative to the housing and adjacent an upstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow circumscribes the first support element and a second support element fixed to the housing and adjacent a downstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow also circumscribes the second support element.

Abstract: A base deck is provided and includes a base plate having a plurality of parallel surfaces and a plurality of gasket retention grooves formed. A first gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces that is proximate a top cover. A second gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces and at least partially surrounds a motor mounting aperture. A third gasket retention groove is formed in one of the plurality of parallel surfaces and at least partially surrounds a connector mounting aperture. A first cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the first gasket retention groove. A second cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the second gasket retention groove. A third cured-in-place elastomer is formed on the base plate and is confined by the third gasket retention groove.

Abstract: The invention includes techniques for mounting a printed circuit board (PCB) on a housing for an electronic device. The housing includes a top cover that combines with a base to form an internal space within the housing. The PCB has at least one tab that extends from it and fits within a recess formed by the base to secure the PCB on a side of the base opposite to the internal space. The electronic device may additionally include a shield such that the PCB fits between the shield and the base and the shield assists in securing the PCB to the base. The housing may also include a locking mechanism to constrain the PCB tab to the base. Embodiments of the invention allow for a PCB to be mounted to an electronic device housing without the use of screws.

Abstract: A base plate of a disc storage system including an interior and an exterior surface, an entrance hole passes between the two surfaces and a groove surrounds the entrance hole and reduces the passage of air along an interface between the exterior and the interior surfaces. The groove may be in the shape of a circle or other alternative shapes such as a rectangle, as considered within the plane of the interior surface. An overmold is molded to the base plate and fills the groove. The plate is generally made of a plastic. The groove is amenable to the stamping process as well.

Abstract: A base of a data storage system includes a motor assembly. The motor assembly s includes a rotor that extends through an aperture in the base. The aperture extends from an inner surface to an outer surface of the base. The motor assembly also includes a motor stator mounted on the outer surface of the base. The motor stator includes a plurality of stator teeth radially and symmetrically arranged about the aperture in the base which are configured to support stator wires.

Abstract: A system includes at least two discs that rotate about a central axis. The system also includes an actuator mechanism that is configured to position transducing heads and at least one filter disposed between two discs to filter airflow.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for making a base for a data storage device. The base has a plurality of raised pads defining coplanar supporting surfaces. The surfaces are adapted for supportingly engaging intermittent portions of a component supported by the base so that the base clearingly disengages other portions of the component between the pads.

Abstract: The invention includes techniques for mounting a printed circuit board (PCB) on a housing for an electronic device. The housing includes a top cover that combines with a base to form an internal space within the housing. The PCB has at least one tab that extends from it and fits within a recess formed by the base to secure the PCB on a side of the base opposite to the internal space. The electronic device may additionally include a shield such that the PCB fits between the shield and the base and the shield assists in securing the PCB to the base. The housing may also include a locking mechanism to constrain the PCB tab to the base. Embodiments of the invention allow for a PCB to be mounted to an electronic device housing without the use of screws.

Abstract: The disc drive housing encloses a spindle motor carrying a disc having a data surface. An actuator assembly includes an actuator arm carrying a head. The housing includes a first surface portion adjacent to the data surface of the disc. The housing also includes a plurality of surface portions that define a recess, which allows the actuator arm to move over the data surface of the disc. The plurality of surface portions include a sloped surface portion sloping away from the data surface and preventing wind generated by the disc rotating about an axis from separating from the sloped surface portion. Alternatively, a disc drive includes a housing that defines a recess. The housing encloses a disc mounted on a spindle motor that rotates the disc about an axis and thereby generates wind within the housing. An upstream surface portion and a downstream surface portion of the housing both face toward a data surface of the disc.

Abstract: Apparatus for latching an actuator, such as used in a data storage device. A moveable electrical coil is disposed adjacent a magnetically permeable structure. The coil is latched by magnetic flux passing across a gap extending into the structure which establishes a retention force upon the coil. The coil is subsequently unlatched by application of current to the coil which reduces the magnetic flux across the gap and hence, the magnitude of the retention force upon the coil. The current also concurrently induces movement of the coil away from the gap. The structure preferably comprises a unitary, c-shaped structure comprising a base member, a support member and a pole member, with the coil configured to surround and travel along a lateral extent of the pole member. A permanent magnet is nested on the base member. A plate is preferably coupled to the coil for abutment across the gap.

Abstract: A shock mount is configured sized to receive a disc drive storage system therein and is configured to surround the disc drive storage system. The shock mount has a plurality of sides and is shaped to fit in a housing. A plurality of shock absorbing protrusions extend from the shock mount. The protrusions are of a shock absorbing material and are configured to hold the data storage device at a spaced apart position from the housing and provide shock absorption therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for mitigating particle and aerosol contaminants from an internal environment of a data storage device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a breather diffusion path formed in the base, a re-circulating filter channel adjacent the base, and an absorption filter chamber adjacent the re-circulating filter channel and communicating with the breather diffusion path. A breather filter removes particulates from air migrating through the diffusion path. The length and diameter of the diffusion path precludes transfer of humidity from the external environment of the data storage device to the internal environment of the data storage device. A re-circulating filter spans the re-circulating filter channel and removes particulates from airstreams passing through the re-circulating filter channel, and a substantially carbon based absorption filter extracts corrosive gases and organic vapors from the internal environment of the data storage device.