Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting a data storage device from fluid-borne contaminants. The device includes a housing in which a rotatable disc is supported, the disc having a data recording surface and an outermost perimeter. A filter assembly includes a first filter adjacent to the data recording surface and a second filter disposed beyond the outermost perimeter of the disc. During disc rotation, fluidic currents are generated and impinge a leading edge guide surface of the first filter. A first portion of the currents passes into a gap between the first filter and the data recording surface. A second portion of the currents passes along the leading edge guide surface to the second filter. The first filter is preferably characterized as a chemical adsorbent filter which adsorbs vapor phase (gaseous) contaminants, and the second filter is preferably characterized as a pass-through recirculation filter which captures particulate contaminants.

Abstract: A mounting system for a storage medium comprises a washer. The washer has a peripheral rim that is subject to a mounting distortion. The storage medium comprises a mounting rim facing the peripheral rim. The mounting rim is separated from the peripheral rim by an isolation space. Isolation material is disposed in the isolation space. The isolation material supports the storage medium on the washer. The isolation material deforms to relieve transmission of the mounting distortion to the mounting rim.

Abstract: A base plate for a spindle motor is provided defining a minimal axial gap with a relatively rotatable magnet. In an example, a surface of the base plate is positioned at 0.1 mm from an adjacent surface of a relatively rotatable magnet. The base plate is comprised of a composite material such that stiffness is improved and acoustic vibration is reduced, while maintaining low power consumption and a fast start-up time. A first material, being a nonmagnetic material is employed adjacent to a motor magnet, and a second material having a preferred stiffness is employed at a greater radial distance from the magnet than the radial distance between a stator and the magnet.

Abstract: A data storage system with a breather filter is provided. The enclosure of the data storage system has a first end and a second end and includes a least one disc adapted to rotate in a rotational direction. The second end further includes a first corner and a second corner wherein the second corner is downstream from the first corner relative the rotational direction of the disc. A recirculation filter is spaced radially outward from the disc and disposed between the disc's outer diameter and either the first corner or the second corner. The breather filter is disposed radially outward from the disc and downstream from the recirculation filter relative to the rotation of the disc in a negative air pressure region.

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: 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 disc drive includes a housing enclosing a spindle motor that is able to spin a disc. A filter within the housing is positioned so that a filter stream of moving gas created by a spinning motion of the disc flows through the filter. Additionally, a flow divider is secured to a portion of the housing and positioned within the filter stream upstream of the filter, splitting the filter stream into a first branch and a second branch. Both branches flow through the filter.

Abstract: A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Abstract: A breather filter cartridge in a data storage device contains a filtration media, such as packed granular carbon, in a chamber. The cartridge incorporates a gas diffusion path that traverses through the breather filter casing, interfacing with the chamber along a tubular sidewall and allowing the thickness of the filter top end to be reduced. This permits additional filter media to be packed into the same breather filter height. Alternatively, the same amount of filtration media can accordingly be packed into a thinner breather filter. The top end may also include an outward extending flange, with the chamber extending completely through the flange. A thin film seals the media above the flange, allowing for even more filter media to be packed into a breather filter of identical height.

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: A disc media retainer includes a disc hub member, an annular flange, and a data storage disc. The disc hub member includes a threaded central bore that extends between an open top and an open bottom. The threaded central bore of the disc hub member is configured to receive a threaded spindle hub. The annular flange is attached to the disc hub member and surrounds the central bore. The data storage disc is mounted on the annular flange and includes a central opening that is defined by an interior edge that surrounds the disc hub member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting a data storage device from fluid-borne contaminants. The device includes a housing in which a rotatable disc is disposed. The housing is formed from first and second rigid housing members. The first housing member is provided with an exterior filter support surface, an opposing interior surface and at least one filter access aperture. A contaminant adsorbent filter is placed on the exterior filter support surface, and a seal is applied to the first housing member to encapsulate the filter. During subsequent rotation of the disc, fluidic currents pass across the interior surface, through the at least one filter access aperture and to the adsorbent filter. Preferably, the filter is installed after the first and second housing members are mated. The filter support surface is preferably formed as part of a recess in the first housing member which projects into the housing.

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: Stator and base plate interface alignment is provided for a spindle motor, meeting design specifications such that motor performance is maintained. A portion of a surface of the stator is separated from the base plate. Accurate stator z-height, parallelism and concentricity are provided for use with a low profile disc drive memory system. In an aspect, laminations are formed about a stator and the bottom layer laminations are formed with a smaller diameter than the top layer lamination. The stator bottom layer laminations seat on a flat base plate machined surface, avoiding a base plate corner radius. Precise machining of a small corner interface of the base plate where a stator is typically seated and aligned with the base plate is made unnecessary. Component machining costs, wear and tear to machining systems, and machining process cycle times are reduced.

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: The present invention relates to an air guide for use in a disc drive such that air flow can be redirected to improve the efficiency of a filter located within the disc drive. Embodiments of the present invention provide for an air guide having air guide surfaces that, in conjunction with sides of the disc drive housing, are configured to channel air flow off a spinning disc, through a filter, and back into the mainstream air flow. The air guide may be formed as an integral unit with either the inner major surface of the cover or of the baseplate, or both, such that the air guide may extend over part of the disc surface and provide an effective channel for air flow without the need for additional assembly processes during manufacture.

Abstract: A breather filter cartridge in a data storage device contains a filtration media, such as packed granular carbon, in a chamber. The cartridge incorporates a gas diffusion path that traverses through the breather filter casing, interfacing with the chamber along a tubular sidewall and allowing the thickness of the filter top end to be reduced. This permits additional filter media to be packed into the same breather filter height. Alternatively, the same amount of filtration media can accordingly be packed into a thinner breather filter. The top end may also include an outward extending flange, with the chamber extending completely through the flange. A thin film seals the media above the flange, allowing for even more filter media to be packed into a breather filter of identical height.

Abstract: Stator and base plate interface alignment is provided for a spindle motor, meeting design specifications such that motor performance is maintained. A portion of a surface of the stator is separated from the base plate. Accurate stator z-height, parallelism and concentricity are provided for use with a low profile disc drive memory system. In an aspect, laminations are formed about a stator and the bottom layer laminations are formed with a smaller diameter than the top layer laminations. The stator bottom layer laminations seat on a flat base plate machined surface, avoiding a base plate corner radius. Precise machining of a small corner interface of the base plate where a stator is typically seated and aligned with the base plate is made unnecessary. Component machining costs, wear and tear to machining systems, and machining process cycle times are reduced.

Abstract: A base deck is formed by a method of forming the base deck for use in a data storage device. The data storage device includes a motor assembly rotating a disc into a data exchange relationship with a read/write head, in which the motor assembly is supported by the base deck formed by steps for forming the base deck. The base deck includes a base plate upon which a formed-in-place top cover gasket, a formed-in-place motor mount gasket, a formed-in-place connector gasket, a formed-in-place bottom pole damper and a plurality of formed-in-place impact dissipation members are secured to the base plate after the base plate undergoes an application and curing of formed-in-place gasket material. Upon assembly of the data storage device, the cured formed-in-place gaskets provide seals, which preclude contaminants external to the data storage device from migrating into an internal environment of the data storage device.

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.