Abstract: Technology is provided for a memory drive carrier. The memory drive carrier adapts a memory drive for insertion into a drive bay that is larger than the memory drive. The memory drive carrier includes an adapter body having a frame that defines an envelope compatible with the drive bay. The adapter body also includes a plurality of spaced apart walls defining a slot sized to receive the memory drive and position the memory drive's connector within the envelope adjacent an associated drive connector of the drive bay. The frame includes a plurality of interconnected wall portions and partitions that have one or more vent openings.

Abstract: An article and method for degrading volatile organic compounds in an electronic enclosure is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate, such as a scrim material, and applying a catalyst to the substrate. The catalyst typically includes a base metal. The substrate and catalyst material are placed into a disk drive (or other electronic) enclosure where they help in degradation of organic compounds, in particular volatile organic compounds. In certain implementations the base metal is selected from the group of manganese, vanadium, nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: A top cover formed from a metal matrix composite material for use on a data storage device is disclosed. The metal matrix composite material includes a porous matrix material combined with an inclusion material constrained within the pores of the porous matrix material. The porous matrix material is substantially aluminum while the inclusion material is a ceramic such as silicon hexaboride or aluminum boron carbide capable of wetting molten aluminum. The ceramic inclusion material is selected to have a specific modulus greater than the specific modulus of the porous metal matrix such that the entire volume of porous matrix material provides acoustical dampening during operation of the data storage device.

Abstract: A computer system having a host computer is connected to a disk drive for providing a key to enable a feature controlled by the disk drive. The disk drive validates the key using private validation means which are accessed by a disk drive microprocessor. The validation means include drive-dependent identification means which are used to derive a seed for generating an internal key to validate the key provided by the host computer. An exemplary feature enabled by the key validation is an expansion area of the disk drive which is enabled to provide extended user data storage without requiring internal physical access by the user.

Abstract: A method of influencing variations in composition of thin films is described. The elemental plasma field distribution in sputtering systems is manipulated by generating a nonuniform electric field along a surface of the substrate to alter the composition by differentially re-sputtering the target elements. The nonuniform electric field is applied by one or more electrodes in contact with a conductive surface or by using an RF bias signal. The nonuniform electric field is used to modulate the kinetic energy of the ions generated in the plasma which strike the thin film's surface. Since the kinetic energy and the mass of the sputtering gas ions and neutrals affect the re-sputtering rate, the nonuniform electric field differentially affects the elements being deposited according to mass. By applying varying electric potentials at a plurality of points on a conductive surface of a substrate, the electric field across the surface of the substrate can be modulated in a variety of patterns.

Abstract: A disk drive has at least one disk for storing data. The disk drive includes at least one transducer for reading or writing data to or from the disk. The transducer is attached to an actuator which positions the transducer with respect to the disk. The actuator includes a controllable motor which is used to move the actuator and the transducer attached thereto. The disk drive also includes a ramp for off loading the transducer or for parking the transducer off of the surface of the disk. The disk drive includes a combination shock absorber and gasket that has locking tabs to keep the combination shock absorber and gasket in place during a shock or impact loading event. The combination shock absorber and gasket also can be provided with additional extensions to lessen shocks caused by flat drops. Elastomeric blocks or pads can be provided on the cover and the base to lessen shocks caused by flat drops.

Abstract: Copper alloy foils are provided having far greater strength and heat resistance than conventional copper foils, and having better productivity, are characterized by a composition comprising, all by weight, from 0.01 to 0.4% Cr, from 0.01 to 0.25% Zr, from 0.02 to 2.0% Zn; and when necessary from 0.05 to 1.8% Fe and from 0.05 to 0.8% Ti; and when further necessary one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Sn, In, Mn, P, Mg, Al, B, As, Cd, Co, Te, Ag, and Hf in a total amount of from 0.005 to 1.5%; the balance being copper and unavoidable impurities. Inclusions in the copper foil not larger than 10 .mu.m in size, and the inclusions between 0.5 and 10 .mu.m in size number less than 100 pieces/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A soundproof material comprising a porous member having an air permeation amount based on the pressure difference of 2.039.times.1/10.sup.4 mmH.sub.2 O of from 1.times.1/10.sup.10 to 2.times.1/10.sup.2 cc/cm.sup.2 /second, and having a compressibility.

Abstract: A sleeve for holding a hard disk drive in portable removable engagement with a PC or laptop computer includes a base and a cover attachable to the base by means of threaded fasteners. The base includes plural holder arms, and when the cover is removed from the base and the hard disk drive advanced into the base, the holder arms move outwardly as the hard drive rides on the arms. When the hard disk drive clears the arms, the arms, which are biased to a hold configuration, move back inwardly to hold the hard disk drive in the base, with the cover then attached to the base. The edge of the cover cooperates with the base to hold the holder arms in the hold configuration and thereby securely hold the hard disk drive in the sleeve.

Abstract: There is provided a frame construction for a disk apparatus of which manufacturing cost is reduced by reducing a number of parts and a number of assembly processes. A cartridge accommodating a recording medium is loaded in the disk apparatus. A driving unit for driving the recording medium loaded in the disk apparatus and a head carriage having a head for recording/reproducing information on/from the recording medium are provided in the frame construction. The frame construction has a frame body formed of a metal plate by means of bending, the frame body having a base, a side plate and a back plate, the driving unit and the head carriage being mounted on the base, and the side plate and the back plate being formed by bending perpendicularly to the base. A fixing member for connecting the side plate and the back plate is provided in the frame construction so that the side plate and the back plate are fixed to each other.

Abstract: A thin film metal alloy magnetic recording disk has an improved protective overcoat that creates a low level of static friction in a contact start/stop disk drive. The disk has an amorphous carbon overcoat containing a transition liquid metal interlayer (TLMI). The carbon overcoat is formed by depositing an initial amorphous carbon layer to a first thickness, then depositing an interlayer material of a low-melting point metal or metal alloy (such as In or In--Nb) while maintaining the temperature of the disk substrate above the melting point of the interlayer material, and then depositing a top additional layer of amorphous carbon. Because the initial carbon layer presents a nonwetting surface, the interlayer material "balls up" on the carbon and forms discontinuous spheres of the interlayer material. The additional top layer of carbon bonds to the initial carbon layer and to the metal or metal alloy spheres.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a housing formed of a conductive material, and mechanical components housed in the housing. An electronic circuit for driving and controlling the mechanical components is housed in the housing. The drive circuit section has an insulating layer coated on the inner surface of the housing, a printed circuit formed on the insulating layer and having a desired pattern, and electronic parts mounted on the printed circuit. The drive circuit section uses the walls of the housing as a support base.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a cast base upon which is mounted the disk stack-spindle assembly and the actuator assembly and a cover that is loosely received by the cast base to form the head-disk enclosure. The cover is secured and sealed to the cast base by a malleable metal foil tape that surrounds the enclosure and continuously overlies the interface between cover and base. The tape complies with the surface irregularities and does not creep, to provide permanent shielding and sealing between base and cover. Further, cables exiting the enclosure may be sealed using a piece of double sided adhesive which is interposed between cable and casting followed by application of the malleable foil tape thereover. Thus in a compact device, no significant thickness is added to the enclosure wherein a maximum available height is used to house the stack of disks while providing noise and EMC shielding in addition to securing and sealing the cover.