Abstract: A disc drive apparatus comprises a housing; a disc-holding unit that holds an optical disc in the housing; a disc-driving mechanism that rotates the optical disc held by the disc-holding unit; an optical pickup that writes signals in, and reads signals from, the optical disc being rotated by the disc-driving mechanism; and a pickup-moving mechanism that moves the optical pickup in a radial direction of the optical disc. The housing has an air-inlet port which is located above the optical disc held by the disc-holding unit and through which air is drawn from outside by virtue of an airflow that develops as the optical disc is rotated, and air-outlet ports through which air is discharged from the housing.

Abstract: A disk magazine accommodating therein a plurality of disks having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less and constructed to be made integral with a recording unit, in which management information including hysteresis information and inherent information of disks accommodated in the disk magazine is recorded. The management information includes, as inherent information of disks, information of a defective disk, or information of a disk pulled out from the disk magazine to be missed.

Abstract: A disk drive including a lower case, a tray to be attached and detached to and from the lower case while sliding in the lower case and having a turntable on which a disk is seated, and an upper case installed to cover an upper portion of the lower case. The upper case has at least one deviation-prevention element extending toward the lower case to prevent the disk from deviating from the turntable by an external force on the disk drive by reducing a distance between the upper case and the disk seated on the turntable.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a frame in which a spindle motor and an optical pickup are installed, and at least one helmholtz resonator that is installed in the frame to reduce noise of a particular frequency determined by a volume of a resonating tube and a length and diameter of a neck of the resonator, where the helmholtz resonator may be constructed to be united with the frame.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a data storage device comprises a sealed housing which encloses a data storage medium. The sealed housing comprises a substantially planar first housing plate with respective length, width and thickness dimensions and a circumferentially extending first peripheral edge, a substantially planar second housing plate with a circumferentially extending second peripheral edge, and a circumferentially extending first sealing member contactingly disposed between the respective first and second peripheral edges. A substantially planar third housing plate extends adjacent the first planar housing plate with respective length and width dimensions substantially corresponding to the length and width dimensions of the first housing plate, and a circumferentially extending third peripheral edge. A circumferentially extending second seal member is contactingly disposed between the second and third peripheral edges to form a hermetic seal for the low density gas.

Abstract: A durable, reliable high performance drive and method for digitizing, storing and retrieving data from a disk. In a first embodiment, at least one disk and components for spinning the disk, and digitizing, writing and reading data from the disk are covered with a 0.1 to 4 microns thick ultra low friction and wear, structurally amorphous carbon coating eliminating the need for a lubricant for sliding and rotating components. In a second embodiment the components for spinning the disk, and digitizing, writing and reading data from the disk are enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing and the housing is filled with a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas.

Abstract: A disk drive unit advantageously prevents dust from adhering to a pickup. The disk drive unit has a housing and a tray. The tray reciprocates between a retracted position and a projected position. A first pickup and a second pickup have a spindle motor located therebetween. The tray has a first cutout and a second cutout. A cover is provided to cover the top of the second pickup in its retreated position. The cover has a cover piece, which is disposed in a front portion of the cover that is positioned on the upstream side relative to the rotational direction of a disk-shaped recording medium such that it is movable in a direction parallel to the direction in which the second pickup moves, and urged in the projecting direction.

Abstract: A media cartridge for use with data storage libraries. The cartridge includes a housing having an opening through which a carrier tray can be loaded and extracted to reveal a media element. A number of baffles are included to limit exposure of the media elements to contamination.

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes a disk-carrying tray, a shielding member and buffer member disposed at adjoining position of the disk-carrying tray and the shielding member to absorb impact of broken pieces in case of breakup of an optical disk during the reading and writing operations.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive housing having a breather hole and a separate leak testing hole, both the breather hole and the leak testing hole being formed through the disk drive housing, and a drive sub-component attached to a surface of the disk drive housing so as to form an interface between the sub-component and the surface of the housing. The interface defines an interface outer perimeter and a sealed airflow testing channel in fluid communication only with the leak testing hole to enable a non-destructive detection of leaks at the interface. The airflow testing channel may be disposed within the interface outer perimeter.

Abstract: An optical reproducing/recording apparatus (100) has a core (1), a frame (2), a top cover (4), a bottom cover (5), a drawer (3), a front panel (7) and anti-dust elements (61-65). The top and bottom covers, the frame, and the front panel engage each other to form an enclosure enclosing the core. At least one of the top and bottom covers has a plurality of position holes (431) by which the reproducing/recording apparatus is fixed in a computer. The anti-dust elements are attached to the at least one cover and drawer and cover the position holes and gaps.

Abstract: A disk drive including a disk drive base, a disk coupled to the disk drive base, and a head stack assembly coupled to the disk drive base. The disk drive further includes an airflow diverter filter component disposed upstream of the head stack assembly with respect to disk rotation induced airflow for modifying the disk rotation induced airflow adjacent the head stack assembly. The filter component includes a first filter element disposed adjacent the disk surface, a second filter element disposed between the first filter element and the head stack assembly, and a third filter element having a porosity finer than the first and second filter elements. The third filter element is generally radially further than the second filter element from the axis of rotation. The disk rotation induced airflow generally enters the filter component through the first filter element and exits through the second and third filter elements.

Abstract: In a disc drive for achieving cooling of an electronic part therein, as well as, suppressing transmission of noises generated from a disc clamper, etc., a channel member 18 for introducing an outside air into an inside is disposed between a supporting member 15 and a top-cover 10, within an inside thereof is formed a vortex-like channel, extending from a center to an outer periphery thereof. At the center of the channel member 18 is formed an opening 19 for introducing the outside air into the inside of the disc drive, and on the top-cover 10 are provided plural numbers of openings 20 for taking the outside air into the channel member 18. When an optical disc 6 rotates, pressure generated on an upper surface thereof comes to be negative to the outside air, then the outside air is taken from the openings 20, through the vortex-like channel of the channel member 18 and the opening 19, into the inside of the drive, so as to pass through electronic parts, such as, an optical pickup, etc., thereby cooling them.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for solving flow-induced track misregistration (TMR) problems in hard disk drives (HDD). Boundary layer manipulation techniques are applied to the airflow in the HDD, such as boundary layer suction with slots or holes, and wall damping techniques, such as an open honeycomb seal and Helmholtz resonators. These flow-conditioning solutions reduce the turbulence intensity throughout the HDD to reduce TMR. These solutions achieve these goals while minimizing increases in the running torque needed to overcome their inherent rotational drag.

Abstract: An inventive optical pickup includes: a base; a movable part; a fixed part; and a first yoke. The movable part, fixed part and first yoke are provided over the base. The movable part is provided with: a hologram element; a package equipped with a laser/photodetectors integrated element in which a semiconductor laser and photodetectors are integrated; and an objective lens. A magnet is provided on each of second yokes provided on the base, and a heat dissipating medium is provided in a gap between a package metal section of the package and another magnet.

Abstract: A circuit board is mounted in a cabinet in which a disk is housed. A treatment for preliminarily releasing ammonia possibly causing fogging of the disk from the circuit board is performed by allowing the circuit board to stand at 70° C. outside the cabinet for 24 hours before the circuit board is mounted in the cabinet.

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: System and method for cleaning an electrical delivery system. An embodiment of the self-cleaning electrical delivery system comprises a track having an abrasive surface and a brush operatively associated with the track, the brush moving over the abrasive surface of the track to remove debris from the brush. A tool for producing the abrasive surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for permanently and generally instantaneously destroying at least the data contained on magnetic data storage media upon the occurrence of certain events. Unauthorized access to data stored on magnetic media is prevented by destruction of the media with a reactant chemical. This approach may be initiated as a response to tampering or intentionally by using any one of several triggering interfaces described herein. Destruction of the media is quick and permanent, rendering the data unrecoverable even to aggressive recovery procedures.

Abstract: A fluid guide for recirculating fluid through a filter in a data storage device, the data storage device having a disc rotatably supported on a base and operatively imparting a velocity to the fluid surrounding the disc resulting in a generally outwardly spiraling fluid flow. The fluid guide comprises a shroud supportable by the base substantially transversely to the disc comprising a distal surface closely matingly engageable with the disc edge, a vane extending from the shroud substantially parallel to the disc and opposing the base, the vane comprising a leading edge disposed transverse to the disc and within the fluid flow, guiding the fluid toward a proximal end of the shroud beyond the disc edge; and a retaining feature adjacent the shroud proximal end adapted for retaining the filter. Two or more fluid guides are stackable and fixable to the base to interlace the vanes between adjacent discs in a multi-disc stack.

Abstract: A circuit board body 6a of a printed circuit board 6 provided on an outer peripheral surface of a pickup body 1 made of a synthetic resin is formed of a metal plate, an extension 19 extending integrally from a metallic supporting baseplate 8 of a semiconductor laser LD is inserted in a groove 20 formed in the outer peripheral surface of the pickup body 1. The circuit board body 6a is secured to the pickup body 1 by a screw 7 and a projection 15 to allow the circuit board body 6a to be held in close contact with the extension 19 and the outer peripheral surface of the pickup body 1.

Abstract: A low noise optical disk drive includes a top cover, a bottom base, a containing space defined between the top cover and the bottom base, a playing mechanism assembled in the containing space, and a noise absorbing device installed in the containing space. When the playing mechanism is holding the CD ROM and in an operating state, the rotation of the CD ROM generates a main air current within the containing space and therefore produces noise. The noise absorbing device is capable of absorbing the mechanical noise when the playing mechanism is in the operating state, as well, when the main air current flows through the noise absorbing device, the main air current is divided into a plurality of air currents of different directions so as to reduce the noise produced from the main air current.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for a recording/reproducing wherein an air filter is adapted to filter an air flow of ambient air present within the housing during operation of the device flowing over an information surface of a rotating information disc disposed adjacent to the information surface in parallel spaced relation thereto, a casing within the housing encasing an information surface of an information disc disposed on the disc driving arrangement and provided with an air inlet for air to be filtered and an air exhaust for filtered air.

Abstract: A disk device includes a housing in which a disk is provided, a disk support member for supporting the disk in the housing so that the disk can be rotated, and a driving part for rotating the disk support member, wherein the housing includes an air intake part for introducing air to an adjacent place to the disk support member.

Abstract: A low noise optical disk drive includes a top cover, a bottom base, a containing space defined between the top cover and the bottom base, a playing mechanism assembled in the containing space, and a noise absorbing device installed in the containing space. When the playing mechanism is holding the CD ROM and in an operating state, the rotation of the CD ROM generates a main air current within the containing space and therefore produces noise. The noise absorbing device is capable of absorbing the mechanical noise when the playing mechanism is in the operating state, as well, when the main air current flows through the noise absorbing device, the main air current is divided into a plurality of air currents of different directions so as to reduce the noise produced from the main air current.

Abstract: An optical disk drive, including a body, a tray, a panel, and at least one soundproof member. The tray is moveably disposed in the body. The panel is connected to the body, the connection therebetween is sealed by the least one soundproof member, thereby lowering noise produced by high rotational speed of the disk drive.

Abstract: An inventive optical pickup includes: a base; a movable part; a fixed part; and a first yoke. The movable part, fixed part and first yoke are provided over the base. The movable part is provided with: a hologram element; a package equipped with a laser/photodetectors integrated element in which a semiconductor laser and photodetectors are integrated; and an objective lens. A magnet is provided on each of second yokes provided on the base, and a heat dissipating medium is provided in a gap between a package metal section of the package and another magnet.