Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Dphi Acquisitions, Inc.

Hgst Netherlands, B.v.

David William Niss

Jeffrey David Wilke

Thomas Edward Berg

Robert David Freeman

Peter Jeffrey Raymond

Dana C Fisher

Toshiki Hirano

Lidu Huang

Shawn E Casey

Ian Russell Redmond

Bernard W Bell

Glade N Bagnell

Michael Stephen Bell

Edwin Jack Wadsworth

Scott D Abrahamson

Hussam Zebian

Glenn Douglas Albert

A data storage system includes a chassis housing multiple data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, a compartment housing cooling fans, and an air plenum positioned between the fans and the storage devices. A multibody chambered acoustic attenuator, which may be installed in the air plenum, includes a plate part having airflow holes therethrough and may include a convex arched part having airflow holes therethrough and coupled with the plate part to form a chamber. Acoustic damping material lines an interior surface of the plate part and the interior and exterior surfaces of the arched part, and the airflow holes of the plate part and of the arched part are not aligned, such that direct acoustic emissions and reflections would contact the acoustic damping material and a circuitous airflow path is provided from the cooling fans to the storage devices, to reduce the acoustic sound pressure upon the devices.

Multibody chambered acoustic attenuator for a data storage system

Data storage device mounting systems to provide alignment and mounting of data storage devices are provided herein. A carrier is configured to couple to a data storage device and hang the data storage device in a vertical orientation in a data storage assembly from retractable mounting pins coupled to the carrier. The carrier also includes retractable alignment features to guide the data storage device and carrier into the mounting system. Finger grips are coupled to retractable alignment features and mounting pins and configured to extend retractable alignment features beyond the carrier concurrent with retracting the mounting pins when actuated by a user squeezing the finger grips. The finger grips are configured to extend the mounting pins when de-actuated by the user.

Retractable guide features for data storage device carriers

Provided herein are systems and apparatus for capturing a shock mount in a storage enclosure divider. In one implementation, a divider assembly comprises a divider guide comprising a plurality of alignment stops configured to engage an alignment feature of a device carrier, a front top divider coupled to the divider guide, a rear top divider coupled to the divider guide, and a grommet assembly coupled to the divider guide and to the front top divider and to the rear top divider. The front and rear top dividers comprise pluralities of alignment stop apertures and grommet apertures formed therein with respective alignment stops extending therethrough. Each alignment stop aperture of the rear top divider has a respective alignment stop of the plurality of alignment stops extending therethrough. The grommet assembly comprises a pair of grommets, each extending through a respective grommet aperture.

Divider with captive shock mounts for storage enclosure

Provided herein are systems and apparatus for reducing vibration interaction between hard drives. In one implementation, an apparatus is provided comprising a backplane that comprises a substrate comprising an at least partially flexible material and a connector island assembly formed in the substrate. The connector island assembly comprises a spring element and a connector island. The spring element extends from a main portion of the substrate, and the connector island extends from the spring element. The connector island assembly is surrounded by the main portion of the substrate and configured to flex independently of the main portion of the substrate.

Alternately shaped backplane for receiving electrical components

A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.

Segmented frame for a storage drive

A disk drive assembly including a disk drive enclosure, a damping assembly including a first mounting sheet having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least one elastomeric cushion attached to the second side of the first mounting sheet, wherein the first side of the first mounting sheet of the damping assembly contacts a surface of the disk drive enclosure.

Hard disk drive (HDD) mounting system for shock and vibration

An apparatus for dynamically positioning a rotary actuator that positions an objective lens in three dimensions relative to the surface of an optical disk. A first voice coil motor positions the actuator generally in two dimensions parallel to the surface of the disk and a second voice coil motor positions the objective lens generally along an arcuate path orthogonal to the surface of the disk.

Tilt focus mechanism for an optical drive

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically positioning the objective lens in an optical disk drive to maintain focus despite loss of perpendicularity between the light beam and the information layer of the optical disk. Loss of perpendicularity may occur as a result of any number of factors, including irregularities in the manufacture of the disk, manufacturing tolerances and assembly of the disk drive components, bearing defect frequencies, shock and vibration. Failure to maintain perpendicularity may interference with the ability of the optical pick up unit of the drive to accurately read and write. The tilt focus mechanism of the present invention utilizes a rotary actuator that positions the objective lens in three dimensions relative to the surface of the optical disk. In one embodiment, a first voice coil motor positions the actuator generally in two dimensions parallel to the surface of the disk and a second voice coil motor positions the objective lens generally along an arcuate path orthogonal to the surface of the disk.

Tilt focus method and mechanism for an optical drive

An optical pickup assembly includes an optical pickup unit (OPU), a thermally conductive plate, and a flex circuit. The flex circuit is mounted atop the plate. The OPU is also mounted atop the plate through a cutout of the flex circuit. Alternatively, the flex circuit is mounted below the plate and the OPU is mounted atop the plate. The optical pickup assembly further includes an actuator arm. The OPU is mounted on the actuator arm with a portion of the plate contacting the actuator arm.

Laser thermal management system

Various configurations of cartridges for optical disks, particularly first-surface optical disks, are provided. The cartridges include a plurality of protectors for use in safeguarding the optical disk when certain conditions are present or certain events occur. The protectors include an elongated shutter that covers the hub assembly, at least annular slot portions inside of the cartridge to restrain movement of the disk within the cartridge, a locking subassembly to hold the shutter in a desired position, and a mechanism for preventing complete insertion of the cartridge into an optical drive when the cartridge is in the wrong orientation relative to the drive.

Low profile and medium protecting cartridge assembly

The present invention relates to a laminated actuator assembly and the method for making the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is intended for use in miniature personal electronic devices, but could be used in any type of disk drive. The actuator is primarily constructed from strong, stiff, lightweight composite materials. The upper and lower planar elements of the actuator assembly, each comprising multiple composite layers, include a forward portion and a rearward portion. A flexure member, typically positioned between the layers of composite material, allows the forward portion of each planar element to pivot in unison relative to the rear portion of each planar element. In this manner, the position of an optical pick up unit or other read/write device positioned at the distal end of the actuator assembly can be adjusted relative to the surface of a data disk. The composite and flexure planar elements are formed in arrays of multiple component pieces with aligned registration members. The registration members provide accurate alignment during assembly. Adhesive is applied in appropriate quantities to fully fill the space between the upper and lower layers, without seepage at the edges. By assembling the actuator components in arrays, the miniature actuator assemblies can be easily handled and the electronic, optic and magnetic subassemblies can be attached more easily.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

David William Niss