Seagate Technology Incorporated

Frederick Paul Renken

Frederick Mark Stefansky

Robert A Alt

David Lapp

Jason A Sorrell

Markus Erwin Mangold

Sandeepan Bhattacharya

Gary Edwin Bement

Shri Hari Narayan

Dave Paul McReynolds

Brenda Kaye Drake

Brian Dean Hammel

Allan Kai Luk

Jerome Frederick Griep

An actuator load beam comprising a preload bend section defining an array of differently configured stiffness-reducing features. The stiffness-reducing features are characteristically sized in inverse relation to a respective distance from a longitudinal centerline of the actuator load beam at the preload bend section. An associated method comprising determining a thickness of a preload bend section for an actuator load beam associated with a desired resonant performance; determining a volume of stiffness-reducing features in the preload bend section associated with a desired vertical stiffness; and arranging an array of stiffness-reducing features associated with the determined volume in an array of sequentially smaller size with the largest size of the array being disposed nearest to a longitudinal centerline of the actuator load beam at the preload bend section.

Suspension bend section with stiffness-reducing features

An apparatus, method and combination for dissipating vibration from a head suspension of a data storage device. The combination includes a rotating disc in a data exchange relationship with a read/write head supported by a head suspension formed by the method. The method includes the steps of; forming a mounting region and a load beam region each adjacent a bend region; removing material from the bend region to form an aperture, a strut, an isolation aperture and a damping material support structure; and affixing a damping material to the strut and the damping material support structure. The apparatus includes the bend region adjacent both the mounting region and the load beam region, with the damping material attached to the strut as well as to the damping material support structure. The load beam region includes a rigid portion, which supports a flexure upon which a read/write head is attached.

Head suspension with vibration damping for a data storage device

A method and combination for mitigating turbulent air flow across an actuator of a data storage device. The combination includes a base deck having a retention cam surface adjacent a mounting pin, and an air diverter having a mounting aperture and a spring portion with a cam follower. The air diverter is confined adjacent the base deck in an operating position by executing the steps of the method to form the combination. The method includes the steps of; providing the base deck, disposing the air diverter onto the mounting pin, attaching a spindle motor with a disc to the base deck, securing an actuator supporting a read/write head to the base deck and affixing a top cover to the base deck, which places the air diverter under a compressive load between the top cover and the base deck thereby fixing the air diverter in the operating position.

Single piece air diverter for a data storage device

A method and combination for mitigating turbulent air flow across an actuator of a data storage device. The combination includes a base deck having a retention cam surface adjacent a mounting pin, and an air diverter having a mounting aperture and a spring portion with a cam follower. The air diverter is confined adjacent the base deck in an operating position by executing the steps of the method to form the combination. The method includes the steps of, providing the base deck, disposing the air diverter onto the mounting pin, attaching a spindle motor with a disc to the base deck, securing an actuator supporting a read/write head to the base deck and affixing a top cover to the base deck, which places the air diverter under a compressive load between the top cover and the base deck thereby fixing the air diverter in the operating position.

A disc clamp having centering features, and a method for centering a disc clamp on a spindle hub within a disc drive utilizes a disc clamp having a series of alignment tabs extending into an inner edge for centering the disc clamp on a motor spindle hub. Each alignment tab has an engagement face that defines a curved or chamfered surface, where the curved surface reduces disc clamp/motor spindle hub interaction when the disc clamp is installed on the spindle hub.

Disc drive clamp having centering features

A disc clamp assembly and method for balancing a spindle hub assembly within a disc drive utilizes a base piece, a balance ring retainer piece and a balance ring. The disc clamp base piece is positioned on the top surface of the rotatable spindle hub to secure a disc stack to the spindle hub. The balance ring retainer piece is attached to the top surface of the base piece and defines a peripheral rim for accepting a balance ring. The balance ring has a predetermined mass to modify the center of gravity of the spindle hub assembly toward the central axis of rotation for the spindle hub.

Retainer for an adjustable balance ring in a disc clamp assembly

Disc clamp having adjustable balance ring

An apparatus and method for uniformly centering and retaining an information storage disc on a spindle motor. A disc drive spindle motor assembly including a rotatable motor spindle having a top portion and a hub portion, and an annular disc mounted over the top portion and supported on the hub portion. The assembly further includes an annular disc clamp mounted over the top portion of the spindle, and having a centering portion and a peripheral clamping portion. A disc clamp retainer is fastened to the spindle applying a compressive force to the disc clamp to secure the disc against the hub portion. The centering portion of the disc clamp has a series of spaced centering tabs adapted to abut the spindle and symmetrically push against the annular disc when the compressive force is applied to the disc clamp.

Disc clamp for a disc drive

A shock test apparatus for evaluating the shock performance of individual disc drive components includes a base portion and a top cover connected to the base portion to define an interior volume. First and second disc drive components are secured within the interior volume of the apparatus to engage one another in the absence of a shock event. A shock pulse generator includes an actuator for imparting a shock pulse to one of the disc drive components. A second shock pulse generator can be used to impart a shock pulse to the second disc drive component. Measurements are made of both the shock imparted to the disc drive components and the interaction between the first and second disc drive components during the shock event.

Disc drive component level shock tester

An apparatus and method for securing an information storage disc within a disc drive. A disc drive spindle motor assembly including a spindle and a hub portion extending radially outward from the spindle, the hub portion defining a top surface. An information storage disc is mounted on the hub portion, the information storage disc having a top surface. The assembly further includes an annular disc clamp forming a central aperture having a middle annular raised portion, an outer annular periphery portion, and at least one inner centering portion including an inner vertical peripheral surface. The central aperture of the disc clamp is sized to receive the spindle to allow the inner centering portion to center the disc clamp about the spindle, while the outer periphery engages the top surface of the information storage disc, and the middle annular raised portion extends above the top surface of the hub portion and is adapted to receive a downwardly directed force. A disc clamp retainer applying this force is connected to the spindle. The disc clamp retainer is fastened to the spindle and engages the middle annular raised portion of the disc clamp to transmit this force through the outer peripheral portion to the disc.

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

Frederick Paul Renken