Seagate Technology Incorporated

Ralph James Knotts

Garry Edward Korbel

A magnetic flux shield extending substantially the entire width of a magnetic disk drive spindle motor magnet is mounted between the magnet and the disk drive's base frame and rotates with the magnet. The flux shield is formed of a magnetic material to capture any stray magnetic flux from the motor magnet that may produce power draining eddy currents in the base frame.

Apparatus for reducing spindle motor magnetic drag

Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for, sealing an outer surface of a shaft to an inner surface of a hub. In one embodiment, the invention provides a magnetic fluid seal held in a gap defined by a top member and a bottom member. In one aspect, the distance from the rotational axis of the shaft to the outer periphery of the lower member is less than the distance between the rotational axis of the shaft and the outer periphery of the upper member. In another aspect, the lower member has a member that slopes between a first radial distance to a second radial distance, relative the rotational axis of the shaft. In another aspect, the member has a stepped region including a first and second region where the first stepped region corresponds to a first radial distance, and the second stepped region corresponds to a second radial distance, relative the rotational axis of the shaft.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Ralph James Knotts