Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Quantum Corporation

Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.

Richard G Ramsdell

Christopher Nguyen

Benjamin Huang

John C Fravel

Joseph Castagna

John D Treder

Robert A Caldeira

Jon Ikegami

Romeo N Nolasco

Raghu Gururangan

Methods to provide a ramp to remove a read/write head connected with a suspension from a media in accordance with the present invention can comprise calculating a grade of one or more surfaces having a plurality of progressively shallower grades. A transition between a steep grade and a less steep grade can occur at a nominal location at which the read/write head is removed from communicative proximity with the media. By shaping a ramp such that it includes a maximum steep grade, a surface of the media can have an optimized data region, potentially increasing the spacing of tracks or alternatively increasing the capacity of the media.

System and method to provide a ramp having a location which is transitioning from a first grade to a second grade for removing a read/write head from a media

Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and spacer, an arm stack connected with the top surface of the spacer, and a bottom arm connected with the bottom surface of the spacer. The arm stack comprises module(s) stacked on a top arm. The arm stack and bottom arm are designed such that either can be disconnected from the mounting block without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm stack and bottom arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost without deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Modular rotary actuator assembly for a rotatable media data storage device

Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can replace cumbersome and potentially contaminating bearing assemblies for rotary actuators. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the rotary actuator for rework without damaging or contaminating the rotary actuator or bearing assembly.

Removable bearing assembly in a rotary actuator assembly for a rotatable media data storage device

Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and at least one arm connected with the mounting block. A flexible member is connected with the at least one arm and a head is associated with the flexible member. The head is positioned over the surface of the disk. The arm is designed such that it can be disconnected from the mount without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost and without misalignment and deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Rotary actuator assembly for a rotatable media data storage device

Methods in accordance with the present invention can eliminate cumbersome and potentially contaminating methods for connecting a bearing assembly with an actuator assembly. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with such methods as glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the actuator assembly for rework without damaging or contaminating the actuator assembly or bearing assembly. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Method for seating a removable bearing assembly in a rotary actuator assembly for a rotatable media data storage device

A method and arrangement for mounting a rotary actuator bearing cartridge between a disk drive base and cover, are disclosed. The mounting arrangement minimizes any possible deformations to bearing sleeve as well as any effects to bearing preload and friction while enabling a top down assembly.

Actuator bearing cartridge for top down assembly

In a disk drive including a conventional head and disk assembly containing a spindle motor for rotating a disk hub at a constant angular velocity and at least one rotating disk mounted to the hub, apparatus comprising a base having a peripheral sidewall surrounding the base. The base supports the head and disk assembly within an interior space defined by the peripheral sidewalls in combination with the base. To reduce the power consumption as well as the operating temperature of the disk drive by controlling and confining the air mass proximate the disk, a shroud is positioned within the interior space and proximate the disk such that the shroud substantially circumscribes the circumference of the disk for an arc of approximately 320 degrees.

Power reduction shroud for a hard disk drive

A hard disk drive architecture includes a housing including a continuous base wall and continuous sidewalls extending from the base wall, and cooperating with a cover structure for enclosing and sealing an interior space for a plurality of rigid data storage disks mounted on a spindle, and a rotary actuator structure for positioning a stack of data transducer heads relative to concentric track locations defined on storage surfaces of the disks. The spindle includes a spindle motor for rotating the spindle and the disks. The housing defines an exterior recess region of the base wall. The recess region includes an opening for a connector pin array. A seal is provided for sealing the opening after the connector pin array is in place. A flex circuit mounting bracket within the interior space is provided for positioning and connecting to a flex circuit connecting to the rotary actuator structure and to the connector pin array. An analog read/write channel printed circuit board is located within the exterior recess region and includes an analog circuit connector socket for connecting to the connector pin array. A digital electronics main printed circuit board overlies the exterior recess region, connector pin array and analog read/write channel printed circuit board and includes a digital circuit connector socket for connecting to the connector pin array.

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Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Richard G Ramsdell