Seagate Technology Incorporated

Takkoon Ooi

YiRen Hong

ChorShan Cheng

Mo Xu

Yongjie Tang

PohLye Lim

YiChao Ma

Kok Tong Soh

MingChou Lin

Yuqi Wang

An apparatus and associated method is provided for suspending a test object in a gravitational field from a support member, exciting the test object by noncontactingly engaging it with a predetermined waveform force, and characterizing the test object qualitatively in relation to an observed modal frequency response of the test object to the excitation.

Free-state modal frequency response testing

A base plate for a disc drive incorporates a printed circuit board and connector assembly into an integral composite base that is bonded together to form a single composite structure. This structure provides the strength, stiffness and rigidity necessary to permit a reduction in overall thickness of a miniature disc drive to that substantially required for a Type I compact flash form factor data storage device.

Composite base plate for a data storage device having an integral printed circuit board

Apparatus for latching an actuator, such as used in a data storage device. A moveable electrical coil is disposed adjacent a magnetically permeable structure. The coil is latched by magnetic flux passing across a gap extending into the structure which establishes a retention force upon the coil. The coil is subsequently unlatched by application of current to the coil which reduces the magnetic flux across the gap and hence, the magnitude of the retention force upon the coil. The current also concurrently induces movement of the coil away from the gap. The structure preferably comprises a unitary, c-shaped structure comprising a base member, a support member and a pole member, with the coil configured to surround and travel along a lateral extent of the pole member. A permanent magnet is nested on the base member. A plate is preferably coupled to the coil for abutment across the gap.

Actuator latch with variable retention force

A voice coil motor pole assembly for supporting a latch is disclosed. The pole assembly includes a pin serving as an axle for the latch. The pole assembly also includes a protrusion that extends over a portion of the latch when the latch is mounted on the pin to thereby prevent the latch from being dislodged from the pin.

Assembly for facilitating latch installation

A printed circuit cable (PCC) connector attachment assembly is provided for a disc drive. The PCC connector attachment assembly includes alignment pins and a compressive member. The alignment pins help to align a PCC connector for assembly and help to prevent lateral movement of the PCC connector with respect to the base deck after assembly. In one embodiment, the alignment pins are located on the PCC connector and align with pinholes provided in a base deck of the disc drive. The compressive member has a height selected such that the compressive member pressingly engages the PCC connector when a cover is attached to the base deck with cover screws. Grounding pads are located between the PCC connector and the base deck, so that the grounding pads provide a grounding path from the PCC connector to the base deck.

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Singapore, Singapore

Takkoon Ooi