The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 26, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1999
Dustin A. Cochran, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus,and method of etching grooves,in a shaft,In one embodiment, a cathode,is provided for electrochemically etching grooves,in an outer surface,of the shaft,to form a fluid dynamic journal bearing,The cathode,includes an electrically conductive cylindrical substrate,having an inner surface,that corresponds to the outer surface,of the shaft,the inner surface,having raised lands,corresponding to areas in which the grooves,are to be formed. A layer of electrically insulating material,covers the inner surface,of the substrate,between the lands,to preclude etching of the shaft,in areas between the lands. Preferably, the lands,are arranged so that the grooves,etched in the shaft,form one or more fluid dynamic bearings. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for electrochemically etching grooves,in the outer surface,of the shaft,to form a fluid dynamic bearing.