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:
Dec. 14, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 08, 2002
Thomas G. Andrikowich, Whitinsville, MA (US);
Kimberly C. Mann, Worcester, MA (US);
Michael C. Strzepa, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Maxtor Corporation, Longmont, CO (US);
Abstract
A disk drive having a fluid evacuation/fill valve is disclosed for allowing for the removal of a fluid from an enclosed space within a disk drive housing, for allowing for the introduction of a fluid into this enclosed space, or both. The valve assembly utilizes a sealing member that may be biased into sealing engagement with a portion of an external surface of the disk drive housing to at least substantially isolate the enclosed space from the external environment to the disk drive. These biasing forces may be reduced and/or overcome to allow the valve assembly to “open” and allow for a fluid flow out of and/or into the enclosed space, utilizing a port that extends through a wall of the disk drive housing and a space between a sealing member of the valve assembly and the external surface of the disk drive housing.