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, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 30, 2003
Michael Ray Tiller, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Robert Alan Nottingham, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Jeffry Arnold Leblanc, Aptos, CA (US);
Troy Michael Herndon, San Jose, CA (US);
Norbert Steven Parsoneault, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Michael Ray Tiller, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Robert Alan Nottingham, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Jeffry Arnold Leblanc, Aptos, CA (US);
Troy Michael Herndon, San Jose, CA (US);
Norbert Steven Parsoneault, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved rotational motor, such as a spindle motor for a disc drive, is provided. The motor first comprises a hub having a shaft portion and a horizontal body portion. The motor also comprises a sleeve surrounding the shaft portion of the hub. A fine first vertical gap is retained between the shaft and the inner diameter of the surrounding sleeve. In addition, a fine horizontal gap is provided between the upper hub portion and the top of the sleeve. A third gap is preferably provided between the hub and an outer diameter of the sleeve. The first vertical gap is filled with a lubricating liquid, such as a clean oil. A capillary seal is provided in the third gap. In one embodiment, the lubricating liquid extends into the horizontal gap. Oil pumping grooves are machined along the horizontal fluid gap. When the hub is rotated, the oil pumping grooves impel oil towards the shaft. This prevents any portion of the first vertical gap from becoming un-lubricated during rotation of the shaft.