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:
Aug. 28, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 29, 2003
Jeffry A. Leblanc, Aptos, CA (US);
Jeffry A. LeBlanc, Aptos, CA (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, a motor having improved stiffness is provided. In one embodiment, the motor includes a stationary shaft, a hub, a thrust plate and a counter plate. The thrust plate is coupled to the shaft. The hub is rotatable about a central axis of the shaft. The counter plate is coupled to the hub and has the shaft extending therethrough. The counter plate and the thrust plate define at least a portion of a fluid dynamic bearing, wherein at least a portion of counter plate and the thrust plate form a capillary seal therebetween. The capillary seal enhances motor performance by providing a fluid reservoir for the fluid dynamic bearing, allowing fluid to be added to the hydrodynamic bearing without motor disassembly and providing a passage for air to escape from between the bearing surfaces. In one embodiment, the motor is particularly suitable for disc drive applications.