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. 05, 2012
Filed:
May. 27, 2009
Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Alan L. Grantz, Aptos, CA (US);
Dadi Setiadi, Edina, MN (US);
Yang LI, Bloomington, MN (US);
Roger L. Hipwell, Jr., Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Alan L. Grantz, Aptos, CA (US);
Dadi Setiadi, Edina, MN (US);
Yang Li, Bloomington, MN (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A fluid dynamic bearing formed by a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) wafer-level batch-fabrication process is provided. The process results in a high performance and high reliability fluid dynamic bearing having features including higher bearing lifetime at high RPM, improved bearing stiffness, durability and thrust/restoring forces capabilities. The present invention is especially useful with small form factor disc drive memory devices having constraints in motor height, such as a 2.5 inch disc drive, requiring high performance including high rotational speed and large areal density. A sacrificial layer is utilized in the process to simultaneously form symmetrical facing surfaces of relatively rotatable components. The facing surfaces define, therebetween, a desired feature, such as a journal bearing, a thrust bearing, a fluid channel, a fluid reservoir, a capillary seal, pressure generating grooves, and other profile geometries. Such geometry control allows for design freedom in obtaining a desired bearing performance and stiffness.