| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080317392 | Air purging for a fluid dynamic bearing - A robust spindle motor is provided having improved shock resistance for fluid containment, as well as enhanced air purging characteristics. In an aspect, axial displacement of relatively rotating components is restricted by utilizing a limiter situated adjacent to a limiter bushing forming an axial limiter gap therebetween. A fluid channel, at least partially diverging, extends from a hydrodynamic bearing to the axial limiter gap, and continues to a region beyond the axial limiter gap. In an aspect, an axially diverging slot is situated adjacent to the axial limiter gap. Power is reduced by reducing viscous drag between relatively rotating components, hydrodynamic bearing length is increased, and higher stiffness of the hydrodynamic bearing is provided. Fluid volume may be increased, thereby offsetting fluid evaporation losses and allowing for the use of lower viscosity lubricants. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090139638 | METHODS FOR ADHESIVE HEIGHT SETTING - Methods for adhering parts together using part gap spacers are provided herein. Part gap spacers are formed in a selected pattern and a selected height on a surface of at least one surface of two parts to be oppositely disposed. When disposed opposite each other, at least some of the part gap spacers contact the opposite surface, and establish a standoff distance that is generally uniform, and thereby creating voids. Adhesive is disposed in at least some of the voids to adhere the part surfaces to each other. Further methods comprise forming part gap spacers on multiple sides of a third part to be disposed intermediate two surfaces. The part gap spacers can be formed in a variety of shapes, including bumps, tapers, ribs, and flange edges. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090257693 | GROOVE CONFIGURATION FOR A FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING - A groove configuration that improves angular stiffness in a fluid dynamic bearing is provided. A primary groove and a secondary groove are formed on a journal bearing or thrust bearing surface. The secondary groove apex induces a heightened pressure response at a localized area to counteract angular displacement. The primary groove extends a greater circumferential distance about the bearing surface as compared to the secondary groove. The secondary groove apex is also situated closer to an axial end of the journal bearing, or closer to an outer diameter of the thrust bearing, as compared to the primary groove apex. Bearing wear is prevented or minimized under gyroscopic loading. The improved angular stiffness may result in the heads of a storage device being accurately aligned with disc storage tracks. Discs may thus be designed with increased track densities, allowing for smaller discs and increased storage capacity of discs. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090273258 | STIFFENER TAB FOR A SPINDLE MOTOR BASE PLATE - An apparatus and method are provided for stiffening a base plate of a spindle motor to improve shock resistance and vibration response, and thereby increase reliability and performance of a disc drive memory system. A stiffener tab for stiffening a base plate is connected to the base plate, extends from the base plate, and is dimensioned to fit adjacent to a stator tooth. Stiffening of a base plate is especially useful in the case of stamped base plate designs that typically have uniform thickness, whereas cast base plate designs are formed with thicker sections. In an aspect, the present invention stiffens a motor cup portion of the base plate, and replaces stiffness lost by removal of material from the base plate to form holes for recessing a stator into the base plate. Axial and angular displacement of a spindle motor during shock events and vibration are decreased. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100247009 | AIR PURGING FOR A FLUID DYNAMIC BEARING - A robust spindle motor is provided having improved shock resistance for fluid containment, as well as enhanced air purging characteristics. In an aspect, axial displacement of relatively rotating components is restricted by utilizing a limiter situated adjacent to a limiter bushing forming an axial limiter gap therebetween. A fluid channel, at least partially diverging, extends from a hydrodynamic bearing to the axial limiter gap, and continues to a region beyond the axial limiter gap. In an aspect, an axially diverging slot is situated adjacent to the axial limiter gap. Power is reduced by reducing viscous drag between relatively rotating components, hydrodynamic bearing length is increased, and higher stiffness of the hydrodynamic bearing is provided. Fluid volume may be increased, thereby offsetting fluid evaporation losses and allowing for the use of lower viscosity lubricants. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110025151 | Fluid Dynamic Bearing Motor For Use With A Range Of Rotational Speed Rated Disc Drive Memory Device Products - A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are provided for use with various disc drive memory device products differently rated by operational rotational speed. The operational speeds are those speeds measured during reading and writing memory operations to the memory device. In an aspect, the present invention meets full operating requirements, including stiffness and power requirements, at multiple rated speeds for use with either standard or high-end performance disc drive products. Costs associated with a dedicated manufacturing line for high-end products are substantially reduced. A single manufacturing line can serve both standard and high-end disc drive memory device products. The present invention is especially useful in reducing costs of 2.5 inch notebook products that are typically marketed in two levels of performance, namely, 5400 RPM standard performance products and 7200 RPM high performance products. | 02-03-2011 |
