Airflow control system

Claim 2

In a disc drive having a disc pack receiving zone, means for supporting and rotating a pack of parallel discs in the zone in a predetermined direction around an axis, a shroud peripherally encircling the zone and a recording head entry aperture in the shroud for permitting introduction of recording heads into the zone between adjacent discs in the zone the improved means for circulating air through the zone which comPrises: an air entry opening in the shroud peripherally spaced from the head entry aperture less than 90* in the predetermined direction of rotation of the discs, a baffle spaced away from the zone for permitting the mounting and removal of disc packs in the zone, and means for moving the baffle to a position adjacent to a disc pack in the zone in an area between the head entry aperture and the air entry opening.

Claim 3

In a disc drive having a disc pack receiving zone, means for supporting and rotating a pack of parallel discs in the zone in a predetermined direction around an axis, a shroud peripherally encircling the zone and a recording head entry aperture in the shroud for permitting introduction of recording heads into the zone between adjacent discs in the zone the improved means for circulating air through the zone which comPrises: an air entry opening in the shroud peripherally spaced from the head entry aperture less than 90* in the predetermined direction of rotation of the discs, a baffle spaced away from the zone for permitting the mounting and removal of disc packs in the zone, and means for moving the baffle to a position adjacent to a disc pack in the zone in an area between the head entry aperture and the air entry opening.

Claim 4

In a disc drive having a disc pack receiving zone, means for supporting and rotating a pack of parallel discs in the zone in a predetermined direction around an axis, a shroud peripherally encircling the zone and a recording head entry aperture in the shroud for permitting introduction of recording heads into the zone between adjacent discs in the zone the improved means for circulating air through the zone which comPrises: an air entry opening in the shroud peripherally spaced from the head entry aperture less than 90* in the predetermined direction of rotation of the discs, a baffle spaced away from the zone for permitting the mounting and removal of disc packs in the zone, and means for moving the baffle to a position adjacent to a disc pack in the zone in an area between the head entry aperture and the air entry opening.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for introducing the baffle comprises hinge means pivotally supporting the baffle adjacent to the shroud at a location between the air entry opening and shroud and a spring resiliently rotating the baffle around the hinge to a position with the baffle extending across the head entry aperture whereby air flow across the baffle caused by initial rotation of the disc pack causes the baffle to rotate about the hinge.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 characterized further by the inclusion of a safety switch mounted adjacent to the shroud for sensing the position of the baffle.

Claim 7

In a magnetic recording disc drive having a disc pack receiving zone, means for supporting and rotating a pack of parallel discs in the zone in a predetermined direction around an axis, and a shroud peripherally encircling the zone, the improved means for circulating air through the zone which comprises a baffle pivotally mounted adjacent to the shroud at a hinge line generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc pack, spring means resiliently urging the baffle around the hinge line in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction of rotation of the disc pack to retract the baffle against the shroud, an air exit opening in the shroud, and an air entrance opening in the shroud on the opposite side of the hinge line from the air exit opening whereby initial rotation of the disc pack causes air flow across the baffle until such air flow pulls the baffle toward the disc pack and the baffle thereafter causes air flow into the entrance opening and out of the exit opening while the disc pack continues to rotate.

Claim 8

In a magnetic recording disc drive having a disc pack receiving zone, means for supporting and rotating a pack of parallel discs in the zone in a predetermined direction around an axis, and a shroud peripherally encircling the zone, the improved means for circulating air through the zone which comprises a baffle pivotally mounted adjacent to the shroud at a hinge line generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc pack, spring means resiliently urging the baffle around the hinge line in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction of rotation of the disc pack to retract the baffle against the shroud, an air exit opening in the shroud, and an air entrance opening in the shroud on the opposite side of the hinge line from the air exit opening whereby initial rotation of the disc pack causes air flow across the baffle until such air flow pulls the baffle toward the disc pack and the baffle thereafter causes air flow into the entrance opening and out of the exit opening while the disc pack continues to rotate.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 4 characterized further by the inclusion of stop means for limiting the rotation of the baffle by the air flow to hold the baffle in position between the rotating discs of the disc pack.