Patent US5483397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5483397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Damping configuration for improved disk drive performance
Assignee: Maxtor Corp
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Filing: 1994-06-28
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Granted: 1996-01-09
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Expires: 2014-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A disk drive having attenuated vibrations for improved disk drive performance. The disk drive has first and second viscoelastic dampers effective in attenuating vibrations during operation of the disk drive.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Bruce Gifford
- 👤 Michael C. Strzepa
- 👤 Tom E. MacDonald
- 👤 Frank W. Bernett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 00:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B17/00; G11B17/02; G11B17/038; G11B25/00; G11B25/04; G11B25/043; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate; a spindle motor fixed to the baseplate and including a spindle shaft having a top and, a bottom, the spindle shaft disposed within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a laminated viscoelastic damper positioned within the enclosure in contact with the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer having a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viscoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein the layer of viscoelastic material is attached to the top cover to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate; a spindle motor fixed to the baseplate and including a spindle shaft having a top and, a bottom, the spindle shaft disposed within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a laminated viscoelastic damper positioned within the enclosure in contact with the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer having a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viscoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein the layer of viscoelastic material is attached to the top cover to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said raised central portion is partially conical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washer has an opening therethrough at a central region, said opening providing access to fixedly attach said top cover and said damper to said spindle shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said layer of viscoelastic material is an adhesive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hard disk drive of claim 1, wherein the top cover is a single-layer structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate, said top cover and said bottom baseplate each having an inner surface and an outer surface; a spindle shaft having a top and a bottom, said shaft disposed within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a module board; a laminated damper positioned within the enclosure and interconnecting the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said laminated damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer having a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viseoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein the layer of viseoelastic material is attached to the top cover to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations; and a viscoelastic damper positioned outside the enclosure in contact with the outer surface of the bottom baseplate and the module board, said laminated damper and said viscoelastic damper being effective to attenuate vibrations during operation of said disk drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate, said top cover and said bottom baseplate each having an inner surface and an outer surface; a spindle shaft having a top and a bottom, said shaft disposed within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a module board; a laminated damper positioned within the enclosure and interconnecting the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said laminated damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer having a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viseoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein the layer of viseoelastic material is attached to the top cover to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations; and a viscoelastic damper positioned outside the enclosure in contact with the outer surface of the bottom baseplate and the module board, said laminated damper and said viscoelastic damper being effective to attenuate vibrations during operation of said disk drive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said viscoelastic damper comprises: first and second viscoelastic layers; and a polyester layer disposed between said first and second viscoelastic layers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hard disk drive of claim 6, wherein the top cover is a single-layer structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
207 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate, said top cover and said bottom baseplate each having an inner surface and an outer surface; a spindle shaft having a top and a bottom, said shaft disposed generally perpendicularly within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a module board; a laminated damper positioned within the enclosure in contact with the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said laminated damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer with a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viscoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein said viscoelastic material is attached to said top cover of said disk enclosure to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations; and a viscoelastic damper positioned outside the enclosure in contact with the outer surface of the bottom baseplate and the module board, said viscoelastic damper comprising first and second viscoelastic layers and a polyester layer disposed between said first and second viscoelastic layers, said laminated damper and said viscoelastic damper being effective to attenuate vibrations during operation of said disk drive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
207 words
A hard disk drive comprising: a disk enclosure having a top cover and a bottom baseplate, said top cover and said bottom baseplate each having an inner surface and an outer surface; a spindle shaft having a top and a bottom, said shaft disposed generally perpendicularly within the enclosure between the top cover and the bottom baseplate; a module board; a laminated damper positioned within the enclosure in contact with the top cover and the top of the spindle shaft, said laminated damper comprising a generally arcuate metal washer with a raised central portion on a side thereof and a layer of viscoelastic material fixed to an opposite side thereof, wherein the raised central portion is secured to the top of the spindle shaft and wherein said viscoelastic material is attached to said top cover of said disk enclosure to provide stiffness in reducing shaft vibrations; and a viscoelastic damper positioned outside the enclosure in contact with the outer surface of the bottom baseplate and the module board, said viscoelastic damper comprising first and second viscoelastic layers and a polyester layer disposed between said first and second viscoelastic layers, said laminated damper and said viscoelastic damper being effective to attenuate vibrations during operation of said disk drive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hard disk drive of claim 9, wherein the top cover is a single-layer structure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-08 | 1999-07-10 | 2000-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-08 | 2003-07-10 | 2004-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-08 | 2007-07-10 | 2008-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |