US6400524B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic isolator for a disc drive assembly
Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
•
Filing: 2000-05-01
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2020-05-01
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for reducing acoustic noise emission in a disc drive assembly. A housing of the disc drive includes first and second plates and side walls which cooperate to form an enclosure for an excitation source disposed within the housing. At least a selected one of the plates has a contact point to which the excitation source is mechanically coupled, a first portion of the selected plate surrounding the contact point and a second portion thereof disposed between the first portion and an outer perimeter of the selected plate, with the second portion having an increased compliance with respect to the first portion. The increased compliance can be formed by reducing the thickness of the second portion. Damping material can be additionally supported by the second portion to provide further acoustic noise reduction.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles P. Morris
- 👤 Kenneth L. Pottebaum
- 👤 John D. Stricklin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/08; G11B25/00; G11B25/04; G11B25/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A disc drive, comprising: an excitation source which rotates about an excitation axis; and a housing which supports the excitation source, comprising: a top cover; a bottom cover which cooperates with the top cover to form an enclosure in which the excitation source is disposed, wherein at least a selected one of the top and bottom covers comprises a plate which extends substantially normal to the excitation axis, the plate having an outermost perimeter, a contact point to which the excitation source is mounted, a first portion which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a first thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and a second portion disposed between the first portion and the outermost perimeter which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a second thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; and a damping material affixed to the second portion of the plate, wherein the damping material has a damping material thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and wherein the first thickness is nominally equal to the second thickness in combination with the damping material thickness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A disc drive, comprising: an excitation source which rotates about an excitation axis; and a housing which supports the excitation source, comprising: a top cover; a bottom cover which cooperates with the top cover to form an enclosure in which the excitation source is disposed, wherein at least a selected one of the top and bottom covers comprises a plate which extends substantially normal to the excitation axis, the plate having an outermost perimeter, a contact point to which the excitation source is mounted, a first portion which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a first thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and a second portion disposed between the first portion and the outermost perimeter which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a second thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; and a damping material affixed to the second portion of the plate, wherein the damping material has a damping material thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and wherein the first thickness is nominally equal to the second thickness in combination with the damping material thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The disc drive of claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises a spindle motor which rotates a recording disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The disc drive of claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises an actuator assembly which supports a head adjacent a rotatable recording disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The disc drive of claim 1 , wherein the at least a selected one of the top and bottom covers comprises the top cover, and wherein the top cover further comprises side walls which depend from the outermost perimeter and matingly engage the bottom cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The disc drive of claim 1 , wherein the first portion extends 360 degrees about the contact point.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for assembling a disc drive assembly, comprising steps of: (a) providing an excitation source; (b) providing a plate configured to support the excitation source at a contact point so that the excitation source rotates about an excitation axis substantially normal to the plate, the plate comprising an outermost perimeter, a first portion which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a first thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and a second portion disposed between the first portion and the outermost perimeter which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a second thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; (c) attaching the excitation source to the plate; and (d) placing a damping material on the second portion of the plate, wherein the thickness of the first portion is substantially equal to a combined thickness of the second portion of the plate and the damping material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for assembling a disc drive assembly, comprising steps of: (a) providing an excitation source; (b) providing a plate configured to support the excitation source at a contact point so that the excitation source rotates about an excitation axis substantially normal to the plate, the plate comprising an outermost perimeter, a first portion which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a first thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, and a second portion disposed between the first portion and the outermost perimeter which extends at least 180 degrees about the contact point and which has a second thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; (c) attaching the excitation source to the plate; and (d) placing a damping material on the second portion of the plate, wherein the thickness of the first portion is substantially equal to a combined thickness of the second portion of the plate and the damping material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the plate of step (b) further comprises a third portion between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion extending at least 180 degrees about the contact point and having a third thickness as measured in a direction parallel to the excitation axis, wherein the third thickness is less than the first thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the excitation source of providing step (b) comprises a spindle motor which rotates a recording disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the excitation source of providing step (b) comprises a spindle motor which rotates a recording disc.
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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) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |