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 Title: |
US6315452:
Zero static-friction actuator pivot bearing for production disk drives
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Titcomb, Forrest D.; Colorado Springs, CO 80904
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
2001-11-13
/ 2000-04-28
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| Application Number: |
US2000000560520
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G11B 5/48;
G11B 19/20;
H02K 5/16;
H02K 7/08;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
F16C 32/06;
G11B 5/012;
H02K 5/16;
H02K 5/24;
H02K 7/08;
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| ECLA Code: |
G11B5/48A1; G11B19/20A; H02K5/16E; H02K7/08E;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
384/114;
310/051;
310/090;
360/086;
360/097.01;
384/100;
384/107;
384/132;
G9B/005.149;
G9B/019.028;
Original:
384/114;
310/090;
310/051;
360/086;
360/097.01;
384/100;
384/107;
384/132;
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| Field of Search: |
384/100,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,118,119,120,121,123,124,132
310/090,51
360/086,97.01
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| Priority Number: |
| 2000-04-28 |
US2000000560520 |
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| Abstract: |
A hydrostatic bearing assembly, with an integral rotating-shaft hydrodynamic pump, adapted for use as a stiff zero static-friction actuator pivot bearing for the head-stack assembly of a disk drive data storage apparatus. The zero static-friction pivot bearing avoids all "limit cycling" and "sticking" problems arising from static bearing friction during micro-tracking operations. The motor-driven hydrodynamic pumping element is disposed coaxially to the zero static-friction hydrostatic bearing element in a single assembly adapted for use as an actuator pivot bearing. The hydrodynamic pumping element and the hydrostatic bearing element both use a plurality of spaced-apart radial journal-bearing layers and a plurality of axial thrust-bearing layers to provide stiffness in all directions at any rotational velocity. The lubricating fluid pressure within the hydrodynamic pumping element is controlled on both sides of every bearing layer by coupling all radial journal-bearing layers and axial thrust-bearing layers to a circumferential undercut (or overcut) and by coupling these circumferential undercuts to ambient pressure through a plurality of fluid-filled passages in the several rotating and stationary elements. The fluid bearing layers are coupled to form a continuous pressure-controlled fluid film sealed at three ends by surface tension. In an actuator pivot bearing for a disk drive data storage apparatus, the hydrodynamic pump motor can be operated under the control of a dual phase-locked motor drive controller to synchronize it with a spindle motor element in a manner that cancels vibrations arising from both motors.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Jester, Michael H. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Hannon, Thomas R.; McAnulty, Timothy
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 18 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A hydrostatic bearing assembly for supporting rotation about a bearing axis, the assembly comprising:
- a fixed shaft having outer and inner surfaces disposed about the bearing axis;
- a quantity of lubricating fluid disposed on the inner and outer fixed-shaft surfaces;
- a rotatable pump shaft having an outer surface including
- a pump-shaft pumping surface disposed within the inner fixed-shaft surface to form therebetween a fluid-pumping layer of lubricating fluid and
- a pump-shaft bearing surface disposed within the inner fixed-shaft surface to form therebetween a pump journal-bearing layer of the lubricating fluid and two pump thrust-bearing layers of the lubricating fluid;
- a rotatable bearing sleeve having an inner surface disposed about the outer fixed-shaft surface to form therebetween a sleeve journal-bearing layer of the lubricating fluid and two sleeve thrust-bearing layers of the lubricating fluid;
- a plurality of fluid-filled passages within each of the fixed shaft, the pump shaft and the bearing sleeve to communicate fluid pressure between the fluid-pumping layer and the plurality of pump and sleeve journal-bearing and thrust-bearing layers; and
- a tapered surface to form a fluid capillary seal at each of two ends of the bearing sleeve and at one end of the pump shaft for retaining the lubricating fluid within the bearing assembly.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
Show drawing descriptions
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 6 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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