Disc separator plate with air dam
US6542328B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B33/148
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A stationary disc separator plate for use in a disc drive to suppress turbulence near a disc drive read/write head used to read data from and write data to a rotatable disc. The stationary plate is supported adjacent the disc and has substantially circular inner and outer circumferences. A leading edge and a trailing edge of the plate define an open portion to accommodate radial movement of the head adjacent the disc. A trailing edge air dam disposed at the trailing edge of the plate diverts a substantial portion of an airflow generated by rotation of the disc away from the open portion to reduce an airflow velocity at the head. In disc drives having multiple discs, a plate is preferably disposed between each pair of adjacent discs. Air vents preferably extend through the thickness of the plate to reduce aerodynamic drag and hence power consumption by the drive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.