Anthony S Aiello

US Patent:

6788495, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/215852

Inventors:

Anthony J. Aiello - Aptos CA

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 1702

US Classification:

360 9912

Abstract:

A disc pack assembly for use in a disc drive storage system or external servo writer that is configured to maintain concentric alignment between one or more discs and a hub during handling. The disc pack assembly generally includes a disc support having an annular shoulder, a disc supported on the annular shoulder, and a hub top. The hub top includes a spindle mount portion, a ring mount portion and an annular clamping flange. The spindle mount portion is mountable to a rotatable spindle of a motor of a disc drive or an external servo writer. The ring mount portion is positioned in interference-fit engagement with the disc support for attachment thereto. The annular clamping flange applies an axial force to the disc to secure the disc between the clamping flange and the annular shoulder.

US Patent:

6828709, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/348699

Inventors:

Alan Lyndon Grantz - Aptos CA
Anthony J. Aiello - Aptos CA

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H02K 708

US Classification:

310 90, 384110, 360 9908

Abstract:

The invention is a fluid dynamic bearing motor featuring a stationary assembly supported from a base, a rotating assembly supported on the stationary assembly, a fluid dynamic bearing in a gap between the stationary and rotating assemblies, a radial capillary seal is defined proximate a first end of the gap, and at least one re-circulation hole extending from the radial capillary seal to a second end of the gap.

US Patent:

6900567, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Oct 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/683654

Inventors:

Anthony Joseph Aiello - Aptos CA, US
Klaus Dieter Kloeppel - Watsonville CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H02K005/16

US Classification:

310 90, 384107

Abstract:

A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having an annular sleeve, a shaft disposed through the sleeve, a hub supported on a first end of the shaft, a journal between the sleeve and the shaft, and a fluid dynamic bearing in the journal, wherein the fluid dynamic bearing comprises an axial bearing and a radial bearing, the axial and radial bearings being formed on respectively angles surfaces to form one corner bearing.

US Patent:

6907769, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Mar 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/113595

Inventors:

Anthony Joseph Aiello - Aptos CA, US
Klaus Dieter Kloeppel - Watsonville CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G01M003/02

US Classification:

73 37, 73 10

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method for detecting air contamination within a fluid dynamic bearing used with a disc drive. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method to determine the amount of air contamination with hydrodynamic fluid by comparing the differential displacement of the fluid dynamic bearing between vacuum and non-vacuum conditions. In another aspect, the invention provides an air-contamination detecting apparatus adapted to detect air contamination within the fluid of a fluid dynamic bearing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method to determine air contamination within fluid dynamic bearings using the change in fly height of one or more probes disposed above the surface of a rotating surface of the disc drive.

US Patent:

6917130, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Jan 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/346420

Inventors:

Anthony J. Aiello - Aptos CA, US
Klaus D. Kloeppel - Watsonville CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology, LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H02K007/09

US Classification:

310 905, 310 90

Abstract:

A single thrust bearing fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) design, including a typical dynamic bearing design which has a ring-shaped or circular thrust plate mounted at or near the end of a shaft, wherein the shaft defines together with the surrounding sleeve a journal bearing by providing grooves on one of the two surfaces facing the gap between the shaft and sleeve. On the thrust plate, only one of the two surfaces is grooved to establish an active thrust bearing. The rotor is then biased against the single active thrust bearing with a constant force generated by a magnetic circuit.

US Patent:

6946764, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/328276

Inventors:

Jeffry Arnold LeBlanc - Aptos CA, US
Alan Lyndon Grantz - Aptos CA, US
Troy Michael Herndon - San Jose CA, US
Michael David Kennedy - Boulder Creek CA, US
Robert Alan Nottingham - Santa Cruz CA, US
Anthony Joseph Aiello - Aptos CA, US
Klaus Dieter Kloeppel - Watsonville CA, US
Paco Flores - Felton CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H02K005/16

US Classification:

310 90, 310 905

Abstract:

A disc drive design comprising a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. At least a part of the shaft is generally conical in cross-section, so that a downward force component is developed to balance upward pressure on end of shaft; this conical region typically includes a fluid dynamic bearing (grooves being on either the shaft or sleeve). A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate may be defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing counterplate plate during relative rotation. A diamond-like coating (DLC) may be applied to the counterplate surface or to the end of the shaft; further, either the counterplate or shaft may be made out of ceramic material to enhance this performance. This coating may also be applied to the conical surface of the shaft or the facing surface of the sleeve.

US Patent:

6949852, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Oct 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267351

Inventors:

Anthony Joseph Aiello - Aptos CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

H02K005/16

US Classification:

310 90, 310 67 R

Abstract:

The present invention provides a fluid dynamic bearing on a thrust plate of a hub/shaft/thrust plate assembly suitable for use in ultra small form factors having limited axial space.

US Patent:

6991376, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Nov 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/702946

Inventors:

Anthony Joseph Aiello - Aptos CA, US
Paco Gregor Flores - Felton CA, US
Ali Khurram - Scotts Valley CA, US
Klaus Dieter Kloeppel - Watsonville CA, US

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

F16C 32/06

US Classification:

384107, 384119

Abstract:

A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a stationary shaft having a first end coupled to a first plate and a second end coupled to a second plate. The motor also includes a hub that is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. A fluid dynamic journal bearing, disposed between the shaft and the hub, radially supports the relative rotation of the shaft. The motor further includes a first seal, which is defined in part by the first plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing, and a second seal, which is defined in part by the second plate and is disposed radially outboard of the journal bearing.