Claims
- 1. A fluid dynamic bearing defined by the interface of a hub and a sleeve, the hub having a vertical shaft portion configured to rotate within the sleeve, and a horizontal body portion configured to rotate above the sleeve, the bearing comprising:
a first gap region between the shaft portion of the hub and the sleeve; a second gap region between the horizontal body portion of the hub and the sleeve; a capillary seal within the first gap proximate to the second gap; a volume of lubricating fluid within the first gap; and an air pumping groove pattern disposed along the second gap, the air pumping groove pattern forming a high air pressure region in the second gap when the shaft portion of the hub is rotated within the sleeve.
- 2. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 1, wherein:
the first gap region comprises a substantially vertical gap; and the second gap region comprises a substantially horizontal gap portion.
- 3. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 2, wherein:
the air pumping groove pattern is disposed in the horizontal gap portion of the second gap region.
- 4. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 2, wherein the hub further comprises a radial shoulder for receiving a disc.
- 5. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 4, wherein the hub and sleeve are part of a spindle motor for a disc drive system.
- 6. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 2, wherein the shaft portion is adapted to rotate within the sleeve on a counterplate.
- 7. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 4, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines at least one groove formed in a top surface of the sleeve.
- 8. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 1, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines at least one groove formed in a bottom surface of the horizontal body portion of the hub.
- 9. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 5, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines a spiral pattern.
- 10. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 9, wherein the spiral pattern is formed in a top surface of the sleeve.
- 11. A spindle motor for use in a disc drive, the spindle motor comprising a sleeve, and a hub rotating relative to the sleeve, the hub having a vertical shaft portion configured to rotate within the sleeve, and a horizontal body portion configured to rotate above the sleeve, and the spindle motor having a bearing surface defined by the interface of the hub and the sleeve, wherein the bearing surface comprises:
a vertical gap between the shaft portion of the hub and the sleeve; a horizontal gap between the horizontal body portion of the hub and the sleeve; a capillary seal within the vertical gap proximate to the horizontal gap; a volume of lubricating fluid within the vertical gap; and an air pumping groove pattern disposed along the horizontal gap, the air pumping groove pattern forming a high pressure region in the horizontal gap when the shaft portion of the hub is rotated within the sleeve.
- 12. The spindle motor of claim 11, wherein the hub further comprises a radial shoulder for receiving a disc.
- 13. The spindle motor of claim 12, wherein:
the shaft portion is adapted to rotate within the sleeve on a counterplate; and the lubricating fluid is oil.
- 14. The spindle motor of claim 11, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines at least one groove formed in a top surface of the sleeve.
- 15. The spindle motor of claim 11, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines at least one groove formed in a bottom surface of the horizontal body portion of the hub.
- 16. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 11, wherein the air pumping groove pattern defines a spiral pattern.
- 17. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 16, wherein the spiral pattern is formed in a top surface of the sleeve.
- 18. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of opposing hub and sleeve surfaces along the horizontal gap are coated with a non-moisturizing substance.
- 19. The fluid dynamic bearing of claim 12, wherein the horizontal gap is approximately 0.16 millimeters in height.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This new application for letters patent claims priority from an earlier-filed provisional patent application entitled “High Pressure Barrier to Oil Loss by Diffusion.” That application was filed on April 21, 2003 and was assigned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/464,482.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60464482 |
Apr 2003 |
US |