Magnetic wear debris collector for air bearing of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorChen-Hsiung Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing magnetic wear debris collection for an air bearing of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive is disclosed. A magnetic ring is provided near one end of the journal bearing forming an air bearing. In addition, the mating surface of the air bearing is paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic ring, acting as a debris collector, collects debris from the air bearing to prevent deterioration of the air journal bearing. The journal bearing includes a mating surface. The mating surface may be of a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material. A thrust bearing is provided to axially support the hub. The thrust bearing may be an oil bearing or an air bearing.
Claims6
A method for providing magnetic wear debris collection for an air bearing of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive, comprising:
- providing a spindle motor comprising a hub;
- providing an air bearing for a journal bearing radially supporting the hub;
- positioning a magnetic ring in a position proximate to the air bearing;
- and
- as the motor is activated to spin the spindle and disk, accumulating debris at the magnetic ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.