Disk housing for disk drive mass storage unit
AssigneeDigital Equipment Corporation
InventorsCharles M. Riggle, Christopher A. Pollard, John D. Read
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A housing (1-10) for a disk (1-12) used in a "Winchester"-type disk mass information storage unit in a data processing system. The housing is symmetrical about the plane of the disk, and supports the disk spindle (2-33) on both sides of the disk. The housing includes two substantially identical members (1-16, 17) fitted together in a clamshell-type arrangement. The housing includes a housing extension (1-26) for receiving and supporting the read/write heads (1-14) and actuator (1-15) therefor from both ends thereof. The members forming the housing are preferably thin walled castings, and may include fins (1-104) to dissipate heat or to enhance the housing's mechanical rigidity.
Claims5
A housing assembly for housing a disk for use in a mass information storage apparatus, the disk being supported on a spindle having first and second ends, said housing assembly comprising:
- A. first and second housing members each including
- (i) a first and second generally circular portion having a rim,
- (ii) first and second generally rectangular extension means each generally coplanar with a respective one of said circular portions defining an extension housing and having an edge, and
- (iii) flange means depending from at least a substantial continuous portion of said rim and from the portions of said edge of said extension means adjacent to said circular portions, the distal edges of said extension means being free, and the distal edges and said flange means forming an opening in said housing assembly, said flange means further having mating surfaces,
- B. means for coupling together said mating surfaces of said flanges, to rotatably support the disk on the spindle inside of said housing assembly, and
- C. removable cover means for sealing the opening defined by said extension housing means, thereby to seal the interior of said housing assembly from contaminants outside said housing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.