US 6,556,387 B1 · Controlling mechanical response characteristics of a disc drive actuator by adjusting a fastener engaging the actuator shaft to vary axial force on the bearing assembly

Abstract

Apparatus and method for adjusting an actuator mechanical response characteristic in a data handling system, such as a disc drive. An actuator rotates about a pivot system to move a read/write head adjacent a recording surface, the pivot system comprising a stationary shaft and a bearing asesmbly comprising a stationary inner race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable outer race coupled to the actuator. A fastener is provided to engage the shaft and apply an initial amount of axially directed force on the inner race. A broad spectrum excitation is applied to the actuator and a mechanical response characteristic of the actuator is measured. The fastener is repetitively adjusted to increase the amount of axially directed force until the measured mechanical response characteristic of the actuator reaches a desired level.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A data handling system, comprising:

a rotary actuator which supports a read/write head adjacent a recording surface;
and
a pivot system about which the actuator rotates, comprising:
a stationary shaft;
a bearing assembly comprising a stationary first race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable second race coupled to the actuator;
and
a fastener which engages the shaft and applies a selected amount of axially directed force on the first race to provide the actuator with a desired mechanical response characteristic.

4 more elements

In a data handling system having a rotary actuator which supports a read/write head adjacent a recording surface and a pivot system about which the actuator rotates, the pivot system comprising a stationary shaft and a bearing asesmbly comprising a stationary first race coupled to the shaft and a rotatable second race coupled to the actuator, a method for providing the actuator with a desired mechanical resonance characteristic, comprising steps of:

(a) providing a fastener which engages the shaft and applies an initial amount of axially directed force on the first race;
(b) applying a broad spectrum excitation to the actuator;
(c) measuring a mechanical response characteristic of the actuator in response to the broad spectrum excitation;
and
(d) repetitively adjusting the fastener to increase the amount of axially directed force until the measured mechanical response characteristic of the actuator reaches a desired level.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Controlling mechanical response characteristics of a disc drive actuator by adjusting a fastener engaging the actuator shaft to vary axial force on the bearing assembly

Life of this patent

Controlling mechanical response characteristics of a disc drive actuator by adjusting a fastener engaging the actuator shaft to vary axial force on the bearing assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15