Patent ID: 6362932
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An air bearing assembly for use in a disk drive for supporting rotation of a medium carrying hub about a vertical axis of rotation, comprising:a first air bearing surface for facilitating generation of a thrust air bearing for supporting the medium carrying hub in a vertical direction during rotation of the medium carrying hub; and a second air bearing surface, substantially facing said first air bearing surface, for facilitating generation of said thrust air bearing during rotation of the medium carrying hub, said second air bearing surface moving with respect to said first air bearing surface during rotation of the medium carrying hub, wherein at least one of said first and second air bearing surfaces includes a plurality of spiral grooves for generating air pressure in a gap between said first and second air bearing surfaces during rotation of said medium carrying hub, wherein said plurality of spiral grooves are arranged to generate an outward pumping air current in said gap between said first and second air bearing surfaces that flows radially outward with respect to the vertical axis of rotation, wherein said outward pumping air current is operative for blowing wear particles out of said gap during rotation of said medium carrying hub.