Patent ID: 6122143
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A wet disk drive assembly, comprising:a disk drive enclosure;a disk and spindle mechanism including a rigid disk mounted on a spindle, said disk including a disk surface for recording information, said spindle being rotatably mounted to said disk drive enclosure for rotating said disk in said disk drive enclosure, said disk and spindle mechanism further comprising:a bearing assembly with a first, rotatable portion upon which said rigid disk is mounted, and a second, stationary portion which positions said first, rotatable portion and said rigid disk in said drive assembly for rotation by said drive assembly;said first, rotatable portion and said second, stationary portion being rotatably joined at an open bearing interface;means for rotating said spindle;a wicking material within said disk drive enclosure, said wicking material for transporting said lubricating material within said disk drive enclosure in response to rotation of said rigid disk; lubricating means acting between said bearing assembly and said wicking material for delivery of said liquid lubricating material to said open bearing interface; anda wicking applicator for delivery of said liquid lubricating material to said disk surface, said wicking applicator providing a liquid conduction path between said wicking material and said disk surface.