Patent ID: 6549365
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A stationary airflow control device configured for use in a disc drive comprising a rotatable disc having a disc recording surface and a head moved adjacent the disc recording surface by an arm of a rotatable actuator, the head aerodynamically supported over the disc recording surface by air currents established by and which generally flow in a direction of rotation of the disc, the direction of rotation selected so that a given point on the disc that initially starts at a location 180 degrees away from the head will pass the head prior to passing the arm over a complete rotation of the disc, the airflow control device comprising:a diverter member disposed upstream from the head opposite the arm so that the head is disposed between the diverter member and the arm; and a screen member which extends from the diverter member adjacent the head so that the head is disposed between the screen member and the disc recording surface, wherein the diverter member and the screen member cooperatively form a channel which extends across a radius of the disc recording surface so that the head moves along an arcuate path of travel within said channel, and wherein air currents established by rotation of the disc impinge upon the diverter member so that a first portion of said air currents passes through a gap between the diverter member and the disc recording surface to aerodynamically support the head and a second, remaining portion of said air currents are diverted away from the head.