Breather filter cartridge for data storage devices

• US 20050063093A1
• Filed: 09/24/2003
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Hong, YiRen, Goh, JingShi, Ng, Quock Ying
• Granted Patent: US 6,972,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/97.20
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 25/043 using rotating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/146 constructional details of filters
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1486 Control/regulation of the pressure, e.g. the pressure inside the housing of a drive

Abstract

A breather filter cartridge in a data storage device contains a filtration media, such as packed granular carbon, in a chamber. The cartridge incorporates a gas diffusion path that traverses through the breather filter casing, interfacing with the chamber along a tubular sidewall and allowing the thickness of the filter top end to be reduced. This permits additional filter media to be packed into the same breather filter height. Alternatively, the same amount of filtration media can accordingly be packed into a thinner breather filter. The top end may also include an outward extending flange, with the chamber extending completely through the flange. A thin film seals the media above the flange, allowing for even more filter media to be packed into a breather filter of identical height.

Claims

1. A breather filter cartridge for use in a data storage device comprising:

a body having a tubular sidewall portion and an end portion at one end of the tubular sidewall portion together defining a chamber for containing a filter media, wherein the end portion has a diffusion path formed therein interfacing with the chamber along the tubular sidewall portion.

2. The breather filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the end portion has a flange extending outwardly around the tubular sidewall portion.

3. The breather filter cartridge of claim 2 wherein the diffusion path is formed within the flange.

4. The breather filter cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a film positioned on the end portion.

5. The breather filter cartridge of claim 4 wherein the film is a gas permeable film.

6. The breather filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the diffusion path formed in the end portion extends around the tubular sidewall portion.

7. The breather filter cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a gas permeable film over an opposite end portion of the tubular sidewall portion.

8. The breather filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the chamber extends through the end portion.

9. In a data storage device having a base and a cover forming a clean internal environment therein, a breather filter cartridge permitting gas pressure equalization between an external environment and the internal environment, the breather filter cartridge comprising:

a body having a tubular sidewall portion and an end portion at one end of the tubular sidewall portion together defining a chamber for containing a filter media, wherein the end portion has a diffusion path formed therein interfacing with the chamber along the tubular sidewall portion.

10. The breather filter cartridge of claim 9 wherein the end portion has a flange extending outwardly around the tubular sidewall portion.

11. The breather filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein the diffusion path is formed within the flange.

12. The breather filter cartridge of claim 9 further comprising a film positioned on the end portion.

13. The breather filter cartridge of claim 12 wherein the film is a gas permeable film.

14. The breather filter cartridge of claim 9 wherein the diffusion path formed in the end portion extends around the tubular sidewall portion.

15. The breather filter cartridge of claim 9 further comprising a gas permeable film over an opposite end portion of the tubular sidewall portion.

16. The breather filter cartridge of claim 9 wherein the chamber extends through the end portion.

17. In a data storage device having a base and a cover forming a clean internal environment therein, a breather filter cartridge comprising:

a body having a tubular sidewall portion and an end portion at one end of the tubular sidewall portion together defining a chamber for containing a filter media, wherein the end portion has a diffusion path formed therein interfacing with the chamber along the tubular sidewall portion; and

a means for equalizing gas pressure between an external environment and the internal environment of the data storage device by providing a diffusion path for gas to pass through the end portion of the breather filter cartridge to and from the chamber along the tubular sidewall portion.

18. The breather filter cartridge of claim 17 wherein the end portion has a flange extending outwardly around the tubular sidewall portion.

19. The breather filter cartridge of claim 18 wherein the means for equalizing gas pressure is formed within the flange.

20. The breather filter cartridge of claim 17 further comprising a film positioned on the end portion.

21. The breather filter cartridge of claim 20 wherein the film is a gas permeable film.

22. The breather filter cartridge of claim 17 wherein the means for equalizing gas pressure is formed in the end portion extends around the tubular sidewall portion.

23. The breather filter cartridge of claim 17 further comprising a gas permeable film over an opposite end portion of the tubular sidewall portion.

24. The breather filter cartridge of claim 17 wherein the chamber extends through the end portion.