Photocatalytic device for disk drive contamination reduction
First Claim
1. A contaminant reduction system for an data storage device of the type having a housing with an operably permanently closed interior and having at least one critical component located within the housing which would be adversely affected by vapor contaminants within the housing, the contamination reduction system comprising:
- a photocatalytic material located within the operably permanently closed interior of the housing, the photocatalytic material being located for chemically reacting with the vapor contaminants within the housing, and a device for activating the photcatalytic material so that the catalytic activity of the activated photocatalytic material causes a chemical reaction with the vapor contaminants which impinge on the photocatalytic material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contaminant reduction system comprises an assembly of appropriate size and shape for mounting within a sealed or semi-sealed hard disk drive (HDD). The system comprises a photocatalytic surface mounted in close proximity or in contact with a light source which may be utilized as a means for activation. The photocatalytic surface is preferably titanium dioxide (TiO2); it may be other metal oxide catalyss that can be photochemically activated such as zinc oxide (ZnO). The activation is achieved utilizing a lamp which illuminates the photocatalyst and has an output below 100 nm.
35 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A contaminant reduction system for an data storage device of the type having a housing with an operably permanently closed interior and having at least one critical component located within the housing which would be adversely affected by vapor contaminants within the housing, the contamination reduction system comprising:
a photocatalytic material located within the operably permanently closed interior of the housing, the photocatalytic material being located for chemically reacting with the vapor contaminants within the housing, and a device for activating the photcatalytic material so that the catalytic activity of the activated photocatalytic material causes a chemical reaction with the vapor contaminants which impinge on the photocatalytic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A contaminant reduction system for a disk drive assembly including a housing with an operably permanently closed interior incorporating a head disk assembly located therein which would be adversely affected by vapor contamination within the disk drive assembly, the contaminant reduction system comprising:
a photocatalytic material located within the operably permanently closed interior of the housing, the photocatalytic material being located for chemically reacting with the vapor contaminants within the housing, and a device for activating the photocatalytic material so that the catalytic activity of the activated photocatalytic material causes a chemical reaction with the vapor contaminants which impinge on the photocatalytic material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A contaminant reduction system for a disk drive assembly, the contaminant reduction system comprising means for chemically reacting with the vapor contaminants within the assembly to oxidize the contaminants.
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15. A contaminant reduction method for an data storage device of the type having a housing with an operably permanently closed interior and having at least one critical component located within the housing which would be adversely affected by vapor contaminants within the housing, the contamination reduction method comprising:
locating a photocatalytic material located within the operably permanently closed interior of the housing, the photocatalytic material being located for chemically reacting with the vapor contaminants within the housing, and activating the photocatalytic material so that the catalytic activity of the activated photocatalytic material causes a chemical reaction with the vapor contaminants which impinge on the photocatalytic material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A data storage device, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a substantially airtight environment;
a motor supported by the enclosure comprising a rotatable hub;
a data storage disc attached to the hub;
an actuator assembly moveable relative to the disc in an operable data reading and writing relationship within the airtight environment; and
a photocatalytic filter assembly eliminating contaminants within the airtight environment. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
a photocatalytic material; and
an illumination source activating the photocatalytic material.
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23. The data storage device of claim 22 wherein the actuator assembly comprises:
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a mounting arm journaled to the enclosure;
a gimbal assembly depending from the mounting arm; and
a slider aerodynamically responsive to airflow from moving discs in being spatially disposed from the disc, wherein the photocatalytic material is applied to the slider; and
a read/write head supported by the slider.
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24. The data storage device of claim 22 wherein the actuator assembly comprises:
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a mounting arm journaled to the enclosure;
a gimbal assembly depending from the mounting arm, wherein the photocatalytic material is applied to the gimbal assembly; and
a slider aerodynamically responsive to airflow from moving discs in being spatially disposed from the disc; and
a read/write head supported by the slider.
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25. The data storage device of claim 22 wherein the illumination source is disposed within the airtight environment.
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26. The data storage device of claim 22 wherein the illumination source is disposed outside of the air-tight environment, the enclosure comprising a transparent member admitting communication between the illumination source and the photocatalytic material.
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27. The data storage device of claim 22 further comprising a sensor indicating the presence of a contaminant within the airtight enclosure.
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28. The data storage device of claim 27 wherein the illumination source is selectively responsive to the sensor in activating the photocatalytic material.
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29. A data storage device, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a substantially airtight environment;
a motor supported by the enclosure comprising a rotatable hub;
a data storage disc attached to the hub;
an actuator assembly moveable relative to the disc in an operable data reading and writing relationship within the airtight environment; and
a photocatalytic material attached to the actuator assembly operably eliminating contaminants within the airtight environment. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
a mounting arm journaled to the enclosure;
a gimbal assembly depending from the mounting arm; and
a slider aerodynamically responsive to airflow from moving discs in being spatially disposed from the disc, wherein the photocatalytic material is applied to the slider; and
a read/write head supported by the slider.
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31. The data storage device of claim 29 wherein the actuator assembly comprises:
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a mounting arm journaled to the enclosure;
a gimbal assembly depending from the mounting arm, wherein the photocatalytic material is applied to the gimbal assembly; and
a slider aerodynamically responsive to airflow from moving discs in being spatially disposed from the disc; and
a read/write head supported by the slider.
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Specification