U.S. patent application number 09/735391 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for component sealing system.
Invention is credited to Andrews, Michael Kenneth, Kazmierczak, Frederick Frank, Maiers, Michael Alan, Raffetto, Michael John.
Application Number | 20010005348 09/735391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25140208 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kazmierczak, Frederick Frank ;
et al. |
June 28, 2001 |
Component sealing system
Abstract
Method for the removable sealing of a component housing, and
apparatus to practice the method using an elastic or conformable
sealing band. The present invention teaches a sealing band,
preferably elastic, to apply a horizontal seal to the horizontal
seam defined by vertically assembled component case elements. The
seal is maintained in position over the seam by an alignment
element disposed on at least one of the seal and the case. The
sealing band is rendered electrically conductive by admixing
therewith a conductive material, or by plating thereon a conductive
coating. A retaining element may be further added to at least one
of the sealing band and the case to minimize tampering with the
sealing band once installed.
Inventors: |
Kazmierczak, Frederick Frank;
(San Jose, CA) ; Raffetto, Michael John; (Scotts
Valley, CA) ; Andrews, Michael Kenneth; (Santa Cruz,
CA) ; Maiers, Michael Alan; (San Jose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD
P O BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
25140208 |
Appl. No.: |
09/735391 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09735391 |
Dec 11, 2000 |
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08787022 |
Jan 28, 1997 |
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6185807 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
720/655 ;
220/320; 361/809; G9B/33.027; G9B/33.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/4987 20150115;
G11B 33/1466 20130101; G11B 33/121 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/75.1 ;
361/809; 220/320 |
International
Class: |
G11B 033/02; H05K
007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for quickly, securely, and reversibly sealing a seam
formed by the first and second elements of a case, the method
comprising the steps of: aligning a conformable sealing band with
respect to the seam, utilizing an alignment element disposed on at
least one of the conformable sealing band and the case; and with
the conformable sealing band, applying a sealing pressure on an
axis parallel to the seam.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining
the conformable sealing band in alignment with respect to the seam
further utilizing the alignment element.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying a sealing
pressure comprises the further step of applying a sealing pressure
utilizing an elastic conformable sealing band.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying a sealing
pressure comprises the further step of applying a sealing pressure
utilizing a contractible conformable sealing band.
5. The method of claim 1 further for reducing electromagnetic
interference the method comprising the further steps of: rendering
at least a portion of at least one of the first and the second
case, elements electrically conductive; rendering at least a
portion of the conformable sealing band electrically conductive;
and bringing the electrically conductive portion of the conformable
sealing band into substantial electrical contact with at least a
portion of at least one of the electrically conductive portions of
at least one of the first and the second case elements. whereby the
electrically conductive portion of the conformable sealing band in
operative with at least a portion of at least one of the
electrically conductive portions of at least one of the first and
the second case elements forms a substantial barrier to the
intrusion of electromagnetic interference.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment element comprises a
depression defined between the first and second elements of the
case, the method comprising the further step of receiving the
conformable sealing band within the depression.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment element comprises a
alignment surface formed on a surface of the band, the alignment
surface having a first end disposed on the surface of the band and
a second end opposite the first end, the method comprising the
further step of receiving the alignment surface into at least a
portion of the seam.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the alignment surface includes an
elastically deformable detent disposed substantially at the second
end of the alignment surface, the detent having an initial shape,
the method comprising the further steps of: applying pressure to
the conformable sealing band on an axis parallel to the seam, the
pressure being sufficient to elastically deform the detent thereby
enabling the insertion of the detent and at least a portion of the
alignment surface through the seam into at least a portion of the
interior of the case; and subsequent to the step of applying
sufficient pressure to the conformable sealing band, allowing at
least a portion of the detent to elastically expand within an
interior portion of the case.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving the
alignment surface into at least a portion of the seam further
comprises the step of receiving a continuous alignment surface
within the seam.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving the
alignment surface into at least a portion of the seam further
comprises the step of receiving a discontinuous alignment surface
within the seam.
11. A method for quickly, securely, and reversibly sealing a seam
formed by the first and second elements of a case by applying a
sealing pressure on an axis parallel to said seam, at least one of
said first and second elements of said case having an alignment
depression disposed substantially congruent with said seam, wherein
at least a portion of at least one of said first and the second
elements of said case is substantially electrically conductive, the
method further for reducing electromagnetic interference within the
case and comprising the step of: inserting a conformable sealing
band, at least a portion of which is rendered electrically
conductive, into at least a portion of said depression, whereby
said conformable sealing band is aligned with respect to said case
and said seam, said seam is substantially sealed, and whereby said
electrically conductive portion of said conformable sealing band in
operative combination with at least a portion of at least one of
said electrically conductive portion of at least one of said first
and said second elements of said case forms a substantial barrier
to the intrusion of said electromagnetic interference.
12. The method of claim 11 comprising the further step of selecting
said conformable sealing band from the group consisting of: elastic
sealing band and heat-contractible sealing band.
13. A component sealing system for quickly, securely, and
reversibly sealing a seam formed by the first and second elements
of a case, said first and second elements of a case being assembled
in a first axis, the system comprising: conformable sealing band
means for applying a sealing pressure on a second axis normal to
said first axis; and alignment means, disposed on at least one of
said band and sail case, for aligning said conformable sealing band
with said seam.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said conformable sealing band
means is selected from the group consisting of elastic sealing band
means and contractible sealing band means.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein at least a portion of at least
one of said first and second elements of said case is rendered
electrically conductive, the system further for reducing
electromagnetic interference within said case and further
comprising: said conformable sealing band means having at least a
portion thereof rendered electrically conductive; whereby said
portion of said conformable sealing band means rendered
electrically conductive and said portion of at least one of said
first and second elements of said case rendered electrically
conductive form, in operative combination, a substantial barrier to
the intrusion of electromagnetic interference into said case.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein said alignment means further
comprises a depression formed between said first and second
elements of said case substantially congruent with said seam, said
depression further for receiving therein said conformable sealing
band means.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein said alignment means further
comprises an alignment surface formed on an inner surface of said
band means, said alignment surface having a first end disposed on
said inner surface of said band means and a second end opposite
said first end; whereby at least a portion of said alignment
surface is rendered insertable into at least a portion of said
seam.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein said alignment surface further
comprises an elastically deformable retaining element disposed
substantially at said second end of said alignment surface;
whereby, by applying pressure to said conformable sealing band
means on an axis perpendicular to said seam, said pressure being
sufficient to elastically deform said retaining element, said
retaining element is rendered insertable into at least a portion of
said seam, whereafter by allowing at least a portion of said
retaining element to elastically expand within said case, said band
means is further retained in alignment with respect to said
case.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein said alignment surface is
selected from the group consisting of said alignment surface being
disposed continuously about said inner surface of said band means,
and said alignment surface being disposed discontinuously about
said inner surface of said band means.
20. A system for quickly, securely, and reversibly sealing a seam
formed by the first and second elements of a case by applying a
sealing pressure on an axis perpendicular to said seam, the system
further for reducing electromagnetic interference within said case,
said sealing system comprising: an elastic scaling band, at least a
portion of which is rendered electrically conductive; and at least
one of said first and second elements of said case defining an
alignment depression substantially congruent with said seam;
whereby said elastic sealing band is rendered insertable into at
least a portion of said depression, thereby rendering said band in
alignment with respect to said case and said seam, thereby sealing
said seam and reducing electromagnetic interference within said
case.
21. A system for quickly, securely, and reversibly sealing a seam
formed by the first and second elements of a case, said first and
second elements of a case being assembled in a first axis, by
applying a sealing pressure on a second axis perpendicular to said
seam, at least a portion of at least one of said first and second
elements of said case being electrically conductive, the system
further for reducing electromagnetic interference to components
mounted within said case and comprising: a conformable sealing band
for applying a sealing pressure on an axis normal to said first
axis, said band having at least a portion thereof rendered
electrically conductive; an alignment element formed on an inner
surface of said band, said alignment element having a first end
disposed on said inner surface of said band and a second end
opposite said first end, said alignment element disposed
substantially perpendicular to said inner surface of said band; an
elastically deformable retaining element disposed substantially at
said second end of said alignment surface; and at least one of said
first and second elements of said case defining an alignment
depression substantially congruent with said seam; whereby at least
a portion of said conformable sealing band is rendered insertable
into at least a portion of said depression, thereby aligning said
band with respect to said case and said seam and, by applying an
insertion pressure to said conformable sealing band on an axis
perpendicular to said seam, said insertion pressure being
sufficient to elastically deform said retaining element, said
retaining element is rendered insertable into at least a portion of
said seam, whereafter by allowing at least a portion of said
retaining element to elastically expand within said case, said band
is retained in alignment with respect to said case and said seam,
and said portion of said band rendered electrically conductive in
operative combination with said with said electrically conductive
portion of at least one of said first and second elements of said
case forms a substantial barrier to the intrusion of external
electro-magnetic interference into said case.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein said conformable sealing band is
selected from the group consisting of: elastic sealing band and
heat-contractible sealing band.
23. A method for reversibly sealing a housing joint, the housing
composed of at least a first housing element and a second housing
element, at least one of said first and said second housing
elements having a portion thereof being electrically conductive,
said first housing element and said second housing element being
assembled in a first axis and defining therebetween a joint, said
method further for sealing said joint by applying a sealing
pressure on a second axis substantially normal to said first axis,
and for reducing the intrusion of electro-magnetic interference
into said housing, said method comprising the steps of: with an
alignment element formed on an inner surface of an elastic sealing
band having at least a portion thereof rendered electrically
conductive, aligning said band with respect to at least one of said
housing and said joint, said alignment element having a first end
disposed on said inner surface of said band and a second end
opposite said first end, said alignment element disposed
substantially perpendicular to said inner surface of said band;
covering said joint with said sealing band, said elastic band for
providing said sealing pressure, thereby reversibly sealing said
joint; applying a mating pressure to at least a portion of said
sealing band along said second axis; urging said portion of said
band rendered electrically conductive into electrical contact with
at least the one of said first and said second housing elements
being electrically conductive, said band and at least one of said
first and said second housing elements thereby forming a
substantial barrier to said intrusion of said electro-magnetic
interference into said housing; elastically retaining said band
within at least a portion of said joint utilizing an elastically
deformable retaining element disposed substantially at said second
end of said alignment surface, said mating pressure being
sufficient to elastically deform said retaining element thereby
rendering said retaining element insertable into at least said
portion of said joint; and allowing at least a portion of said
retaining element to elastically expand within said housing.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a methodology for removably
sealing housing elements utilizing an elastic seal element. More
particularly, the present invention teaches a removable elastic
casing methodology applicable to precision electronic component
cases and the apparatus to perform the methodology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many engineering disciplines, one or more housing or case
elements are mechanically conjoined to form a chamber wherein the
functional components of a device are housed. It is often the case
that one or more of the housing elements is itself a functional
component of a device. One such example is the housing elements of
a computer head disc assembly (HDA). Typically, in most current
production HDAs, at least one of the case elements also serves as a
mounting frame for mounting at least some of the HDA functional
components thereto.
[0003] It is often desirable that the housing elements, when
mechanically conjoined, provide not only a stable mechanical,
electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other platform in which the
device's functional components operate, but that the housing
elements unite to form a sealed environment for maintaining those
functional components in some form of controlled environment. This
environment may require the retention of a fluid or liquid within
the sealed housing, the exclusion of fluids, liquids, or
contaminants from without the sealed housing, or a combination of
both requirements.
[0004] Many HDAs in current production are sealed within two
horizontally divided case halves. In a typical instance, a first
case element has disposed upon it hard drive functional elements
including, but not limited to, at least one magnetically recordable
and readable hard disk, a motor to drive the disk, a read/write
head mounted on an arm which may be in turn pivotably mounted on
the case element, as well as other sundry electromechanical and
electronic components. A second case element, which may or may not
have additional functional elements disposed thereon, is then
positioned over the first case element and mechanically secured in
place with a plurality of mechanical fasteners, e.g. machine
screws.
[0005] The plurality of machine screws provide a vertical clamping
pressure between the first and second horizontally separated case
elements. Captured between the first and second case elements and
forming a seal therebetween is often a conformable, or deformable,
gasket element. Examples of currently utilized gaskets include but
are not limited to die-cut sheet gaskets, cast resilient polymeric
gaskets and O-rings. The first and second case elements in
operative combination with the screws applying a vertical force to
the gasket element seal the cavity formed within the first and
second case elements. This has the effect of precluding the
unwanted intrusion of contaminants from the ambient atmosphere into
the case interior.
[0006] Additionally, the case elements/screws/gasket element in
operative combination often unite to provide an effective
electromagnetic interference (EMI) barrier. EMI can be a
significant problem in computer head disc assemblies in that excess
levels of EMI can serve to apply an unwanted- signal or noise to
interior components of the HDA. Such noise can interfere with the
proper read/write functionality of the HDA.
[0007] The case sealing methodology previously outlined presents
several problems during the manufacture of HDAs. First, in order to
ensure an effective seal between the first and second case
elements, a significant number of screws is often required to
obtain the required screw clamping pressure about the periphery of
the case elements as well as to obviate case deformation occasioned
by that pressure.
[0008] A second problem is that during the manufacturing process of
HDAs, it is occasionally necessary to rework an HDA being built.
This rework is often effected subsequent to a final quality
assurance check conducted subsequent to the final assembly of the
drive, which check reveals some malfunction. Accordingly, in order
to rework a defective drive component after final assembly, it is
generally necessary to remove the plurality of screws uniting the
first and second case elements in operative combination and to
separate those case elements. As the number of screws required to
mechanically connect the case elements increases, so increases both
the amount of time required to assemble and disassemble the drive,
as well as the likelihood that the assembly or disassembly process
will damage the screw threads of either the screw itself or of the
case elements. Furthermore, it is often the case that a deformable
gasket captured and clamped between a first and second case element
is permanently deformed thereby or is damaged by the separation of
the case elements, necessitating the replacement of the gasket
during rework. Each of these factors adds to the time, expense and
effort required to rework an HDA.
[0009] One alternative to the use of vertically clamped gasket
elements in HDA manufacturing technology has been the use of a
metalized pressure sensitive adhesive tape applied to the seam
between case elements subsequent to their being mechanically
conjoined by a plurality of screws. The use of such tape can reduce
the number of screws required to mechanically conjoin and seal the
several case elements, and the metallic surface provides the
requisite EMI barrier. By removing the requirement for an even
clamping pressure across a broad horizontal surface, the number of
screws required to join the case elements is reduced. Because the
pressure sensitive adhesive tape is metalized, it further acts as
an effective block to EMI.
[0010] While the previously discussed use of pressure sensitive
adhesive tape provides an advantage over vertically clamped
gaskets, this solution presents a new set of problems to HDA
designers. A first problem is occasioned by the fact that the
removal of the tape and/or the adhesive residue therefrom during
rework constitutes a further increase in labor costs during rework.
Further, pieces of tape removed during rework may inadvertently be
introduced into the case interior, requiring further effort. A
third new problem is occasioned by the fact that adhesives in
general, and pressure sensitive adhesives in particular, exhibit an
out-gassing of volatile adhesive components, especially the
adhesive's solvent or carrier. These volatile components, when
admixed with the ambient atmosphere inside the HDA and dispersed
therethrough can adversely effect critical electronic or magnetic
components contained inside the HDA.
[0011] What is needed is some means to quickly and securely seal
and unseal HDA case elements. This sealing methodology should
reduce the number of screws or other mechanical fasteners required
to conjoin the case elements. The methodology should further
minimize damage to the case elements in the event it becomes
necessary to separate them during rework or repair. The seal should
leave no appreciable residue behind on being removed, and should be
easily sealed and unsealed. The seal should not introduce any
appreciable levels of volatile solvents into the interior of the
HDA. It would be additionally advantageous if the seal were
reusable: filing that, its removal should not introduce any
additional components into the EDA. Finally, the sealing
methodology should reduce electromagnetic interference beneath an
acceptable threshold level, or preclude it entirely. It would be
further desirable if a sealing methodology could facilitate
alignment of the several seal elements during construction, and
optimally minimize unwanted opening of, or tampering with, the
seal.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a method to quickly and
securely seal and unseal HDA case elements, and an apparatus to
practice the method. The present invention teaches a conformable,
and preferably elastic, sealing band for applying a horizontally
biased sealing pressure to the horizontal seam of vertically
assembled case elements. An alignment element, disposed on at least
one of the sealing band and the assembled case, aligns the band
with case seam during assembly, and maintains the band in place
once it is assembled to the case. A retaining element may be added
to at least one of the case and the sealing band to further secure
the band to the case. This retaining element not only aids in
positioning the band, but also serves to resist tampering by
unauthorized individuals.
[0013] The sealing methodology taught herein has the advantage that
it can serve to reduce the number of screws or other mechanical
fasteners required to conjoin the case elements, as screw clamping
pressure is not required to perfect and maintain the seal between
case elements. Also, case distortion can be minimized for the same
reasons. Further, as no adhesives are used, damage to the case
elements is minimized should rework require their separation. The
seal leaves no appreciable residue behind on being removed,
presents no out-gassing problems, and is easily sealed and
unsealed.
[0014] The seal taught herein may be impregnated, plated or
otherwise coated with electrically conductive material to reduce
electromagnetic interference beneath an acceptable threshold level,
or to preclude its intrusion into the case entirely. Finally, the
methodology taught herein facilitates alignment of the several seal
elements during construction, and can be used to minimize unwanted
or accidental opening of the sealed case.
[0015] Other features of the present invention are disclosed or
apparent in the section entitled "BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For fuller understanding of the present invention, reference
is made to the accompanying drawing in the following detailed
description of the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention. In the
drawing:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention prior to sealing the case with the sealing
band.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention prior to sealing the case with
the sealing band.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention subsequent to sealing the case with the
sealing band.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment
of the present invention subsequent to sealing the case with the
sealing band.
[0021] Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of
the invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0022] Having reference to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment for
carrying out the principles of the present invention is shown.
Having reference to that figure, case 1 is shown to comprise a pair
of horizontally separated case elements, 10 and 11. When assembled
together, upper case 11 and lower case 10 define horizontal seam 12
therebetween. Case elements 10 and 11 are held and maintained in
mechanical alignment by means of fasteners, for instance machine
screws 13.
[0023] According to this embodiment upper and lower case elements
11 and 10 respectively, when mechanically fastened and aligned,
further define a horizontally annular alignment depression, 14 for
receiving therein elastic sealing band 15.
[0024] Accordingly, it is seen that case 1 comprises a pair of
horizontally separated case elements 10 and 11 which are vertically
fastened together by machine screws 13.
[0025] In order to seal case elements 10 and 11 elastic sealing
band 15 is provided. By way of illustration but not limitation, in
a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, band 15 is
formed of synthetic rubber having admixed therewith a sufficient
quantity of electrically conductive powdered metal so as to render
it substantially electrically conductive. Alternatively, sealing
band 15 may be formed of any of several natural or synthetic
elastic monomers or polymers well known to those of ordinary skill
in the art. Another alternative consists of depositing a metallic
or other conductive coating on sealing band 15 by plating, coating,
painting, lamination, or other methodology well known to those of
ordinary skill in art. As a further alternative, band 15 may be
formed of a conformable material, or materials, which renders it
conformable on a single-use basis to the region defined by
depression 14. One such conformable material is the plastic
"shrink-tubing" well-known in the electronic arts. This
shrink-tubing contracts on application of heat.
[0026] In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
elastic sealing band is sized such that its circumference at rest
is somewhat smaller than the circumference, within depression 14,
of case elements 10 and 11. The sizing of elastic sealing band 15
is further such that when band 15 is fitted to assembled case 1 it
not only seals seam 12 but is substantially fully received within
depression 14. As shown in FIG. 1, elastic seal band 15 is at the
point of being expanded to fit around case 1.
[0027] Sealing band 15 is fitted to case 1 in the following manner:
sealing band 15 is first elastically expanded such that its
circumference is greater than the circumference of case 1. Sealing
bard 15 is then positioned over depression 14 and allowed to
contract. Where required, a pressure may be applied to sealing band
15 on a axis parallel to the seam and hence perpendicular to the
assembly axis of case 1. This pressure is sufficient to elastically
deform detent 17, thereby enabling the insertion of at least the
detent, and preferably the detent and a portion of the alignment
surface, into the interior of the case. Thereafter at least a
portion of detent 17 is allowed to expand within the interior
portion of case 1, whereby detent 17, returned to its substantial
initial shape, serves to retain sealing band 15 within depression
14, and hence, case 1.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, a view of case 1 having elastic
sealing band 15 fitted thereto is shown. As seen in that figure,
elastic sealing band 15 not only seals seam 12 (covered by band 15
in this view) but is received into and substantially fills
depression 14. Band 15 may take the form of any of several
cross-sectional configurations. The simplest of which is an elastic
ribbon, attached at either end to form a simple band. A
cross-section of this implementation of the present invention is
shown at C-C.
[0029] A further alternative, embodying an alignment element
disposed on sealing band 15 is shown as a second preferred
embodiment in FIG. 2. Having reference to that figure, elastic
sealing band 15 is further fitted with an alignment surface 16. As
shown at section A-A of that figure, alignment surface 16 may be
implemented as a simple projection, protrusion or ridge 18 formed
on an internal surface of band 15, and substantially perpendicular
thereto. Another alternative to this implementation consists of the
addition to alignment surface 16 of a barb, or detent, 17 to the
free end thereof. Such a barbed alignment surface is shown at
section B-B.
[0030] As a further alternative to the substantially continuous
alignment surface 16 or projection 18 shown in FIG. 2, an
alternative embodiment may be formed wherein projection 16 is
discontinuous. By way of illustration, but not limitation, such an
implementation might be utilized where it is desirable for reasons
of space or ease of installation to eliminate the projection 16
where it will be engaged at the corners of case 1.
[0031] A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown at FIG. 4, wherein it is desirable to form the case without
depression 14, not shown in this embodiment. In this
implementation, elastic sealing band 15 is maintained in
substantial alignment with case 1 by means of projection 16
inserted into horizontal projection 16 of band 15 serves as the
sole alignment methodology, and is shown at section A-A. As before,
a barb or other projection 17 may be added to projection 16 as
shown at section B-B to minimize tampering with the seal.
[0032] The present invention has been particularly shown and
described with respect to certain preferred embodiments of features
thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art chat various changes and modifications in
form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In
particular, differing materials, seal plans and cross-sections,
electrical conducting methodologies, and mechanical fasteners may,
with equal facility, be implemented without departing from the
teachings set forth herein, and such alternatives are specifically
contemplated by the principles of the present invention.
Furthermore, while the discussion herein of the principles of the
present invention has centered on an implementation on computer
head disc assemblies, it will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art that the invention taught herein may, with equal
facility, be implemented on a broad range of component sealing
applications. AU such implementations are specifically contemplated
by the principles of the present invention. The invention disclosed
herein may be practiced without any element which is not
specifically disclosed herein.
* * * * *