A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. The device gradually expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks. The device has a comb-like structure that is offset from the disk pack in the radial direction. The structure fulfills an aerodynamic function, reduces track misregistration, lowers overall aerodynamic dissipation, and fulfills a filtration function.

First and second shroud surfaces are defined along an imaginary cylinder coaxial to a recording disk. A shroud plate is located between the first and second shroud surfaces. Airflow flows outward along the surface of the rotating recording disk based on the centrifugal force. The shroud plate serves to establish the continuity of the first and second shroud surfaces. The first and second shroud surfaces and the shroud plate serve to reliably suppress turbulence of the airflow. Vibration of the recording disk is suppressed than ever. An inflow opening is located in a space between the first and second shroud surfaces. The rectifier plate is located downstream of the inflow opening. The rectifier plate serves to direct the airflow flowing along the first shroud surface to the inflow opening. A larger amount of airflow can be introduced into the inflow opening. A dust catcher receives airflow of a sufficient amount.

A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through the diffuser. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.

A disk drive includes a disk drive base, a disk, and a head stack assembly rotatably coupled to the base adjacent the disk surface of the disk. The disk drive includes an airflow channeling enclosure. The enclosure includes an airflow inlet disposed downstream of the head stack assembly and configured to receive the disk rotation induced airflow therethrough. The enclosure further includes an airflow channel extending along the disk surface from the airflow inlet. The enclosure further includes an outer wall extending along the disk surface from the airflow inlet and defining the airflow channel radially interior to the outer wall. The enclosure further includes an airflow outlet disposed upstream of the head stack assembly extending from the outer wall and the channel opposite the airflow inlet for modifying the disk rotation induced airflow passing from the channel.