Apparatus for and method of applying lubricant coatings to magnetic disk via a vapor flow path including a selectively opened and closed shutter

摘要

Lubricant coatings are applied as lubricant vapor to magnetic disks 18 in a lubricant vapor flow path between the disks and a reservoir 24 for liquid lubricant that is heated to the vapor. The flow path includes a vapor chamber between the reservoir, an apertured diffuser 30 and a shutter 28 for selectively and simultaneously unblocking and blocking the flow path. While the shutter is closed lubricant vapor stays in the vapor chamber. While the shutter is open the lubricant vapor flows via the flow path from the reservoir to the holder. During substantial lulls in applying disks to the flow path, the shutter is closed and vaporizing heat is applied to the liquid lubricant so pressure in the vapor chamber causes the volume of liquid in the reservoir to remain substantially constant.