BEARING ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL MAGNETIC FLUID SEAL

摘要

A bearing assembly suitable for use in supporting a shaft (12) of a disc drive comprises inner and outer races (26, 24) having ball bearings (30) therebetween. A ferrofluid seal is integrated with this bearing assembly and comprises an annular magnet (34) and a pole piece (38) extending into close non-contacting relationship with the moving race. An annular splash guard (42) extends from the stationary race towards this moving race at an axial location between the ball bearings (30) and the magnet (34), the pole piece (38) being located on the side of the magnet remote from the splashguard.