A disk drive having a fluid evacuation/fill valve is disclosed for allowing
for the removal of a fluid from an enclosed space within a disk drive
housing, for allowing for the introduction of a fluid into this enclosed
space, or both. The valve assembly utilizes a sealing member that may be
biased into sealing engagement with a portion of an external surface of
the disk drive housing to at least substantially isolate the enclosed
space from the external environment to the disk drive. These biasing
forces may be reduced and/or overcome to allow the valve assembly to
"open" and allow for a fluid flow out of and/or into the enclosed space,
utilizing a port that extends through a wall of the disk drive housing and
a space between a sealing member of the valve assembly and the external
surface of the disk drive housing.
