An air flow system in a sealed data recording disk file directs selected portions of the air flow from the periphery of the stack of rotating disks to specific heat generating components in the disk file. A converging duct (82) is attached to the disk file housing (12) and has its inlet (86) located in close proximity to the periphery of the rotating disks. The outlet (89) of the converging duct is located adjacent to the coil (56) of the voice coil motor (VCM) actuator and oriented such that the flow exiting the outlet is perpendicular to the linear path (58) of the VCM. The outlet of the duct has an area smaller than that of the inlet so that there is an increase in velocity of the exiting air, which increases the cooling rate of the VCM. The shield directs a second portion of the air flow from the periphery of the disks across the electronic read/ write modules (80) located on the arms (54) which support the read/ write heads (50).