| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090153992 | Disk Drive Testing - A disk drive testing system includes at least one robotic arm defining a first axis substantially normal to a floor surface. The robotic arm is operable to rotate through a predetermined arc about and extend radially from the first axis. Multiple racks are arranged around the robotic arm for servicing by the robotic arm. Each rack houses multiple test slots that are each configured to receive a disk drive transporter configured to carry a disk drive for testing. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090153993 | Disk Drive Testing - A disk drive testing system includes at least one robotic arm defining a first axis substantially normal to a floor surface. The robotic arm is operable to rotate through a predetermined arc about and extend radially from the first axis. Multiple racks are arranged around the robotic arm for servicing by the robotic arm. Each rack houses multiple test slots that are each configured to receive a disk drive transporter configured to carry a disk drive for testing. A transfer station is arranged for servicing by the robotic arm. The transfer station includes multiple tote receptacles that are each configured to receive a disk drive tote. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090153994 | Disk Drive Transport, Clamping and Testing - A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090261047 | Enclosed Operating Area For Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive testing system includes one or more test racks, and one or more test slots housed by the one or more test racks, each test slot being configured to receive and support a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive testing system also includes a transfer station for supplying disk drives to be tested. The one or more test racks and the transfer station at least partially define an operating area. The disk drive testing system can also include automated machinery that is disposed within the operating area and is configured to transfer disk drives between the transfer station and the one or more test slots, and a cover at least partially enclosing the operating area, thereby at least partially inhibiting air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090261228 | Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot including a housing having an outer surface, an internal cavity defined by the housing and including a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The disk drive test slot thermal control system also includes a cooling conduit, and a thermoelectric device mounted to the cooling conduit. The thermoelectric device is configured to cool or heat an air flow entering the internal cavity through the inlet aperture. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090261229 | Vibration Isolation Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive test slot includes a housing that defines a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also defines an open end that provides access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive test slot also includes a mounting plate connected to the housing. One or more isolators are disposed between the housing and the mounting plate. The one or more isolators are operable to inhibit transmission of vibrational energy between the housing and the mounting plate. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262444 | Transferring Disk Drives Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262445 | Bulk Feeding Disk Drives to Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of supplying disk drives to a disk drive testing system includes placing a disk drive tote, carrying multiple disk drives, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the disk drive testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the disk drives from the disk drive tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved disk drive to a test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert the disk drive in the test slot. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262454 | Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive testing system cooling circuit includes a plurality of test racks. Each of the test racks include a test slot compartment and a test electronics compartment. Each of the test slot compartments includes multiple test slots, and one or more cooling conduits configured to convey a cooling liquid toward the test slots. Each of the test electronics compartments includes test electronics configured to communicate with the test slots for executing a test algorithm, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the one or more cooling conduits. The heat exchanger is configured to cool an air flow directed toward the test electronics. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090262455 | Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot. The test slot includes a housing and an air mover (e.g., a blower or a fan). The housing includes an outer surface, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also includes an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The air mover can be disposed outside of the internal cavity to provide an air flow towards the test compartment through the inlet aperture. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265032 | Transferring Storage Devices Within Storage Device Testing Systems - A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265043 | Dependent Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20100083732 | Disk Drive Emulator And Method Of Use Thereof - A disk drive emulator for testing a test slot of a disk drive testing system includes an emulator body, an interface connecter disposed on the emulator body, and at least one vibration sensor disposed on the emulator body. The emulator body comprises a material having a tensile modulus of at least 40×10̂6 Psi. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100165498 | Dependent Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100165501 | Transferring Disk Drives Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of transferring disk drives within a disk drive testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple disk drives presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved disk drive to a respective test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert each disk drive in the respective test slot. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100168906 | Transferring Storage Devices Within Storage Device Testing Systems - A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to substantially simultaneously retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to substantially simultaneously deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and substantially simultaneously insert each storage device in the respective test slot. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100172722 | Bulk Feeding Disk Drives to Disk Drive Testing Systems - A method of supplying disk drives to a disk drive testing system includes placing a disk drive tote, carrying multiple disk drives, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the disk drive testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the disk drives from the disk drive tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved disk drive to a test slot of the disk drive testing system and insert the disk drive in the test slot. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100193661 | Vibration Isolation Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive test slot includes a housing that defines a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also defines an open end that provides access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive test slot also includes a mounting plate connected to the housing. One or more isolators are disposed between the housing and the mounting plate. The one or more isolators are operable to inhibit transmission of vibrational energy between the housing and the mounting plate. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100194253 | DISK DRIVE TRANSPORT, CLAMPING AND TESTING - A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195236 | DISK DRIVE TRANSPORT, CLAMPING AND TESTING - A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100265609 | DISK DRIVE TRANSPORT, CLAMPING AND TESTING - A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100265610 | DISK DRIVE TRANSPORT, CLAMPING AND TESTING - A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100302678 | Temperature Control Within Disk Drive Testing Systems - A disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot. The test slot includes a housing and an air mover (e.g., a blower or a fan). The housing includes an outer surface, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a test compartment for receiving a disk drive for testing. The housing also includes an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The air mover can be disposed outside of the internal cavity to provide an air flow towards the test compartment through the inlet aperture. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110011844 | CONDUCTIVE HEATING - A storage device transporter is provided for transporting a storage device and for mounting a storage device within a test slot. The storage device transporter includes a frame that is configured to receive and support a storage device. The storage device transporter also includes a conductive heating assembly that is associated with the frame. The conductive heating assembly is arranged to heat a storage device supported by the frame by way of thermal conduction. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012631 | Conductive Heating - A storage device transporter is provided for transporting a storage device and for mounting a storage device within a test slot. The storage device transporter includes a frame that is configured to receive and support a storage device. The storage device transporter also includes a conductive heating assembly that is associated with the frame. The conductive heating assembly is arranged to heat a storage device supported by the frame by way of thermal conduction. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012632 | Conductive Heating - A test slot assembly is provided for testing a storage device. The test slot assembly is configured to receive and support a storage device, or a storage device supported by a storage device transporter. The test slot assembly also includes a conductive heating assembly. The conductive heating assembly is arranged to heat a storage device by way of thermal conduction. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013362 | Test Slot Cooling System for a Storage Device Testing System - A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system includes a storage device transporter having first and second portions. The first portion of the storage device transporter includes an air director and the second portion of the storage device transporter is configured to receive a storage device. The test slot cooling system includes a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter. The air entrance is in pneumatic communication with the air director of the received storage device transporter. The test slot cooling system also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director. The air director directs air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013665 | Storage Device Temperature Sensing - A storage device transporter is provided for transporting a storage device and for mounting a storage device within a test slot. The storage device transporter includes a frame that is configured to receive and support a storage device, and a clamping mechanism associated with the frame. The clamping mechanism is operable to apply a clamping force to a storage device supported by the frame The storage device transporter also includes a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermocouple). The clamping mechanism is operable to move the temperature sensor into contact with a storage device supported by the frame for measuring a temperature of the storage device. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013666 | STORAGE DEVICE TEMPERATURE SENSING - A storage device transporter is provided for transporting a storage device and for mounting a storage device within a test slot. The storage device transporter includes a frame that is configured to receive and support a storage device, and a clamping mechanism associated with the frame. The clamping mechanism is operable to apply a clamping force to a storage device supported by the frame The storage device transporter also includes a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermocouple). The clamping mechanism is operable to move the temperature sensor into contact with a storage device supported by the frame for measuring a temperature of the storage device. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110013667 | Storage Device Temperature Sensing - A test slot assembly is provided for testing a storage device. The test slot assembly is configured to receive and support a storage device, or a storage device supported by a storage device transporter. The test slot assembly also includes a temperature sensing assembly. The temperature sensing assembly is arranged to measure a temperature of a storage device by way of physical contact. The test slot assembly also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with the housing. The clamping mechanism is operable to move the temperature sensing assembly into contact with a storage device. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110064546 | Storage Device Testing System Cooling - A storage device transporter includes a transporter body having first and second body portions. The first body portion is configured to be engaged by automated machinery for manipulation of the storage device transporter. The second body portion is configured to receive and support a storage device. The first body portion is configured to receive and direct an air flow over one or more surfaces of a storage device supported in the second body portion. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110083825 | Temperature Control within Storage Device Testing Systems - A storage device testing system cooling circuit includes a plurality of test racks. Each of the test racks include a test slot compartment and a test electronics compartment. Each of the test slot compartments includes multiple test slots, and one or more cooling conduits configured to convey a cooling liquid toward the test slots. Each of the test electronics compartments includes test electronics configured to communicate with the test slots for executing a test algorithm, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the one or more cooling conduits. The heat exchanger is configured to cool an air flow directed toward the test electronics. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110106298 | Transferring Storage Devices Within Storage Device Testing Systems - A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and insert each storage device in the respective test slot. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110123301 | BULK FEEDING STORAGE DEVICES TO STORAGE DEVICE TESTING SYSTEMS - A method of supplying storage devices to a storage device testing system includes placing a storage device tote, carrying multiple storage devices, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the storage device testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the storage devices from the storage device tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved storage device to a test slot of the storage device testing system and insert the storage device in the test slot. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110157825 | TEST SLOT COOLING SYSTEM FOR A STORAGE DEVICE TESTING SYSTEM - A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system includes a storage device transporter having first and second portions. The first portion of the storage device transporter includes an air director and the second portion of the storage device transporter is configured to receive a storage device. The test slot cooling system includes a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter. The air entrance is in pneumatic communication with the air director of the received storage device transporter. The test slot cooling system also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director. The air director directs air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter. | 06-30-2011 |
