Seagate Technology Incorporated

Hitachi-lg Data Storage Korea, Inc.

Brian Hale Nelson

Clifford T Jue

Artem Mishin

Price B Terzis

Craig S Barker

Bradley David Kelemen

Christopher Montgomery Carpenter

Hatem R Radwam

Craig Barker

Price Berrien Terzis

Embodiments provide methods and systems for handling optical discs in a media library appliance and for replacing optical drives in the field. In one embodiment, the media library appliance comprises optical disc handling robotics developed for slim form factor slot load drives in a vertical orientation located on both sides of the robotics within a 19 inch rackable appliance. On the system level, the optical disc storage system provides modularity and scalability. The drives reside in field replaceable units ('FRUs') that are oriented vertically on a horizontal backplane. The disc handling robotics access discs on each side stored in horizontal stacks within large disc cartridges. A small disc shuttle cartridge attaches to a large disc cartridge to provide a means to import and export a smaller number of discs from the disc cartridge.

Optical disc storage system

A spacer supports a disc on a hub in a disc drive. The hub is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The spacer includes a member having an inner radial surface defining a hub receiving aperture for receiving an exterior surface of the hub. The inner radial surface has a generally annular groove extending from the inner radial surface generally radially outwardly from the hub.

Disc spacer with interior groove

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Brian Hale Nelson