Storage Technology Corporation

Eric Grant Pavol

Charles Lee Still

Todd Baxendale

David M Cravens

Leslie Los

Christopher McArdle

A method and apparatus are disclosed for isolating and attenuating shock and vibration in a disk module that includes media drives that are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The apparatus includes a single printed circuit board (PCB), media drives that are coupled to the PCB, a first reinforcing rail that is attached to the PCB and to a first side of a first one of the media drives, a second reinforcing rail that is attached to the PCB and to a first side of a second one of the media drives, and a locking mechanism for locking the first and second rails together.

Media drive vibration isolation and attenuation method and apparatus

A method and system for sampling data signals between electronic components are provided. The invention comprises using a straight feed-through connector to connect electronic components and attaching one end of a flexible circuit to the pins of the feed-through connector. The other end of the flexible circuit is attached to a display, such as a LED. The display constitutes a field replaceable unit (FRU), which allows a malfunctioning display (i.e. LED) to be replaced without having to remove other electronic components. The present invention can be used for the detection of fault signals, status, idle signals, error checking, and introduction of a signal analyzer.

Signal sampling using flex circuits on direct inter-connects

A system according to the invention for mounting multiple media drives includes a housing and multiple modules that are insertable into and removable from the housing. Each module is adapted to hold a media drive. Furthermore, the system includes a resilient layer disposed between the housing and the modules when the modules are inserted into the housing for attenuating shocks and vibrations. The resilient layer includes a slot for inhibiting transmission of shocks and vibrations between at least two of the modules.

Media drive vibration attenuation system and method

A mechanism and a method for damping shocks and vibrations between a drive tray and one or more media drives mounted within the drive tray are disclosed. The mechanism comprises one or more resilent layers disposed between the drive tray's housing and a drive module adapted to hold the media drive. Preferably, at least two of the resilient layers e positioned on opposite sides of the drive module to hold the drive module while avoiding a hard contact with the drive tray. A plurality of cover layers adjoin the plurality of resilient layers respectively. One or more plates having a resonant frequency outside an adverse frequency range for the media drive may be position within the drive module to engage the media drive. In operation, the plates convert internally and externally generated vibrations into a resonant vibration having a resonant frequency to which the media drive is relatively insensitive. Friction between the plates and shells that form the drive module's housing dissipate a portion of the resonant vibration as heat. The resonant vibration and any externally induced shock and vibrations are further dampened by the resilient layers.

Growing community of inventors

Louisville, CO, United States of America

Eric Grant Pavol