Seagate Technology Incorporated

Digital Equipment Corporation

Karl Heinz Cunha

Grant Edward Carlson

Pat Eliot Collins

Ralph M Tusler

Kevin J Lonergan

John Kosatschkow

Theodore Ernst Bruning, Iii

A controlled insertion device is provided for securing an electronic module in a cabinet, the device comprising a strike fixable to the cabinet and a latch engageable with the strike for imparting a longitudinal insertion force on the module for making an electrical connection while simultaneously imparting a lateral retention force on the cabinet defining a preselected clearance between the module and the cabinet.

Controlled insertion and retraction of an electronic module in a cabinet

A multiple drive array carrier apparatus and associated method is provided with a unitary two-row partition. The unitary two-row partition has a longitudinal end member. A plurality of first support members extend from the end member and support, in turn, a first set of coplanar engagement members. The first engagement members each define apertures configured for passing first fasteners therethrough to affix a first plurality of data storage devices to the first engagement members, defining a first row of data storage devices. A plurality of second support members also extend from the end member and define a second set of coplanar engagement members. Each of the second support members likewise define apertures configured for passing second fasteners therethrough in the same direction as the first fasteners to affix a second plurality of data storage devices to the second support members, defining a second row of data storage devices adjacent to and parallel with the first row.

Carrier for a multiple drive array

A multiple disc array apparatus and associated method are provided having substantially identical first and second partitions that are removably connectable together. Each partition supports a plurality of data storage devices arranged in noncoplanar first and second arrays. Each partition further defines clearance apertures for passing fasteners therethrough for fixing each data storage device to the respective partition.

Multiple disc array carrier

An engagement assembly and associate method are provided for a multiple disc array (MDA) that is receivingly engageable in a data storage array cabinet. The engagement assembly comprises a locking device that is responsive to an MDA position indicator in automatically locking and unlocking the module in the cabinet.

Engagement system for a module in an electronics cabinet

A shelf is provided defining a tubular closed passage with a frontend opening and a backend opening. A frontend partition is adapted for supporting a first component inserted in the frontend. A removable backend partition is adapted for supporting a second component inserted in the backend. A removable backplane support is adapted for operably supporting a backplane in electrical connection with the first and second components. Further, a method is provided for electrically connecting components.

Shelf with removable backplane

A composite corrugated panel is provided comprising a first corrugated panel defining a first corrugation height joined to a second corrugated panel defining a second corrugation height, the joined panels defining a cross sectional thickness that is preferably less than a sum of the first and second corrugation heights. A method is provided for producing a composite corrugated panel, comprising: providing a first panel comprising a first corrugation and a first opening; providing a second panel comprising a second corrugation and a second opening; stacking the panels by disposing the first corrugation in the second opening and the second corrugation in the first opening.

Reinforced shelf structure and method

A carrier for supporting a circuit board and one or more data storage devices in a multiple disc array assembly. The carrier includes a partition with channel surfaces defining a tubular closed passage. The channel surfaces are adapted for circumscribing a cross section of the data storage device in a supporting mating relationship. The carrier further includes means for urging a data storage device in the passage in pressing engagement against the circuit board. Furthermore, a method for supporting a plurality of data storage devices in the multiple disc array. The method includes providing a carrier from a plurality of different carriers differentiated by a characteristic array of tubular closed channels for supportingly engaging data storage devices; inserting one or more data storage devices in a respective number of channels defining the multiple disc array; and inserting the carrier in a shelf. The method can further include removing the carrier from the shelf; changing the multiple disc array configuration; and re-inserting the carrier in the shelf.

Carrier device and method for a multiple disc array

An array storage system and associated method are provided comprising a multiple disc array. The multiple disc array comprises a partition defining attachment points for fixing each of a plurality of data storage devices to the partition arranged in a first and a second array, wherein a data storage device in the first array operably spins oppositely with respect to a data storage device in the second array. Two identical partitions, each supporting arrays of data storage devices, can be joined together to increase the storage capacity of the multiple disc array.

A connection structure between a disk drive housing and a rack to eliminate a source of vibration, and hence improve the performance of the disk drive. An interference-fit tab and slot vibration reduction structure is described, where the tab is formed on the housing and the slot is formed on the shelf. The tab and slot vibration reduction structure includes a disk drive having an outer housing, the housing having a bottom surface. A tab extends from the bottom of the housing. A shelf is provided on the rack system for receiving one or a plurality of disk drive housings, and one slot is formed in a front edge of the shelf for each drive housing. When the disk drive housing is positioned on the shelf with the tab positioned in the slot to create an interference fit, the housing is rigidly attached to the shelf.

Tab and slot disk drive vibration reduction structure

An anti-slamming latch is described for removably installing a module housing into a bay in a frame having a predetermined width. The module housing has a guide pin on a front portion thereof projecting from said housing. The latch apparatus comprises a latch body supported from the frame allowing straightforward removal and insertion of a rear portion of the module housing into said bay. The latch body has a first channel therein adapted to receive and engage the guide pin when the body is in a first position. This channel has a closed end engaging the pin to prevent insertion of said module housing past a predetermined intermediate position in the bay. The latch body has a second channel intersecting the first channel forming a rounded protuberance therebetween. The module may not be further inserted by pushing on the module. It may only be fully inserted in the bay by moving the latch body from the first position to dislodge the pin from the closed end of the first channel, move the pin over the rounded protuberance, and into the second channel in the body. Movement of the latch body levers the pin along the second channel, and thus the module into full insertion, to a second closed position wherein the pin is fully within in the second channel in the latch body.

Anti-slamming latch apparatus for modular component installations

An arrangement for mounting a heat sink to a mounting board. The arrangement includes a heat sink and a locking member. The heat sink has a bottom surface and a passageway extending therein from an entrance opening on the bottom surface in a direction normal thereto and terminating with a closed end at its inner end. The passageway has an entrance region tapering toward the closed end and an inner region defined by generally parallel side wall portions. The side wall portions defining the entrance region including an engagement surface facing the closed end of the passageway. The locking member is T-shaped with the member crossing the stem of the T adapted for snug fit engagement with the generally parallel walls of the passageway's inner region. Moreover, the crossing member has an engagement member at each of it's ends that extend toward the base of the stem. The engagement members interlock with the engagement surface when the locking member is inserted into the passageway of the heat sink.

Growing community of inventors

Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Karl Heinz Cunha