The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2000
F. William French, Littleton, MA (US);
Larry Pignolet, Mapleville, RI (US);
Scot Tata, Blackstone, MA (US);
EMC Corporation, Hopkinton, MA (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to techniques for cooling a disk drive using a louver to direct air from an air stream toward the disk drive. One arrangement is directed to a storage system which includes a cabinet assembly, and a fan assembly that provides an air stream through the cabinet assembly. The storage system further includes a disk drive assembly that fastens to the cabinet assembly. The disk drive assembly includes (i) a disk drive that stores and retrieves computerized data, and (ii) a support member that supports the disk drive. The support member defines an input louver that redirects air from the air stream toward the disk drive of the disk drive assembly. This arrangement enables forced convection air to adequately cool the disk drive thus reducing disk drive operating temperature and lowering the disk drive failure rate. This lowering of the failure rate translates into improved field reliability and lower repair costs. In one arrangement, the support member includes highly stiff material (e.g., sheet metal) which provides adequate stiffness to support the disk drive and allows (i) high convective cooling on both sides of the disk drive and (ii) low air impedance (i.e., pressure drop). In one arrangement, a louvered side of the support member directs air over a disk spindle bearing of the disk drive which is a substantial source of heat. In one arrangement, the support member acts as a cover to protect circuit board components against inadvertent handling that could damage the components.