Picking mechanism with ventilation system for automated library of memory storage units
US6537013B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B33/142
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment of a picking tool for an automated library of disk drives has an electromagnet, a tapered hole, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system has a box fan with an impeller for moving air through ducting located within the picking tool. The ducting includes a vents located adjacent to one surface of the picking tool. The picking tool is designed to work in conjunction with a disk drive carrier having a front bezel equipped with a tapered guide pin that is complementary to the tapered hole, and vent ports. The guide pin provides alignment between the carrier and the picking tool. The automated disk drive library has a rack with drawers for containing the carriers. The picking tool is mounted to a robotic arm for selectively engaging and interfacing with the carriers. After the picking tool aligns with a desired carrier, the picking tool moves toward the carrier to insert the guide pin into the tapered hole. The disk drive is ventilated by activating the ventilation system to force air through the ducting and vents to cool the disk drive via the vent ports. Ventilation may be performed regardless of the operational status of the disk drive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.