Removable disk clamp for read-write device in archival data storage library
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorToshiki Hirano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting disk media on a motor-driven spindle of a magnetic read-write device includes a disk clamp and a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk media to a flange of the spindle such that the predetermined force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with a hub of the spindle. Such a mechanism may include a spring-loaded removable disk clamp assembly or a magnetic removable disk clamp assembly, and whereby a vacuum-driven chuck may be employed for disk and clamp handling purposes, all of which are suitable for implementation and use in a read-write device configured for use in an archival data storage system library such as in a cleanroom storage system.
Claims13
A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting a disk medium on a motor-driven spindle, the disk clamp assembly comprising:
- a disk clamp;
- and
- a mechanical latch assembly configured for generating a force to press the disk medium to a flange of the spindle, the mechanical latch assembly comprising:
- a latch-arm coupled with and extending through the disk clamp to the spindle and configured for insertion into a latch-receptacle, the latch-arm comprising:
- a hollowed arm portion, and
- a plurality of nubs protruding from the hollowed arm portion which, while inserted into a central receptacle of the latch-receptacle, forms a mechanical latch fastener to hold the disk clamp to the spindle with the disk medium secured therebetween, and
- the latch-receptacle fixed to the spindle and configured to receive and temporarily hold the latch-arm;
- wherein the mechanical latch assembly is configured such that the force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with the spindle.
A data storage system comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic-recording disk media;
- at least one disk storage enclosure in which the plurality of disk media is housed;
- at least one magnetic read-write device (RWD) configured to read from and to write to the plurality of disk media;
- and
- means for mounting a disk medium onto a spindle of the at least one RWD, employing a removable disk clamp assembly, the removable disk clamp assembly comprising:
- a disk clamp, and
- a mechanical latch assembly configured for generating a force to press the disk medium to a flange of the spindle, the mechanical latch assembly comprising:
- a latch-arm coupled with and extending through the disk clamp to the spindle and configured for insertion into a latch-receptacle, the latch-arm comprising:
- a hollowed arm portion, and
- a plurality of nubs protruding from the hollowed arm portion which, while inserted into the latch-receptacle, forms a mechanical latch fastener to hold the disk clamp to the spindle with the disk medium secured therebetween, and
- the latch-receptacle fixed to the spindle and configured to receive and temporarily hold the latch-arm.
A method for operating a removable disk clamp of a read-write device in an archival data storage library, the method comprising:
- positioning, by an automated robotic machine, a disk medium onto a spindle of a read-write device;
- temporarily clamping the disk medium onto a hub of the spindle employing a removable disk clamp assembly comprising:
- a disk clamp, and
- a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk medium to a flange of the spindle, the mechanism comprising a mechanical latch assembly comprising:
- a latch-arm coupled with and extending through the disk clamp to the spindle and configured for insertion into a latch-receptacle, the latch-arm comprising:
- a hollowed arm portion, and
- a plurality of nubs protruding from the hollowed arm portion which, when inserted into a central receptacle of the latch-receptacle, forms a mechanical latch fastener to hold the disk clamp to the spindle with the disk medium secured therebetween,
- the latch-receptacle fixed to the spindle and configured to receive and temporarily hold the latch-arm,
- a cap from which the latch-arm extends, and
- a spring positioned between the cap and a top surface of the disk clamp;
- removing, by the automated robotic machine, the disk clamp from the hub of the spindle by applying a counterforce to the disk clamp;
- and
- removing, by the automated robotic machine, the disk medium from the spindle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.