Bulk transfer of storage devices using manual loading
OwnerMarc Lesueur Smith, Edward Garcia +3inventors
InventorsMarc Lesueur Smith, Edward Garcia, Brian S. Merrow, Evgeny Polyakov, Eric L. Truebenbach
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Abstract
A storage device transfer station includes a first slot, a second slot, and a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly is configured to receive and support a plurality of storage devices such that the storage devices are vertically stacked and in spaced relation to each other. The conveyor assembly is operable to convey the storage devices between the first slot and the second slot.
Claims27
A storage device transfer station, comprising:
- a first slot;
- a second slot;
- and
- a conveyor assembly configured to receive and support a plurality of storage devices such that the storage devices are vertically stacked and in spaced relation to each other, the conveyor assembly being operable to convey the storage devices between the first slot and the second slot.
A storage device testing system comprising:
- one or more test racks;
- a plurality of test slots supported by the test racks, each of the plurality of test slots being configured to receive a storage device for testing;
- a storage device transfer station;
- and
- automated machinery configured to transfer storage devices between the storage device transfer station and the plurality of test slots,
- wherein the storage device transfer station comprises:
- (i) a first slot;
- (ii) a second slot;
- and
- (iii) a conveyor assembly configured to receive and support a plurality of storage devices such that the storage devices are vertically stacked and in spaced relation to each other, and the conveyor assembly being operable to convey the storage devices between the first slot and the second slot.
A storage device testing system comprising:
- one or more test racks;
- a plurality of test slots supported by the test racks, each of the plurality of test slots being configured to receive a storage device for testing;
- an input/output station;
- and
- automated machinery configured to transfer storage devices between the input/output station and the plurality of test slots,
- wherein the input/output station comprises:
- an input transfer station configured:
- (i) to receive storage devices,
- (ii) to stock the received storage devices in spaced relation to each other, and
- (iii) to present the storage devices for servicing by the automated machinery;
- and
- an output transfer station configured to receive tested storage devices from the automated machinery, stock the tested storage devices in spaced relation to each other, and present the tested storage devices for retrieval.
A method of supplying storage devices to a storage device testing system, the method comprising:
- manually loading a plurality of storage devices into a storage device transfer station;
- actuating automated machinery to retrieve one storage device of the plurality of storage devices from the storage device transfer station;
- and
- actuating the automated machinery to deliver the one storage device to a test slot of the storage device testing system and insert the one storage device in the test slot,
- wherein the storage device transfer station is configured to receive and support the plurality of storage devices such that the plurality of storage devices are maintained in spaced relation to each other.
A storage device transfer station, comprising:
- a first slot, and
- a second slot;
- and
- a conveyor assembly configured to receive and support a plurality of storage devices such the plurality of storage devices are maintained in spaced relation to each other,
- wherein the conveyor assembly is configured to deliver the plurality of storage devices between the first slot and the second slot under gravity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.