Method for servicing a self-cooled data storage library

• US 10,217,491 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Goodman, Brian G., Miranda Gavillan, Jose G., Qiu, Kenny Nian Gan
• Primary Examiner(s): Klimowicz, William J
• Application Number:
  US15/848,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20180268871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/68 Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/22 from random access magazine of disc records
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/022 Cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/12 Disposition of constructional parts in the apparatus, e.g. of power supply, of modules
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1446 Reducing contamination, e.g. by dust, debris
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/00813 magnetic tapes

Abstract

A method of servicing a data storage library having at least one access opening and at least one access door to permit access to an interior of the data storage library, the method including providing at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configured to resist environmental conditions from exterior the barrier and data storage library from intruding into the interior of data storage library when the barrier is deployed. The method also includes deploying the at least one barrier when the at least one access door is opened to form an interior working space, accessing the interior space formed by the at least one barrier, and accessing the interior of the data storage library via the at least one library access opening.

Claims

1. A method of restricting environmental conditions external to a data storage library from intruding into the interior of the data storage library, the method comprising:

providing at least one access opening in the data storage library, wherein the at least one access opening permits access to an interior of the data storage library;

providing at least one access door associated with the at least one access opening, wherein the at least one access door comprises a hinged first end coupled to a portion of the data storage library and an unhinged second end;

providing at least one barrier having a sidewall portion, the at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier is configured and constructed to restrict environmental conditions from the exterior of the library from intruding into the interior of the data storage library;

coupling a first side of the sidewall portion of the at least one barrier to the unhinged second end of the at least one access door, and coupling a second side of the sidewall portion to the data storage library; and

deploying the at least one barrier in response to opening the at least one access door.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the at least one barrier comprises automatically deploying the at least one barrier in response to opening the at least one access door.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the at least one barrier comprises manually deploying the at least one barrier after or during the process of the opening of the at least one access door.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the sidewall portion of the at least one barrier in a barrier storage compartment when the at least one access door is closed.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising deploying a bottom skirt below the sidewall portion of the at least one barrier when the at least one access door is opened.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library through at least one opening formed in at least one sidewall of the at least one barrier.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library by separating a coupling of the at least one barrier from at least one of the at least one access door and the data storage library.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the at least one access door in a closed position when a service procedure is not taking place.

9. A method of restricting environmental conditions external to a data storage library from intruding into the interior of the data storage library, the method comprising:

providing at least one access opening in the data storage library, wherein the at least one access opening permits access to an interior of the data storage library;

providing at least one access door associated with the at least one access opening, wherein the at least one access door comprises a hinged first end coupled to a portion of the data storage library and an unhinged second end;

providing at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier comprises at least a first surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the unhinged second end of the at least one access door and at least a second surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the data storage library; and

automatically deploying the at least one barrier in response to an opening the at least one access door.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one barrier comprises at least one sidewall portion having at least a first surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the unhinged second end of the at least one access door and at least a second surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the data storage library.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing the at least one sidewall portion of the at least one barrier in a barrier storage compartment when the at least one access door is closed.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising automatically deploying a bottom skirt below the at least one sidewall portion of the at least one barrier and a top portion above the at least one sidewall portion when the at least one access door is opened.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library through at least one opening formed in at least one sidewall of the at least one barrier.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library by separating a coupling of the at least one barrier from at least one of the at least one access door and the data storage library.

15. A method of restricting environmental conditions external to a data storage library from intruding into the interior of the data storage library, the method comprising:

providing at least one access opening in the data storage library, wherein the at least one access opening permits access to an interior of the data storage library;

providing at least one access door associated with the at least one access opening, wherein the at least one access door comprises a hinged first end coupled to a portion of the data storage library and an unhinged second end;

opening the at least one access door associated with the at least one library access opening; and

erecting at least one barrier configured to at least partially surround the at least one library access opening when the at least one access door is opened, wherein the at least one barrier comprises at least a first surface operatively coupled to the unhinged second end of the at least one access door and at least a second surface operatively coupled to at least a portion of the data storage library.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising maintaining the at least one access door in a closed position when a service procedure is not taking place.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library through at least one opening formed in at least one sidewall of the at least one barrier.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising accessing the at least one access opening of the data storage library by separating a coupling of the at least one barrier from at least one of the at least one access door and the data storage library.