Invention that protects digital data stored on a computer system from fire and water

• US 20080310096A1
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Joseph Henry, Samir Gajendra Sandesara
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Joseph Henry, Samir Gajendra Sandesara
• Inventors: Sandesara, Samir Gajendra, Henry, Lawrence Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/152,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20080310096A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/685
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/121 the apparatus comprising a single recording/reproducing device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/14 Reducing influence of physical parameters, e.g. temperature change, moisture, dust
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1406 Reducing the influence of the temperature

Abstract

The invention herein protects digital computer data from physical natural disasters such as fire and flood. While most methods of data backup to combat these threats rely on physical separation of the data and main computer system, this invention can be used inside the main physical computer and thus provide intervention-free data protection from environmental hazards. When implemented for use inside a computer, the invention adheres to industry standard specifications for size and electrical interfaces. This ensures maximum compatibility with the existing industry infrastructure; custom shapes, sizes, and interfaces would inherently be supported by the invention. Furthermore, the invention can replace the physical casing used by data storage devices. For example, the invention could replace the physical aluminum base casting of a desktop 3.5″ hard disk drive. Alternatively, the invention can be used as a protective jacket to envelop a mobile 2.5″ hard drive with a jacket dimensioned for 3.5″ desktop hard drives.

Claims

1. Device for protecting an internal computer data storage device from data loss due to environmental factors comprising:

a mechanically passive protective sheath of composite materials fully formed around an industry standard data storage device;

wherein said protective sheath'"'"'s external dimensions conform to industry standard form factors for internal computer storage devices;

wherein said protective sheath contains an internal cavity with dimensions which conform to industry standard form factors for internal computer storage devices;

wherein said protective sheath forms an external open cavity of negative depth to house external electrical power and data connections.

wherein said protective sheath contains embedded thermal fuses connecting the internal cavity to the exterior surface for aforementioned power and data connections;

multiple mounting reinforcement strips providing multiple mounting holes in industry standard positions around aforementioned protective sheath for mechanical compatibility with standard retention mechanisms for internal computer storage devices;

a pressure equalizing breather hole providing venting capabilities for the aforementioned internal cavity through said protective sheath;

multiple hydro-reactive barriers providing isolation from water and heated air through which aforementioned thermal fuses and breather hole pass.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said data storage device includes hard disk drives, solid-state hard drives, optical disk drives, tape drives, and holographic storage devices.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the data storage device to be protected is sealed within the aforementioned protective sheath.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said environmental factors include fire and water.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said composite materials provide low thermal conductivity, high flame retardation, and zero water absorption.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said industry standard dimensions include industry standard 5.25 inch, slim 5.25 inch, 3.5 inch, 2.5 inch, slim 2.5 inch, and 1.8 inch form factors.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said thermal fuses are non-resettable electrically conducting devices.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said mounting reinforcement strips are permanently attached to aforementioned protective sheath during manufacture.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said reinforcement strips are machined with mounting holes threaded with American 6-32 UNC 2B threads and located 3-4 along each length and 4-6 around the bottom perimeter.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said threaded mounting holes are positioned in dimples in said reinforcement strips providing mechanical stability and accurate positioning of said mounting strips against aforementioned protective sheath during manufacture.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein said reinforcement strips are permanently bonded to aforementioned protective sheath by means of bonding holes which allow the flow through of said protective sheath'"'"'s materials during manufacture.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said hydro-reactive barriers are comprised of layered thermally reactive and hydrophilic compounds including super-absorbent polymers and intumescents.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said hydro-reactive barriers are comprised of granular mixtures of thermally reactive and hydrophilic compounds including super-absorbent polymers and intumescents.

34. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein mechanically active portions of said mechanical devices are mounted to the exterior surface of apparatus of claim 13.

14. Apparatus for protecting data storage media from data loss due to environmental factors comprising:

a multi-piece, mechanically passive, protective assembly of composite materials with low thermal conductivity, highly flame retardant, and zero water absorption properties;

wherein said protective assembly'"'"'s external dimensions conform to industry standard form factors for internal computer storage devices;

wherein said protective assembly forms a complex partitioned primary internal cavity for housing data storage media;

wherein said protective assembly forms an isolated secondary internal cavity which houses embedded thermal fuses;

wherein electric conductors extend from the primary internal cavity to the thermal fuses embedded within aforementioned secondary internal cavity;

wherein said protective assembly forms an external open cavity of negative depth to house external electrical power and data connections.

wherein said external electrical power and data connections extend internally to the aforementioned thermal fuses within the secondary internal cavity.

wherein said protective assembly forms a complex external open cavity of negative depth to house control circuitry and mechanical devices necessary for operating the storage media contained within the primary internal cavity;

wherein said control circuitry extend internally to the aforementioned thermal fuses within the secondary internal cavity.

wherein said protective assembly provides passageways for thermally resistant components of mechanical devices necessary for operating the storage media contained within the primary internal cavity;

multiple mounting holes positioned around said protective assembly in industry standard locations providing mechanical compatibility with standard retention mechanisms for internal computer storage devices;

a pressure equalizing breather hole providing venting capabilities for the primary internal cavity through said protective assembly;

multiple hydro-reactive barriers providing isolation from water and heated air through which aforementioned thermal fuses and breather hole pass.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said data storage media includes magnetic hard disk platters, solid-state “

flash”

memories, optical disks, magnetic tapes, and holographic storage mediums.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said data storage media is hermetically sealed within the aforementioned primary internal cavity by means of a geometrically interlocking channel.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said environmental factors include fire and water.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said composite materials provide low thermal conductivity, high flame retardation, and zero water absorption.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said industry standard dimensions include industry standard 5.25 inch, slim 5.25 inch, 3.5 inch, 2.5 inch, slim 2.5 inch, and 1.8 inch.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said thermal fuses are non-resettable electrically conducting devices.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said industry standard mounting holes are machined with American 6-32 UNC 2B threads and located 3-4 along each length and 4-6 around the bottom perimeter.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said hydro-reactive barriers are comprised of layered thermally reactive and hydrophilic compounds including super-absorbent polymers and intumescents.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said hydro-reactive barriers are comprised of granular mixtures of thermally reactive and hydrophilic compounds including super-absorbent polymers and intumescents.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said mechanical devices necessary for operating the storage media include hard disk drive armatures, hard disk drive spindle motors, optical head assemblies, optical disk head actuator mechanisms, optical disk spindle motors, magnetic tape spindle motors, and magnetic tape guides.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein mechanical surfaces within the aforementioned primary internal cavity are constructed of minimally thermally radiant materials.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said spindle motors are constructed of materials and components assembled such that heat transfer through the assembly is minimized.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said spindle motor bearings are constructed fully of ceramic materials.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said spindle motor'"'"'s shaft and hat are comprised of fully composite, thermally insulating materials.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the geometry of said motor hat provides an integrated platter land providing a nonmetallic, thermally insulating support for aforementioned data storage media.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein aforementioned data storage media are physically captured between metallic plater spacers and aforementioned integrated platter land.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the aforementioned bearings, hat with integrated platter land, data storage media, and platter spacers are physically captured by means of tension between two complementary tensioning plates.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein aforementioned ceramic spindle motor bearings are permanently attached to aforementioned composite spindle motor shaft by means of geometrically complemented fittings and adhesives.

33. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said mechanical devices are constructed of materials and components assembled such that heat generation and buildup is maintained at levels sufficiently low for operation with zero air flow.