Hard Drive Data Destroying Device

• US 20140263216A1
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Serenity Data Security LLC
• Original Assignee: Serenity Data Security LLC
• Inventors: Clark, Kevin P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.71
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 35/00 Methods for boring or drilling, or for working essentially requiring the use of boring or drilling machines; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 41/00 Boring or drilling machines or devices specially adapted for particular work surgical drilling machines A61B17/16; Accessories specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 51/0426 with centering devices
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 1/08 with a plurality of vertical working-spindles
• CPC Class Codes: B23C 3/00 Milling particular work; Special milling operations; Machines therefor milling gear-teeth B23F, heat assisted machining B23P25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/36 Electric or electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/127 in an enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/142 for the removal of by-products
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/382 by boring
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/384 of specially shaped holes
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0046 by sucking
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0891 arranged between the working area and the operator
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2230/002 Using the spindle for performing a non machining or non measuring operation, e.g. cleaning, actuating a mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/069 for pressing workpieces against a work-table
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/505 of disk carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/0245 Bulk erasing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/03 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/45 including Tool with duct
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/56238 Encompassed by Tool during cut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/8973 and central lead
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/300896 : with sensing of numerical information and regulation without mechanical connection between sensing means and regulated means [i.e., numerical control]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/303752 : Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30392 : with means to protect operative or machine [e.g., guard, safety device, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/304088 : with means to remove chip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306944 : In response to work condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/307 : with work holder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/307168 : Plural cutters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/309016 : with work holder or guide

Abstract

Three systems for the destruction of the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. One system utilizes a mill cutter with which the hard drive has relative motion in the direction of the axis of the mill cutter to destroy the data storage portion. A second system utilizes a laser to physically destroy the data storage portion. The third system utilizes a chemical solvent to chemically destroy the data storage portion.

Claims

1. A system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising:

a rotatable milling cutter, a cradle for locating the media electronic storage device in a positioned to engage the milling cutter, said cutter and or said cradle being axially movable to permit the milling cutter to engage and remove the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the remaining electronic media storage device intact.

2. The system of claim 1 further including an integrated computer containing a data base of various parameters of different types of hard drives available, an optical recognition system for determining the type of media electronic storage device being introduced in the system whereby the data base may be used to provide information to properly locate the cradle and milling cutter to destroy the data storage portion.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a cutting chamber in which the electronic media storage device is positioned for removal of the data storage portion and a vacuum system to remove the destroyed particles from the chamber.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a communications network and said computer includes a port for an external modem accessing an internal modem and Ethernet cable for sending information between one or more systems.

5. A system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising:

a cutting chamber,

a cradle for holding an electronic media storage device in said chamber,

a rotatable milling cutter in said chamber for engagement with the electronic media storage device to destroy the data storage portion, and

a non-rotatable center holding spear coaxial with said milling cutter and contactable with said storage device to prevent rotation of said storage device while said rotating milling cutter is engaging said device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein there are two cradles and two milling cutters, each cradle having a milling cutter associated with it.

7. The system of claim 5 further including a scanning system to read information off of said storage device.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said scanning system scans such information as the height, length, width and location of a center hub and bar code, manufacturer, model, and serial number.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said information scanned is used to position said cradle and said milling cutter.

10. The system of claim 7 further including a computer having a storage capability for storing information about said storage devices.

11. The system of claim 5 further including a vacuum system to remove the destroyed particles produced by the cutting of the milling cutter from the chamber.

12. The system of claim 5 wherein when said storage device is a SSD hard drive, said mill cutter is advanced axially into said hard drive and swept across the surface to destroy the area containing the data storage portions.

13. The system of claim 5 wherein said electronic media storage device includes a hub from which the data storage portion extends and said non-rotatable center spear is engageable with said hub of the electronic media storage device to prevent rotation of the hub and data storage portion when said milling cutter is engaging the data storage portion.

14. A method for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives, comprising:

providing a rotatable milling cutter having an axis,

providing a cradle for locating the electronic media storage device in a position to be engaged by said milling cutter,

moving said cutter or said carriage in an axial direction and rotating said cutter about its axis to engage and remove the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the electronic media storage device intact.

15. The method of claim 14 further including scanning the electronic media storage device to provide information regarding the type of electronic media storage device being introduced into the system, and using the information to properly position the electronic media storage device and cradle to remove the data storage portion.

16. The method of claim 15 further including storing the information regarding the electronic media storage device in a computer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein a barcode reader is used to identify the type of electronic media storage device.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said milling cutter and said cradle are contained in a single device and further including providing a wireless connection with the internet to send information between two or more devices.

19. The method of claim 14 further including, when said electronic media storage device is a hard drive that includes a hub from which the data storage portion extends, moving a non-rotatable central spear having an axis of movement coaxial with that of the milling cutter into engagement with the hub to hold said hub from rotating while said milling cutter removes the data storage portion around said hub.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein, when said electronic media storage device is a solid state drive or a hybrid hard drive, the milling cutter is advanced axially into the electronic media storage device and swept across the surface to destroy the area containing the data storage portions.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein said mill cutter and said cradle are contained in an individual device and further including providing a plurality of such devices at spaced locations and providing communication between the devices.

22. A system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising:

a cutting chamber;

a laser for destroying the data storage portion;

a cradle for holding an electronic media storage device in said chamber, said cradle or said laser or both being movable to position the laser relative to the electronic media electronic storage device so that the laser destroys the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the electronic media storage device intact.

23. The system of claim 22 further including a computer for housing information concerning the type of hard dive and information for controlling the movement of the laser cradle or both.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein said laser utilizes a micro-drilling process that produces short and ultra-short pulses.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein said laser uses infrared, visible or ultra-violet laser applications.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein said laser cuts close patterned micro holes in the data storage portion of the electronic media electronic storage device.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein said electronic media electronic storage devices includes an outer casing and an internal data storage potion, and said laser produces a close nit hole pattern through the outer casing and the internal data storage portion rendering the stored information digitally and forensically irretrievable.

28. A method for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives, comprising:

providing a laser;

providing a cradle for locating the electronic media storage device in a position to be contacted by the laser; and

moving said laser and or said cradle so that the laser destroys the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the remaining electronic media storage device intact.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said laser uses infrared, visible or ultra-violet laser applications.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said laser cuts close patterned micro holes in the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein said electronic media storage device includes an outer casing and an internal data storage portion, and said laser produces a close nit hole pattern through the outer casing and the internal data storage portion rendering the stored information digitally and forensically irretrievable.

32. A chemical system for chemically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising:

at least one pod for storing a chemical capable of eroding and stripping away the data storage portion of the electronic media electronic storage device;

a hollow drill bit associated with each pod drivable into the cavity of the hard drive;

a release mechanism of releasing said chemicals to flow through her drill bit into the cavity.

33. The chemical system of claim 32 wherein said system is mounted in a computer.

34. The chemical system of claim 32 further including a cog system to drive the hollow drills.

35. The chemical system of claim 33 further including a radiator to maintain the chemicals at an ambient temperature.

36. The chemical system of claim 32 further including a chemical sensor for sensing any chemicals leaking from said system.

37. The chemical system of claim 32 wherein said chemical is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCL) and ammonium nitrate (AN) and a solvent.

38. A method for chemically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives, comprising:

providing a chemical in a pod capable of eroding and stripping away the data storage portion of the electronic media electronic storage device;

driving a hollow drill bit into the cavity of the hard drive containing the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices; and

releasing the chemical to flow through the drill bit into the cavity.

39. The method of claim 38 further including maintaining the chemicals at ambient temperature,

40. The method of claim 38 further including providing said system in a computer.