Test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system

• US 7,778,031 B1
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teradyne Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teradyne Incorporated
• Inventors: Merrow, Brian S., Krikorian, Nicholas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US12/727,700
• Time in Patent Office: 151 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.31, 361/679.33, 361/679.36, 361/679.37, 361/679.46, 361/679.47, 361/679.48, 361/679.49, 361/679.5, 361690-697, 361717-727, 324/73.1, 324/158.1, 702/69, 702/121, 702/185, 165/104.33, 165/104.34, 165121-126, 165/185, 738/625.41, 738/656, 360/31, 360/71, 360/92.1, 360/97.02
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/225 wherein the disks are transferred from a fixed magazine to a fixed playing unit using a moving carriage
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/128 of the plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. disk drives, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/142 by air cooling

Abstract

A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system includes a storage device transporter having first and second portions. The first portion of the storage device transporter includes an air director and the second portion of the storage device transporter is configured to receive a storage device. The test slot cooling system includes a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter. The air entrance is in pneumatic communication with the air director of the received storage device transporter. The test slot cooling system also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director. The air director directs air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter.

Claims

1. A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system, the test slot cooling system comprising:

a storage device transporter comprising first and second portions, the first portion of the storage device transporter comprising an air director, the second portion of the storage device transporter configured to receive a storage device;

a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter, the air entrance in pneumatic communication with the air director of the storage device transporter received in the test slot housing; and

an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director;

wherein the air director is configured to direct air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter.

2. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the air director comprises an air entrance and first and second air exits,

the air director is configured to direct air received through an air entrance out the first and second air exits,

the storage device comprises top, bottom, front, rear, right, and left side surfaces, the storage device being received with a rear surface of the storage device substantially facing the first portion of the storage device transporter,

the first air exit is configured to direct air over at least the bottom surface of the received storage device and

the second air exit is configured to direct air over at least the top surface of the received storage device.

3. The test slot cooling system of claim 2, wherein:

the air director defines a cavity in pneumatic communication with the air entrance and air exits of the air director,

the air director comprises a plenum disposed in the cavity, and

the plenum is configured to direct at least a portion of the air received in the cavity out of the first air exit.

4. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the storage device transporter comprises first and second arms configured to receive the storage device.

5. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the storage device transporter comprises a clamping system for releasably engaging the storage device received in the storage device transporter.

6. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling system housing disposed adjacent to the test slot housing,

wherein the cooling system housing comprises an air entrance in pneumatic communication with the air exit of the test slot housing and an air exit in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing, and

wherein the air mover is disposed in the cooling system housing and is configured to circulate air, received through the cooling system housing air entrance out of the cooling system housing air exit along a closed loop path through the test slot housing and the cooling system housing.

7. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, wherein:

the air mover comprises an air entrance and an air exit, the air exit in pneumatic communication with a cooling system housing air exit, and

the air mover is configured to receive air along a first direction through the air entrance and is configured to deliver air, out of the air exit, along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The test slot cooling system of claim 1, further comprising:

an air cooler in pneumatic communication with the air mover,

wherein the air cooler comprises an air cooler body and at least one fin disposed on the air cooler body, and

wherein the at least one fin is configured to cool air passing there-over.

9. The test slot cooling system of claim 6, wherein:

the air cooler is disposed in the cooling system housing upstream of the air mover, and

the air mover is configured to move the air between the test slot housing and the cooling system housing in a closed loop path.

10. A storage device transporter for a storage device testing system, the storage device transporter comprising:

a body comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising an air director, the second portion configured to receive a storage device comprising top, bottom, front, rear, right, and left side surfaces, the storage device being received with a rear surface of the storage device substantially facing the first portion;

wherein the air director is configured to receive an air flow and is configured to direct the air flow substantially simultaneously over at least the top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter, and

wherein the second portion comprises a clamping system for releasably engaging the storage device received in the storage device transporter.

11. The storage device transporter of claim 10, wherein:

the air director comprises an air entrance and first and second air exits,

the air director is configured to direct air received through the air entrance out the first and second air exits,

the first air exit is configured to direct air over at least the bottom surface of the received storage device and

the second air exit is configured to direct air over at least the top surface of the storage device received in the storage device transporter.

12. The storage device transporter of claim 10, wherein:

the air director defines a cavity in pneumatic communication with the air entrance and air exits,

the air director comprises a plenum disposed in the cavity, and

the plenum is configured to direct at least a portion of the air received in the cavity out of the first air exit.