Patents Assigned to Xyratex Technology Limited
  • STORAGE SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF CONTROL OF A STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120226854
    Abstract: A storage system and a method of control of a storage system including plural storage media, at least one SAS expander physically connected to each of the plural storage media and to a controller via plural parallel data channels, the controller being connected to a host CPU arranged in use to execute input/output operations to transfer data to and read data from the plural storage media, the method including: at the expander, varying the available bandwidth for communication with the plural storage media by varying the available number of the plural parallel data channels thereby providing control of the number of input/output operations executed by the host CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy P.E. WILLIAMS, David Michael Davis
  • OPTICAL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, A METHOD OF MAKING AN OPTICAL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND AN OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE
    Publication number: 20120219249
    Abstract: An optical printed circuit board, including at least one optical waveguide for carrying optical signals on the optical printed circuit board; and a trench formed adjacent the at least one optical waveguide, wherein the trench contains a light absorptive material to absorb light that strays from the at least one waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard C.A. PITWON
  • Method and apparatus for storage of cables
    Patent number: 8248776
    Abstract: There is provided a storage reel for storage of cable. The storage reel comprises a first cable reel having a first reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon, a second cable reel having a second reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon and a connecting member arranged to connect said first and second cable reels. The storage reel is rotatable about an axis such that, in use, the storage reel is operable to wind cable across both the first and second reeling surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: David C. Haigh
  • Method of generating a position error signal, method of writing a data track, and method and apparatus for testing a head
    Patent number: 8243382
    Abstract: A method of generating a position error signal for a desired radial position of a read/write head relative to a data track of a disk is disclosed. The track has a plurality of servo bursts defining a plurality of servo nulls for the track, and are positioned such that they are at more than four different radial positions relative to the track, and define a predetermined locus having a known position relationship with the track. The method comprises determining a target null position on the null locus corresponding to the radial position of the head relative to the track; detecting the position of the servo null with the head; determining from the detected servo null position the position error of the head relative to the target null position; and, generating a position error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael Alan Miles
  • Chassis and module for data storage device enclosure and methods of reconfiguring chassis and module
    Patent number: 8240485
    Abstract: A chassis for a data storage device enclosure is disclosed. The chassis comprises a bay arranged to receive a module and a key in the bay. The bay key is constructed and arranged such that a module can be received in the bay only when said module has a corresponding module key. The bay key is manually reconfigurable by a user without use of a tool from a first configuration in which only a module having a corresponding first key can be received in the bay to a second configuration in which only a module having a corresponding second key, which is different from the first key, can be received in the bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul Bushby, Mark Scicluna
  • SPINSTANDS FOR TESTING A HEAD GIMBAL ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20120200287
    Abstract: There is disclosed a spinstand for testing a head gimbal assembly. The spinstand includes a gripper operable to grip the head gimbal assembly and a load pick device operable to hold a head gimbal assembly and to move the head gimbal assembly into an exchange position where it can be gripped by the gripper. In the exchange position part of the load pick device registers with the gripper and another part of the load pick device is spaced from the gripper so as to form a space between, in which space at least part of the head gimbal assembly is located in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ian Stanley Warn, Andrew William Atkins
  • Spiral brush for cleaning and conveying a substrate
    Patent number: 8234739
    Abstract: Scrubbing apparatus is configured by methods so that discs are quickly cleaned and conveyed by selecting a total number of spiral brush segments, rates of brush rotation, and a pitch length of a helical junction that receives discs for cleaning and transport. A time period for cleaning and transporting discs depends on the pitch length, rotational speed and configurations of the segments. An increase of the cleaning time period may result from use of an increased number of brush segments. A group of discs is cleaned by the same spiral brush, by one-by-one insertion of the discs into the junctions, and transporting the discs through the same segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Dave Frost, Sean Harbison, Yassin Mehmandoust, Mike Forkapa, Ken Miller
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRING A DISK ON A SPINDLE, METHOD OF TESTING WITH A SPINSTAND AND SPINSTAND
    Publication number: 20120182849
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for centring a disk on a spindle, a spinstand and a method of testing with a spinstand. The method of centring includes attaching the disk to the spindle with a stick-slip clamp. A vector is determined by which the centre of the disk is displaced from the spindle axis and the vector is aligned with a movably mounted piezo actuator. A voltage is then applied to the piezo actuator to cause the piezo actuator to apply an impulse to the edge of the disk to cause the disk to slip in the clamp and reduce the displacement of the disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Granger-Brown, Martin Siering
  • Dongles and methods of manufacturing a dongle
    Patent number: 8200861
    Abstract: A dongle for connecting a disk drive assembly to the backplane of a storage enclosure is disclosed. The dongle includes: a housing having a disk drive connector portion having a plurality of contact pins for connecting to a disk drive assembly and having a PCB holding portion having walls that define a recess; and, a PCB located within the recess, the PCB having a plurality of contact fingers on at least one surface at an edge of the PCB to form a backplane connector for connecting to the backplane. At least some of the disk drive connector contact pins are in electrical connection with at least some of the contact fingers of the backplane connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David M. Davis, Christopher J. Nother
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAPPING THE MAGNETIC FIELD OR MAGNETIC FIELD SENSITIVITY OF A RECORDING HEAD
    Publication number: 20120127605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning a read/write head of a hard disk drive during manufacture are presented. The method includes: providing a magnetic sensor; moving the magnetic sensor relative to and in close proximity to the read/write head under test; obtaining measurements from the head under test or the sensor, representing a two-dimensional magnetic map; processing the map to obtain an accurate map of the head sensitivity of the head under test from which the key performance characteristics of the head can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas J. GRANGER-BROWN, Graham R. Eveleigh, Michael P. Cooke
  • TEMPERATURE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A HARD DISK DRIVE AND A METHOD OF VARYING THE TEMPERATURE OF A HARD DISK DRIVE
    Publication number: 20120120524
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a hard disk drive includes: a thermal chamber for receiving a hard disk drive; and an oscillatory air movement generator for generating air movement within a region between the thermal chamber and the hard disk drive when received in the thermal chamber, thereby to facilitate heat transfer between the thermal chamber and the hard disk drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: David Ronald Bain Farquhar, David John Orriss
  • Method for fast verification of servo patterns and test on magnetic media
    Patent number: 8179625
    Abstract: High density magnetic disks are each placed on testers. Each tester tests a portion of the disk. If the tester finds an error, a new disk is placed on the tester. The tester goes to the allocated portion of the disk and tests whether the error is on the new disk. This process may be repeated several times to confirm the error. After an error is confirmed an alarm is sent indicating that there may be a defect in the disk manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Vlad Pogrebinsky
  • OPTICAL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD
    Publication number: 20120114280
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical printed circuit board and an optical printed circuit board. The method includes providing a support layer having one or more optical waveguides formed on the support layer, the waveguides having exposed interfaces. A film is provided on one or more of the exposed interfaces, wherein the film has a smoother outer surface than the waveguide interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Richard C.A. PITWON
  • Method for congestion management of a network, a signalling protocol, a switch, an end station and a network
    Patent number: 8174978
    Abstract: A method of congestion management within a switch or network of connected switches is provided, wherein the or each of the switches has a plurality of ingress ports and a plurality of egress ports. The method involves, when congestion is detected at a first ingress or egress port, sending a message to an upstream port connected to the first ingress or egress port indicating that congestion has occurred at a particular port and requesting storage at the upstream port of data packets destined for that port; and, in dependence on the amount of data packets destined for the congested port stored at the upstream port, sending from the upstream port to a further upstream port a message informing the further upstream port of the congestion at the congested port, the further upstream port storing at the further upstream port data packets destined for the congested port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Finbar Naven, Ian David Johnson, Jose Duato, Jose Flich
  • METHOD OF EVALUATING THE PROFIT OF A SUBSTREAM OF ENCODED VIDEO DATA, METHOD OF OPERATING SERVERS, SERVERS, NETWORK AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120106612
    Abstract: There is disclosed in aspects of the invention a method of evaluating the profit of a substream of encoded video data, a method of operating servers, a network and an apparatus. In the method, a data portion is identified comprising at least some of the data in the substream being evaluated; comparing a decoded version of the video with the data portion present and a decoded version of the video with the data portion removed and calculating an error metric indicative of the distortion between the two versions; and, calculating a profit for the substream dependent upon the error metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Richard James HAYWOOD, Xiaohong PENG
  • APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A DISK DRIVE, DISK DRIVE TEST APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TESTING A DISK DRIVE
    Publication number: 20120105056
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for supporting a disk drive, disk drive test apparatus and a method of testing a disk drive. The apparatus for supporting a disk drive includes: a housing, a slot for receiving a disk drive, and a plurality of isolators. The slot is received in the housing and has a longitudinal axis. The isolators are disposed between the slot and the housing for isolating the slot from the housing. The isolators are arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the slot has a low rotational stiffness in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the rotational stiffness in at least one other direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Stephen Kay, Philip Edward Long
  • METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR, DETECTION AND CORRECTION OF SILENT DATA CORRUPTION
    Publication number: 20120096329
    Abstract: There is provided a method of writing data to a sector of a storage device, the sector comprising a data field and a protection information field and having identifying information identifying the location of said sector. The method comprises providing data to be written to an intended sector, generating, for said intended sector, a message comprising the data and the identifying information of said intended sector and performing, on said message, error correcting encoding to generate a codeword. The codeword comprises the message and parity information generated from said error correcting coding. The data can then be written to the data field of the sector, and the parity information can be written to said protection information field of the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Eugene M. TARANTA, II
  • APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A DISK DRIVE AND DISK DRIVE TEST APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120086467
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for inserting a disk drive into or removing a disk drive from a test cell, the test cell including plural slots, each slot having a carrier for receiving the disk drive, the method including: moving the carrier out of the slot into an open position so that it can receive a disk drive, wherein the carrier remains in contact with the slot; inserting a disk drive into the carrier when the tray is still in contact with the slot; and moving the carrier containing the disk drive into a closed position back in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Stephen Kay, Stephen Andrew Bailey
  • STORAGE SYSTEM AND A STORAGE BRIDGE BAY CANISTER
    Publication number: 20120081856
    Abstract: The invention provides a Storage Bridge Bay system, comprising: plural hard disk drives, each arranged within a corresponding slot; one or more Storage Bridge Bay canisters, wherein there is provided in the or each canister one or more solid state drives. In addition in an embodiment, the invention provides a Storage Bridge Bay canister, the canister comprising: electrical connections in accordance with the Storage Bridge Bay standard; and, one or more solid state drives arranged within the canister and arranged in communication with the electrical connections, thereby enabling control of and transfer of data to or from the solid state drives via the electrical connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth M. HOPKINS, Andrew GOODWIN
  • POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR A DATA STORAGE SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING A POWER SUPPLY
    Publication number: 20120079321
    Abstract: The invention provides a power supply system for a data storage system, the power supply system comprising: a first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; a second power supply unit independent from the first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; an auxiliary power supply; a power redundancy controller, arranged to monitor the region of an efficiency curve within which the first and/or second power supplies are operating in and control the first and second power supplies accordingly such that the either or both of the first and second power supplies are providing power at any one time, wherein in the event of failure of a power supply unit when only one of the power supply units is operating, the power redundancy controller is arranged to provide power supply to the data storage system from the auxiliary power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Tim WILLIAMS