Patents Assigned to Xyratex Technology Limited
  • OPTICAL CONNECTOR AND A METHOD OF CONNECTING AN OPTICAL CONNECTOR TO AN OPTICAL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD
    Publication number: 20110222821
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical printed circuit board connector, comprising: a housing having a major plane; an optical interface for connection in use to another optical interface on a device to which in use the optical printed circuit board connector is arranged to be connected, in which the optical interface on the connector is mounted such that it is twistable about a vertical axis in the major plane to vary the launch angle of light from the interface with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard C.A. Pitwon, Kenneth M. Hopkins, David A. Milward
  • CLAMP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CLAMPING A DISK DRIVE
    Publication number: 20110222235
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a clamp assembly and a method for clamping a disk drive to a substrate. The disk drive has a disk drive connector. The clamp assembly includes a resilient biasing element mounted to the substrate. The clamp assembly also has a substrate connector. When a disk drive connector is connected to the substrate connector, the resilient biasing element biases the disk drive and the substrate connector together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael EASTON
  • Method and apparatus for managing storage of data
    Patent number: 8020047
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for storage of data, data is stored. The stored data is checked, for example periodically and/or on data access, for development of a fault in the stored data. If a fault is detected, at least one of: (i) increased protection and (ii) increased error correction is applied to at least some of the remaining fault-free data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Timothy E. G. Courtney
  • STORAGE ASSEMBLY, A PHYSICAL EXPANDER AND A METHOD
    Publication number: 20110219158
    Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David M. DAVIS, Neil A. Edmunds, Timothy P. E. Williams, Alan J. Westbury
  • Optical wavelength division multiplexed multiplexer/demultiplexer for an optical printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8007965
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical mux/demux for an optical printed circuit board. The mux/demux comprises: a first waveguide formed on a support layer for carrying a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal; a separator/combiner for separating the wavelength division multiplexed signal into component signals of corresponding wavelengths or for combining component signals into the said wavelength division multiplexed signal; and plural second waveguides, each for receiving or providing one or more of the said component signals, wherein the separator/combiner is at a predetermined location relative to the waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Richard Charles Alexander Pitwon, David R. Selviah, Ioannis Papakonstantinou
  • Snapback-Free Logical Drive Duplication
    Publication number: 20110202720
    Abstract: There is provided a method of duplicating a logical drive. The method includes sequentially copying data from a source logical drive to a destination logical drive and determining whether a write request is received to a data area on the source logical drive which has not yet been copied to the destination logical drive. If a write request is detected, the data at the write-requested data area is copied to the destination logical drive prior to executing the write request. By providing such a method, the destination logical drive can be used as the change-data store while in the process of the duplication operation, removing the need for a snapshot logical drive in the duplication process. This results in improvements in duplication speed and reduces drive wear due to the reduced number of data reads/writes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert P. Rossi, Douglas L. Anderson
  • Logical Drive Duplication
    Publication number: 20110202719
    Abstract: There is provided a method of, and apparatus for, duplicating a logical drive. The method includes sequentially copying data from a source logical drive to a destination logical drive, and determining whether a write request to the source logical drive is received during the sequential copying. If so, the step of copying data in the write-requested data area to an additional storage area is carried out prior to executing the write request. It is further specified that the data in the write-requested data area is to be ignored and not copied during the sequential copying. The method further includes copying, upon completion of the sequential copying, data from the additional storage area to the destination logical drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert P. Rossi, Johan Olstenius
  • Methods of and apparatus for cleaning and conveying a substrate
    Patent number: 7997289
    Abstract: Discs roll along an inclined track through a chamber to expose opposite disc sides for cleaning. Energized fluid directed against the opposite sides removes particles from the discs, the fluid and particles exiting the chamber. Stop pins control a time period for cleaning and transporting the discs by selectively blocking or releasing the discs. The discs are stopped at many sections of a transducer, the sections being tailored to provide various cleaning characteristics. Within the chamber, the chamber is configured to minimize particles that originate other than by being adhered to the disc at a time when the disc is introduced into the chamber. Internal chamber configuration also minimizes retention of particles so that particles removed from one disc do not linger in the chamber for possible transfer to a disc that is cleaned in the same chamber at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Dave Frost, Sean Harbison, Yassin Mehmandoust, Mike Frocappa
  • COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20110179109
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, network communication between a client computer initiator and a target data store. The method includes requesting, by the initiator, a data transfer session between the initiator and the target over a network. The request specifies quality of service parameters for the data transfer session. The method further includes receiving, from the target, a response accepting or denying the data transfer session based on the quality of service parameters; and establishing the data transfer session between the initiator and the target if the request is accepted. An advantage in communicating QoS requirements automatically on a per session basis between a client computer initiator and a target data storage resource is that QoS guarantees can be improved because the QoS determination can be carried out at the time the data transfer session is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Darren Golbourn, Tim Courtney
  • DATA STORAGE MIRRORING
    Publication number: 20110179224
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for implementing a virtual mirror of a primary storage device (106) on a secondary storage device (108). The method comprises providing a map (124a) for translating primary data storage locations on said primary storage device (106) to secondary data storage locations on said secondary storage device (106) and utilising said map (124a) to enable data stored on said secondary storage device (108) to mirror data stored on said primary storage device (106). By providing such a method, the requirements of the primary and secondary disks (106, 108) can be decoupled such that a smaller secondary disk (108) could be used with a larger primary (106) which will not be filled to capacity. This reduces the unused capacity on the secondary disk (108) which would otherwise be wasted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Robert P. Rossi
  • ELECTRONIC DATA STORE
    Publication number: 20110179233
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, predicting the performance of a data storage resource forming part of a networked electronic data store. The method includes representing the data storage resource as a plurality of separate virtual storage components, each virtual storage component representing a part of the data storage resource and having at least one operational state selectable from a pool of operational states. The method further includes obtaining resource profile data from the data storage resource, and modelling the performance of the data storage resource by assigning, from the pool, an operational state to each virtual storage component to fit the resource profile data. By providing such a method, the data storage resource can be represented as a collection of virtual storage components, each having a dynamically-assignable operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Darren Golbourn
  • ELECTRONIC DATA STORE
    Publication number: 20110178790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing conditional access to an electronic data store including a storage controller and a data storage resource. The method includes receiving, at the storage controller, a network request for access to the data storage resource from a client, the request including at least one required parameter defining the requested connection, obtaining information on the performance of the data storage resource, determining, based upon the information, whether a) the data storage resource can meet the or each required parameter of the request; and b) meeting the or each required parameter of the request will not violate any previously agreed parameters defining existing connections on the data storage resource; and denying the request if at least one of a) and b) are determined to be negative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Darren Golbourn, Tim Courtney
  • Disk chuck with radial force limiter
    Patent number: 7958619
    Abstract: A chuck holds a disk by the inside diameter with a plurality of contact surfaces at the end of fingers. Axial motion of an actuator is translated into outward radial movement of the fingers to place the contact surfaces in contact with the inside diameter of the disk. The force that is applied to the disk is limited to reduce or eliminate warping or curvature of the disk, e.g., a sleeve that surrounds the fingers can be used as a hard stop to physically limit the range of outward radial movement of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Timothy J. Pletschet
  • Apparatus for attaching a disk to a spindle of a spinstand, methods for attaching and detaching a disk to and from a spindle of a spinstand and a movable stage
    Patent number: 7954119
    Abstract: In one arrangement, apparatus for attaching a disk to a spindle of a spinstand has a spindle adapter. The spindle adapter has a drawbar movably disposed within. The drawbar has a connector end that is reversibly connectable to the cap and has a piston that is connectable to a source of fluid pressure. The drawbar is movable in response to fluid pressure so as to urge together the cap and the spindle adapter when connected. The cap and the spindle adapter are capable of holding a disk therebetween. In another arrangement, a movable stage movable over a deck of a spinstand has a lift stage arranged to hold a cap with a disk positioned thereon. The lift stage has at least one actuator for raising the lift stage so that the cap can be connected with a spindle adapter of an inverted spindle of a spinstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Xyratex Technology Limited, Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ian Stanley Warn, Brett Robert Herdendorf
  • Apparatus for supporting a disk drive about a rotation centre which is outside a disk drive receiving portion for reducing vibrations and a disk drive test apparatus using same
    Patent number: 7936534
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a disk drive with a rotating disk about a disk axis and an arm which pivots over the disk about an arm axis. The disk axis and the arm axis are perpendicular to the plane of the disk. The apparatus includes a disk drive carrier having a disk drive receiving portion where disk drive can be received, and a housing in which the carrier can be received. A mounting arrangement is provided for supporting the carrier within the housing such that the center of rotation of the carrier is outside the disk drive receiving portion of the carrier. Additionally, a mounting arrangement is provided for supporting the carrier within the housing, comprising a forced pivot at or towards the opposite end of the disk drive carrier, and about which the carrier is fixed for pivotal movement in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David John Orriss, Alexander Stephen Kay, Matthew Roy Hill
  • Optical printed circuit board and manufacturing method
    Patent number: 7936953
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing an optical printed circuit board and an optical printed circuit board. The method comprises providing a support layer; on the support layer, providing an optical core layer; forming optical channels from the optical core layer and surrounding the optical channels with cladding thereby forming optical waveguides; and during said step of forming the optical channels, forming one or more alignment features, e.g. projections, on the optical printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ian David Johnson, Richard Charles Alexander Pitwon, David R. Selviah, Ioannis Papakonstantinou
  • AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLY, A METHOD OF PROVIDING POWER TO A DATA STORAGE SYSTEM AND A BACK-UP POWER SUPPLY CHARGING CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20110072290
    Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system, comprising: one or more data storage media; a midplane to which the one or more data storage media are, in use, connected; at least one input/output module for providing control of data transfer between the or each of the data storage media and one or more hosts to which, in use, the data storage system is connected; and a back-up power supply to provide power to the input/output modules in the event of a failure of regular power sources therefor, the back-up power supply being provided separately from the at least one input/output module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David M. Davis, Alan Westrop
  • Apparatus and method for receiving and positioning a read/write head to a disk in a test apparatus
    Patent number: 7911740
    Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and positioning a read/write head to a disk in a test apparatus has a deck and a spindle on the deck and on which a disk can be mounted for rotation of the disk. A gripper is provided for holding a head during testing, the gripper being movable over a surface of the deck. A precisor receives a head and accurately aligns the head, the precisor being movable over a surface of the deck. A pick is operable to pick up and place down a head. The precisor is movable to a position where the pick can pick up a head from the precisor and place down a head on the precisor. The gripper is movable to a position where the pick can pick up a head from the gripper and place down a head on the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Xyratex Technology Limited, Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Ian Stanley Warn
  • Electro-optical printed circuit board, a blank and a method of making an electro-optical printed circuit board
    Patent number: 7899278
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of making an electro-optical printed circuit board, the method comprising: providing a support layer having thereon surface mounted electric components within a region of the support layer; forming one or more surface mounted optical components on the surface of the electro-optical printed circuit board; and during formation of the one or more surface mounted optical components shielding the region of the electro-optical printed circuit board where the surface mounted electric components are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Richard Charles Alexander Pitwon
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS OF GENERATING A TEST PATTERN OF DATA, ANALYSING A TEST PATTERN OF DATA, AND TESTING A DATA STORAGE DISK MEDIUM AND/OR A READ/WRITE HEAD
    Publication number: 20110032631
    Abstract: A method of generating a test pattern of data to be written to a data storage disk medium for testing includes: rotating the disk; detecting fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk; producing a reference clock signal in accordance with the fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk; and, generating a test pattern of data using the reference clock signal as a timing reference. An apparatus for generating a test pattern of data includes a spindle for rotating a disk; a detector arranged to detect fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk; a processor arranged to produce a reference clock signal in accordance with fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk; and, a pattern generator arranged to generate a test pattern of data using the reference clock signal as a timing reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicants: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Keith Rowland Charles Brady, Gregory Martin Quick, Paul Harvey Ronald Jolly