Abstract: A compact back-flow stopper using an elastic flexure mechanism for a cooling fan is shown and described. The backflow stopper assembly comprises a frame configured to structurally support a fin array when coupled to a fan. The fin array comprises a plurality of flexural deformation elements and associated fin elements arrayed in a radial arrangement to establish a pathway for airflow, each of the flexural deformation elements configured to move an attached fin element responsive to airflow impacting the attached fin element. Flex limiter elements are coupled to the frame and configured to limit flexure of the fin elements beyond a predetermined flexure in relation to the frame to stop backflow of air through the fin array. A fan assembly with a backflow stopper is shown and described. Also, a data storage assembly using fan assemblies with backflow stoppers is also shown and described.

Abstract: A storage canister is provided. The storage canister in one example includes an enclosure, multiple Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the enclosure, a plurality of mounting elements configured to receive the multiple HDDs, wherein each mounting element of the plurality of mounting elements is configured to receive a HDD, a plurality of suspension elements supporting the plurality of mounting elements, with each suspension element of the plurality of suspension elements supporting and providing vibration isolation to a corresponding HDD of the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of mounting elements.

Abstract: A compact back-flow stopper using an elastic flexure mechanism for a cooling fan is shown and described. The backflow stopper assembly comprises a frame configured to structurally support a fin array when coupled to a fan. The fin array comprises a plurality of flexural deformation elements and associated fin elements arrayed in a radial arrangement to establish a pathway for airflow, each of the flexural deformation elements configured to move an attached fin element responsive to airflow impacting the attached fin element. Flex limiter elements are coupled to the frame and configured to limit flexure of the fin elements beyond a predetermined flexure in relation to the frame to stop backflow of air through the fin array. A fan assembly with a backflow stopper is shown and described. Also, a data storage assembly using fan assemblies with backflow stoppers is also shown and described.

Abstract: A storage canister is provided. The storage canister in one example includes an enclosure, multiple Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the enclosure, a plurality of mounting elements configured to receive the multiple HDDs, wherein each mounting element of the plurality of mounting elements is configured to receive a HDD, a plurality of suspension elements supporting the plurality of mounting elements, with each suspension element of the plurality of suspension elements supporting and providing vibration isolation to a corresponding HDD of the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of mounting elements.

Abstract: A compact back-flow stopper using an elastic flexure mechanism for a cooling fan is shown and described. The backflow stopper assembly comprises a frame configured to structurally support a fin array when coupled to a fan. The fin array comprises a plurality of flexural deformation elements and associated fin elements arrayed in a radial arrangement to establish a pathway for airflow, each of the flexural deformation elements configured to move an attached fin element responsive to airflow impacting the attached fin element. Flex limiter elements are coupled to the frame and configured to limit flexure of the fin elements beyond a predetermined flexure in relation to the frame to stop backflow of air through the fin array. A fan assembly with a backflow stopper is shown and described. Also, a data storage assembly using fan assemblies with backflow stoppers is also shown and described.

Abstract: A storage canister is provided. The storage canister in one example includes an enclosure, multiple Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the enclosure, a plurality of mounting elements configured to receive the multiple HDDs, wherein each mounting element of the plurality of mounting elements is configured to receive a HDD, a plurality of suspension elements supporting the plurality of mounting elements, with each suspension element of the plurality of suspension elements supporting and providing vibration isolation to a corresponding HDD of the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of mounting elements.

Abstract: A sealed storage canister is provided. The sealed storage canister in one example includes a sealed enclosure configured to be substantially hermetically sealed for retaining a predetermined gas or gas mixture, multiple unsealed Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the sealed enclosure, with the multiple unsealed HDDs configured to allow the predetermined gas or gas mixture to move through the multiple unsealed HDDs, at least one mounting element configured to receive the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the multiple unsealed HDDs.

Abstract: A compact back-flow stopper using an elastic flexure mechanism for a cooling fan is shown and described. The backflow stopper assembly comprises a frame configured to structurally support a fin array when coupled to a fan. The fin array comprises a plurality of flexural deformation elements and associated fin elements arrayed in a radial arrangement to establish a pathway for airflow, each of the flexural deformation elements configured to move an attached fin element responsive to airflow impacting the attached fin element. Flex limiter elements are coupled to the frame and configured to limit flexure of the fin elements beyond a predetermined flexure in relation to the frame to stop backflow of air through the fin array. A fan assembly with a backflow stopper is shown and described. Also, a data storage assembly using fan assemblies with backflow stoppers is also shown and described.

Abstract: A vibration isolating hard disk drive carrier for isolating the transfer of vibration from one hard disk drive to another comprising a carrier body and one or more isolation hangers is disclosed. The carrier has a first surface configured to couple to inherent features of a first external surface of a hard disk drive, and a second surface configured to couple to inherent features of a second external surface hard disk drive. One or more isolation hangers configured to support the hard disk drive in a vertical orientation are coupled to the carrier body.

Abstract: A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.

Abstract: An isolator system for a segmented frame is provided. The isolator system in one example includes a riser block configured to be affixed in a riser aperture of the segmented frame, with the riser block including one or more damper receptacles and one or more corresponding central shafts extending up at least partially through the one or more damper receptacles, one or more elastomeric dampers comprising substantially cylindrical bodies and central bores extending partially through the bodies, with the one or more elastomeric dampers fitting over the one or more shafts and into the damper receptacles, with the one or more elastomeric dampers being formed of an at least partially elastomeric material, and one or more coil springs located over the one or more elastomeric dampers, wherein the one or more elastomeric dampers and the one or more coil springs compress in response to force.

Abstract: A vibration isolating hard disk drive carrier for isolating the transfer of vibration from one hard disk drive to another comprising a carrier body and one or more isolation hangers is disclosed. The carrier has a first surface configured to couple to inherent features of a first external surface of a hard disk drive, and a second surface configured to couple to inherent features of a second external surface hard disk drive. One or more isolation hangers configured to support the hard disk drive in a vertical orientation are coupled to the carrier body.

Abstract: A sealed storage canister is provided. The sealed storage canister in one example includes a sealed enclosure configured to be substantially hermetically sealed for retaining a predetermined gas or gas mixture, multiple unsealed Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the sealed enclosure, with the multiple unsealed HDDs configured to allow the predetermined gas or gas mixture to move through the multiple unsealed HDDs, at least one mounting element configured to receive the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the multiple unsealed HDDs.

Abstract: A storage canister is provided. The storage canister in one example includes an enclosure, multiple Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) located within the enclosure, a plurality of mounting elements configured to receive the multiple HDDs, wherein each mounting element of the plurality of mounting elements is configured to receive a HDD, a plurality of suspension elements supporting the plurality of mounting elements, with each suspension element of the plurality of suspension elements supporting and providing vibration isolation to a corresponding HDD of the multiple HDDs, and an external connector configured to be externally accessible, with the external connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of mounting elements.

Abstract: A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.

Abstract: An isolator system for a segmented frame is provided. The isolator system in one example includes a riser block configured to be affixed in a riser aperture of the segmented frame, with the riser block including one or more damper receptacles and one or more corresponding central shafts extending up at least partially through the one or more damper receptacles, one or more elastomeric dampers comprising substantially cylindrical bodies and central bores extending partially through the bodies, with the one or more elastomeric dampers fitting over the one or more shafts and into the damper receptacles, with the one or more elastomeric dampers being formed of an at least partially elastomeric material, and one or more coil springs located over the one or more elastomeric dampers, wherein the one or more elastomeric dampers and the one or more coil springs compress in response to force.

Abstract: An enclosure is shaped with a plurality of opposed pairs of first and second guides, the first guides all substantially coplanar within a first plane, the second guides all substantially coplanar within a second plane. Each pair of guides defines a respective plane, the respective planes of the pairs of guides all parallel to each other, each pair of guides separated by a respective spacing, each pair of guides shaped to receive a respective planar carrier by insertion in a first direction along the pair of guides. The enclosure is shaped to receive a key plate parallel to the first plane and intersecting the first guides, said key plate having a plurality of feature areas, each feature area corresponding to a respective plane of one of the pairs of guides, each feature area presenting a predetermined pattern of barriers to movement in the first direction, the barriers disposed at at least two locations along the first direction.

Abstract: An enclosure for a data storage system comprises at least first and second cast magnesium parts joined by rivets, each of which is made of a suitable material that provides compressive strength superior to that of the cast magnesium. Each rivet is of a height or thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the parts to be riveted. Each such rivet has flat end surfaces and its body is peripherally concave between its ends. The rivet is embedded in the two parts, and the parts flow radially against the concave body of the rivet. No drilling is required, and the parts are held in carefully defined position while being joined, so that the assembled enclosure satisfies strict dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: A shelf enclosure for a network data storage system employs drive carriers having wedge mechanical interfaces with respective features on the enclosure, locking into place at the top and bottom of the carriers.

Abstract: An enclosure for a data storage system comprises at least first and second cast magnesium parts joined by rivets, each of which is made of a suitable material that provides compressive strength superior to that of the cast magnesium. Each rivet is of a height or thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the parts to be riveted. Each such rivet has flat end surfaces and its body is peripherally concave between its ends. The rivet is embedded in the two parts, and the parts flow radially against the concave body of the rivet. No drilling is required, and the parts are held in carefully defined position while being joined, so that the assembled enclosure satisfies strict dimensional tolerances.