Disk drive transport, clamping and testing

Abstract

A disk drive transporter, for transporting a disk drive and for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, includes a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive. The frame includes sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive. The frame also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The clamping mechanism includes a first engagement element and a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element. The first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot.

1 . A disk drive transporter for mounting a disk drive within a test slot, the disk drive transporter comprising:
 a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, the frame comprising
 sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into a test slot along with a disk drive; and 
 a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls and comprising: 
 a first engagement element; and 
 a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, 
   wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into clamping engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot, thereby inhibiting independent movement between the disk drive transporter and the test slot during testing.   
     
     
         2 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 1 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into clamping engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement element comprises first and second engagement members, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the first and second engagement members. 
     
     
         4 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 3 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement member into clamping engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot, and wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement member into clamping engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 3 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         6 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises a second engagement element, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the second engagement element. 
     
     
         7 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 6 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into clamping engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test slot. 
     
     
         8 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 6 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into clamping engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises:
 a second engagement element; and   a second actuator operable to initiate movements of the second engagement element.   
     
     
         10 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 9 , wherein the second actuator is operable independently of the first actuator to initiate movements of the second engagement element. 
     
     
         11 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 9 , wherein the second actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into clamping engagement with a test slot after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in a test slot. 
     
     
         12 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 9 , wherein the second actuator is operable to move the second engagement element into clamping engagement with a disk drive being supported by the frame. 
     
     
         13 . A test slot assembly comprising:
 A.) a test slot comprising:
 i.) a housing defining:
 a.) a test compartment, and 
 b.) an open end providing access to the test compartment; and 
 
   B.) a disk drive transporter comprising;
 i.) a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, the frame comprising:
 a.) sidewalls configured to receive a disk drive therebetween and sized to be inserted into the test compartment along with a disk drive; and 
 
 ii.) a clamping mechanism operatively associated with at least one of the sidewalls and comprising:
 a.) a first engagement element; and 
 b.) a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, 
 
   wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first engagement element into clamping engagement with the housing after a disk drive being supported by the frame is arranged in a test position in the test compartment, thereby inhibiting independent movement between the disk drive transporter and the test slot during testing.   
     
     
         14 . The test slot assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first engagement element comprises first and second engagement members, and wherein the first actuator is operable to initiate movements of the first and second engagement members. 
     
     
         15 . The test slot assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first actuator is operable to move the first and second engagement members substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The disk drive transporter of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises:
 a second engagement element; and   a second actuator operable to initiate movements of the second engagement element.   
     
     
         17 . The test slot assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the housing comprises upstanding walls configured to receive the sidewalls of the frame therebetween, wherein a first one of the upstanding walls comprises an engagement feature, and wherein the first engagement element comprises a protuberance configured to engage the engagement feature. 
     
     
         18 . A disk drive testing system comprising:
 automated machinery; and   a disk drive transporter comprising:
 a frame configured to receive and support a disk drive, and 
 a clamping mechanism comprising: 
 a first engagement element, and 
 a first actuator operable to initiate movements of the first engagement element, 
   wherein the automated machinery is configured to control operation of the clamping mechanism.   
     
     
         19 . The disk drive testing system of  claim 18 , wherein the automated machinery is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter. 
     
     
         20 . The disk drive testing system of  claim 18 , wherein the automated machinery comprises a robot comprising a moveable arm and a manipulator connected to the moveable arm, and wherein the manipulator is configured to releasably engage the frame to control movement of the disk drive transporter, wherein the manipulator is operable to control operation of the clamping mechanism.