Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
A CHASSIS FOR DATA STORAGE DEVICES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/053202
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
There is provided a chassis for housing and supporting high density storage devices, comprising: a plurality of caddies, each of the plurality of caddies comprising constrainedly mounted storage devices and an active board.

Inventors:
TAN CHENG PENG (SG)
TAN CHYE CHIN (SG)
HE ZHIMIN (SG)
YANG JIAPING (SG)
LEE CHONG WEE (SG)
LEE HONG YEW (SG)
TSAI JACK WEN HUEI (SG)
Application Number:
PCT/SG2015/050373
Publication Date:
April 07, 2016
Filing Date:
October 05, 2015
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
AGENCY SCIENCE TECH & RES (SG)
International Classes:
G06F1/18; G11B17/038; G11B33/04
Foreign References:
US20100118483A12010-05-13
US20110194242A12011-08-11
US20050259460A12005-11-24
US20140125209A12014-05-08
US20060061955A12006-03-23
US20130120927A12013-05-16
US20090289532A12009-11-26
US20080253077A12008-10-16
US6247944B12001-06-19
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SPRUSON & FERGUSON (ASIA) PTE LTD (Robinson Road Post Office, Singapore 1, SG)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A chassis for housing and supporting high density storage devices

comprising: a plurality of caddies, each of the plurality of caddies comprising constrainedly mounted storage devices and an active board.

2. The chassis of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of caddies are configured to form at least one column.

3. The chassis of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of caddies comprises side constraining means, an interface bottom for electrically and physically coupling with one of the constrainedly mounted storage devices, and a top restraining means comprising a user releasable clip restraining means.

4. The chassis of claim 1 , wherein the side constraining means is configured to support and constrain sides of the constrainedly mounted storage devices.

5. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of columns, each column comprising a plurality of caddies.

6. The chassis of claim 3, wherein the column comprises vibration reduction means.

7. The chassis of claim 6, wherein the vibration reduction means comprising a plurality of stiffeners.

8. The chassis of claim 3, wherein the side constraining means comprises one or more springs and/or screw holes.

9. The chassis of claim 3, wherein the side constraining means comprises one or more slots and/or screw holes.

10. The chassis of claim 3, wherein the side constraining means further comprises one or more ridges.

1 1 . The chassis of claim 8, wherein the side constraining means is made of material having vibrational damping properties and / or thermal management properties.

12. The chassis of claim 9, wherein the side constraining means is made of material having vibrational damping properties and / or thermal management properties.

13. The chassis of claim 10, wherein the side constraining means is made of material having vibrational damping properties and / or thermal management properties.

14. The chassis of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal management system.

15. The chassis of claim 14, wherein the thermal management system comprises one or more air-moving devices.

16. The chassis of claim 14, wherein the thermal management system comprises caddy air-flow control means.

17. The chassis of claim 3, further comprising a thermal management system comprising caddy air-flow control means, wherein the caddy air-flow control means is a slot formed at an upper side of at least one of the side constraining means of one or more of the plurality of the caddies.

18. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the column is configured to slide into the chassis.

19. The chassis of claim 18, wherein the column comprises an energy source, a connecting device and a Wi-Fi device, wherein the connecting device is connected when the column is slid into the chassis.

20. The chassis of claim 18, wherein the column comprises an air-moving device, the air-moving device comprising a filter.

21 . The chassis of claim 18, wherein the column comprises a panel, the panel including at least one hole configured to allow air to flow therethrough.

22. The chassis of claim 18, wherein the column comprises an indicator configured to indicate a device failure.

23. The chassis of claim 1 , wherein the storage devices comprise hard disk drives, solid state drives, and/or an active storage unit.

24. The chassis of claim 1 , further comprising at least one power supply.

25. The chassis of claim 1 , further comprising at least one switch control board coupled to the plurality of caddies.

26. The chassis of claim 1 , wherein the active board is coupled to the constrainedly mounted storage devices.

27. The chassis of claim 15, further comprising vibration management coupled to the one or more air-moving devices.

28. The chassis of claim 27, wherein the vibration management comprises at least one damper.

29. The chassis of claim 28, wherein the at least one damper is arranged on at least one side or the other side of the one or more air-moving devices in a direction in which the one or more air-moving devices moves air.

30. The chassis of claim 16, wherein the caddy air-flow control further comprises two or more slots formed at an upper side of the chassis.

31 . The chassis of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of caddies further comprises just a bunch of disks (JBOD).

32. The chassis of claim 18, further comprising a foldable and flexible cable configured to connect the column to the chassis.

Description:
A CHASSIS

FOR DATA STORAGE DEVICES

PRIORITY CLAIM

[1 ] This application claims the benefit of priority from Singapore Patent Application No. 10201406352V filed on October 3, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[2] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hardware configuration that houses and supports storage arrays and active boards. In particular, it relates to a high density storage media chassis that is arranged to enable active control storage arrays and have thermal and vibration management of storage media caddies such as just a bunch of disks (JBOD), and is thereby configured to enhance reliability and performance of electronic devices using JBOD and/or other storage media caddies.

BACKGROUND

[3] The development of storage media drives, such as advanced hybrid hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) illustrate an industry tendency that storage drives are becoming thinner and more easily scalable. The advanced chassis working as a large scale distributed storage system, may comprise more active storage drives, for example 180 or more hybrid HDDs and distributed active boards, than a conventional storage system which usually contains 40-60 HDDs. This significantly improves work performance of a data center. On the other side, a large number of storage drives assembled together largely increases the temperature of the working environment, and further increases vibration as the storage drives work together under a heavy workload.

[4] Thus, what is needed is a reliable hardware configuration, more specifically, a chassis to house and support a plurality of caddies that is able to have a high level work performance while maintaining a relatively low temperature and reduced vibration in the storage drive assembly. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended points, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[5] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chassis for housing and supporting high density storage devices, comprising: a plurality of caddies, each of the plurality of caddies comprising constrainedly mounted storage devices and an active board.

[6] In an embodiment, the plurality of caddies are configured to form at least one column.

[7] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of caddies comprises side constraining means, an interface bottom for electrically and physically coupling with one of constrainedly mounted storage devices, and a top restraining means, the top restraining means may be a user releasable clip restraining means. [8] In an embodiment, the side constraining means is configured to support and constrain sides of the constrainedly mounted storage devices.

[9] In an embodiment, the chassis comprises a plurality of columns, each column comprising a plurality of caddies.

[10] In an embodiment, the column comprises vibration reduction means.

[1 1 ] In an embodiment, the vibration reduction means comprises a plurality of stiffeners.

[12] In an embodiment, the sides constraining means comprises one or more springs, and/or screw holes.

[13] In an embodiment, the thermal management system comprises caddy airflow control means, wherein the caddy air-flow control means is a slot formed at an upper side of at least one of the side constraining means of one or more of the plurality of the caddies.

[14] In an embodiment, the column is configured to slide into the chassis.

[15] In an embodiment, the column comprises an energy source, a connecting device and a Wi-Fi device, wherein the connecting device is connected when the column is slid into the chassis.

[16] In an embodiment, the column comprises an air-moving device, the air- moving device comprising a filter.

[17] In an embodiment, the column comprises a panel, the panel including at least one hole configured to allow air to flow therethrough. [18] In an embodiment, the column comprises an indicator configured to indicate a device failure.

[19] In an embodiment, the storage devices comprise hard disk drives, solid state drives, and/or an active storage unit.

[20] In an embodiment, the chassis comprises at least one power supply.

[21 ] In an embodiment, the chassis further comprises at least one switch control board coupled to the plurality of caddies.

[22] In an embodiment, the active board is coupled to the constrainedly mounted storage devices.

[23] In an embodiment, the chassis further comprises vibration management coupled to the one or more air-moving devices.

[24] In an embodiment, the vibration management comprises at least one damper.

[25] In an embodiment, the damper is arranged on at least one side or the other side of the one or more air-moving devices in a direction in which the one or more air-moving devices moves air.

[26] In an embodiment, the caddy air-flow control further comprises two or more slots formed at an upper side of the chassis.

[27] In an embodiment, there is a guiding means for placement of HDD caddies.

[28] In an embodiment, the side constraining means comprises one or more slots and/or screw holes. [29] In an embodiment, the side constraining means further comprises one or more ridges.

[30] In an embodiment, the side constraining means is made of material having vibrational damping properties.

[31 ] In an embodiment, the side constraining means is made of material having thermal management properties.

[32] In an embodiment, the chassis of any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprises a thermal management system.

[33] In an embodiment, the thermal management system comprises one or more air-moving devices.

[34] In an embodiment, the thermal management system comprises caddy airflow control means.

[35] In an embodiment, the caddy air-flow control means comprises a slot formed at an upper side of at least one of the constraining means of one or more of the plurality of the caddies.

[36] In an embodiment, this slot could be created in various designs including round holes, holes of any geometry, gauze or a flow rate controller.

[37] In an embodiment, the air streams from air-moving devices create a positive pressure driven flow at the upper side of the slot to allow the air to pass through the narrow gap between two HDDs. It also creates down stream flow throughout the column of HDDs. [38] In an embodiment, a slot or slots formed at an upper side of the HDD supports are created in every HDD support except the last support to divert the air flow downwards and outwards and to provide better cooling to the last caddy of HDDs.

[39] In an embodiment, to increase the air flow pressure of the last caddy of HDDs, the air flow is diverted downwards and outwards to minimize backflow.

[40] In an embodiment, smaller slots, holes and/or flow rate controllers can be created at an upper side of the last HDD support to control the amount of air flow downwards.

[41 ] In an embodiment, in a first arrangement of air flow, no suction air-moving devices are placed at the outlet of the last caddy.

[42] In an embodiment, in a second arrangement for HDD cooling, air-moving devices are placed at the upper side of the inlet of the first HDDs caddy to create positive pressure driven flow into the chassis. Another set of air-moving devices are positioned at the lower side of the outlet of the last HDD caddy to create negative pressure to allow high air ventilation.

[43] In an embodiment, in a third arrangement for HDD cooling, air-moving devices are placed at the lower side of the outlet of the last caddy.

[44] In an embodiment, the storage devices comprise hard disk drives, solid state drives, and/or server storage units.

[45] In an embodiment, the chassis of any one of the preceding embodiments further comprises at least one power supply. [46] In an embodiment, thermal management of heat generating electronic chips is performed by means of heat dissipation devices.

[47] In an embodiment, the chassis of any one of the preceding embodiments further comprising at least one switch control board coupled to the plurality of caddies.

[48] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of caddies further comprises just a bunch of disks (JBOD).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[49] The accompanying figures, serve to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with a present embodiment.

[50] FIG 1 , including FIG.1 A and FIG. 1 B, shows a top perspective view of a chassis in a first embodiment.

[51 ] FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of a column of the chassis in the first embodiment.

[52] FIG. 2B shows a side perspective view of the column depicted in FIG. 2A.

[53] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the caddy in the column of the chassis in the first embodiment.

[54] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a HDD support side of the caddy in the column of the chassis in the first embodiment. [55] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a first arrangement of air-moving devices.

[56] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a second arrangement of air-moving devices.

[57] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a third arrangement of air-moving devices.

[58] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a narrow gap formed between two HDDs placed parallel to each other.

[59] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a slot formed at an upper side created in every HDD and active board support side except the extreme last HDD and active board support side.

[60] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity vector of the first arrangement of air-moving devices depicted in FIG. 5.

[61 ] FIG. 1 1 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity distribution of the second arrangement of air-moving devices depicted in FIG. 6.

[62] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of flow field streamlines of the second arrangement of air-moving devices depicted in FIG. 6.

[63] FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity distribution of the third arrangement of air-moving devices depicted in FIG. 7.

[64] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of flow field streamlines of the third arrangement of air-moving devices depicted in FIG. 7. [65] FIG. 15, including FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, shows a top perspective view of a chassis in a second embodiment.

[66] FIG. 16 shows a top perspective view of a column of the chassis in the second embodiment.

[67] FIG. 17, including FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C, shows a side perspective view of a slidable column with foldable flexible cable management in the chassis of the second embodiment.

[68] FIG. 18 shows a side perspective view of a column in the chassis of the second embodiment, the column having a Wi-Fi device and a backup energy source.

[69] FIG. 19 shows a side perspective view of the column depicted in FIG. 18.

[70] FIG. 20 shows a side perspective view of the column in the chassis of the second embodiment, the column comprising one air-moving device and the one air- moving device comprising a filter.

[71 ] FIG. 21 , including FIG. 21 A and FIG. 21 B, shows a perspective view of an indicator arranged on a panel of the column used in the chassis of the second embodiment.

[72] FIG. 22 shows a side perspective view of storages disks housed horizontally in the column used in the chassis of the second embodiment.

[73] FIG. 23 shows a side perspective view of active boards and storage disks housed in the column used in the chassis of the first embodiment. [74] FIG. 24, including FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B, shows a perspective view of a common board used in the chassis of the first embodiment.

[75] FIG. 25 shows an exploded view of a caddy of the first embodiment.

[76] FIG. 26, including FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B, shows a perspective view of a HDD including a holding mechanism and a latching mechanism to be used in at least one of the above embodiments.

[77] FIG. 27, including FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, shows a top perspective view of a HDD including a holding mechanism in and a latching mechanism accordance with a first arrangement.

[78] FIG 28 shows a side perspective of the HDD depicted in FIG. 27.

[79] FIG. 29, including FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B, shows a top perspective view of a HDD including a holding mechanism and latching mechanism in accordance with a second arrangement.

[80] FIG. 30, including FIG. 30A, FIG. 30B, FIG. 30C and FIG. 30D, shows a perspective view of a HDD including a holding mechanism and latching mechanism in accordance with a third arrangement.

[81 ] FIG. 31 , including FIG. 31 A, FIG. 31 B and FIG. 31 C, shows a bottom perspective view of an active board including a holding mechanism and latching mechanism in accordance with the second arrangement.

[82] FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of the chassis of the first embodiment including at least one damper. [83] FIG. 33, including FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B, shows a part exploded view of the caddy of the first embodiment, the caddy including air gaps.

[84] FIG. 34 shows a part exploded view of the caddy depicted in FIG. 33 without an active board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[85] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. Herein, a reliable hardware configuration, more specifically a chassis, is presented in accordance with present embodiments having the advantages of providing a high level work performance while maintaining a relatively low temperature and reduced vibration in the storage drive assembly.

[86] In embodiments below, a chassis structure may be understood to mean any hardware component suitable for housing and supporting storage devices which comprise hard disk drives, solid state drives, and/or an active storage unit. The chassis structure may also include at least one power supply and one switch control board.

[87] FIG.1 A shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of the chassis 100. The chassis 100 includes a plurality of extending arms 104 (or guiding ribs) extending along its length from one end to another end. The chassis 100 may also include a plurality of side arms (or side ribs) 106 extending along its side from one end to another end. Each of the plurality of extending arms 104 is spaced apart from an adjacent extending arm 104. Two of the plurality of extending arms 104 define a column. In this embodiment, the column defined by the plurality of extending arms 104 exists within the chassis 100. That is, the column in the first embodiment is non-movable or non-slidable.

[88] Similar, each of the plurality of side arms 106 is spaced apart from an adjacent side arm 106. Two of the plurality of side arms 106 define a row. The distance between two extending arms 104 and two side arms 106 may be the same or different. The plurality of extending arms 104 and the plurality of side arms 106 intersect and define a plurality of caddies at the intersection. That is, each of the plurality of caddies may be square or rectangle in shape. It is to be understood that each of the plurality of caddies is a defined space. Each of these caddies or defined spaces is suitable to house constrainedly mounted storage devices. Examples of these constrainedly mounted storage devices, among other things, include a hard disk drive and an active board.

[89] At one end of the chassis 100, at least one cooling mechanism 102 (a) is provided. As shown in Fig 1 A, a plurality of cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) are provided. The plurality of cooling mechanisms 102(a), 102(b) are configured to cool the hard disk drive and/ or active board hosted in the defined space. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of cooling mechanisms is arranged at one end of a column, That is, each of the plurality of cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) corresponds to one column and is arranged at one end of the column. Examples of the cooling mechanisms, among other things, include a fan. [90] FIG. 1 B shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of the chassis 100 as described above. In this implementation, the chassis 100 may comprise one or all of the components 102(a), 102(b), 104 and 106. Additionally or alternatively, the chassis 100 comprises at least one vibration reduction means 120 comprised in the column. Examples of the at least one vibration reduction means 120, among other things, include a plurality of stiffeners. The plurality of stiffeners provides rigidity to the plurality of caddies defined in the chassis 100 so as to reduce vibrational forces to the storage devices during use.

[91 ] FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of the column of the chassis 100 as described above. As described in the above, two of the plurality of extending arms 104(a), 104(b) define a column 200. In an embodiment, there are 5 columns in each chassis 100 and each column includes 6 caddies. Each column 200 includes a plurality of caddies 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 defined by the intersections of the extending arms 104 and a plurality of side arms. Inside each of the plurality of caddies 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, there may be a side constraining means 200 configured to house and support the constrainedly mounted storage devices at their sides. Further, each of the plurality of caddies 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 may comprise a top restraining means 222 configured to restrain the constrainedly mounted storage devices from the top. Examples of the top restraining means 222, among other things, include a user releasable clip restraining means that can be configured to hold the constrainedly mounted storage devices. In an embodiment, the at least one vibration reduction means 120 described in FIG. 1 B comprises at least the side constraining means 200 and the top restraining means 222. [92] FIG. 2B shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the column in the chassis as described above. Referring to FIG. 2B, each of the plurality of caddies 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 may include an interface bottom 230 that is configured to electrically and physically couple with one of the constrainedly mounted storage devices. The interface bottom 230 may be configured to be complementary in shape to a storage device. Advantageously, this allows the storage device arranged on the interface bottom 230 of the chassis to be electrically connected.

[93] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the caddy 202 in the column of the chassis 100 as described above. Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of the extending arms 104(a), 104(b) defining the caddy 202 is shown. For each caddy 202, there is a side constraining means 220 defining spaces to house the high density storage devices, an interface bottom 230 and the a top restraining means 222. In use, a storage disk may be slotted between two side constraining means 220 and the top retraining means may be used to restrain the storage disk in place.

[94] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the HDD support side 400 of the caddy 202 in the column 200 of the chassis 100 above. On each caddy 202, there may be at least one slot 404 provided along a length of a surface of the support side 400. There may be two slots 404 as shown in FIG. 4 which are arranged adjacent to each other. Additionally or alternatively, the support side 400 may include at least one hole (or screw holes) 402 located at its lateral side. The holes 402 may be used to attach to the constrainedly mounted storage devices so as to support and constrain them. That is, the constrained sides of each of the constrainedly mounted storage devices comprise one or more springs and/ or screw holes. [95] Referring to FIG. 4, each caddy 202 comprises side constraining means to support and constrain the side of the constrainedly mounted storage devices. The side constraining means may include at least one ridge 406. The at least one ridge 406 may be arranged spaced apart and below the slot 404. The at least one ridge 406 may be of the same thickness as the support side 400. In an embodiment, the at least one ridge 406 and the slot 404 are made of material having thermal management properties.

[96] Advantageously, the at least one ridge 406 and/ or the slot 404 defines spaces for heat to be transmitted. Also, the hole 402 provides additional support to the constrainedly mounted storage devices which advantageously reduce vibrational forces. For example, the support side 400 may reduce the vibrational forces exerted on the HDD.

[97] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a first arrangement 500 of air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b). Referring to FIG. 5, the chassis may include a thermal management system which may comprise two air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b) which are arranged to be adjacent to each other. The air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b) may be located at one end of one caddy (e.g., 202). Alternatively, the air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b) may be located at one end of two different but adjacent caddies (e.g., 202 and 204). In the first arrangement, the air-moving device 502(a) may generate an air flow that is straight and parallel to the column. The air-moving device 502(b) may generate an air flow that passes through the side restraining means 220 of the support side 400. The air flows generated by the air-moving devices 502(a) and 502(b) may be parallel to each other until they converge and exit an outlet slot 504 which may also be referred to as a caddy air- flow control means. The thermal management system in the chassis may also include caddy air-flow control means which may refer to the outlet slot 504. In an embodiment, the outlet slot 504 is formed at an upper side of at least one of the side constraining means of one or more of the plurality of caddies. Depending on the requirements of the design, the air-moving devices 502(a) and 502(b) may be configured to provide a positive or negative air pressure to the chassis. In an embodiment, the thermal management corresponds to the cooling mechanism described in FIG. 1 A.

[98] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a second arrangement 600 of air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b). In the second arrangement, the air-moving device 502(a) and the air-moving device 502(b) are arranged on opposite sides of one column. Alternatively, the air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b) may be located at opposite ends of two different but adjacent columns. In the first arrangement, the air-moving device 502(a) may generate an air flow that is straight and parallel to the column. The air flow generated by the air-moving device 502(a) may also flow between spaces of the side restraining means 220 of the support side 400. In the second arrangement, the air-moving device 502(b) may be located at or near the outlet slot 504. In an embodiment, the air-moving device 502(a) is placed at the upper side of the inlet of the column of HDDs to create positive pressure flow into the chassis 100. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the air-moving device 502(b) are positioned at the lower side of the outlet of the other end of the column of HDDs to create negative pressure to allow high air ventilation. Advantageously, this helps to cool the constrainedly mounted storage devices housed and supported in the caddies. [99] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of air flow trajectories of a third arrangement 700 of air-moving devices 502(a). The air-moving devices 502(a) may be placed at the lower side of the outlet slot 504 located at the last caddy. In the third arrangement, the air-moving device 502(a) may be located at or near the outlet slot 504. The air-moving devices 502(a), 502(b) described in the first, second and third embodiments may correspond to the cooling mechanism 102(a) described in FIG. 1 A.

[100] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a narrow gap 806 formed between two HDDs, 802, 804 placed parallel to each other. Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of HDDs 802, 804 may be housed and supported in one caddy 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 in a column 200. Each of these HDDs 802, 804 is supported by a constraining means defining a gap 806 in between them.

[101 ] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a slot formed at an upper side created in every HDD support side except the extreme last HDD support side. Referring to FIG. 9, every HDD support side (for example, the HDD support side 400 described in FIG. 4) includes a slot 902(a), 902(b), 902(c), 902(d), 902(e), 902(f) at its upper side except the support side located at the extreme end. That is, there is no slot formed at the extreme last HDD support side. Instead, a material 902(g) may be present at a place where the slot should be. In an embodiment, the slots 902(a), 902(b), 902(c), 902(d) could be created in various designs suitable to allow high ventilation. The various designs include round holes, holes of any geometry, gauze or a flow rate controller. Each of these slots 902(a), 902(b), 902(c), 902(d) forms a flow path for air to blow from the sides of the storage devices. Additionally, a plurality of slots may also be provided above the storage devices allowing air to blow from the top of the storage devices. In an embodiment, the caddy air-flow devices described in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and Fig. 7, Fig. 8 correspond to these slots 902(a), 902(b), 902(c), 902(d), 902(e), 902(f).

[102] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity vector 1000 of the first arrangement of FIG. 5. The air streams from air-moving devices create a positive pressure flow at the upper side of the slot which allows air to pass through the narrow gap between two HDDs supported in the column. It also creates down stream flow throughout the column of HDDs. It can be seen from the flow field velocity vector 1000 that the flow is substantially consistent at the lower portion of the column. The air streams from the air-moving devices create a downward and outward pressure flow at the upper side of the slot to provide better cooling to the HDDs housed in the caddies.

[103] FIG. 1 1 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity distribution 1 100 of the second arrangement of FIG. 6. It can be seen that this flow field result is substantially similar to that of the first arrangement of FIG. 5 even though the second arrangement of air-moving devices is different from that of the first arrangement.

[104] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of flow field streamlines 1200 of the second arrangement of FIG. 6. It can be seen that the flow field streamlines 1200 converge towards the outlet slot 504.

[105] FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a flow field velocity distribution 1300 of the third arrangement of FIG. 7. It can be seen that this flow field result is substantially similar to that of the first arrangement of FIG 5 and the second arrangement of FIG. 6 even though this third arrangement of air-moving devices is different from that of the first arrangement and the second arrangement.

[106] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of flow field streamlines 1400 of the third arrangement of FIG. 7. Referring to FIG 14, it can be seen that the flow field streamlines 1400 converge towards the outlet slot 504.

[107] FIG. 15, including FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, shows a top perspective view of a chassis 1500 in a second embodiment. Similar to the chassis 100 described in FIG. 1 , the chassis 1500 includes a plurality of extending arms 1504 (or guiding ribs) extending along its length from one end to another end. The chassis 1500 may also include a plurality of side arms (or side ribs) 1506 extending along its side from one end to another end. Each of the plurality of extending arms 1504 is spaced apart from an adjacent extending arm 1504. Two of the plurality of extending arms 1504 define a space 1510 suitable for receiving a slidable column 1508. As shown in FIG. 15B, the space 1510 may be defined by one extending arm 1504 and a side of the chassis 1500. Each defined space 1510 corresponds to one slidable column 1508 and is configured to receive the slidable column 1508.

[108] Similarly, each of the plurality of side arms 1506 is spaced apart from an adjacent side arm 1506. Two of the plurality of side arms 1506 define a row. The distance between two extending arms 1504 and two side arms 1506 may be the same or different. The plurality of extending arms 1504 and the plurality of side arms 1506 intersect and define spaces at the intersections.

[109] Each slidable column 1508 includes its side rows 1512 which may be made of a same or different material as that for the side rows 1506. At two sides of the slidable column 1508 are two plates 1514 (a), 1514 (b). The two plates 1514(a), 1514(b) and the side rows 1512 define a plurality of caddies within the slidable column 1508. Similar to the chassis 100 described in the above, each of these caddies is suitable to house constrainedly mounted storage devices. Examples of these constrainedly mounted storage devices, among other things, include a hard disk drive and an active board.

[1 10] Since the defined space 1510 corresponds to the slidable column 1508, the side rows 1506 of the chassis 1500 may align with the side rows 1512 of the slidable column 1508 when the slidable column 1508 is received into the defined space 1510.

[1 1 1 ] FIG. 16 shows a top perspective view of a column of the chassis 1500 in the second embodiment. The chassis 1500 includes a back plane board 1602 which may be divided into a plurality of portions configured to receive the slidable column 1508. The chassis 1500 also includes a power and signal adapter board 1604 which includes a plurality of connectors 1608 each adapted to connect to a connector 1606 arranged on the slidable column 1508.

[1 12] FIG. 17, including FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C, shows a side perspective view of the slidable column 1508 in use in the chassis 1500 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 17A, a cable management 1702 is arranged in the chassis 1500. The cable management 1702 is comprised of a plurality of cables each corresponding to one slidable column 1508. In FIG. 17B, it can be seen that each cable 1702(a) of the cable management 1702 is extendable. That is, the cable 1702(a) is connected to the slidable column 1508 at one end and is configured to extend as the slidable column is retrieved from the chassis 1500, as shown in FIG. 17C. The cable 1702(a) includes a power supply and a transmission cable which allows the slidable column 1508 to be used as it is retrieved from the chassis 1500. Advantageously, the slidable column 1508 allows the power supply and data transmission to remain undisrupted as it slides into and out of the chassis 1500 since it is connected to a foldable and flexible cable 1702(a).

[1 13] FIG. 18 shows a side perspective view of a slidable column 1802 in the chassis of the second embodiment, the slidable column 1802 having a Wi-Fi device 1804. It is to be understood that the Wi-Fi device 1804 refers to any wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.1 1 standards. Instead of the foldable cable 1702(a), the slidable column 1802 includes a Wi-Fi device 1804. The slidable column 1802 further includes a connector 1806 arranged at one end. The connector 1806 is connected when the slidable column 1802 is slid into the chassis 1500 and not connected when the slidable column 1802 is not slid into the chassis 1500. In an embodiment, the slidable column 1802 may even include a backup energy source 1808 which can be configured to function as a back-up battery when the power supply runs out.

[1 14] FIG. 19 shows a side perspective view of the slidable column 1802 described in FIG. 18. It can be seen that the slidable column 1802 includes a back plane board on which the Wi-Fi device 1804, the connector 1806 and the backup energy source 1808 are provided.

[1 15] FIG. 20 shows a side perspective view of a column 2002 in the chassis 1500 of the second embodiment. The column 2002 comprises one air-moving device 2004 at one end and the one air-moving device 2004 comprises a filter 2006. Advantageously, this generates a directed air flow to cool the storage devices housed and supported in the slidable column 2002.

[1 16] FIG. 21 , including FIG. 21 A and FIG. 21 B, shows a perspective view of an indicator 2104 arranged on a panel of the column 2102 used in the chassis 1500 of the second embodiment. The indicator 2104 may be configured to indicate if there is any failure of the storage devices in the column 2002. For example, the indicator 2104 may indicate a specific colour (e.g., yellow) if one of the storage devices is not functioning properly (e.g., a device failure) in the column 2002. In an embodiment, the indicator 2104 may be used to indicate if the column 2102 is slid into the chassis 1500. For example, the indicator 2104 may indicate a specific colour (e.g., yellow) if the column 2102 is not slid properly into the chassis 1500. Further, the column 2002 may include a reset button 2006 which allows a user to reset the device. A buzzer 2008 may also be provided on the column 2002 to provide an audio signal if the device is not functioning properly. At least one perforated aperture is provided on the front panel of the slidable column 2002 to further direct air flow.

[1 17] FIG. 22 shows a side perspective view of storages disks 2214, 2216 housed in the column 2002 used in the chassis 1500 of the second embodiment. The column 2002 may comprise a plurality of caddies 2202, 2204, 2206, 2208, 2210 each configured to house and support a plurality of storage devices 2214, 2216. The plurality of storage devices 2214, 2216 may be stacked on top of one another in each caddy, allowing one column 2002 in the chassis to house a high density of storage devices. [1 18] FIG. 23 shows a side perspective view of storage disks and active boards housed in a row used in the chassis of the first embodiment. As described in the above, a chassis of the first embodiment may hold a large number of hard disk drives (HDDs) and multiple active boards in each of the plurality of caddies defined in the row. One feature of this embodiment is that the chassis physically enables flexible data management. For example, the chassis allows multiple hard disk drives to be connected to one active board. Referring to FIG. 23, each of the caddies 2312, 2314, 2316, 2318, 2320 houses and supports a plurality of HDDs. Each of these pluralities of HDDS is controlled by an active board, 2302, 2304 and 2306 in each caddy. Advantageously, this is effective in boasting data throughput and saving computing cost for a data system.

[1 19] FIG. 24, including FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B, shows a perspective view of a common board 2410 (e.g., back plane board) used in the chassis of the first embodiment. The back plane board 2410 is configured to connect a plurality of active boards and HDDs. That is, for each caddy, the back plane board 2410 comprises a connector 2402 for connecting to one active board and a connector 2404 for connecting to a HDD. Advantageously, this is effective in allowing HDDs and / or active boards to be swapped or changed.

[120] FIG. 25 shows an exploded view of a caddy used in the first embodiment. As described in the foregoing, the chassis structure 100 is made of guiding ribs and side ribs that intersect, thereby forming a plurality of caddies or bays for housing a plurality of HDDs and active boards. Each of these guiding ribs or side rides includes protrusions 2502 on their surfaces which, advantageously, increase the rigidity of the guiding or side ribs and therefore reinforce the chassis structure 100. Further advantageously, the protrusions 2502 are so configured to guide the HDDs and active boards as they are inserted into the chassis. The protrusions 2502 also allow the HDDs and the active boards to be swapped or exchanged. In an embodiment, the protrusions 2502 may be made by a sheet metal forming process.

[121 ] FIG. 26, including FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B, shows a perspective view of a HDD and holder 2600 to be used in at least one of the above embodiments. The HDD and holder 2600 includes a vibration isolation mechanism. In an embodiment, the vibration isolation mechanism includes springs 2606 that are arranged out of plane in the HDD and holder 2600 to isolate the HDD and holder 2600 from vibrations in the chassis. In use, these springs 2606 prevent in plane motion or out of plane motion of the HDD and holder 2600. Additionally, the HDD and holder 2600 may also include a damper 2604 to providing damping to the HDD and holder 2600 as it is being inserted into the chassis. Further, the HDD and holder 2600 include a spring 2602 that can be used for latching purposes.

[122] FIG. 27, including FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, shows a top perspective view of a HDD and holder 2700 including a holding mechanism 2702 in accordance with a first arrangement. FIG. 27A shows the HDD and holder 2700 in a locked configuration in which the holding mechanism 2702 holds / locks the HDD and holder 2700 to prevent further movement of the HDD and holder 2700. In the locked configuration, the spring 2602 may bias the holding mechanism 2702 toward the HDD and holder 2700 to prevent the HDD and holder 2700 from moving. FIG. 27B shows the HDD and holder 2700 in an un-locked configuration in which the holding mechanism 2702 un-locks the HDD and holder 2700 to allow further movement of the HDD and holder 2700. In the un-locked configuration, the spring 2602 may bias the holding mechanism 2702 away from the HDD and holder 2700 to allow further movement of the HDD and holder 2700. The HDD and holder 2700 further includes a pair of in plane clips 2704 to hold the HDD and holder 2700 in place to prevent further in plane movement of the HDD and holder 2700. Also, the HDD may also include a pair of out-of-plane clips 2706 to prevent further out-of-plane movement of the HDD and holder 2700. FIG 28 shows a side perspective of the HDD and holder 2700 described in FIG. 27.

[123] FIG. 29, including FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B, shows a top perspective view of a HDD and holder 2900 including a holding mechanism 2902 in accordance with a second arrangement. In the second arrangement, the holding mechanism 2902 is a latching assembly. FIG. 29A shows the HDD and holder 2900 in a locked configuration in which the latching assembly 2902 holds / locks the HDD and holder 2900 to prevent further movement of the HDD and holder 2900. FIG. 29B shows the HDD and holder 2900 in an un-locked configuration in which the holding mechanism 2902 un-locks the HDD and holder 2900 to allow further movement of the HDD and holder 2900.

[124] FIG. 30, including FIG. 30A, FIG. 30B, FIG. 30C and FIG. 30D, shows a perspective view of a HDD 3000 including a holding mechanism in accordance with a third and fourth arrangement. FIG. 30A and FIG 30B show the HDD including the holding mechanism in the third arrangement and FIG. 30C and FIG 30D show the HDD including the holding mechanism in the fourth arrangement. Referring to FIG. 30A, FIG. 30B and FIG. 30C, the HDD 3000 includes a locking mechanism (e.g., a lock) 3002 arranged on two sides of the HDD 3000 in both the third and the fourth arrangement. FIG. 30D shows that the locking mechanism may be extended to lock the HDD 3000 in the fourth arrangement. FIG. 30A shows that a hinge 3004 may be included at one side of the HDD 3000 to allow the HDD 3000 to be engaged to a chassis.

[125] FIG. 31 , including FIG. 31 A, FIG. 31 B and FIG. 31 C, shows a perspective view of an active board assembly 3100 including a holding mechanism 2902 in accordance with the second arrangement. FIG. 31 A shows a bottom perspective view of the active board assembly 3100 including the holding mechanism 2902 in a locked configuration. FIG. 31 B shows a part exploded view of FIG. 31 A in the locked configuration in which it can be seen that a portion 3104 of the holding mechanism 2902 extends beyond of the active board assembly 3100. FIG. 31 C shows a perspective view of the active board assembly 3100 including the holding mechanism 2902 in an un-locked configuration.

[126] FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of the chassis of the first embodiment including at least one damper 3202 and 3204. As mentioned in FIG. 1 A, the plurality of cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) are provided at the one end of the column. Additionally, a vibration management may be provided on at least one side or the other side of at least one of the plurality of cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) in a direction in which the at least one of the plurality of cooling mechanism moves air. The cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) may include one or more air-moving devices. The vibration mechanism includes at least one damper 3202,3204. Advantageously, the at least one damper 3202, 3204 isolates vibrational forces produced by the plurality of cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) from the chassis and the storage devices supported therein. [127] FIG. 33, including FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B, shows a part exploded view of the caddy of the first embodiment, the caddy including air flow gaps (or slots) 3302. Air flow gaps 3302 of dimension of a desired dimension may be created as shown in FIG. 33B, so that the air can flow through the gap between two HDDs. In an embodiment, the cooling mechanism 102(a), 102(b) provided in the chassis of the first embodiment comprises (i) air gaps 3302 between two HDDs in a caddy or bay, (ii) broader air gaps (or slots) 3304 at the side of each caddy to form a flow path for cooling the active board housed in the caddy, and at least two more air gaps (or slots) 3306 at the top of the chassis to allow air jet streams blowing across the caddies. In another embodiment, the at least two air gaps 3306 may function as clipping means for clipping a corresponding active board at each caddy.

[128] FIG. 34 shows a part exploded side view of the caddy described in FIG. 33 without an active board. It can be seen that the air gaps 3304 are formed at the side of each caddy to form a flow path for cooling the active board housed in the caddy.

[129] Advantageously, embodiments described in the above provide a chassis structure which provides vibration treatment and cooling mechanism. This ensures that the functionality (e.g., data throughput) of the storage devices remain ideal even when a large number of the storage devices are assembled together. For example, in embodiments of the invention, the extending arms 104, 1504 and side arms 106, 1506 may include protrusions on their surfaces which increase the rigidity of the arms and therefore reduces vibrational forces significantly. As described above, even though external air pressure conditions vary, the air pressure inside and outside the chassis can be kept equalized by way of having the plurality of slots (e.g., 902(a), 902(b)), thereby preventing the storage devices from moving against the HDD support side 400. That is, the slots formed at one end of the HDD support side 400 can effectively absorb external shocks and internal noises.

[130] While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.

[131 ] It should further be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements and method of operation described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.