Enhanced fan integration in data storage systems

Abstract

The data storage system may include a chassis having a first end and a second end. One or more fans may be disposed at the first end of the chassis. At least one storage media device may be disposed within the chassis behind the at least one fan toward the first end of the chassis. A carrier including a frame may be coupled to the at least one storage media device, the frame including an elongated member extending from the storage media device toward the first end of the chassis. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology described below relates generally to data storage systems, and more particularly to integrating ventilation fans in data storage systems.

[0002] Priority claim This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 980,351, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on November 3, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all applicable purposes as if fully set forth in their entirety below. [Background technology]

[0003] Computer and network systems, such as data storage systems (e.g., server systems, cloud storage systems, just a bunch of drives / disks (JBOD) or just a bunch of flash (JBOF), personal computers and workstations), typically include data storage devices for storing and retrieving data. These data storage devices can include hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), etc., which include both rotating and solid-state data storage elements.

[0004] As the number and performance of computer systems and networks increase, there is an increasing demand for increased storage capacity. Data centers, cloud computing facilities, and other large-scale data processing systems further increase the need for digital data storage systems capable of transferring and retaining vast amounts of data. Data centers can house large numbers of data storage systems housed in a variety of rack-mounted and high-density storage configurations.

[0005] As the density and workloads of data storage systems increase, the failure rates of individual data storage devices can increase due to increased density and higher operating temperatures. In general, features and systems that can improve the operation and functionality of data storage systems are desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the described technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all possible features of the disclosure, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure, nor is it intended to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] Various examples and aspects of the present disclosure relate to the integration of a ventilation fan in a data storage system. According to at least one aspect, a data storage system is provided. According to one or more embodiments, the data storage system may include a chassis including a first end and a second end. At least one fan may be disposed at the first end of the chassis. At least one storage media device may be disposed inside the chassis, rearward of the at least one fan relative to the first end of the chassis. A carrier including a frame may be coupled to the at least one storage media device. The frame may include an elongated member extending from the storage media device toward the first end of the chassis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of at least one embodiment of a data storage system configured as a server module. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a carrier according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 3]3A and 3B are isometric views illustrating the coupling of a carrier and a storage media device according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a data storage assembly employed in at least one embodiment of a data storage system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the data storage system of FIG. 1 showing the fan and storage media device removed according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating at least one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a data storage system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The description set forth below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended to be illustrative of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts and features described herein may be practiced. The description below includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, techniques, and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the described concepts and features.

[0010] The drawings presented herein may not be actual illustrations of particular data storage systems, data storage assemblies, storage media devices, carriers, or other particular components of a data storage system, but are merely representations employed to explain the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between the drawings may be numbered the same.

[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to data storage systems, such as server modules, JBODs (just a bunch of drives), and JBOFs (just a bunch of flash), by way of example. The exemplary data storage systems can be configured for storage in a variety of rack-mounted and high-density storage configurations. The exemplary data storage systems can include multiple storage media devices with conventional I / O modules to facilitate JBOD / JBOF configurations. Referring to FIG. 1 , an isometric view of at least one embodiment of a data storage system 100 configured as a server module is depicted. The data storage system 100 can include a chassis 102 that provides housing or enclosure for various components. The chassis 102 includes a first end 104 and an opposing second end 106. In this view, the top cover of the chassis 102 has been removed to reveal an example of the internal components of a server module, according to at least one example. The data storage system 100 includes various components within the chassis. In the depicted example of the data storage system 100 configured as a server module, the data storage system 100 can include a controller that includes a central processing unit (CPU) 108. Data storage system 100 also includes one or more fans 110 and one or more storage media devices 112. It should be understood that the example of Figure 1 depicting data storage system 100 as a server module is for illustrative and explanation purposes only, and that data storage system 100 may be configured as other types of data storage systems. For example, data storage system 100 may be configured as a JBOD, a JBOF, or any other known or suitable configuration of a data storage system.

[0012] One or more fans 110 may be disposed at the first end 104 of the chassis 102. Each of the one or more fans 110 may include a motor and fan blades to force air in a particular direction, for example, toward the interior or exterior of the chassis 102. Such fans 110 may facilitate cooling of the internal components of the data storage system 100.

[0013] One or more storage media devices 112 are disposed within the chassis 102 behind the one or more fans 110. For example, the one or more fans 110 may be disposed such that a surface of the fan is disposed near the first end 104 of the chassis 102 and the remainder of the fan 110 is disposed within the chassis 102. The one or more storage media devices 112 may be disposed behind the fan 110, i.e., further within the chassis 102 from the first end 104 than the fan 110. The storage media device 112 may be any known storage media device, including a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc.

[0014] According to various embodiments, each storage media device 112 can be coupled to a respective carrier. For example, FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a carrier 200 according to at least one example. The carrier 200 can include a frame 202 that couples to the storage media device 112, the frame 202 including an elongated member 204. The carrier can be formed from a polymeric material, a metal, or a combination thereof.

[0015] In some examples, the carrier 200 may include one or more protrusions 206 configured to fit into corresponding openings in the storage media device 112 to help retain the storage media device 112 coupled to the frame 202. In at least some examples, such as the illustrated example, the protrusions 206 may be integrally formed with the frame 202.

[0016] In some examples, carrier 200 may include one or more retention features 208 to help maintain carrier 200 positioned within or coupled to chassis 102. By way of example, retention feature 208 may be a latch, a spring-backed protrusion, or one or more other features that can retain carrier 200 within chassis 102 while still allowing each carrier 200 to be removed from chassis 102 if desired.

[0017] 3A and 3B are isometric views illustrating a storage media device 112 coupled to a frame 202 of a carrier 200 according to at least one example. As shown, the storage media device 112 may be coupled to the frame 202 such that the storage media device 112 is positioned within a portion of the frame 202 and may also be coupled to the frame 202 such that the storage media device 112 can be removed from the frame 202 as needed. In the example shown, the storage media device 112 is coupled to the frame 202 with the elongated member 204 extending away from the storage media device 112.

[0018] According to aspects of the present disclosure, multiple carriers 200, each with a storage media device 112 coupled thereto, can be positioned behind the fan 110. For example, FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a data storage assembly according to at least one example. As shown, the data storage assembly 400 can include the fan 110 and multiple carriers 200, each coupled to a respective storage media device 112 positioned behind the fan 110. As shown, the elongated members 204 of each frame 202 are positioned to extend over one side of the fan 110. In the illustrated example, the elongated members 204 of each frame 202 extend over the upper side or top surface of the fan 110 as oriented in the drawings, although it will be apparent that in other embodiments, the elongated members 204 can be reoriented to extend over the left, right, or bottom side of the fan 110.

[0019] 4, the fans 110 may be electrically coupled to a midplane 402 by electrical pathways 404 for transmitting power and control signals to the fans 110. The midplane 402 may provide power and signal interconnections between one or more components at or near the first end 104 of the chassis 102 and one or more components at or near the second end 106 of the chassis 102. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the midplane 402 may provide power and signal interconnections between the fans 110 and / or storage media devices 112 and the CPU 108. The electrical pathways 404 may be cables, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and / or other suitable pathways for transmitting electrical signals.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fan 110 and a portion of the carrier 200 can form an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment surface at the first end 104 of the chassis 102. For example, the elongated member 204 can be configured to extend over one side of the fan 110, with an end face 406 of the elongated member 204 positioned flush, or at least substantially flush, with a front face 408 of the fan 110 to form the front face of the chassis 102 and the EMI containment.

[0021] Because the storage media devices 112 are located behind the fans 110 within the chassis 102, the fans 110 can be easily removed and replaced without taking the data storage system 100 temporarily offline. Additionally, the data storage system 100 can utilize larger fans 110 that can drive more air at lower speeds, thereby improving both the cooling efficiency and the lifespan of each fan 110. Utilizing larger fans 110 can also reduce the total power used to cool the data storage system 100, thereby improving the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the data storage system. Additionally, larger fans 110 can increase pressure, which can result in improved thermal performance in more restrictive environments.

[0022] 5 , an isometric view of an example data storage system 100 is shown illustrating the removal of both the fan 110 and the carrier 200. Each fan 110 can be removed independently of the carrier 200 or the storage media device 112. As described above, the fan 110 can simply be pulled out of the chassis 102 for maintenance or replacement. Furthermore, to access the storage media device 112, the fan 110 can first be pulled out of the chassis 102, and the desired storage media device 112 can then be removed from the chassis 102 by grasping the elongated member 204 of the frame 202 and pulling the frame 202, along with the storage media device 112, out of the chassis 102. Thus, the elongated member 204 can act as a handle feature on the front of the chassis 102 for removing the storage media device 112.

[0023] Additional aspects of the present disclosure include methods of manufacturing a data storage system, such as data storage system 100. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating at least one example method of manufacturing a data storage system. With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the method may include, in one or more aspects, an optional step 602 in which, during operation, a CPU 108 is disposed within chassis 102. CPU 108 may be any conventional CPU that is constantly being improved and upgraded in design and operation. Thus, any CPU sufficient for a user's purposes may be disposed within chassis 102.

[0024] In step 604, the storage media device 112 may be coupled to the carrier 200. As described herein, the carrier 200 may include a frame 202 having an elongated member 204 extending away from the coupled storage media device 112. In some embodiments, one or more protrusions 206 of the frame 202 may be utilized to couple the storage media device 112 to the carrier 200. For example, at least one opening in the storage media device 112 may be coupled to a respective protrusion 206 of the frame 202. As described herein, the storage media device 112 coupled to the carrier 200 may be an SSD or an HDD.

[0025] In step 606, the carrier 200 and the coupled storage media device 112 may be placed within the chassis 102. In some examples, when the carrier 200 and the storage media device 112 are placed within the chassis 102, the storage media device 112 may be coupled to the midplane 402. In some examples, the carrier 200 includes one or more retention features 208 to assist in removably coupling the carrier 200 to the chassis 102.

[0026] According to one or more examples, the end surface 406 of the elongated member 204 may be disposed at the first end 104 of the chassis 102 and may form part of an EMI containment surface at the first end 104 of the chassis 102. As described herein, the end surface 406 of the elongated member 204, together with the fan 110, may form an EMI containment surface at the first end 104 of the chassis 102.

[0027] In step 608, the fan 110 may be positioned at the first end 104 of the chassis 102, and the storage media device 112 may be positioned behind the fan 110 with respect to the first end 104 of the chassis 102. As a result, when viewed from the first end 104 of the chassis 102, the storage media device 112 is nested within the chassis 102 behind the fan 110. The fan 110 may be positioned such that one side of the fan 110 is adjacent to a portion of the elongated member 204 of the frame 202.

[0028] Although the above-described aspects, arrangements, and embodiments have been specifically described with particular details, one or more of the components, steps, features, and / or functions shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and / or 6 may be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature, or function, or embodied in several components, steps, or functions. Also, additional elements, components, steps, and / or functions may be added or not utilized without departing from the present disclosure. The apparatus, devices, and / or components shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and / or 5 may be configured to perform or employ one or more of the methods, features, parameters, and / or steps described in Figure 6.

[0029] Although features of the present disclosure are described with reference to particular embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the advantageous features described herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments are described as having particular advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used in accordance with any of the various embodiments described herein. Similarly, although exemplary embodiments are described herein as device, system, or method embodiments, it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in a variety of devices, systems, and methods.

[0030] It should also be noted that at least some embodiments are described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. While a flowchart may describe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously. Additionally, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process terminates when its operations are completed.

[0031] The various features described herein and associated with the examples shown in the accompanying drawings can be embodied in various examples and configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, while certain specific constructions and arrangements have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, as various other additions and modifications to, and omissions from, the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present disclosure is therefore determined solely by the language of the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A data storage assembly comprising: at least one storage media device; a carrier including a frame coupled to the at least one storage medium device; A data storage assembly, wherein the frame includes an elongated member extending away from the at least one storage media device.

2. 10. The data storage assembly of claim 1, The data storage assembly further comprising a fan disposed adjacent a portion of the elongated member of the frame.

3. 3. The data storage assembly of claim 2, The data storage assembly, wherein the elongated member extends over one side of the fan, and an end face of the elongated member is positioned at least substantially flush with a front face of the fan.

4. 4. The data storage assembly of claim 3, A data storage assembly, wherein a front surface of the at least one fan and an end surface of the elongated member form an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment surface.

5. 10. The data storage assembly of claim 1, 10. A data storage assembly, wherein the at least one storage media device comprises a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).

6. 10. The data storage assembly of claim 1, The data storage assembly, wherein the frame includes a plurality of protrusions disposed within respective openings of respective storage media devices.

7. 10. The data storage assembly of claim 1, A data storage assembly, wherein the frame includes one or more retention features for coupling the frame to a chassis.

8. 1. A data storage system, comprising: a chassis including a first end and a second end; at least one fan disposed at a first end of the chassis; at least one storage media device positioned within the chassis rearward of the at least one fan relative to a first end of the chassis; a carrier including a frame coupled to the at least one storage medium device; The data storage system, wherein the frame includes an elongated member extending from the storage media device toward a first end of the chassis.

9. 9. The data storage system of claim 8, The data storage system, wherein the elongated member extends from the storage media device adjacent one side of the at least one fan.

10. 9. The data storage system of claim 8, a front surface of the at least one fan and a portion of the elongated member forming an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment surface at a first end of the chassis;

11. 9. The data storage system of claim 8, 10. A data storage system, wherein the at least one storage media device comprises a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).

12. 9. The data storage system of claim 8, The data storage system, wherein the at least one storage media device includes a plurality of storage media devices arranged within the chassis behind the at least one fan toward a first end of the chassis, forming a just-on-drive bundle (JBOD) or a just-on-flash bundle (JBOF).

13. 9. The data storage system of claim 8, The data storage system further comprising a controller including a central processing unit (CPU) disposed within the chassis.

14. 14. The data storage system of claim 13, a midplane disposed within the chassis; The data storage system, wherein the CPU, the at least one fan, and the at least one storage media device are electrically coupled to the midplane.

15. 1. A method of manufacturing a data storage system, comprising: coupling a storage media device to a carrier, the carrier including a frame having an elongated member extending away from the storage media device; placing the carrier with the coupled storage media device in a chassis; and positioning a fan at an end of the chassis, the storage media device being positioned behind the fan relative to the end of the chassis.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of placing the carrier with the coupled storage media device in a chassis includes coupling the storage media device to a midplane.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, the step of placing the carrier with the coupled storage media device in a chassis includes placing an end face of the elongated member at an end of the chassis; an end surface of the elongated member and a surface of the fan forming an electromagnetic interference (EMI) containment surface at an end of the chassis.

18. 16. The method of claim 15, The method, wherein the step of coupling the storage media device to a carrier includes coupling at least one opening in the storage media device to a respective protrusion on a frame of the carrier.

19. 16. The method of claim 15, 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of coupling the storage media device to a carrier includes coupling a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) to the carrier.

20. 16. The method of claim 15, the step of positioning a fan at an end of the chassis and positioning the storage medium behind the fan relative to the end of the chassis includes positioning the fan so that one side of the fan is adjacent to a portion of an elongated member of the frame.

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