Disc gripper for storage disc

{
  "publication_number": "US10186295B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Disc gripper for storage disc",
  "abstract": "An apparatus includes a first jaw device, a second jaw device, and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc including an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus comprising: a first jaw device; a second jaw device; and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device, wherein the first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc comprising an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the particular portion is a data free surface of a storage disc, and the apparatus is configured to clamp and release storage discs in a disc storage system.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripper device is limited based on the disc sensor to contact a storage disc surface within 2 mm of an outer edge of the storage disc.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first jaw device and the second jaw device each having a shape: configured to limit a contact area, a subtended angle, and edges chamfered to guide and align a storage disc entering between the first jaw device and the second jaw device vertically or laterally.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein power is applied to a driving element both to release and to grip a storage disc by the gripper device, and the storage disc remains released or clamped in an absence of power applied to the motor.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the driving element comprises a drive screw configured to move a caliper with one or more of rollers and pins that contact wedge ramps of each of the first jaw device and the second jaw device to apply or release pressure on the storage disc front and back surfaces.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: depth of a storage disc in the disc gripper device is limited by a disc sensor lever portion between the first jaw device and the second jaw device.",
    "8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a motor configured to drive a driving element within a housing; and a caliper coupled to the housing and configured to force the first jaw device toward the second jaw device based on movement of the driving element.",
    "9. An apparatus comprising: a first jaw device; a second jaw device; and a caliper configured to force the first jaw device toward the second jaw device, wherein the first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc comprising an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.",
    "10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the particular portion is a data free surface of a storage disc, and the apparatus is configured to clamp and release storage discs in a disc storage system.",
    "11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device.",
    "12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a disc sensor disposed between the first jaw device and the second jaw device, wherein the disc sensor is configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device.",
    "13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first jaw device and the second jaw device each having a shape: configured to limit a contact area, a subtended angle, and edges chamfered to guide and align a storage disc entering between the first jaw device and the second jaw device vertically or laterally.",
    "14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein power is applied to a driving element to both release and to grip a storage disc by the gripper device, and the storage disc remains released or clamped in an absence of power applied to a motor.",
    "15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a drive element, wherein the caliper is configured to force the first jaw device toward the second jaw device based on movement of the driving element.",
    "16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the driving element comprises a drive screw configured to move the caliper with one or more rollers and pins that contact wedge ramps of each of the first jaw device and the second jaw device to apply or release pressure on the storage disc.",
    "17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the disc sensor limits movement of a storage disc within the gripper device by providing an ingress stop.",
    "18. A gripper device comprising: a sensor device; and a caliper configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc based on sensing information from a storage disc sensor, the particular portion comprising an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.",
    "19. The gripper device of claim 18, wherein: the particular portion is a data free surface of a storage disc; the gripper device is configured to clamp and release storage discs in a disc storage system; the sensor device is configured to sense presence of a storage disc and to limit insertion travel of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device; power is applied to a motor to both release and to grip a storage disc by the gripper device; and the storage disc remains released or clamped in an absence of power applied to the motor.",
    "20. The gripper device of claim 18, further comprising a driving element configured to move each of the first jaw device and the second jaw device with one or more of rollers and pins that contact wedge ramps of each of the first jaw device and the second jaw device to apply or release pressure on the storage disc front and back surfaces."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Disc libraries require a disc retrieval unit (DRU) to move discs between storage locations and the drives that read and write the data on the discs. This DRU must incorporate means to obtain a disc at a pickup location and release the disc at its destination location.\n\nOne or more embodiments relate to transport of storage discs in disc storage systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first jaw device, a second jaw device, and a disc sensor configured to sense presence of a storage disc between the first jaw device and the second jaw device. The first jaw device and the second jaw device form a gripper device configured to clamp a particular portion of a storage disc including an arc segment along an outer edge of adjacent surfaces of the storage disc.\n\nThese and other features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures.\n\nFIG. 1 is a high performance optical storage system that may implement a disc gripper device, according to an embodiment;\n\nFIG. 2 is shows a disc gripper device, according to an embodiment;\n\nFIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the disc gripper device of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment;\n\nFIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the disc gripper device of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment;\n\nFIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of a disc gripper device of FIG. 2 shown closed on a disc, according to an embodiment; and\n\nFIG. 6 shows control circuitry and electronics that may be implemented for the disc gripper device of FIG. 2 for the high performance optical storage system of FIG.",
  "cpc": [
    "G11B 17/022",
    "G11B 17/0284",
    "G11B 17/08",
    "G11B 17/22",
    "G11B 17/225",
    "G11B 17/28"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 15/02",
    "B65G 1/04",
    "G11B 17/022",
    "G11B 17/028",
    "G11B 17/08",
    "G11B 17/22",
    "G11B 17/28"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "International Business Machines Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "David J. Altknecht",
    "John S. Best",
    "Donald S. Bethune",
    "William M. Dyer",
    "A. David Erpelding",
    "Steven R. Hetzler",
    "Drew B. Lawson",
    "Daniel F. Smith"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-04-21",
  "publication_date": "2019-01-22",
  "grant_date": "2019-01-22",
  "priority_date": "2016-02-17",
  "application_number": "US-201715494368-A",
  "family_id": "58776562",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}