Hartmut E Hausler

US Patent:

57611610, Jun 2, 1998

Filed:

Dec 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/773232

Inventors:

Frank David Gallo - Tucson AZ
Hartmut Ernst Hausler - Tucson AZ
Scott Martin Rockwell - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B 1722
G11B 3300

US Classification:

369 36

Abstract:

The present invention provides an Input/Output station of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which uses an elevator mechanism to vertically translate a cartridge or a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges from a maximum vertical position above the top surface of the library to a minimum vertical position beneath the top surface and internal to the library. The Input/Output station is aligned with the other components of the library such that the vertical path of the elevator mechanism does not interfere with the path of the accessor. The operation of the Input/Output station does not pause the accessor and thus, does not interfere with the operation of the other automated processes within the library. Cartridges can be added to or removed from the library using the Input/Output station while the accessor is moving a different cartridge from a storage cell in the storage array to a drive.

US Patent:

60828447, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Sep 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/939717

Inventors:

Hartmut Ernst Hausler - Tuscon AZ
Paul Yu-Fei Hu - Tuscon AZ
Kevin Keith Kartchner - Tuscon AZ
Steve John Roffinoli - Tuscon AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A47B 8100

US Classification:

312283

Abstract:

Disclosed is a mounting structure for mounting a horizontal insertion loading data storage drive in a data storage library having downwardly inclined shelves. A bracket mounts the data storage drive, and support bars are mounted in parallel in the data storage library and support the bracket on each side at a downwardly inclined angle. Thus, the horizontal insertion loading data storage drive is mounted at the downwardly inclined angle to receive data storage media from a robot accessor at the angle of the downwardly inclined shelves. The mounting structure support bars are parallel slides which slidably support the bracket at the downwardly inclined angle. A ratchet bar is mounted in the library at the downwardly inclined angle, and has a plurality of ratchet holes in the downwardly inclined direction. A latch is mounted on the bracket for engaging the ratchet holes of the ratchet bar to support the bracket and data storage drive against sliding on the support bar slides. The latch includes a movable tab for engaging the ratchet holes and a release actuator connected to the tab, so that operation of the release actuator disengages the tab from the engaged ratchet hole.

US Patent:

56128312, Mar 18, 1997

Filed:

Sep 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/530799

Inventors:

Frank D. Gallo - Tucson AZ
Hartmut E. Hausler - Tucson AZ
Paul Y.-F. Hu - Tucson AZ
Kevin K. Kartchner - Tucson AZ
Scott M. Rockwell - Aurora CO
Stephen J. Roffinoli - Tucson AZ
James C. Simkins - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B 1518

US Classification:

360 71

Abstract:

An interlock system is provided for removable-media drive unit to prevent the drive loader from attempting to pull in and mount a data cartridge before it is released by a mechanical gripper or human hand. The interlock system includes a light source and a photodetector positioned in front of the drive on opposite sides of the path cartridge takes when it is being inserted or removed from the drive loader. The presence of the cartridge, gripper or other object in the path interrupts a light beam from the light source thereby signalling the drive controller to disable the drive loader. When the gripper has released the cartridge and withdrawn, or when the path is otherwise clear, the photodetector again detects the light beam and signals the drive controller that the loader can be safely enabled. In one embodiment, the light source and photodetector are mounted on a card which plugs into the face of the drive. The presence of the card indicates to the drive controller that the drive is installed in a library environment and causes the drive controller to execute appropriate program code to interpret signals from the photodetector and enables and disables the drive loader in response.

US Patent:

57319260, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Feb 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/804618

Inventors:

Frank David Gallo - Tucson AZ
Hartmut Ernst Hausler - Tucson AZ
Scott Martin Rockwell - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B 1722
G11B 3300

US Classification:

360 92

Abstract:

The present invention provides an Input/Output station of an automated storage and retrieval system, or library, which uses an elevator mechanism to vertically translate a cartridge or a magazine containing a plurality of cartridges from a maximum vertical position above the top surface of the library to a minimum vertical position beneath the top surface and internal to the library. The Input/Output station is aligned with the other components of the library such that the vertical path of the elevator mechanism does not interfere with the path of the accessor. The operation of the Input/Output station does not pause the accessor and thus, does not interfere with the operation of the other automated processes within the library. Cartridges can be added to or removed from the library using the Input/Output station while the accessor is moving a different cartridge from a storage cell in the storage array to a drive.

US Patent:

D3572366, Apr 11, 1995

Filed:

Apr 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

D/006969

Inventors:

John V. Acciaioli - Tucson AZ
Hartmut E. Hausler - Tucson AZ
Chester D. Holden - Tucson AZ
Martin J. Marotti - Tucson AZ
Scott M. Rockwell - Tucson AZ
Terry R. Roscoe - Tucson AZ
Roland Zapfe - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

US Classification:

D14108

US Patent:

D3641520, Nov 14, 1995

Filed:

Sep 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

D/028293

Inventors:

John V. Acciaoli - Tucson AZ
Hartmut E. Hausler - Tucson AZ
Chester D. Holden - Tucson AZ
Martin J. Marotti - Tucson AZ
Scott M. Rockwell - Tucson AZ
Terry R. Roscoe - Tucson AZ
Roland Zapfe - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

US Classification:

D14108