Methods and systems for using a storage device to control and manage external cooling devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for cooling electronics. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for cooling a data storage device. In some embodiments, a multiple data storage device enclosure might include a first data storage device and a second data storage device. Both data storage devices may be within the multiple data storage device enclosure. In various embodiments, a first cooling device, external to the first and second data storage device may be coupled to the multiple data storage device enclosure. Additionally, in some embodiments, a controller, may be coupled to the cooling device and configured to receive control signals from the first and second data storage devices.

1 . A system for cooling a tape drive, comprising:
 a multiple tape drive enclosure;   a first tape drive, within the multiple tape drive enclosure;   a second tape drive, within the multiple tape drive enclosure;   a first cooling device, external to the first and second tape drive and coupled to the multiple tape drive enclosure; and   a controller, coupled to the cooling device and configured to receive control signals from the first and second tape drives, the controller further configures to control the first cooling device based on the control signals from the tape drives.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tape drive transmits a signal to the controller requesting cooling. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tape drive transmits a temperature read by a temperature sensor to the controller, the temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the first tape drive. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tape drive transmits an on/off control signal to the controller. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the cooling device comprises a fan and the control signal controls the speed of the fan. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the fan based on the need for cooling and to lower noise, power consumption, or contamination. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second cooling device external to the first and second tape drives. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a first and a second temperature sensor, wherein the first temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the first tape drive and the second temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature in the second tape drive. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein both cooling devices provide cooling to both tape drives, but wherein the first cooling device provides more cooling to the first tape drive and the second cooling device provides more cooling to the second tape drive. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller activates the cooling device associated with the warmer of the two tape drives. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller activates the fan associated with the cooler of the two tape drives if the fan associated with the warmer of the two tape drives does not provide adequate cooling for the system. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the cooling devices comprise fans and the controller is configured to control the speed of each fan based on the temperature of each tape drive and power consumption or contamination or noise. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller turns on one of the two cooling devices when one of the two tape drives is active and both cooling devices when both drives are active. 
   
   
       14 . A system for cooling a data storage device, comprising:
 a multiple data storage device enclosure.   a first data storage device, within the multiple data storage device enclosure;   a second data storage device, within the multiple data storage device enclosure;   a first cooling device, coupled to the multiple data storage device enclosure, external to the first data storage device and configured to primarily cool the first data storage device;   a second cooling device, coupled to the multiple data storage device enclosure, external to the second data storage device and configured to primarily cool the second data storage device;   a first temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the first data storage device;   a second temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the second data storage device;   a controller, coupled to the cooling device and configured to receive control signals from the first and second tape drives, the controller further configures to control the first cooling device based on the control signals from the tape drives.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second cooling devices comprise fans. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller activates the cooling device associated with the warmer of the two data storage devices. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller activates the fan associated with the cooler of the two data storage devices if the fan associated with the warmer of the two data storage devices does not provide adequate cooling for the system. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the cooling devices comprise fans and the controller is configured to control the speed of each fan based on the temperature of each data storage device and power consumption or contamination or noise in the data storage devices. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller turns on one of the two cooling devices when one of the two tape drives is active and both cooling devices when both drives are active. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the data storage devices are further configured to directly control the cooling devices.