Hard drive destruction system

Abstract

A system for destroying a memory device (e.g., a hard drive) having data stored thereon. The system has a grind chamber with a rotatable grind wheel positioned therein. A pressure arm presses the memory device against the grind wheel as the grind wheel rotates. The rotating grind wheel grinds the memory device into particles from which the data stored on the memory device cannot be recovered. The particles are collected in a receptacle adjacent the grind wheel. The system may include a plurality of guides configured to maintain the memory device in a substantially stationary position relative to the pressure arm as the grind wheel grinds the memory device into particles.

1 . A system for destroying a memory device having data stored thereon, the system comprising:
 a grind chamber;   a rotatable grind wheel positioned inside the grind chamber;   a pressure arm configured to press the memory device against the grind wheel as the grind wheel rotates and grinds the memory device into particles from which the data stored on the memory device cannot be recovered; and   a receptacle adjacent the grind wheel positioned to receive the particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a camera operable to capture an image of the memory device before the memory device is ground into the particles.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a device controller configured to instruct the camera to capture the image of the memory device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motor connected to the grind wheel, the motor being operable to selectively rotate the grind wheel.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a device controller configured to instruct the motor when to rotate the grind wheel and when not to rotate the grind wheel.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a drive chain connecting the motor to the grind wheel, the grind wheel being rotatable by the drive chain, and the drive chain being rotatable by the motor, the drive chain rotating the grind wheel when rotated by the motor.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of guides configured to maintain the memory device in a substantially stationary position relative to the pressure arm as the grind wheel rotates. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure arm is moveable between an upper position and a lower position, and the system further comprises:
 a hydraulic pump connected to the pressure arm, the hydraulic pump being configured to selectively position the pressure arm in the upper position to engage an upper portion of the memory device and selectively lower the pressure arm toward the lower position to cause the pressure arm to bear against the upper portion of the memory device and press the memory device against the grind wheel as the grind wheel rotates.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic pump is further configured to raise the pressure arm to the upper position from the lower position after a substantial portion of the memory device has been ground into particles. 
     
     
         10 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A portable system for destroying a memory device storing data, the system comprising:
 a rotatable grind wheel;   means for pressing the memory device against the grind wheel as the grind wheel rotates to grind away a portion of the memory device to form particles of ground memory device; and   means for retaining the particles of ground memory device inside the system.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 means for maintaining the memory device in a substantially stationary position as the grind wheel rotates.   
     
     
         20 .- 21 . (canceled)