Energy transfer between data storage devices with moving parts

Abstract

A system that includes a first data storage element actuated by a first electric motor. The system also includes a second data storage element actuated by a second electric motor. An electrical connector assembly transfers electrical energy from a back electromotive force generated in the first electric motor, by movement of the first data storage element, to the second electric motor to thereby energize the second electric motor.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a first data storage medium actuated by a first electric motor;   a second data storage medium actuated by a second electric motor; and   an electrical connector assembly configured to transfer electrical energy from a back electromotive force generated in the first electric motor, by movement of the first data storage medium, to the second electric motor to thereby energize the second electric motor.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  and wherein the electrical connector assembly comprises an energy conversion charge pump. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  and wherein the connector assembly comprises an energy storage reservoir. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  and wherein the electrical connector assembly is configured to transfer electrical energy from the back electromotive force generated during spin down of the first electric motor to the second electric motor to energize the second electric motor during a spin up operation of the second electric motor. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  and wherein the energy storage reservoir is configured to receive the back electromotive force generated by the first electric motor. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  and wherein the energy storage reservoir is configured to receive the back electromotive force generated by the first electric motor via an energy conversion charge pump. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21  and further comprising at least one back electromotive force rectification circuit. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21  and further comprising a plurality of switches. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  and wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises an isolation field effect transistor. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23  and further comprising circuitry, connected to a system power supply, configured to charge the energy storage reservoir. 
     
     
         31 . A data storage device comprising:
 a housing;   a moveable member actuated by an electric motor, wherein the moveable member and the electric motor are within the housing;   an electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically coupled to the electric motor,   wherein the electrical connector is configured to provide electrical energy from a back electromotive force generated in the electric motor, by movement of the moveable member, to a device that is external to the housing and operates independently of the data storage device.   
     
     
         32 . The data storage device of  claim 31  and further comprising a back electromotive force rectification circuit coupled between the electric motor and the electric connector. 
     
     
         33 . The data storage device of  claim 32  and further comprising at least one switch coupled between the electric motor and the back electromotive force rectification circuit. 
     
     
         34 . The data storage device of  claim 33  and wherein the at least one switch comprises an isolation field effect transistor. 
     
     
         35 . The data storage device of  claim 31  and wherein the electrical connector comprises common connector pins that serve as both power supply pins and pins for transferring the electrical energy from the back electromotive force generated in the electric motor to the device that is external to the housing. 
     
     
         36 . A method comprising:
 actuating a first moveable member by supplying power to a first electric motor associated with the first moveable member;   stopping the power supplied to the first electric motor;   upon stopping the power supplied to the first electric motor, transferring electrical energy from a back electromotive force generated in the first electric motor, by movement of the first moveable member, to a second electric motor to energize the second electric motor; and   providing electrical energy from a back electromotive force generated in the second electric motor to the first electric motor.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  and further comprising storing the electrical energy from the back electromotive force generated in the first electric motor in an energy storage reservoir prior to transferring in the electrical energy to the second electric motor. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  and further comprising boosting a voltage level of the electrical energy prior to storing the electrical energy in the energy storage reservoir. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  and further comprising spinning up the second electrical motor using the transferred electrical energy. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  and further comprising carrying out a spin up of the second electric motor when a switch for electrically connecting a system power supply to the second electric motor is open.