Hard drive data destroying device

Three systems for the destruction of the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. One system utilizes a mill cutter with which the hard drive has relative motion in the direction of the axis of the mill cutter to destroy the data storage portion. A second system utilizes a laser to physically destroy the data storage portion. The third system utilizes a chemical solvent to chemically destroy the data storage portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a device for destroying the data on a hard drive and more particularly, to a device for destroying the data on the data storage portion of a hard drive so that the data thereon is completely destroyed without having to physically destroy the entire hard drive.

BACKGROUND

Various types of data are stored on the hard drives of computers. Such data may include personal confidential information concerning individuals. This data may include their social security numbers, financial information, health information and private telephone numbers as examples. The hard drives are also used to store corporate information which may include proprietary information such as developing products, customer lists, and business plans. The government may store confidential information including highly classified information on the hard drives.

When it is desired to replace the computer, the data must be removed from the hard drive so that it cannot be misused by unscrupulous individuals. Merely erasing the data by using the computer commands is not sufficient as the data can be recaptured. This is true even if the hard drive is removed for upgrade purposes. However, even if the hard drive is removed, something must be done to destroy the data.

One way of ensuring that the data cannot be used or recovered from an unwanted hard drive is to completely destroy the hard drive. This has been accomplished in the past by completely shredding the entire hard drive. However, as the hard drive is encased in a metal, the complete destruction involves the shredding of a relatively large volume of metal that requires a lot of energy. It is thus desirable to have a process and apparatus for destroying the data on a hard drive that is more energy efficient.

An example of a hard drive data destroying device is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/272,472, entitled Hard Drive Shredding Device, filed Oct. 13, 2011 by Clark et al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this disclosure there is provided system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. The system comprises a rotatable milling cutter and a cradle for locating the electronic media storage device in a positioned to engage the milling cutter. The cutter and or the cradle is axially movable to permit the milling cutter engage and remove the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the remaining electronic media storage device intact.

According to another aspect a system is provided for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising a cutting chamber, a carriage for holding an electronic media storage devices in said chamber, a rotatable milling cutter in said chamber for engaging into said storage device, and a non-rotatable center holding spear coaxial with said milling cutter and axially moveable into contact with said storage device to prevent rotation of storage device while said milling cutter is engaging said device.

According to yet another aspect there is provided a method for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives, comprising providing a rotatable milling cutter having an axis, providing a cradle for locating the electronic media storage device in a position to be engaged by said milling cutter, moving said cutter or said cradle in an axial direction and rotating said cutter about its axis to engage and remove the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the electronic media storage device intact.

According to a still further aspect, there is provided a system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives that comprises a cutting chamber, a laser for destroying the data storage portion, a cradle for holding an electronic media storage devices in said chamber, said cradle or said laser or both being movable to position the laser relative to the electronic media electronic storage device so that the laser destroys the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the electronic media storage device intact.

According to a yet another aspect, a method is provided for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives comprising providing a laser, providing a cradle for locating the electronic media storage device in a position to be contacted by the moving said laser and or said cradle so that the laser destroys the data storage portion of the electronic media storage device while leaving at least a substantial portion of the remaining electronic media storage device intact.

According to a still further aspect a chemical system for physically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives is provided which comprises comprising at least one pod for storing a chemical capable of eroding and stripping away the data storage portion of the electronic media electronic storage device, a hollow drill bit associated with each pod drivable into the cavity of the hard drive and a release mechanism of releasing said chemicals to flow through her drill bit into the cavity.

According to yet a still further aspect there is provided a method for chemically destroying the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives, comprising providing a chemical in a pod capable of eroding and stripping away the data storage portion of the electronic media electronic storage device, driving a hollow drill bit into the cavity of the hard drive containing the data storage portion of electronic media electronic storage devices; and releasing the chemical to flow through the drill bit into the cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the devices described herein can be used for destroying the data storage portion of media electronic storage devices such as HDD, HHD and SSD hard drives. The HDD (Hard Disc Drive) hard drive is essentially a metal platter with a magnetic coating. The coating stores the data. A read/write head on an arm accesses the data while the platters are spinning in a hard drive enclosure. In SSD drives, instead of the magnetic coating on top of platters, the data is stored on interconnected flash memory chips or pods. The SSD drive has no moving parts. The HHD (Hybrid Hard Drive) drive is a hybrid incorporating the HDD and the SSD principles. The various devices described herein can be used to destroy data on all three types of hard drives.

Referring to the drawings,FIGS. 1 and 6show a hard drive data destroyer2that may include a cabinet4having a frontal opening6opening into a front loading milling chamber8and having a door with a safety glass window (not shown) to enclose the chamber8. A horizontally moveable table10is moveable on suitable rails15and17as shown inFIG. 1aso that the table can be moved in and out of the cabinet4and moved in an X and Y direction to position the table within the cabinet4.

The table10has two side by side cradles12and14for receiving and holding hard drives. The cradle12on the left is structured to receive and hold a larger 3.5 inch HDD16or SSD hard drive18and the cradle14on the right is structured to receive and hold a smaller 2.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drive as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 6.

Milling cutters18and20are mounted in suitable milling heads that may be mounted on a rail system in the cabinet4movement along the x-y-z axis. These milling cutters18and20may be face mill cutters modified to include a center spear22as described below or any other suitable milling cutter that can remove material as it is advanced downwardly along its axis and pivoted with a center spear. The milling cutter18on the left is relatively large for use with the large hard drives. The milling cutter20on the right is relatively small for use with the smaller hard drives. Although two milling cutters are shown, it is possible that just one or more than two milling cutters could be utilized. The milling cutters18and20are mounted in suitable spindles21which are driven by a motor23.

The milling cutters may also be of the trepanning cutting tool type modified to include the center spear22as described below. A trepanning cutting tool may be defined generally as a cutting tool in the form of a circular tube, having teeth at one end, the work piece or tube, or both are rotated and the tube is fed axially into a workpiece, leaving behind a grooved surface in the workpiece.

A center holding spear22(SeeFIG. 4) is provided one coaxial with each the milling cutters18and20. Each holding spear22is moveable in a vertical direction relative to its associated cutter18or20to extend from the center of the cutter. The holding spear22, while axially moveable, is non-rotatable and can be provided with projections24or other sharp edges on its distal end to engage the hub of a hard drive16.

A vacuum port26in the back wall of the cabinet4communicates with the milling chamber8and is connected to an exhaust pipe28and a suitable vacuum pump (not shown) to provide a vacuum system for removing debris from the milling chamber8.

The 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive16is placed in a corresponding cradle12or14on the loading table10depending on its size. The larger 3.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives are placed in the holding cradle12on the left as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 6. The smaller 2.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives are placed in the cradle14on the right. The placement of the hard drives corresponds with the size of the mill cutters18and20positioned within the milling chamber8. The larger cutter18, on the left, is used to destroy 3.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives and the smaller cutter20, on the right, is used to destroy 2.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives.

The loading process can be done automatically by placing the respective hard drives16or18in a vertical “magazine” styled loading chassis, which indexes the hard drives into an empty cradle after the previous destroying operation has been completed.

Visual verification as shown inFIGS. 2 and 9may take place after the hard drives are loaded onto a cradle12or14. The hard drive16or18is scanned by a suitable scanning system which may be mounted on the cabinet4with the scanning beam30directed to scan a hard drive positioned on a cradle12or14before the cradle12or14is moved into the chamber8. The scanning system may include a barcode scanner and a visioning sensor/camera that will scan the bar code, brand, serial number and will identify the hard drive by height, length and width along with identifying where the platter hub is located in the case of HDD drives. The information from the scanning system is fed to a computer where the information is processed and store and used to activate the CNC system position the respective milling cutter with the type of hard drive identified in the cradle12or14.

The computer includes a database of hard drives in the market place to quickly identify and sequence the hard drive with the appropriate milling process. When new hard drives are introduced to the hard drive shredder, the servo and visioning system makes the necessary adjustments to complete the milling process. Then the information is saved in the database for future recognition.

Once the hard drive16or18is placed in either the 3.5 or 2.5 inch holding chassis12or14, and the computer has identified the specific type of hard drive, the loading table10is automatically activated and moves inside the body of the cabinet milling chamber8as shown inFIGS. 3 and 10.

When the center hub32of the 3.5 or 2.5 inch HDD hard drive is located, the two-phase pneumatic milling head will first lower the center holding spear22, which applies pressure to the center hub32preventing the hard drive platters from spinning during the milling process as shown inFIG. 4. The center holding spear22is not activated when destroying SSD hard drives.

The next phase of the HDD milling process consists of lowering the outer milling cutter18or20to the surface of the 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive as shown inFIGS. 5 and 11. The blades of the face of the milling cutter penetrate the surface of the hard drive coring-out the platter(s) of the hard drive in the case of the HDD drives.

When SSD hard drives are being destroyed, the milling cutter18is swept across the surface of the 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive to destroy (face mill) the area where the information pods34are located. The mill cutter18may be swept in a side to side, front to back or a combination of such movements in a horizontal plane. Alternatively, the cradle12or14may be moved relative to the mill cutter18to provide the sweeping action. In either case, such action comprises a coring and surface milling operation.

The vacuum system is automatically activated during the milling process to collect the shards that are produced. The vacuum system draws the shards out of the milling chamber8through the exhaust port26and exhaust pipe28to an appropriate collection bin (not shown).

When the milling process for the HDD hard drives is completed the outer mill cutter18and center holding spear20retract from the surface of the hard drive as shown inFIG. 6. All that remains is the surrounding casing of the 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive and the center hub, which once held the information platter(s). The finished product resembles a donut.

When the SSD milling process for the SSD hard drives is completed as shown inFIG. 12, the mill cutter18is retracted from the surface of the hard drive and returned to its start position. All that remains is the bottom casing of the 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive less the area where the information pods were located.

When the HDD or SSD hard drive milling cycle is complete, a respective hard drive16or18is automatically ejected from its holding cradle12or14into a collection bin36below the milling chamber8to cool as shown inFIGS. 7 and 13. The loading table10with the empty holding cradles12and14exits the milling chamber8to begin the next milling cycle.

The milling process system is schematically shown in the block diagram shown inFIG. 26. The hard drive on the cradle is scanned for recognition by the scanning system which may include a barcode sensor and a visioning sensor/camera. The information scanned is fed to a computer, attached to or mounted in the cabinet, and which has a data base for storing information about the hard drives. The computer converts the information about the hard drive in the cradle to a form to send to the CNC machine which controls the movement of the system. The computer may include an Ethernet port for connection to the internet along with a power supply for operating the computer, software and peripheral attachments.

A plurality of individual hard drive destroyers2may be provided, each at a separate location such as individual kiosks. The computer provides a means for the individual destroyers2to communicate with each other and/or with a centralized data base.

FIGS. 14-25show a hard drive data destroyer102that utilizes a laser to destroy the drive.FIGS. 14-19show the laser hard drive data destroyer operating on a HDD hard drive104whileFIGS. 20-25show the laser hard drive data destroyer operating on a SSD hard drive106.

As shown inFIGS. 14 and 20, the laser hard drive data destroyer may include a cabinet108having a front loading laser perforating chamber with a frontal opening and a door (not shown) to close the chamber110. A horizontally moveable table112is moveable on suitable tracks for movement into and out of the chamber110.

The table112has two side by side cradles114and116for receiving and holding hard drives. The cradle114on the left is structured to receive and hold a larger 3.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drive and the cradle116on the right is structured to receive and hold a smaller 2.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drive.

A 3.5 or 2.5 inch hard drive is placed in a corresponding cradle114or116on the loading table112depending on its size. The larger 3.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives are placed in the holding cradle114on the left as viewed inFIGS. 14 and 20. The smaller 2.5 inch HDD or SSD hard drives are placed in the cradle116on the right.

The loading process can be done automatically by placing the respective hard drives in a vertical “magazine” styled loading chassis, which indexes the hard drives into the empty hard drive holding chassis after the previous laser perforation cycle is complete.

A laser head118is mounted in the cabinet above the table112. The laser head is moveable in the x-y-z direction to properly align with a hard drive in a cradle112or116when the table112with a hard drive is positioned in the chamber110.

A vacuum port120in the back wall of the cabinet108communicates with the laser perforating chamber110and is connected to an exhaust pipe122and a suitable vacuum pump (not shown) to provide a vacuum system for moving debris from the perforating chamber110.

Visual verification as shown inFIGS. 15 and 21may take place after the hard drives are loaded onto the cradle. The barcode on the hard drive104or106is scanned by scanner124positioned on the cabinet to scan the bar code on the hard drive. The scan activates a custom x-y-z servo and visioning system to properly position the laser head118with the type of hard drive identified in the holding cradle114or116. A custom servo-visioning system may consist of a database of hard drives in the market place to quickly identify and sequence the hard drive with the appropriate laser perforation pattern. When new hard drives are introduced to the laser perforating system, the servo-visioning system makes the necessary adjustments to complete the laser perforating process. Then the information is saved in the database for future recognition.

Once the hard drive is placed in either the 3.5 or 2.5 inch holding cradle114or116, and the servo-visioning system has identified the specific type of hard drive, the loading table112is automatically activated and moves inside the laser perforating chamber110as shown inFIGS. 16 and 22.

With the hard drive positioned in the laser perforating chamber110, the laser head118then emits either a single or multiple laser beam(s)128in a pulsating manner, which bore through the outer casing of 3.5 or 2.5 inch HDD and SSD hard drive. The laser head118moves while the table112remains in a fixed position after it is introduced into the chamber. Alternatively, the table can move and the laser head can remain stationary. Based on the type of hard drive identified by the servo-visioning system, the laser system will emit a pulsating laser(s) that produce small round holes in a grid like pattern. The grid like patterns will correspond with the type of hard drive being destroyed, either a HDD 3.5 or 2.5 inch or SSD 3.5 or 2.5 inch drive.

As shown inFIGS. 28aand 28b, which show schematically a HHD drive before and after the application of the laser respectively, the laser produces a round donut-shaped matrix123of small holes125.FIGS. 28cand 28dshow schematically the before and after results of the laser on a SSD and a HHD drive wherein the matrix127of small holes129is rectangular.

In addition to destroying hard drives, the laser perforation process can also be configured to destroy other forms of electronic media storage devices ranging from back-up tapes and DVDs to SIM cards.

When the HDD laser perforation process is complete as shown inFIGS. 18 and 24the exterior housing of the hard drive's surface is riddled with multiple holes that have penetrated the information platters of the hard drive in a grid like pattern that resembles a donut.

When the SSD laser perforation process is complete the exterior housing of the hard drive's surface is riddled with multiple holes that have penetrated the information pods of the hard drive in a rectangular grid like pattern.

The vacuum system, including the exhaust port120communicating with the interior of the perforating chamber110and the exhaust pipe122and vacuum pump (not shown) is automatically activated during the laser perforation process to collect metal fragments that are produced and convey them to a collection bin (not shown). When the HDD or SSD laser perforation cycle is complete, the respective hard drive is automatically ejected from the holding chassis into the collection bin below the laser perforation chamber110to cool as shown inFIGS. 19 and 25. The loading table112, with the empty holding cradles114and116, exits the laser perforation chamber110to begin the next perforation cycle.

The laser process system is schematically shown in the block diagram shown inFIG. 27. The hard drive on the cradle is scanned for recognition by the scanning system which may include a barcode sensor and a visioning sensor/camera. The information scanned is fed to the computer which has a data base for storing information about the hard drives. The computer converts the information about the hard drive in the cradle to a form to send to the CNC machine which controls the movement of the system. The computer may include an Ethernet port for connection to the internet along with a power supply for operating the computer, software and peripheral attachments.

A plurality of individual laser hard drive destroyers102may be provided, each at a separate location such as individual kiosks. The computer provides a means for the individual destroyers102to communicate with each other and/or with a centralized data base.

In the case of both milling systems shown inFIGS. 1-13the laser system shown inFIGS. 14-25, the table10or112containing the hard drive may be moved rather than the miller cutter18or20or laser head118, or a combination of movement.

FIGS. 29-35show a chemical hard drive data destroying system202. The system administers chemicals to destroy information imbedded on electronic media storage devices, such as hard disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and hybrid hard drives (HHD), rendering the stored information digitally and forensically irretrievable.

The system202utilizes chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (HCL), ammonium nitrate (AN), and a solvent like water (H2O) to erode and strip away the information imbedded on the platters and/or memory pods, circuit boards, contained within the body of the respective drives203. An additional chemical such as polyurethane (PUR), polyol resin, or similar product, can be used as a foaming agent to aid in the disbursement of the chemicals and confine the dispersions within the cavity of the hard drive. Other chemical solvents may be used as long as they are capable of destroying the data storage portion of the hard drives. The chemical solvent should be any suitable solvent capable of dissolving the coating of the platter(s) of an HDD drive along with a portion of the platters. In the case of SSD hard drive, the chemical solvent should be able to completely dissolve the information pods. The chemicals used in the destruction process are stored in self-contained pods204that are constructed of natural and composite materials.

The system202comprises several compartmentalized sub-assemblies: a radiator206, a cog system208, an injector pin system210, and a temperature control plate112, which includes a chemical sensor pad214. The aftermarket hard drive destruction system202is positioned within the housing of the computer216customarily in the hard drive holding chassis; and mounted directly above the hard drive of the host computer as indicated inFIG. 36.

The sub-assemblies, which make-up the complete system, are stacked in descending order with the radiator206on top followed by the cog system208, the injector pin system210; and then the temperature control plate112. However, the radiator can be placed in another vacant space within the computer housing to allow for more room in the hard drive holding chassis. Once installed, the system is interfaced with the mother board of the host computer through appropriate connectors218that allows the system to be activated by a key board onsite, or through remote access using the Internet. The hard drive is connected to the motherboard through its own wiring system.

When the system is activated, the radiator206which works in conjunction with the temperature control plate214circulates radiator fluid through a closed loop system including tubing220connected between the radiator206and temperature control plate214to maintain an ambient temperature for the stored chemicals. In some instances, the radiator does not have to be used if the host computer is deployed in an environment where the ambient temperature is compatible with the system's chemicals. Rather than a radiator fluid being circulated, air may be circulated.

The cog system208houses the drive mechanism that simultaneously drives the injector pins in the form of four hollow drill bits222through the chemical pods204stored in the temperature control plate212, and into the cavity of the hard drive. The depth of the penetration of the drill bits222is pre-calibrated to the specific type of hard drive installed in the computer216.

The cog system208includes four toothed cog wheels224operably connected one to each of the four drill bits222. A center cog wheel226drives the cog wheels224and is driven by drive motor228. The drill bits222are held above the chemical pods204until the system is activated.

The injector pin system210consists of four chambers230each with a spring loaded plunger234that drives the chemicals stored inside the chemical pods204through the hollow shafts of the drill bit222, and into the cavity of the hard drive. The plungers234are held in their raised or cocked position against the bias of the spring235by a release mechanism (not shown). The chambers230are an open ended cylinder with the open bottom end disposed in the frustoconical openings235in the temperature control plate212in which the chemical pods204are located, While the drawings show four chambers230, additional chambers210can be used to aid in the disbursement of the chemical solvent. In the case of the smaller 2.5 inch laptop hard drives, as few as one chamber may be utilized.

An auxiliary air system, using carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridges or dedicated air line, can be integrated through the injector pin system210to assist with the chemical dispersion in the hard drive cavity. The injector pin system210can also be adapted to disburse chemicals that are stored outside the system, thus bypassing the use of chemical pods.

The temperature control plate214houses the second half of the radiator's closed loop system, which is connected with external tubing220. The tubing220extends around the exterior of the cog system202and the injector pin system218and extends through the temperature control plate214around the frustoconical openings235as shown inFIG. 33. The temperature control plate214also serves as the bottom portion of the four injector pin chambers230, which house the four (4) conical shaped chemical pods. Threaded connecting rods (not shown) are used to securely fasten the injector pin system to the temperature control plate.

A chemical sensor pad232is attached to the bottom of the temperature control plate214. The chemical sensor pad232serves to detect the premature release of chemicals as a safety precaution. The chemical sensor pad232may be connected to the mother board of the computer to provide a warning in the event of released chemicals.

With the system installed in the computer, the chemical system202is activated at the key board or from a remote location; both of which can be individually or collectively deactivated for additional security purposes. The drill bits222are activated and advanced against the hard drive203to pierce the body of the hard drive and enter the cavity in which the data storage portion is located. A release mechanism then releases the loaded spring(s)235which drives the plungers234downward against the chemical pods204.

The process of the releasing the plungers234forces the chemical solvent out of the chemical pod204through holes in the tubular drills bits22and forces the chemical solvent through the pointed tip236of the drill bits222into the cavity of the hard drives. A single or multi step “bore and inject” method can be used to introduce the chemical solvent into the body of the hard drive.

Once the drills bits222pierce the body of the hard drive, the chemical solvent238begins to disburse from the drill tip236throughout the internal cavity of the hard drive. In the case of an HDD hard drive203aas shown inFIG. 34, the platter(s) within the HDD hard drive will still be spinning, which aids in the disbursement of the chemical solvent coating the information platter(s). A foaming agent in the chemical solvent238will further aid in the disbursement of the chemical solvent238and restrict the disbursement within the cavity of the hard drive203a.The expanding nature of the foaming agent will also serve as a seal to restrict the chemical solvent238from spreading outside the inner casing of the hard drive. The information stored in the HDD hard drive203ais completely destroyed, but the computer can be used again by installing a new hard drive.

In the case of SSD hard drives203bas shown inFIG. 35, once the drill bits222pierce the body of the hard drive, the chemical solvent238begins to disburse throughout the internal cavity coating the information pods of the SSD hard drive203b.A foaming agent may also be included in the chemical solvent to further aid in the disbursement of the chemical solvent and restrict the disbursement within the cavity of the hard drive. The information stored in the SSD hard drive203bis completely destroyed, but the computer can be used again by installing a new hard drive.

Although the overall chemical destruction system is depicted for inside of the housing of a vertical computer, the sub-assemblies can be reconfigured to adapt to horizontal computer units with limited space above the hard drive.

FIG. 36depicts the exterior of a smaller more compact spring loaded chemical data destroying system300for smaller 2.5 inch HDD and SSD hard drives such as used in laptops. As can be seen, the sub-assemblies are thinner than the counterparts previously described. Also, the chemical destruction system can be adapted to destroy other electronic media storage devices in smart phone, cell phones and tablets.

In the case of all three devices, the milling device, the laser device and the chemical device, the hard drives are processed with their covers remaining on. The covers have been shown removed in the drawings to differentiate the types of hard drives being processed. Additionally, the three devices may be designed for “desktop” use and utilize a standard 110 volt power source. However, more industrialized versions may utilize a 220 volt source. All three devices may be adapted to accommodate all types of electronic media storage devices.