Patent Publication Number: US-7904211-B2

Title: Dependent temperature control within disk drive testing systems

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/105,069, filed Apr. 17, 2008. The disclosure of the prior application is considered part of, and is incorporated by reference in, the disclosure of this application. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to regulating the temperature of a hard drive testing system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Disk drive manufacturers typically test manufactured disk drives for compliance with a collection of requirements. Test equipment and techniques exist for testing large numbers of disk drives serially or in parallel. Manufacturers tend to test large numbers of disk drives simultaneously in batches. Disk drive testing systems typically include one or more racks having multiple test slots that receive disk drives for testing. 
     During the manufacture of disk drives, it is common to control the temperature of the disk drives, e.g., to ensure that the disk drives are functional over a predetermined temperature range. For this reason, the testing environment immediately around the disk drive is closely regulated. Minimum temperature fluctuations in the testing environment can be critical for accurate test conditions and for safety of the disk drives. 
     In some known disk drive testing systems, the temperature of plural disk drive devices is adjusted by using cooling or heating air which is common to all of the disk drive devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot. The test slot includes a housing and an air mover (e.g., a blower or a fan). The housing includes an outer surface, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also includes an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The air mover can be disposed outside of the internal cavity to provide an air flow towards the test compartment through the inlet aperture. 
     Embodiments can include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, in the absence of a disk drive and a disk drive transporter, the housing carries substantially no moving parts. 
     In some implementations, the housing defines an outlet aperture extending from the outer surface to the internal cavity. The air mover can include an air outlet in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and an air inlet in fluid communication with the outlet aperture. 
     In some embodiments, the air mover is mounted in an air mover housing. The air mover housing can be formed of a flexible material. In some cases, the air mover housing can include one or more isolators which connect the air mover to the air mover housing. In some examples, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include a test rack. The test rack can include a chassis that defines a slot bank configured to receive and support the test slot. The air mover housing can be mounted to the chassis. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test slot thermal control system also includes a thermoelectric device configured to cool or heat an air flow exiting the air mover. The thermoelectric device can include a passive device. The thermoelectric device can include a thermoelectric cooler (e.g., a bulk thermoelectric cooler or a thin film thermoelectric cooler). The air mover can be mounted in an air mover housing that includes an opening configured to direct an air flow from the air mover towards the thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device can be disposed downstream of the air mover and upstream of the inlet aperture. 
     In some cases, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include a cooling conduit. The thermoelectric device can be mounted to the cooling conduit, and the cooling conduit can be configured to absorb heat dissipated by the thermoelectric device. The cooling conduit can be liquid cooled. The disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include a heatsink connected to the thermoelectric device, and the air mover can be configured to direct an air flow towards the heatsink. 
     In some examples, the test slot includes a ducting conduit disposed within the internal cavity and configured to convey an air flow from the inlet aperture towards the test compartment. The ducting conduit can be configured to direct an air flow underneath a disk drive disposed within the test compartment. The disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include an electric heating device (e.g., a resistive heater) disposed within the internal cavity and configured to heat an air flow being conveyed through the ducting conduit and/or an air flow exiting the air mover. In some cases, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include a heatsink disposed within the ducting conduit and connected to the electric heating device, and the electric heating device can be configured to heat the heatsink. 
     The disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include test electronics in electrical communication with the thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device. The test electronics can be configured to control current flows to the thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device. In some cases, the disk drive test slot thermal control system also includes one or more temperature sensors disposed within the internal cavity. The one or more temperature sensors are electrically connected to the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to control flows of current to the thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device based, at least in part, on signals received from the one or more temperature sensors. The test electronics can be disposed outside of the internal cavity. 
     In some implementations, the electric heating device is disposed downstream of the air mover and downstream of the inlet aperture. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can include test electronics that are configured to communicate one or more test routines to a disk drive within the test compartment. A test slot connector can be disposed within the internal cavity. The test slot connector can be configured to engage a mating connector on a disk drive. In some cases, the test slot connector is electrically connected to the test electronics. In some examples, the disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a printed wiring board disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and arranged to be substantially coplanar with a disk drive within the test compartment, and the test slot connector is mounted to the printed wiring board. In some cases, the test electronics are disposed outside of the internal cavity. The disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include a connection interface circuit disposed within the internal cavity. The connection interface circuit can be configured to provide electrical communication between the test slot connector and the test electronics. 
     In another aspect, a method of adjusting air temperature within a disk drive test slot includes inserting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive into a housing of a disk drive test slot, actuating an air mover mounted externally to the housing to deliver an air flow into the housing, and actuating an thermoelectric device thereby cooling an air flow entering the housing. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, the method includes actuating an electric heating device thereby heating an air flow within the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes actuating the thermoelectric device and thereby heating an air flow entering the housing. 
     In some implementations, actuating the thermoelectric device includes causing an electric current to be delivered to the thermoelectric device. 
     In some embodiments, the method can also include executing a test program that automatically adjusts a current flow to the thermoelectric device. 
     According to another aspect, a disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot and an air mover. The test slot includes a housing having an outer surface, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The air mover includes a rotating blade and is configured to provide an air flow towards the test compartment. The blade can mounted for out-of-plane rotation relative to a disk drive within the test compartment. 
     In another aspect, a disk drive test system includes a test slot assembly and an air mover assembly. The test slot assembly includes a plurality of test slots. Each of the test slots includes a housing including an outer surface, an internal cavity defined by the housing and including a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface to the internal cavity. The air mover assembly is associated with corresponding ones of the plurality of test slots. The air mover assembly is disposed outside of the internal cavities of the associated test slots and is configured to provide corresponding air flows towards the test compartments of each of the associated test slots through the respective inlet apertures. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, the air mover assembly includes a plurality of air movers each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots. The air mover assembly can include an air mover housing, and the plurality of air movers can be mounted in the air mover housing. In some cases, the air mover housing is formed of a flexible material. In some examples, the air mover housing includes a plurality isolators which connect the air movers to the air mover housing. In some cases, the disk drive test system includes a test rack. The test rack includes a chassis defining a slot bank configured to receive and support the plurality of test slots, and the air mover housing is mounted to the chassis. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test system includes one or more thermoelectric devices configured to cool or heat air flows exiting the air movers. The one or more thermoelectric coolers can include a passive component, e.g., a thermoelectric cooler, e.g., a bulk thermoelectric cooler or a thin film thermoelectric cooler 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive testing system includes a plurality of thermoelectric devices each associated with a corresponding one of the air movers and each configured to cool or heat an air flow exiting the associated one of the air movers. In some cases, the thermoelectric devices are disposed downstream of the air movers and upstream of the inlet apertures of associated ones of the test slots. The air mover assembly can include an air mover housing, and the plurality of air movers can be mounted in the air mover housing. In some examples, the air mover housing is configured to direct air flows from each of the air movers towards associated ones of the thermoelectric devices. The air mover housing can be formed of a flexible material and/or the air mover housing can include a plurality isolators which connect the air movers to the air mover housing. 
     The disk drive test system can also include a cooling conduit, and the thermoelectric devices can be mounted to the cooling conduit. In some cases, the cooling conduit is configured to absorb heat dissipated by the thermoelectric devices. The cooling conduit can be liquid cooled. 
     The disk drive test system can also include a plurality of heatsinks each connected to an associated one of the thermoelectric devices. Each of the air movers can be configured to direct an air flow towards the heatsink of the associated one of the thermoelectric devices. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test system includes a plurality of electric heating devices (e.g., resistive heaters) each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots. Each of the electric heating devices is configured to heat an air flow being conveyed through the inlet aperture of the associated test slot. In some cases, each of the electric heating devices is disposed within the internal cavity of the associated test slot. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive test system includes test electronics in electrical communication with the thermoelectric devices and/or the electric heating devices. The test electronics can be configured to control current flows to the thermoelectric devices and/or the electric heating devices. The disk drive test system can also include a plurality of temperature sensors each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots. The temperature sensors can be electrically connected to the test electronics, and the test electronics can be configured to control flows of current to the thermoelectric devices and/or the electric heating devices based, at least in part, on signals received from the temperature sensors. The temperature sensors can be disposed within the internal cavity of the associated one of the test slots. The test electronics can be disposed outside of the internal cavities of the test slots. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test system includes a plurality of air mover assemblies each associated with a corresponding pair of the test slots. Each of the air mover assemblies is disposed outside of the internal cavities of the associated test slots and is configured to provide corresponding air flows towards the test compartments of the associated test slots through the respective inlet apertures. In some cases, each of the air mover assemblies includes a pair of air movers, and each of the air movers is associated with a corresponding one of the test slots. In some examples, each of the air mover assemblies includes an air mover housing in which the associated air movers are mounted. In some cases, each of the air movers includes a rotating blade that is mounted for out-of-plane rotation relative to a disk drive within the test compartment of the associated one of the test slots. 
     In another aspect, a disk drive testing system cooling circuit includes a plurality of test racks. Each of the test racks include a test slot compartment and a test electronics compartment. Each of the test slot compartments includes multiple test slots, and one or more cooling conduits configured to convey a cooling liquid toward the test slots. Each of the test electronics compartments includes test electronics configured to communicate with the test slots for executing a test algorithm, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the one or more cooling conduits. The heat exchanger is configured to cool an air flow directed toward the test electronics. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, an inlet conduit is disposed between the cooling conduits and a liquid supply line and configured to convey a liquid flow from the liquid supply line toward the cooling conduits. The inlet conduit can include a strainer configured to remove particulate from the liquid flow. The inlet conduit can also include a forward-pressure regulator configured to control the inlet pressure of the liquid flow to the cooling conduits. The inlet conduit can also include a distribution manifold including a plurality of tee connections each configured to portion the liquid flow to a corresponding one of test racks. In some cases, the inlet conduit includes a shut-off valve configured to isolate the test racks from the liquid supply line. In some examples, the inlet conduit includes a plurality of shut-off valves each configured to isolate a corresponding one of the test racks from the liquid supply line. 
     In some embodiments, an outlet conduit is disposed between the heat exchangers and a liquid return line and is configured to convey a liquid flow from the heat exchangers toward the liquid return line. The outlet conduit can include a return manifold including a plurality of tee connections each providing a fluid connection between a corresponding one of the heat exchangers and the return manifold. The outlet conduit can also include a shut-off valve configured to isolate the test racks from the liquid return line. In some cases, the outlet conduit includes a plurality of shut-off valves each configured to isolate a corresponding one of the test racks from the liquid return line. 
     In some implementations, at least one of the test racks includes an air mover disposed within the test electronics compartment and configured to direct an air flow across the heat exchanger and toward the test electronics for cooling the test electronics. 
     In some embodiments, the test electronics compartments are substantially isolated from the test slot compartments such that air flow between the test electronics compartments and the test slot compartments is substantially inhibited. 
     According to another aspect, a disk drive testing system cooling circuit includes a test rack including a test slot compartment and a test electronics compartment. The test slot compartment includes a test slot. The test electronics compartment includes test electronics configured to communicate with the test slot for executing a test algorithm. An inlet conduit is configured to convey a liquid to the test rack from an external source. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit and is configured to convey a liquid from the test rack to a location remote from the test rack. The disk drive testing system also includes a heat exchanger including an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet conduit. The disk drive testing system also includes a first air mover that is configured to direct cooled air from the heat exchanger toward the test electronics for cooling the test electronics. A cooling conduit is disposed within the test slot compartment and is configured to convey a cooling liquid towards the test slot. The cooling conduit includes an inlet opening in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the outlet conduit. A thermoelectric device is connected to the cooling conduit and is configured to cool an air flow entering the test slot. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, the thermoelectric device is operable to heat an air flow entering the test slot. 
     In some implementations, the test slot includes a housing having an outer surface, an internal cavity defined by the housing and including a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. In some cases, a second air mover is disposed outside of the internal cavity and is configured to direct an air flow towards the test compartment through the inlet aperture. In some examples, the thermoelectric device is disposed downstream of the second air mover and upstream of the inlet aperture. 
     In some embodiments, the thermoelectric device is in electrical communication with the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to control operation of the thermoelectric device. In some cases, the test slot includes a temperature sensor in electrical communication with the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to control operation of the thermoelectric device based, at least in part, on signals received from the temperature sensor. In some examples, the test electronics are configured to control operation of the thermoelectric device based, at least part, on a predetermined test algorithm. 
     In another aspect, a method of controlling a temperature of a subject test slot in a cluster of test slots includes evaluating a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot to determine if sufficient power is available to achieve the requested temperature change, and inhibiting the requested temperature change unless or until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, inhibiting the requested temperature change includes putting the request for the temperature change in a queue until sufficient power is determined to be available to achieve the requested temperature change. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes comparing a requested temperature setting to an active temperature setting. The method can also include calculating a change in power draw for the cluster of test slots expected to result from the requested temperature change. 
     In some implementations, the method also includes determining whether an active power draw of the cluster of test slots will be increased or decreased by the requested temperature change based, at least in part, on the calculated change in power draw. 
     The method can also include determining whether an active power draw of the cluster of test slots will be increased or decreased by the requested temperature change based, at least in part, on the calculated change in power draw, and upon determining that the active power draw of the cluster of test slots will increase as a result of the requested temperature change, comparing an expected total power draw of the cluster of test slots to a total power available to the cluster. 
     In some embodiments, the expected total power draw of the cluster of test slots is the sum of the active power draw of the cluster of test slots and the calculated change in power draw. 
     In some implementations, comparing the expected total power draw to the total power available to the cluster of test slots includes determining whether the expected total power draw exceeds the total power available to the cluster of test slots, and upon determining that the expected total power draw exceeds the total power available to the cluster of test slots, putting the request for the temperature change in a queue until sufficient power is determined to be available to the cluster to achieve the requested temperature change. 
     In some embodiments, comparing the expected total power draw to the total power available to the cluster of test slots includes determining whether the expected total power draw exceeds the total power available to the cluster of test slots, and upon determining that the expected total power draw does not exceed the total power available to the cluster of test slots, effecting the requested temperature change. 
     In some implementations, the method also includes determining whether an active power draw of the cluster of test slots will be increased or decreased by the requested temperature change based, at least in part, on the calculated change in power draw, and upon determining that the active power draw of the cluster of test slots will decrease as a result of the requested temperature change, effecting the requested temperature change. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes determining whether an active power draw of the cluster of test slots will be increased or decreased by the requested temperature change based, at least in part, on the calculated change in power draw, and upon determining that the active power draw of the cluster of test slots will decrease as a result of the requested temperature change, effecting the requested temperature change and retrieving another request for a temperature change from a queue. 
     According to another aspect, a method of controlling a temperature of a test slot in a disk drive testing system includes regulating temperature changes of a subject test slot based on one or more operating conditions of one or more other test slots neighboring the subject test slot. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, regulating temperature changes of the subject test slot can include comparing a request for a temperature change for the subject test slot with one or more operating temperatures of the one or more other, neighboring test slots, and inhibiting the requested temperature change based, at least in part, on the one or more operating temperatures of the one or more other, neighboring test slots. 
     In some implementations, the request for the temperature change includes a requested temperature setting. Comparing the request for the temperature change with the one or more operating temperatures of the one or more other, neighboring test slots can include calculating an average operating temperature of two or more test slots neighboring the subject test slot, and determining a difference between the requested temperature setting and the calculated average operating temperature. 
     In some embodiments, the method can include determining whether the difference between the requested temperature setting and the calculated average operating temperature is greater than a predetermined offset value, and upon determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined offset value, limiting a temperature change of the subject test slot to be equal to the calculated average operating temperature plus the predetermined offset value. The method can also include queuing a request to change a temperature setting of the subject test slot to the requested temperature setting, and/or providing feedback indicating that the temperature change for the subject test slot is limited. 
     In some implementations, the method can include determining whether the difference between the requested temperature setting and the calculated average operating temperature is greater than a predetermined offset value, and upon determining that the difference is not greater than the predetermined offset value, effecting the requested temperature change. The method can also include determining whether the other, neighboring test slots have a queued request for a temperature change, and upon determining that one of the other, neighboring test slots have a queued request for a temperature change, servicing the queued request. 
     In another aspect, a disk drive testing system includes a cluster of test slots including multiple test slots, each test slot being configured to receive a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive testing system also includes test electronics in electrical communication with the cluster of test slots and configured to adjust operating temperatures of the test slots by controlling power supplied to the test slots. The test electronics are configured to limit changes to the operating temperatures of the test slots based, at least in part, on a total power available to the cluster of test slots. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive testing system includes multiple passive components (e.g., thermoelectric coolers and resistive heaters) each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots and each in electrical communication with the test electronics. The test electronics can be configured to regulate the operating temperatures of the test slots by controlling flows of electrical current to the passive components. 
     In some embodiments, the test slots each include at least one temperature sensor electrically connected to the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to regulate the operating temperatures of the test slots based, at least in part, on signals received from the temperature sensors. 
     According to another aspect, a disk drive testing system includes at least one test rack including multiple test slots, each test slot being configured to receive a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive testing system also includes test electronics in electrical communication with the test slots. The test electronics are configured to adjust operating temperatures of the test slots, and the test electronics are configured to regulate changes to the operating temperature of each test slot in the test rack based, at least in part, on an operating condition of at least one other one of the test slots. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, the test electronics are configured to regulate changes to the operating temperature of each test slot in the test rack based, at least in part, on the operating temperature of at least one neighboring one of the test slots. 
     In some implementations, the test electronics are configured to regulate changes to the operating temperature of at least one of the test slots based, at least in part, on the operating temperatures of at least two or more neighboring ones of the test slots. 
     In some embodiments, the test slots each include at least one temperature sensor electrically connected to the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to regulate the operating temperatures of the test slots based, at least in part, on signals received from the temperature sensors. 
     In some implementations, the temperature sensors are each operable to measure the operating temperature of the associated one of the test slots. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive testing system includes multiple passive components each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots and each in electrical communication with the test electronics. The test electronics can be configured to regulate operating temperatures of the test slots by controlling flows of electrical current to the passive components. 
     In some implementations, the test electronics are configured to regulate the operating temperatures of the test slots based, at least in part, on a computer executable test routine. 
     In another aspect, a method of controlling a temperature of one or more test slots in a cluster of test slots includes calculating an active power draw of the cluster of test slots, calculating an active cooling liquid power load of the cluster of test slots, and adjusting a flow of power for heating or cooling one or more test slots of the cluster of test slots based, at least in part, on at least one of the calculated active power draw and the calculated active cooling liquid power load. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, the method can include comparing the calculated active power draw of the cluster of test slots to a total power available to the cluster of test slots, and limiting the adjustment of the flow of power if the calculated active power draw of the cluster of test slots exceeds the total power available to the cluster of test slots. 
     In some embodiments, the method can include comparing the calculated active cooling liquid power load of the cluster of test slots to a predetermined maximum cooling liquid power load for the cluster of test slots, and limiting the adjustment of the flow of power if the calculated active cooling liquid power load exceeds the predetermined maximum cooling liquid power load. 
     In some implementations, adjusting the flow of power for heating or cooling the one or more test slots in the cluster of test slots includes regulating the flow of electrical current to one or more passive devices associated with the one or more test slots. 
     According to another aspect, a disk drive testing system includes one or more test racks, and one or more test slots housed by the one or more test racks, each test slot being configured to receive and support a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive testing system also includes a transfer station for supplying disk drives to be tested. The one or more test racks and the transfer station at least partially define an operating area. The disk drive testing system can also include automated machinery that is disposed within the operating area and is configured to transfer disk drives between the transfer station and the one or more test slots, and a cover at least partially enclosing the operating area, thereby at least partially inhibiting air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, the cover substantially encloses the operating area, thereby substantially inhibiting air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     In some implementations, the cover is connected to the test racks. 
     In some embodiments, the cover is connected to the transfer station. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive testing system includes a seal disposed between the cover and the test racks. The seal can be arranged to inhibit air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive testing system includes a seal disposed between adjacent ones of the test racks. The seal can be arranged to inhibit air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     In some implementations, a seal is disposed between the transfer station and an adjacent one of the test racks. The seal can be arranged to inhibit air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     In some embodiments, a seal is disposed between the cover and the transfer station. The seal can be arranged to inhibit air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks. 
     In some implementations, at least one of the test racks includes a test slot compartment including at least one of the test slots, a test electronics compartment including test electronics configured to communicate with at least one of the test slots for executing a test algorithm, and an air mover arranged to move an air flow between the operating area and the test electronics compartment for cooling the test electronics. In some cases, the air mover is disposed within the test electronics compartment. The disk drive testing system can also include a heat exchanger disposed within the test electronics compartment. The air mover can be configured to direct an air flow across the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger can be configured to cool the air flow. In some cases, a drip pan is disposed within the test electronics compartment and arranged to collect condensed moisture from the heat exchanger. In some examples, a float sensor is disposed within the drip pan and is configured to detect a liquid level in the drip pan. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive testing system includes at least one computer in communication with the test electronics and the float sensor, and the computer can be configured to control operation of the test rack based, at least in part, on signals received from the float sensor. 
     In some implementations, the test electronics compartment is substantially isolated from the test slot compartment such that air flow between the test electronics compartment and the test slot compartment is substantially inhibited. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive testing system includes an air filter disposed within the test slot compartment and arranged to filter air flow passing between the operating area and the test electronics compartment. 
     In some implementations, the automated machinery includes at least one robotic arm. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more test racks and the transfer station are supported on a floor surface, and the cover, the test racks, the transfer station, and the floor surface substantially enclose the operating area such that air exchange between the operating area and an environment surrounding the test racks is substantially inhibited. 
     In some implementations, the test racks and the transfer station are arranged in at least a partially closed polygon about the automated machinery. 
     In another aspect, a disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a test slot including a housing having an outer surface, an internal cavity defined by the housing and including a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing, and an inlet aperture extending from the outer surface of the housing to the internal cavity. The disk drive test slot thermal control system also includes a cooling conduit, and a thermoelectric device mounted to the cooling conduit. The thermoelectric device is configured to cool or heat an air flow entering the internal cavity through the inlet aperture. 
     Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, the cooling conduit is configured to absorb heat dissipated by the thermoelectric device. 
     In some embodiments, the cooling conduit is liquid cooled. 
     In some implementations, the thermoelectric device includes a passive device. 
     In some embodiments, the thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric cooler (e.g., a bulk thermoelectric cooler or a thin film thermoelectric cooler). 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test slot thermal control system includes a heatsink connected to the thermoelectric device. 
     In some embodiments, the test slot includes a ducting conduit disposed within the internal cavity and configured to convey an air flow from the inlet aperture towards the test compartment. The ducting conduit can be configured to direct an air flow underneath a disk drive disposed within the test compartment. 
     In some implementations the disk drive test slot thermal control system can include an electric heating device (e.g., a resistive heater). The electric heating device can be configured to heat an air flow within the internal cavity. In some cases, the electric heating device is disposed within the internal cavity and is configured to heat the air flow being conveyed through the ducting conduit. In some examples, a heatsink is disposed within the ducting conduit and is connected to the electric heating device, and the electric heating device is configured to heat the heatsink. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can also include test electronics in electrical communication with the thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device. The test electronics can be configured to control current flows to thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device. One or more temperature sensors can be disposed within the internal cavity. The one or more temperature sensors can be electrically connected to the test electronics, and the test electronics can be configured to control flows of current to the thermoelectric device and/or the electric heating device based, at least in part, on signals received from the one or more temperature sensors. The test electronics can be disposed outside of the internal cavity. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive test slot thermal control system can include test electronics configured to communicate one or more test routines to a disk drive within the test compartment. In some cases, a test slot connector is disposed within the internal cavity. The test slot connector can be configured to engage a mating connected on a disk drive, and the test slot connector can be electrically connected to the test electronics. The test electronics can be disposed outside of the internal cavity. In some examples, a connection interface circuit is disposed within the internal cavity, and the connection interface circuit is configured to provide electrical communication between the test slot connector and the test electronics. 
     In another aspect, a disk drive test rack includes multiple test slots, a cooling conduit configured to convey a liquid toward the test slots, and multiple thermoelectric devices each mounted to the cooling conduit and each associated with a corresponding one of the test slots. The thermoelectric devices are each configured to cool or heat an air flow entering the associate one of the test slots. 
     Embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive test rack includes a test slot compartment including the test slots, the cooling conduit, and the thermoelectric devices. The disk drive test rack can also include a test electronics compartment including test electronics configured to communicate with the test slots for executing a test algorithm. 
     In some implementations, the disk drive test rack includes a heat exchanger disposed within the test electronics compartment and in fluid communication with the cooling conduit. The heat exchanger can be configured to cool an air flow within the test electronics compartment, thereby to the cool the test electronics. 
     In some embodiments, the disk drive test rack includes an air mover disposed within the test electronics compartment and configured to direct an air flow across the heat exchanger and toward the test electronics for cooling the test electronics. 
     In some implementations, an air filter is disposed between the air mover and the heat exchanger. The air filter can be configured to filter an air flow within the test electronics compartment. 
     In some embodiments, an air filter is disposed at an inlet of the air mover and is configured to filter an air flow directed toward the test electronics compartment. 
     In some implementations, the thermoelectric devices are in electrical communication with the test electronics, and the test electronics are configured to control operation of the thermoelectric devices. 
     In some embodiments, each of the test slots includes one or more temperature sensors in electrical communication with the test electronics. The test electronics can be configured to control operation of the thermoelectric devices based, at least in part, on signals received from the one or more temperature sensors. 
     In some implementations, the test electronics compartment is substantially isolated from the test slot compartment such that air flow between the test electronics compartment and the test slot compartment is substantially inhibited. 
     In some embodiments, the cooling conduit is configured to absorb heat dissipated by the thermoelectric devices. 
     In some implementations, the thermoelectric devices are operable to remove heat energy from the cooling conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the thermoelectric devices are operable to remove heat energy from a liquid flowing in the cooling conduit. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a is a perspective view of a disk drive testing system. 
         FIG. 2A  is perspective view of a test rack. 
         FIG. 2B  is a detailed perspective view of a slot bank from the test rack of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a test slot assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a transfer station. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tote and disk drive. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of a disk drive testing system. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a disk drive testing system. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of a disk drive transporter. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a disk drive transporter supporting a disk drive. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive aligned for insertion into a test slot. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are schematic views of self-test and functional test circuitry. 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic view a liquid cooling circuit for a disk drive testing system. 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic view of a cooling circuit for a test rack. 
         FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of one row of slot banks from a test rack. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a disk drive testing system with an enclosed robot operating area. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pair of test slot assemblies. 
         FIGS. 14A-C  are top, side and front orthogonal views of a pair of test slot assemblies. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are exploded perspective views of a test slot assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is an perspective view of a test slot including a ducting conduit. 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are perspective views of the test slot of  FIG. 16  including an electric heating assembly. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the test slot of  FIGS. 16-18  including a connection interface board. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are perspective views of a connection interface board. 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  are perspective views of a test slot with insulating materials. 
         FIG. 21C  is a perspective view a test slot including a second cover with protrusions for engaging insulating materials 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are perspective views of a pair of test slot assemblies including externally mounted air movers. 
         FIGS. 23A-23C  are perspective views of an air mover assembly. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the air mover assembly of  FIGS. 23A-23C  and a pair of electric heatpump assemblies. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a pair of test slot assemblies including the air mover assembly of  FIGS. 23A-23C . 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a pair of test slot assemblies including an associated pair of electric heatpump assemblies. 
         FIG. 27  is an exploded perspective view of an electric heatpump assembly. 
         FIG. 28A  is a side view showing a pair of test slot assemblies interfacing with a cooling conduit. 
         FIG. 28B  is a detailed view from  FIG. 28A . 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic view illustrating temperature regulated air flows through a pair of test slot assemblies. 
         FIGS. 30A and 30B  are perspective views of a single slot bank from a test rack. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a first side wall from the slot bank of  FIGS. 30A and 30B . 
         FIG. 32  is a side view showing an air mover assembly and an associated pair of electric heatpump assemblies disposed within a first side wall of the slot bank of  FIGS. 30A and 30B . 
         FIG. 33  is a detailed view from  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the first side wall from the slot bank of  FIGS. 30A and 30B . 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a second side wall section from the slot bank of  FIGS. 30A and 30B . 
         FIGS. 36A and 36B  are perspective views illustrating the alignment of a second sidewall section with an associated pair of test slot assemblies. 
         FIG. 37A  is a front orthogonal view of a slot bank supporting a plurality of test slots. 
         FIG. 37B  is a detailed view from  FIG. 37A . 
         FIG. 38A  is an algorithm for controlling temperature changes within the test slots based on a total power available to a cluster of the test slots. 
         FIGS. 38B and 38C  illustrate an algorithm for controlling temperature ramp rates within the test slots based on a total power available to a cluster of the test slots. 
         FIGS. 38D and 38E  illustrate algorithms for controlling temperature changes within one of the test slots based on neighboring test slots. 
         FIGS. 39A and 39B  are perspective views of a test slot housing. 
         FIGS. 40A-40E  are perspective views of a test slot. 
         FIGS. 41A-41C  are perspective views of an air mover assembly. 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the air mover assembly of  FIGS. 41A-41C  and a pair of electric heatpump assemblies. 
         FIG. 43  is a side view of the air mover assembly and electric heatpump assemblies of  FIG. 42 . 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of a baffle member. 
         FIG. 45A  is a bottom view of the air mover assembly and electric heatpump assemblies of  FIG. 42  illustrating an air flow pattern. 
         FIG. 45B  is a top view of the air mover assembly and electric heatpump assemblies of  FIG. 42  illustrating an air flow pattern. 
         FIGS. 46A and 46B  are perspective views of a first side wall from a slot bank. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     System Overview 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a disk drive testing system  10  includes a plurality of test racks  100  (e.g., 10 test racks shown), a transfer station  200 , and a robot  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , each test rack  100  generally includes a chassis  102 . The chassis  102  can be constructed from a plurality of structural members  104  (e.g., extruded aluminum, steel tubing and/or composite members) which are fastened together and together define a plurality of slot banks  110 . Each slot bank  110  can support a plurality of test slot assemblies  120 . Referring to  FIG. 2A , the test racks  100  can also include a body  107  (e.g., formed of one or more sheet metal and/or molded plastic parts, see also, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), which at least partially encloses the chassis  102 . The body  107  can include wedge sections  108  that can be used to compartmentalize power electronics  109  (e.g., AC to DC power supplies). As shown in  FIG. 3 , each test slot assembly  120  includes a disk drive transporter  400  and a test slot  500 . The disk drive transporter  400  is used for capturing disk drives  600  (e.g., from the transfer station  200 ) and for transporting the disk drive  600  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8A ) to one of the test slots  500  for testing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in some implementations, the transfer station  200  includes a transfer station housing  210  and multiple tote presentation support systems  220  disposed on the transfer station housing  210 . Each tote presentation support system  220  is configured to receive and support a disk drive tote  260  in a presentation position for servicing by the disk drive testing system  10 . 
     In some implementations, the tote presentation support systems  220  are each disposed on the same side of the transfer station housing  210  and arranged vertically with respect to each other. Each tote presentation support system  220  has a different elevation with respect to the others. In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the tote presentation support system  220  includes tote support arms  226  configured to be received by respective arm grooves  266  ( FIG. 5 ) defined by the disk drive tote  260 . 
     A tote mover  230  is disposed on the transfer station housing  210  and is configured to move relative thereto. The tote mover  230  is configured to transfer the totes  260  between the tote presentation support systems  220  for servicing by the disk drive testing system  10  (e.g. by the robot  300  ( FIG. 1 )) and a staging area  250  where the totes  260  can be loaded into and unloaded from the transfer station  200  (e.g., by an operator). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the totes  260  include a tote body  262  which defines multiple disk drive receptacles  264  (e.g.,  18  shown) that are each configured to house a disk drive  600 . Each of the disk drive receptacles  264  includes a disk drive support  265  configured to support a central portion of a received disk drive  600  to allow manipulation of the disk drive  600  along non-central portions (e.g., along side, front and/or back edges of the disk drive). The tote body  262  also defines arm grooves  266  that are configured to engage the tote support arms  226  ( FIG. 4 ) of the transfer station housing  210  thereby to support the tote  260  (e.g., for servicing by the robot  300  ( FIG. 1 )). As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the robot  300  includes a robotic arm  310  and a manipulator  312  ( FIG. 6A ) disposed at a distal end of the robotic arm  310 . The robotic arm  310  defines a first axis  314  ( FIG. 6B ) normal to a floor surface  316  and is operable to rotate through a predetermined arc about and extends radially from the first axis  314  within a robot operating area  318 . The robotic arm  310  is configured to independently service each test slot  500  by transferring disk drives  600  between the totes  260  at the transfer station  200  and the test racks  100 . In particular, the robotic arm  310  is configured to remove a disk drive transporter  400  from one of the test slots  500  with the manipulator  312 , then pick up a disk drive  600  from one the disk drive receptacles  264  at the transfer station  200  with the disk drive transporter  400 , and then return the disk drive transporter  400 , with a disk drive  600  therein, to the test slot  500  for testing of the disk drive  600 . After testing, the robotic arm  310  retrieves the disk drive transporter  400 , along with the supported disk drive  600 , from one of the test slots  500  and returns it to one of the disk drive receptacles  264  at the transfer station  200  (or moves it to another one of the test slots  500 ) by manipulation of the disk drive transporter  400  (i.e., with the manipulator  312 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the disk drive transporter  400  includes a frame  410  and a clamping mechanism  450 . The frame  410  includes a face plate  412 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , along a first surface  414 , the face plate  412  defines an indentation  416 . The indentation  416  can be releasably engaged by the manipulator  312  ( FIG. 6A ) of the robotic arm  310 , which allows the robotic arm  310  to grab and move the transporter  400 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , the face plate  412  also includes beveled edges  417 . When the frame  410  is inserted into one of the test slots  500 , the beveled edges  417  of the face plate  412  abut complimentary beveled edges  515  ( FIG. 15A ) of the test slot  500  ( FIG. 15A ) to form a seal, which, as described below, helps to inhibit the flow of air into and out of the of the test slot  500 . In use, one of the disk drive transporters  400  is removed from one of the test slots  500  with the robot  300  (e.g., by grabbing, or otherwise engaging, the indentation  416  of the transporter  400  with the manipulator  312  of the robot  300 ). The frame  410  defines a substantially U-shaped opening  415  formed by sidewalls  418  and a base plate  420  that collectively allow the frame  410  to fit around the disk drive support  265  ( FIG. 5 ) in the tote  260  ( FIG. 5 ) so that the disk drive transporter  400  can be moved (e.g., via the robotic arm  300 ) into a position beneath one of the disk drives  600  housed in one of the disk drive receptacles  264  of the tote  260 . The disk drive transporter  400  can then be raised (e.g., by the robotic arm  310 ) into a position engaging the disk drive  600  for removal off of the disk drive support  265  in the tote  260 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , with the disk drive  600  in place within the frame  410  of the disk drive transporter  400 , the disk drive transporter  400  and the disk drive  600  together can be moved by the robotic arm  310  ( FIG. 6A ) for placement within one of the test slots  500 . The manipulator  312  ( FIG. 6A ) is also configured to initiate actuation of a clamping mechanism  450  disposed in the disk drive transporter  400 . A detailed description of the manipulator and other details and features combinable with those described herein may be found in the following U.S. patent application filed Apr. 17, 2008, entitled “Transferring Disk Drives Within Disk Drive Testing Systems”, inventors: Evgeny Polyakov et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 12/104,536, the entire contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference. This allows actuation of the clamping mechanism  450  before the transporter  400  is moved from the tote  220  to the test slot  500  to inhibit movement of the disk drive  600  relative to the disk drive transporter  400  during the move. Prior to insertion in the test slot  500 , the manipulator  312  can again actuate the clamping mechanism  450  to release the disk drive  600  within the frame  410 . This allows for insertion of the disk drive transporter  400  into one of the test slots  500 , until the disk drive  600  is in a test position with a disk drive connector  610  engaged with a test slot connector  524  ( FIG. 19 ). The clamping mechanism  450  may also be configured to engage the test slot  500 , once received therein, to inhibit movement of the disk drive transporter  400  relative to the test slot  500 . In such implementations, once the disk drive  600  is in the test position, the clamping mechanism  450  is engaged again (e.g., by the manipulator  312 ) to inhibit movement of the disk drive transporter  400  relative to the test slot  500 . The clamping of the transporter  400  in this manner can help to reduce vibrations during testing. A detailed description of the clamping mechanism  450  and other details and features combinable with those described herein may be found in the following U.S. patent application filed Dec. 18, 2007, entitled “DISK DRIVE TRANSPORT, CLAMPING AND TESTING”, inventors: Brian Merrow et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 11/959,133, the entire contents of the which are hereby incorporated by reference. Referring to  FIG. 9 , in some implementations, the disk drive testing system  10  also includes at least one computer  130  in communication with the test slots  500 . The computer  130  may be configured to provide inventory control of the disk drives  600  and/or an automation interface to control the disk drive testing system  10 . Within each of the test racks  100 , test electronics  160  are in communication with each test slot  500 . The test electronics  160  are configured to communicate with a disk dive  600  received within the test slot  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a power system  170  (which includes the power electronics  109 ,  FIG. 2A ) supplies power to the disk drive testing system  10 . The power system  170  may monitor and/or regulate power to the received disk drive  600  in the test slot  500 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the test electronics  160  within each test rack  100  include at least one self-testing system  180  in communication with at least one test slot  500 . The self-testing system  180  tests whether the test rack  100  and/or specific sub-systems, such as the test slot  500 , are functioning properly. The self-testing system  180  includes a cluster controller  181 , one or more connection interface circuits  182  each in electrical communication with a disk drive  600  received within the test slot  500 , and one or more block interface circuits  183  in electrical communication with the connection interface circuit  182 . The cluster controller  181 , in some examples, is configured to run one or more testing programs with a capacity of approximately 120 self-tests and/or  60  functionality test of disk drives  600 . The connection interface circuits  182  and the block interface circuit(s)  183  are configured to self-test. However, the self-testing system  180  may include a self-test circuit  184  configured to execute and control a self-testing routine on one or more components of the disk drive testing system  10 . The cluster controller  181  may communicate with the self-test circuit  184  via Ethernet (e.g. Gigabit Ethernet), which may communicate with the block interface circuit(s)  183  and onto the connection interface circuit(s)  182  and disk drive(s)  600  via universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) serial links. A UART is usually an individual (or part of an) integrated circuit used for serial communications over a computer or peripheral device serial port. The block interface circuit(s)  183  is/are configured to control power to and temperature of the test slots  500 , and each block interface circuit  183  may control one or more test slots  500  and/or disk drives  600 . 
     In some examples, the test electronics  160  can also include at least one functional testing system  190  in communication with at least one test slot  500 . The functional testing system  190  tests whether a received disk drive  600 , held and/or supported in the test slot  500  by the disk drive transporter  400 , is functioning properly. A functionality test may include testing the amount of power received by the disk drive  600 , the operating temperature, the ability to read and write data, and the ability to read and write data at different temperatures (e.g. read while hot and write while cold, or vice versa). The functionality test may test every memory sector of the disk drive  600  or only random samplings. The functionality test may test an operating temperature of air around the disk drive  600  and also the data integrity of communications with the disk drive  600 . The functional testing system  190  includes a cluster controller  181  and at least one functional interface circuit  191  in electrical communication with the cluster controller  181 . A connection interface circuit  182  is in electrical communication with a disk drive  600  received within the test slot  500  and the functional interface circuit  191 . The functional interface circuit  191  is configured to communicate a functional test routine to the disk drive  600 . The functional testing system  190  may include a communication switch  192  (e.g. Gigabit Ethernet) to provide electrical communication between the cluster controller  181  and the one or more functional interface circuits  191 . Preferably, the computer  130 , communication switch  192 , cluster controller  181 , and functional interface circuit  191  communicate on an Ethernet network. However, other forms of communication may be used. The functional interface circuit  191  may communicate to the connection interface circuit  182  via Parallel AT Attachment (a hard disk interface also known as IDE, ATA, ATAPI, UDMA and PATA), SATA, or SAS (Serial Attached SCSI). 
     Temperature Control 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates a liquid cooling circuit  20  for the distribution of a cooling liquid (e.g., chilled water) to each of the test racks  100  (only one shown in  FIG. 11A ) in the disk drive testing system  10 . The liquid cooling circuit  20  includes an inlet conduit  22 , which delivers a cooling liquid (e.g., a facilities chilled water flow, e.g., a flow of water at about 8° C.) from a liquid supply line (e.g., a facilities chilled water supply line  23  of a facilities chilled water system  21 ) to the test racks  100  (one shown for simplicity), and an outlet conduit  24 , which allows for a return flow of water from the test racks  100  to a liquid return line (e.g., a facilities chilled water return line  25  of the facilities chilled water system  21 ). The inlet conduit  22  may include a strainer  26  (e.g., a 60-mesh strainer), to remove particulate from the water, and a forward-pressure regulator  27  to control the inlet pressure of the water to the test racks  100 . The inlet conduit  22  also includes a distribution manifold  28  (e.g., a large diameter polymeric hose or welded polyvinylchloride (PVC)) where tee connections  29  are provided for apportioning the water to each of the test racks  100 . The inlet conduit  22  may also include a flow control valve  36  to control the volume flow rate to the test racks  100 . The outlet conduit  24  includes a return manifold  30  (e.g., a large diameter hose) that is piped to the chilled water return line  25 . Shut-off valves  31  can be provided in both the inlet and outlet conduits  22 ,  24  to allow the disk drive testing system  10  to be isolated from the chilled water system  21 . The components (e.g., the inlet conduit  22 , outlet conduit  24 , distribution manifold  28 , return manifold  30 , etc) which carry the cooling liquid to and from the test racks  100  can also be insulated to inhibit the transfer of thermal energy between the liquid (e.g., water) and the surrounding environment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , within each test rack  100 , the test slots  500  and the test electronics  160  are arranged in separate compartments and are each provided with temperature control. The test slots  500  are arranged in a test slot compartment  700  and the test electronics  160  are arranged in a test electronics compartment  800 . The test electronics  160  are in electrical communication with the power electronics  109  ( FIG. 2A ) in the wedge sections  108  ( FIG. 1 ) of the test rack  100  such that the power entering the test electronics compartment  800  is all DC. The test slot compartment  700  and the test electronics compartment  800  are both serviced by the liquid cooling circuit  20 . The inlet conduit  22  delivers the facilities chilled water to the test slot compartment  700 . Within the test slot compartment  700 , the inlet conduit  22  is in fluid communication with a lower manifold  32  that distributes the water to one or more cooling conduits  710 .  FIG. 11C  illustrates one embodiment in which each slot bank  110  has its own dedicated cooling conduit  710 . However, in some cases, each of the cooling conduits  710  can extend along the height of the test rack  100  and service a full column of test slots  500 . The cooling conduits  710  may include pipes and/or tubes (e.g., copper or aluminum piping or tubing). Referring again to  FIG. 11B , the chilled water is circulated through the cooling conduits  710 , which, in turn, form part of a test slot thermal control system, as discussed in greater detail below. Each of the cooling conduits  710  includes an inlet  712  in fluid communication with the inlet conduit  22  and an outlet  714  in fluid communication with an upper manifold  33 . The lower and upper manifolds  32 ,  33 , can, for example, be made of copper or polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe. For the purpose of even flow distribution each of the inlet conduits  22  can be equipped with an orifice that will provide added flow resistance needed for proper distribution. After passing through the cooling conduits  710 , the water is later collected in the upper manifold  33 . From the upper manifold  33  the water is piped to an inlet port  812  of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger  810  that is disposed within the test electronics compartment  800 . The heat exchanger  810  also includes an outlet port  814  that is in fluid communication with the outlet conduit  24 . The chilled water exiting the cooling conduits  710  is circulated through the heat exchanger  810  for cooling and dehumidifying an air flow  815  within the test electronics compartment  800  and the robot operating area  318  so as to control the humidity of the air that is allowed to enter the test slots  500 . The water then leaves the racks  100  and is returned to the chilled water system  21  via the return manifold  30  ( FIG. 11A ) that connects the water return of all test racks  100 . Polymeric hoses can be used to connect these water flow components within the test racks  100 . The use of hoses between the components can help to attenuate vibration throughout the liquid cooling circuit  20 . 
     A shut-off valve  34  is located in the inlet conduit  22  and a combination shut-off and balancing valve  35  is located in the outlet conduit  24 . The combination shut-off and balancing valve  35  sets the flow distribution between the test racks  100  and the valves  34 , can also be used to isolate the test racks  100  from the chilled water system  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , each of the test racks  100  can also include an air mover (e.g., a blower  816 ) which draws the air flow  815  into the test electronics compartment  800  from the robot operating area  318  through an inlet port  131  in the test rack  100 . The blower  816  is mounted on vibration mounts  37  to isolate vibrations originating at the blower  816  from the test rack  100 , and, as a result, from disk drives being tested in the test rack  100 . The blower  816  directs the air flow  815  across the heat exchanger  810 , where the air is cooled and dehumidified, and towards the test electronics  160  for cooling the test electronics  160 . The test electronics  160  are cooled by this air-over flow. After passing over the test electronics  160  the air flow  815  is exhausted into the robot operating area  318  through an exhaust port  132  in the test rack  100 . The air flow  815  within the robot operating area  318  supplies cooling for the robot  300 . The test electronics compartment  800  is substantially isolated from the test slot compartment  700  such that air flow between the test electronics compartment  800  and the test slot compartment  700  is substantially inhibited from the rear. Air flowing within the robot operating area  318 , e.g., from the test electronics compartment  800 , is then allowed to pass over the first open ends  525  of the test slots  500 , which face into the robot operating area  318 , but the test slot compartment  700  is substantially isolated from the robot operating area  318  while the transporters  400  are in place within the test slots  500 . The isolation of the test slot compartment  700  and the test electronics compartment  800  provides for distinct and separate air circulation systems for allowing separate air flows to regulate temperatures of the test slots  500  in the test slot compartment  700  and the test electronics  160  in the test electronics compartment  700 . As discussed above, the test slot compartment  700  includes one air circulation system that includes air moving from the robot operating area  318 , across the heat exchanger  810  and the test electronics  160  via the blower  816 , and back to the robot operating area  318 . And, as discussed in greater detail below, the test slot compartment  700  can also include one or more separate and distinct (i.e., separate and distinct from the test electronics compartment  800 ) air circulation systems each including air circulating through a corresponding one of the individual test slots  500 , e.g., to aid in regulating an air temperature within the corresponding one of the test slots  500 . The liquid cooled heat exchanger  810  condenses moisture  40  out of the air flow  815 , which helps to keep the racks  100  free of humidity. Moisture  40  accumulates on the heat exchanger  810  and then drips off into drip pan  42  provided at the bottom of the test electronics compartment  800 . As shown in  FIG. 11B , a float sensor  44  may be installed in the drip pan  42  to provide signal information regarding the quantity of fluid in the drip pan  42  to the system controller (computer  130 ). When signals from the float sensor  44  indicate that a fluid level in the drip pan  42  exceeds a predetermined maximum, the computer  130  can sound an alarm and/or stop operation of the associated test rack  100 . The test electronics compartment  800  may include one or more temperature sensors  48  for measuring the temperature within the test electronics compartment  800 . The one or more temperatures can be in electrical communication with the system controller (computer  130 ), e.g., via the test electronics  160 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , in some cases, the robot operating area  318  can be enclosed with a cover  320  to limit air exchange between the test electronics compartments  800  of the racks  100  and the environment. The cover  320  can be, e.g., a sheet metal part that is fastened (e.g., with screws) to the test racks  100 . A seal or gasket material  322  (shown in dashed lines) can be provided between the cover  320  and the test racks  100  and/or between adjacent ones of the test racks  100  to limit air exchange between the robot operating area  318  and the external environment. The enclosed structure can help to further reduce humidity within the robot operating area  318  and the test electronics compartments  800 . The enclosing structure can also reduce the amount of dust within the robot operating area  318  and the test electronics compartments  800 . The cover  320  also contributes to the overall structural stability of the disk drive testing system  10  as a whole. Each test rack  100  can also be provided with an air filter  46  ( FIG. 11B ) to aid in reducing dust within the racks  100 . Within each rack  100 , the air filter  46  can be mounted either at the inlet face  817  of the heat exchanger  810  or at the inlet  818  of the blower  816 . 
     Test Slot Thermal Control System 
     Within each slot bank  110  the test slot assemblies  120  are arranged in pairs. As shown in  FIG. 13 , each pair of test slot assemblies  120  includes a lower test slot assembly  120   a  and an upper test slot assembly  120   b . Referring to FIGS.  13  and  14 A- 14 C, for each pair of test slot assemblies, the lower test slot assembly  120   a  includes a first test slot  500   a , one of the disk drive transporters  400 , a first air mover (e.g., a first blower  722   a ), and a first electric heatpump assembly  724   a . Similarly, the upper test slot assemblies  120   b  each include a second test slot  500   b , one of the disk drive transporters  400 , a second air mover (e.g., a second blower  722   b ), and a second electric heatpump assembly  724   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , each of the first and second test slots  500   a ,  500   b  includes a housing  508  having a base  510 , first and second upstanding walls  512   a ,  512   b  and first and second covers  514   a ,  514   b . The housing  508  is supported on a mounting plate  513 . The housing  508  defines an internal cavity  517  which includes a rear portion  518  and a front portion  519 . The front portion  519  defines a test compartment  526  for receiving and supporting one of the disk drive transporters  400 . The base  510 , upstanding walls  512   a ,  512   b , and the first cover  514   a  together define a first open end  525 , which provides access to the test compartment  526  (e.g., for inserting and removing the disk drive transporter  400 ), and the beveled edges  515 , which abut the complementary beveled edges  417  of the face plate  412  of a disk drive transporter  400  inserted in the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  to provide a seal that inhibits the flow of air into and out of the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  via the first open end  525 . In some cases, for example, the beveled edge  515  of the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  and/or the beveled edges  417  of the transporter  400  may include a seal or gasket material (e.g., foam insulation) to help to further inhibit the flow of air into and out of the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  via the first open end  525 . The first upstanding wall  512   a  defines an inlet aperture  528  and an outlet aperture  529 . The inlet and outlet apertures  528 ,  529  extend between an outer surface  530  ( FIG. 15B ) of the housing  508  and the internal cavity  517 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  also includes a ducting conduit  532  disposed within the internal cavity  517 . The ducting conduit  532  is configured to convey an air flow from the inlet aperture  528  towards the test compartment  526 . The ducting conduit  532  is configured to direct an air flow underneath a disk drive  600  disposed within the test compartment  526 , with a return air flow to flow over the disk drive  600  and back towards the outlet aperture  529 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , an electric heating assembly  726  is disposed within the internal cavity  517  and is configured to heat an air flow being conveyed through the ducting conduit  532 . The electric heating assembly  726  includes a heater heatsink  728  and an electric heating device (e.g., a resistive heater  729 ). The resistive heaters can have an operating temperature in the range of between about 150° C. and about 175° C. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the electric heating assembly  726  is disposed within a first opening  533  in the ducting conduit  532 . In some cases, a heatsink isolator  539  (e.g., foam insulation) can be provided to aid in isolating the transmission of vibrations between the heater heatsink  728  and the housing  508 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the rear portion  518  of the internal cavity  517  houses a connection interface board  520 , which carries the connection interface circuit  182  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The connection interface board  520  includes a ribbon cable  522  (e.g., a flexible circuit or cable), which provides for electrical communication between the connection interface circuit  182  and the test electronics  160  (e.g., self test system  180  and/or functional test system  190 ) in the associated test rack  100 . The connection interface board  520  also includes a test slot connector  524 , which provides for electrical communication between the connection interface circuit  182  and a disk drive  600  in the test slot  500   a ,  500   b . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the test slot connector  524  can be a right angle connector and the connection interface board  520  can be mounted, within the housing  508 , to be substantially coplanar with a disk drive  600  ( FIG. 5 ) in the test compartment  526 . The resistive heater  729  is electrically connected to the connection interface board  520 , and is configured for electrical communication with the test electronics  160  (e.g., via the connection interface circuit  182 ). The resistive heater  729  is operable to convert an electric current (e.g., provided by the test electronics  160 ) into heat energy, which is used for heating the heater heatsink  728 , which, in turn, is used to heat an air flow passing through the ducting conduit  532 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , the connection interface board  520  can also include one or more temperature sensors  526  (e.g., surface mount temperature sensors). The temperature sensors  526  are electrically connected to the connection interface board  520  and are configured for communication with the test electronics  160  via the connection interface circuit  182 . The test electronics  160  can be configured to control flows of electrical current to the resistive heaters  729  and/or the electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b  based, at least in part, on signals received from the temperature sensors  526 . As shown in  FIG. 20A , one or more of the temperature sensors  526  are mounted to a top surface  521  of the connection interface board  520  and are configured to measure temperature of an air flow within the rear portion  518  ( FIG. 15A ) of the internal cavity  517  ( FIG. 15A ) after having passed over a disk drive  600  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8B ) in the test compartment  526 . As shown in  FIG. 20B , one or more of the temperature sensors  526  are mounted to a bottom surface  523  of the connection interface board  520 . Following assembly, the temperature sensors  526  mounted on the bottom surface  523  of the connection interface board  520  are disposed within a second opening  534  ( FIG. 16 ) of the ducting conduit  532  and are configured to measure a temperature of an air flow within the ducting conduit  532  before the air flow reaches a disk drive  600  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8B ) in the test compartment  526  ( FIG. 15A ). 
     The test slot  500   a ,  500   b  may also include insulating material(s) (e.g., foam insulation) to inhibit the exchange of thermal energy from the internal cavity  517  to the surrounding environment (e.g., through the second cover  514   b ). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the test slot  500   a ,  500   b , can include a first insulating member  542  disposed between the second cover  514   b  and the connection interface board  520 . The first insulating member  542  inhibits the transfer of thermal energy between the internal cavity  517  and the environment surrounding the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  (e.g., other, neighboring test slots  500   a ,  500   b ). The first insulating member  542  can be attached to the surface of the second cover  514   b  that faces into the internal cavity  517 . Second insulating members  544  are disposed between the heater heatsink  728  and the second cover  514   b  and inhibit the transfer of thermal energy therebetween and act as a spring to secure the heater heatsink  728  so that it does not vibrate. The test slot  500   a , 500   b  may also include third insulating members  546  disposed between the internal cavity  517  along the first and second upstanding walls  512   a ,  512   b . The third insulating members  546  help to further inhibit the transfer of thermal energy between the internal cavity  517  and the environment surrounding the test slot  500   a ,  500   b . As shown in  FIG. 21C , the second cover  514   b  can include protrusions  509  to compress the second and third insulating members  544  and  546  and help to secure the heater heatsink  728 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22A , for each pair of test slot assemblies  120   a ,  120   b , the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  are disposed adjacent to and outside of their associated test slots  500   a ,  500   b . Each of the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  has an operating speed of between about 3500 and about 7100 RPM and can provide an air flow of between about 1.66 CFM and about 3.88 CFM. Each of the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  includes an air inlet  730  and an air outlet  731 . Each of the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  also includes a rotating blade  732  configured to rotate about an axis  733 . The air outlet  731  of the first blower  722   a  is arranged in fluid communication with the inlet aperture  528  of the first test slot  500   a , e.g., for providing an air flow towards the test compartment  526  of the first test slot  500   a  through the inlet aperture  528 . As shown in  FIG. 22B , the air inlet  730  of the first blower is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture  529  of the first test slot  500   a , e.g., for creating a low pressure region adjacent the outlet aperture  529  in order to draw an air flow out of the internal cavity  517  through the outlet aperture  529 . Similarly, referring again to  FIG. 22A , the air outlet  731  of the second blower  722   b  is arranged in fluid communication with the inlet aperture  528  of the second test slot  500   b , e.g., for providing an air flow towards the test compartment  526  of the second test slot  500   b . The air inlet  730  of the second blower  722   b  is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture  729  of the second test slot  500   b , e.g., for creating a low pressure region adjacent the outlet aperture  729  in order to draw an air flow out of the internal cavity  517  of the second test slot  500   b.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 23A-23C , the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  form part of an air mover assembly  746 , which also includes an air mover housing  734 . For each pair of test slot assemblies  120   a ,  120   b  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 13 ), the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  can be mounted in the air mover housing  734 . The air mover housing  734  can be formed (e.g., molded) from a flexible, isolating material, such as urethane, which aids in damping vibrations produced by the blowers  722   a ,  722   b . As discussed in greater detail below, the air mover housing  734  is then mounted to the test rack chassis  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the air mover housing  734  defines a first pocket  735   a  for receiving the first blower  722   a  and a second pocket  735   b  for receiving the second blower  722   b . The air mover housing  734  also defines a first ducting region  736   a . Following assembly, the first ducting region  736   a  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  ( FIG. 15A ) of the first test slot  500   a  ( FIG. 13 ) and acts as a duct providing for the flow of air between the outlet aperture  529  of the first test slot  500   a  and the air inlet  730  of the first blower  722   a . The air mover housing  734  also defines a second ducting region  736   b  including a through-hole  737 . Following assembly, the second ducting region  736   b  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  of the second test slot  500   b  and acts as a duct providing for the flow of air between the outlet aperture  529  of the second test slot  500   b  and the air inlet  730  of the second blower  722   b . Within the air mover housing  734 , the first and second blowers  722  are mounted in back-to-back relation and are separated by a dividing wall  738  of the air mover housing  734 . The air mover housing  734  also includes a first sidewall  739  that defines first and second ducting apertures  740   a ,  740   b . The first ducting aperture  740   a  extends from an outer surface  741  of the first sidewall  739  into the first pocket  735   a , and the second ducting aperture  740   b  extends from an outer surface  741  of the first sidewall  739  into the second pocket  735   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , following assembly, the first ducting aperture  740   a  operates as a duct to direct an air flow  750  exiting the air outlet  731  of the first blower  722   a  towards the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a , and, similarly, the second ducting aperture  740   b  operates as a duct to direct an air flow  752  exiting the air outlet  731  of the second blower  722   b  towards the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , following assembly, the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  are mounted such that their rotational axes  733  are substantially out-of-plane (e.g., substantially perpendicular) relative to an axis of rotation  612  of a disk drive  600  (or disk drives) in the first and/or second test slots  500   a ,  500   b . This can aid in further isolating the disk drive(s) being tested from vibrations produced by the blowers  724   a ,  724   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the first and second electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b  are disposed adjacent to and outside of their associated test slots  500   a ,  500   b . As shown in  FIG. 27 , each of the first and second electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b  includes a thermoelectric device (e.g., a thermoelectric cooler  742 , e.g., a thin film or bulk thermoelectric cooler) and a heatpump heatsink  743 . As show in  FIGS. 28A and 28B , a first surface  744  of the thermoelectric cooler  742  is connected to the heatpump heatsink  743  and a second surface  745  of the thermoelectric cooler  742  can be connected directly to an associated one of the cooling conduits  710 . For example, the thermoelectric cooler  742  can be connected to the cooling conduit  710 , e.g., with a thermally conductive epoxy, or mounted with clips. In some cases, such as when clips are used for mounting the thermoelectric coolers  742 , a thermally conductive grease can be disposed between the cooling conduit  710  and the thermoelectric cooler  742  to improve heat transfer between the cooling conduit  710  and the thermoelectric cooler  742 . The thermoelectric cooler  742  operates as a solid-state heatpump which transfers heat from the first surface  744  of the device to the second surface  745  as a response to the application of electrical energy. The direction of heat transfer is dependent upon the direction of current flow. For example, in the embodiment shown, the thermoelectric cooler  742  can be used for both cooling the heatpump heat sink  743  (i.e., transferring heat energy away from the heatpump heatsink  743  and towards the cooling conduit  710 ), and also for heating the heatsink  743  (i.e., transferring heat energy away from the cooling conduit  710  and towards the heatsink  743 , e.g., for heating an air flow  750 ,  752  being directed towards the test compartment  526  of one of the test slots  500 ). The thermoelectric cooler  742  is in electrical communication with the test electronics  160 , which control a current flow (i.e., a flow of electrical current) to the thermoelectric cooler  742  (e.g., based on a predetermined test algorithm and/or based on feedback from the connection interface circuit  182 ). The cooling conduit  710 , in turn, cools the thermoelectric cooler  742  (e.g., by transferring heat from the second surface  745  of the thermoelectric cooler  742  to the chilled water flow ( FIG. 11 )). 
     As shown schematically in  FIG. 29 , the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a  is disposed downstream of the first blower  722   a  and upstream of the inlet aperture  528  of the first test slot  500   a . In this position, the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a  is arranged to cool and/or heat an air flow exiting the first blower  724   a  before it enters the first test slot  500   a . Similarly, referring still to  FIG. 29 , the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b  is disposed downstream of the second blower  722   b  and upstream of the inlet aperture  528  of the second test slot  500   b . In this position, the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b  is arranged to cool and/or heat an air flow exiting the second blower  722   b  before it enters the second test slot  500   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 30A and 30B , each slot bank  110  includes a first side wall  111  and a second side wall  112  formed from a plurality of second side wall sections  113 . As shown in  FIG. 30A , the first side wall  111  is mounted between adjacent chassis members  104 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , along a first surface  114  the first side wall  111  defines first and second ducting features  115   a ,  115   b . As shown in  FIG. 32 , each pair of blowers  722   a ,  722   b  (shown mounted within the air mover housing  734 ) are received between adjacent ones of the first ducting features  115   a . The first ducting features  115   a , as well as the first surface  114 , acts as a duct which aids in isolating the air flows of adjacent pairs of test slot assemblies  120   a ,  120   b  from each other. Also disposed between adjacent ones of the first ducting features  115   a  are the second ducting features  115   b . As shown in  FIG. 33 , following assembly, the second ducting features  115   b  are disposed adjacent the first sidewall  739  of the air mover housing  734 . The second ducting features  115   b , together with the first ducting features  115   a  and the first surface  114 , acts as a duct which aids in isolating the air flows of adjacent test slot assemblies  120   a ,  120   b  ( FIG. 13 ) of an associated pair. In particular, the second ducting features  115   b  operate to isolate air flows exiting the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  en route to the first and second heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b . As shown in  FIG. 34 , along a second surface  116  the first side wall  111  includes a plurality of first card guide assemblies  117   a  each configured to receive and support a first side of one of the test slot mounting plates  513  ( FIG. 15A ). 
     As mentioned above, each slot bank  110  also includes a plurality of second side wall sections  113 . Each of the second side walls sections  113  is mounted between adjacent chassis members  104  opposite one of the first side walls  111 . As shown in FIG.  35 , each of the second side wall sections  113  defines a pair of intake apertures (i.e., first and second intake apertures  118   a ,  118   b ) and a pair of exhaust apertures (i.e., first and second exhaust apertures  119   a ,  119   b ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 36A and 36B  (exploded views), following assembly, the first intake aperture  118   a  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  of a corresponding one of the first test slots  500   a  and with the first ducting region  736   a  of the air mover housing  734 , thereby allowing for the passage of an air flow from the first test slot  500   a  towards the first blower  722   a . At the same time, the first exhaust aperture  119   a  is substantially aligned with the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a  and the inlet aperture  528  of the corresponding one of the first test slots  500   a , thereby allowing for the passage of an air flow from the first blower  722   a  into the first test slot  500   a . Similarly, following assembly, the second intake aperture  118   b  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  of a corresponding one of the second test slots  500   b  and with the second ducting region  736   b  of the air mover housing  734 , thereby allowing for the passage of an air flow from the second test slot  500   b  towards the second blower  722   b . And, the second exhaust aperture  119   b  is substantially aligned with the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b  and the inlet aperture  528  of the corresponding one of the second test slots  500   b , thereby allowing for the passage of an air flow from the second blower  722   b  into the second test slot  500   b . Referring still to  FIGS. 36A and 36B , insulators  548  (e.g., foam insulators) can be disposed between the test slots  500   a ,  500   b  and the associated second side wall section  113 . As shown in  FIG. 36A , the insulators  548  include first and second openings  549   a ,  549   b  which align with the inlet and outlet apertures  528 ,  529  allowing for the passage of the air flows between the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  and the first and second test slots  500   a ,  500   b , respectively. The insulators  548  can be connected to the test slots  500   a ,  500   b , e.g., with an adhesive. The insulators  548  can be connected, e.g., to the outer surface  530  of the housing  508  and/or to the surface of the mounting plate  513 . The insulators  548  are configured to abut the second side wall sections  113  when the test slots  500   a ,  500   b  are mounted within the test rack  100  to aid in inhibiting the loss of the air flows to the surrounding environment within the test slot compartment  700  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11B ). Thus, the air flows between the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  and the first and second test slots  500   a ,  500   b  remain substantially isolated from each other and substantially isolated from the surrounding environment within the test slot compartment  700  ( FIG. 11B ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 35 , the second side wall sections  113  also include a plurality of second card guide assemblies  117   b  each configured to receive and support a second side of one of the test slot mounting plates  513 . As shown in  FIGS. 37A and 37B  the test slots  500   a ,  500   b  are each supported between adjacent ones of the first and second card guide assemblies  117   a ,  117   b.    
     Dependent Temperature Control 
     As discussed above, within each test rack  100  the test electronics  160  control the operating temperatures of the test slots  500 , e.g., by controlling the flow of electrical power to the resistive heaters ( FIG. 17 ) and the thermoelectric coolers  742  ( FIG. 27 ). However, the sharing of system resources, such as thermal insulation (e.g., between test slots), available power, and cooling liquid (e.g., chilled water), may limit the flexibility of temperature control. This limited flexibility may be accommodated by enforcing certain dependencies between the test slots  500 . 
     In some cases, the test racks  100  can be configured to control temperatures of the associated test slots  500  in such a way as to enhance the use of system resources. For example,  FIG. 38A  shows an algorithm  900  for controlling temperature changes within a cluster of the test slots  500  based on the total power available to the cluster (cluster maximum) of test slots. The cluster of test slots  500  can include any predetermined number of test slots  500 , e.g., two or more test slots  500 , a full slot bank  110  ( FIG. 2B ) of test slots  500 , a full test rack  100  ( FIG. 2A ) of test slots  500 , multiple test racks  100  of test slots  500 , etc. A disk drive testing system  10  ( FIG. 1 ) can, for example, include one or more clusters of test slots  500 . Each request for a temperature change within one of the test slots  500  of the cluster is first evaluated to assess the impact that the requested temperature change will have on the current, active power draw of the cluster of test slots. The requested temperature change is the difference between a current, active temperature setting and a new, requested temperature setting. In this regard, a requested temperature setting is compared  100  to a current, active temperature setting of the subject test slot  500  and an expected change in power draw for the cluster that is expected to be effected by the requested temperature change is calculated  912 . The algorithm  900  then determines  914  whether the active power draw of the cluster of test slots  500  will be increased or decreased by the requested temperature change. 
     If it is determined that the active power draw of the cluster of test slots  500  will increase as a result of the requested temperature change, then the expected total power draw for the cluster (i.e., the active power draw of the cluster of test slots  500  plus the expected increase in power draw resulting from the requested temperature change) is compared  916  to the total power available to the cluster. If the expected total power draw exceeds the total power available (i.e., if sufficient power is not available to achieve the requested temperature change), then the temperature change request is placed in queue  918  until additional power becomes available to the cluster. If the expected total power draw does not exceed the total power available (i.e., if sufficient power is available to achieve the temperature change), then the temperature change is effected  920  and the power draw is updated. 
     If, instead, it is determined that the active power draw will decrease as a result of the requested temperature change (i.e., overall power consumption will be reduced), then the temperature change is effected  922  and the active power draw is updated. A temperature change request that reduces the active power draw also presents an opportunity to service  924  a temperature request from the queue. In this manner, temperature control of each test slot  500  in the cluster is made dependent on the total power available to the cluster. 
     Additional limitations can be placed on the ramp rate of the temperature, i.e., the rate of change of the temperature within a test slot, e.g., to achieve a desired temperature. For example,  FIGS. 38B and 38C  shows an algorithm  940  for controlling ramp rate of the temperature within the test slots  500  of a cluster of test slots  500 , based on the total power available to the cluster of test slots  500 . As shown in  FIG. 38B , for each test slot  500  in a cluster the algorithm  940  determines  944  the associated power draw for that test slot  500 . The algorithm  940  does this by checking to see whether the test slot  500  being assessed is operating in an active resistive heating mode (i.e., heating an air flow within the test slot via the resistive heater  729  (FIG.  17 )), an active TEC heating mode (i.e., heating an air flow entering the test slot via the thermoelectric cooler  742  (FIG.  27 )), or an active TEC cooling mode (i.e., cooling an air flow entering the test slot via the thermoelectric cooler  742  ( FIG. 27 )). Each test slot  500  in the cluster that is operating in one of the aforementioned modes contributes to the active power draw of the cluster. Three variable values are adjusted based on the operating modes of the test slots in order to monitor how much of the active power draw is associated with each in the cluster. The variable values include a resistive heating load (Res_HeatingLoad), a thermoelectric cooler heating load (TEC_HeatingLoad), and a thermoelectric cooler cooling load (TEC_CoolingLoad). 
     If it is determined  946  that the test slot  500  is operating in an active resistive heating mode, then the algorithm  940  calculates  948  and resets the value of the resistive heating load (Res_HeatingLoad) to be equal to the sum of the current value for the resistive heating load (initially set  942  at zero) plus a heating ramp rate (Heating_Ramp_Rate). The heating ramp rate can be constant value, e.g., set by an operator or preprogrammed into test software, that corresponds to the power draw associated with heating one of the test slots at a particular rate (e.g., in degrees per unit of time). Otherwise, if it is determined  950  that the test slot  500  is operating in an active TEC heating mode, then the algorithm  940  calculates  952  the TEC heating load (TEC_HeatingLoad) to be equal to the sum of the current value for the TEC heating load (initially set  942  at zero) plus the heating ramp rate. Or, if it is determined  954  that the test slot  500  is operating in an active TEC cooling mode, then the algorithm  940  calculates  956  the TEC cooling load (TEC_CoolingLoad) to be equal to the sum of the current value for the TEC cooling load (initially set  942  at zero) plus a cooling ramp rate (Cooling_Ramp_Rate). The cooling ramp rate can be constant value, e.g., set by an operator or preprogrammed into test software, that corresponds to the power draw associated with cooling one of the test slots  500  at a particular rate (e.g., in degrees per unit of time). After each of the associated test slots  500  of the cluster has been assessed, the value of the resistive heating load will reflect the total amount of the active power draw that is associated with resistive heating (i.e., heating via the resistive heaters in the test slots) within the cluster, the value of the TEC heating load will reflect the total amount of the active power draw that is associated with TEC heating (i.e., heating via the thermoelectric coolers) within the cluster, and the value of the TEC cooling load will reflect the total amount of the active power draw that is associated with TEC cooling (i.e., cooling via the thermoelectric coolers) within the cluster. 
     Once the algorithm  940  has assessed  944  each of the test slots  500  in the cluster and determined how much each test slot contributes to either the resistive heating load, the TEC heating load, or the TEC cooling load, the algorithm  940  calculates  958  the active power draw (DC_Power_Load) of the cluster by summing the values of the resistive heating load, the TEC heating load, and the TEC cooling load, and then determines  960  whether the calculated value for the active power draw exceeds the total power available (DC_Load_Maximum). If it is determined that the calculated value for active power draw exceeds the total power available, the algorithm  940  calculates  962  the value for a power load scale (DC_Load_Scale), resetting the power load scale (initially set  942  to 1) to be equal to the total power available divided by the current value (i.e., previously calculated value) for the active power draw, and then computes  964  the active cooling liquid power load (H20_Power_Load) of the cluster. Otherwise, if it is determined that the calculated value for the active power draw does not exceed the total power available, the value for the power load scale is left at 1 and the algorithm  960  computes  964  the active cooling liquid power load of the cluster. 
     The algorithm  940  computes  964  the active cooling liquid power load of the cluster by setting the value for the active cooling liquid power load equal to the value of the TEC cooling load less the value of the TEC heating load. Thermoelectric coolers  745  ( FIG. 27 ) operating in the cooling mode are delivering thermal, heat energy into the cooling liquid, while thermoelectric coolers operating in the heating mode are removing thermal, heat energy from the cooling liquid. Thus, the active cooling liquid power load is calculated as the total amount of power (thermal power) delivered into the cooling liquid via the thermoelectric coolers (operating in the cooling mode) less the total amount of power drawn out of the cooling liquid via the thermoelectric coolers (operating in the heating mode). Then, the algorithm  940  determines  966  whether the active cooling liquid power load exceeds a predetermined maximum cooling liquid power load for the cluster (i.e., a predetermined value based on the cooling capacity of the liquid). 
     If it is determined that the calculated value for the active cooling liquid power load of the cluster of test slots  500  exceeds the value for the maximum cooling liquid power load for the cluster of test slots  500 , then the algorithm  940  calculates  968  the value for a cooling liquid load scale (H20_Load_Scale), resetting the cooling liquid load scale (initially set  942  to 1) to be equal to the maximum cooling liquid power load divided by the current value (i.e., previously calculated value) for the active cooling liquid power load. Then, referring to  FIG. 38C , the algorithm  940  determines  970  whether the value for the power load scale is less than the value for the cooling liquid load scale. If it is determined that the value for the power load scale is less than the value for the cooling liquid load scale, then the algorithm  940  resets  972  the value of the cooling liquid load scale to be equal to the value of the power load scale, otherwise the cooling liquid load scale is left at the previously calculated value. 
     Then, the power delivered to the resistive heaters and/or the thermoelectric coolers is adjusted based on the calculated value for the power load scale or the cooling liquid load scale in order to adjust the temperature ramp rate of the associated test slot, thereby to effect temperature changes for the test slots  500 . More specifically, each test slot  500  in the cluster is again assessed  974  to determine whether it is in a resistive heating mode, a TEC heating mode, or a TEC cooling mode. If it is determined  976  that the test slot  500  being assessed is in a resistive heating mode, the power delivered to the associated resistive heater  729  is adjusted  978  to be equal to the product of the heating ramp rate and the power load scale. If it is determined  980  that the test slot  500  is in a TEC heating mode, then the power provided to the associated thermoelectric cooler  745  is adjusted  982  to be equal to the product of the heating ramp rate and the power load scale. If it is determined that the test slot is in a TEC cooling mode the power provided to the associated thermoelectric cooler  745  is adjusted to be equal to the product of the cooling ramp rate and the cooling liquid load scale. In this manner, the power distributed to each of the test slots  500  in the cluster is adjusted incrementally to achieve the respective desired temperatures. 
     In some cases, the thermal performance of the test slots  500  may be influenced by the operation of other neighboring test slots  500 . For example, depending upon how much thermal insulation is provided between the test slots  500 , the temperature that one test slot  500  can reach may be limited by the operating temperature(s) of one or more other, surrounding test slots  500 . To account for such limitations, the temperature control of each test slot  500  can be made to be dependent on neighboring test slots  500 . For example,  FIG. 38D  illustrates an algorithm  1000  for controlling temperature changes within one of the test slots  500  based on the neighboring test slots  500 . When a temperature change within one of the test slots  500  (e.g., a subject test slot  500 ) is requested, the average of the operating temperatures for the nearest neighboring test slots  500  (e.g., the test slots  500  above, below and to the sides of the subject test slot  500 ) is calculated  1010 . These operating temperatures may be measured values (e.g., as detected by temperature sensors  526  ( FIG. 20A ) disposed within the neighboring test slots  500 ), or may be target values that are set, e.g., according to a test routine. The algorithm  1000  then determines  1012  whether the requested temperature for the subject test slot  500  is greater than the sum of the calculated average of the operating temperatures of the neighboring test slots  500  plus a predetermined offset value. In some cases, the predetermined offset value is a fixed value that corresponds to maximum temperature difference between adjacent test slots  500 , which is dependent upon the thermal insulation between the test slots  500 . For temperature differences less than the offset value, the insulation between the subject test slot  500  and its neighbors is sufficient to achieve the desired temperature. 
     If the requested temperature for the subject test slot  500  is not greater than the sum of the calculated average of the operating temperatures of the neighboring test slots  500  plus the predetermined offset value, then the temperature change is effected  1014  to set the subject test slot  500  to the requested temperature. Then, after the temperature change is effected for the subject test slot  500 , the algorithm  1000  determines  1016  whether the adjacent test slots  500  have any queued temperature requests, and, if so, then considers  1018  the queued requests in turn. 
     If the requested temperature for the subject test slot  500  is greater than the sum of the calculated average of the operating temperatures of the neighboring test slots  500  plus the predetermined offset value, then the temperature of the subject test slot  500  is limited  1020  to be the sum of the calculated average of the operating temperatures of the neighboring test slots  500  plus the predetermined offset value. A temperature change is effected  1022  to set the subject test slot  500  to that limited temperature, a request to change the temperature of the subject test slot  500  (e.g., from the limited temperature) to the requested temperature is queued  1024 , and feedback is provided  1026  indicating that the temperature is limited. 
       FIG. 38E  illustrates another example of an algorithm  1050  for controlling temperature changes within one of the test slots  500  (i.e., a subject test slot  500 ) based on other, neighboring test slots  500 . In the example shown in  FIG. 38E , the target temperature (i.e., requested temperature) for the subject test slot  500  is programmed  1052 , e.g., input by an operator or preprogrammed into test software, and a variable (SurroundingTemp), corresponding to the temperature of the environment surrounding the subject test slot (e.g., temperature of the test rack and/or neighboring ones of the test slots), is initially set  1054  to a zero value. Then, the average of the operating temperatures for the nearest neighboring test slots  500  is calculated  1010  by assessing  1056  each of the surrounding test slots  500  (i.e., test slots surrounding the subject test slot) to determine  1058  whether that surrounding test slot  500  is immediately above or below the subject test slot  500 . 
     If the neighboring test slot  500  under assessment is above or below the subject test slot  500 , then the SurroundingTemp variable is reset (i.e., computed  1060 ) to be equal to the sum of the current value (i.e., previously set or previously calculated value) for the SurroundingTemp plus the product of a first constant (4 in this example) multiplied by the measured temperature (CurrentSlotTemp) of the neighboring test slot  500 , as provided by the temperature sensors  526  ( FIG. 19 ) of that test slot  500 . 
     If the neighboring test slot  500  under assessment is not above or below the subject test slot  500 , then the algorithm  1050  determines  1062  whether the neighboring test slot is disposed immediately to the side (i.e., left or right) of the subject test slot  500 . If the neighboring test slot  500  under assessment is disposed immediately to the side the subject test slot  500  then the SurroundingTemp variable is reset  1064  to be equal to the sum of the current value for the SurroundingTemp plus the product of a second constant (1 in this example) multiplied by the measured temperature (CurrentSlotTemp) of the neighboring test slot  500 , as provided by the temperature sensors  526  ( FIG. 19 ) of that test slot  500 . 
     The first and second constants are predetermined values and correspond generally to the thermal resistance between the subject test slot  500  and the neighboring test slots  500  immediately above and below compared to the thermal resistance between the subject test slot  500  and the neighboring test slots  500  immediately to sides. In this example, the first constant, 4, and the second constant, 1, were selected to reflect a thermal resistance between the subject test slot and the neighboring test slots immediately above and below that is one quarter than that of the thermal resistance between the subject test slot and the neighboring test slots immediately to the sides. The first and second constants may be different depending, e.g., on the amount of insulation provided between the test slots  500 . 
     After the neighboring test slots  500  are assessed, the algorithm  1050  determines  1066  whether the subject test slot  500  is at the top or bottom of the associated test rack  100 , i.e., first or last in a column of test slots  500 . If the subject test slot  500  is at the top or bottom of the associated test rack  100 , then the SurroundingTemp variable is reset  1068  to be equal to the sum of the current value for the SurroundingTemp plus the product of the first constant multiplied by the measured temperature (RackTemperature) of the test rack  100 , as provided by the temperature sensors  48  ( FIG. 11B ) within the test rack  100 . 
     Then, the algorithm  1050  determines  1070  whether the subject test slot  500  is disposed along the left or right edge (i.e., first or last in a row of test slots  500 ) of the associate test rack  100 . If the subject test slot is disposed along the left or right edge of the associated test rack  100 , then the SurroundingTemp variable is reset  1072  to be equal to the sum of the current value for the SurroundingTemp plus the product of the second constant multiplied by the measured temperature (RackTemperature) of the test rack  100 . 
     Next, the algorithm  1050  averages the SurroundingTemp over the sum of twice the value of the first constant plus twice the value of the second constant, in the example shown (2×4)+(2×1)=10, and resets  1074  the value of the SurroundingTemp to equal this calculated average. Then, the algorithm  1050  calculates  1076  a temperature difference (DeltaTemp) equal to difference between the requested temperature (RequestedTemperature) and the value for the SurroundingTemp. Then, the calculated temperature difference is compared  1078  to a predetermined maximum heating temperature difference (MaxHeatDeltaTemp). If the calculated temperature difference is greater than the predetermined maximum heating temperature difference, then the value for the RequestedTemperature is reset  1080  to equal the sum of the SurroundingTemp plus the predetermined maximum temperature difference. 
     Then, the calculated temperature difference is compared  1082  to a predetermined maximum cooling temperature difference (MaxCoolDeltaTemp). If the calculated temperature difference is less than the predetermined maximum cooling temperature difference, then the value for the RequestedTemperature is reset  1084  to equal the sum of the SurroundingTemp plus the predetermined maximum cooling temperature difference. 
     Then a temperature change is effected  1086  for the subject test slot  500  based on the current value for the RequestedTemperature. 
     Methods of Operation 
     In use, the robotic arm  310  removes a disk drive transporter  400  from one of the test slots  500  with the manipulator  312 , then picks up a disk drive  600  from one the disk drive receptacles  264  at the transfer station  200  with the disk drive transporter  400 , and then returns the disk drive transporter  400 , with a disk drive  600  therein, to the associated test slot  500  for testing of the disk drive  600 . During testing, the test electronics  160  execute a test algorithm that includes, inter alia, adjusting the temperature of air flowing to the disk drive  600  under test. For example, during testing the disk drives  600  are each tested over a temperature range from about 20° C. to about 70° C. The blowers (i.e., the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  of each pair of test slot assemblies  120   a ,  120   b ) each provide an isolated air flow past the associated electric heatpump assembly  724   a ,  724   b  and into the associated test slot  500   a ,  500   b . After the air flow enters the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  it is directed underneath the disk drive  600  being tested by the ducting conduit  532 . A return air flow passes over the disk drive  600  and is exhausted out of the outlet aperture  529  of the test slot  500   a ,  500   b  at least part of which is directed back towards the blower  722   a ,  722   b  for recirculation. The test electronics  160  can monitor the temperature of the air flow in each of the test slots  500   a ,  500   b  based on feedback received from the temperature sensors  526 . The test electronics  160  can also adjust the temperature of the air flow (e.g., based on a predetermined test algorithm and/or based on feedback from the temperature sensors  526 ) by controlling the flow of electrical current to the associated thermoelectric cooler  742  and resistive heater  729 . During testing, the blower  722   a ,  722   b  can be maintained at a constant velocity, which may help to minimize vibrations associated with the rotation of the blades  732  (particularly vibrations associated with acceleration of the blades  732 ). Thus, temperature of the air flow in each test slot assembly  120   a ,  120   b  can be adjusted using primarily only passive components (e.g., the thermoelectric coolers  742  and resistive heaters  729 ), thereby limiting the need for moving parts. Furthermore, since the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  are mounted external to the test slot, nothing is vibrating in the test slots  500   a ,  500   b  except the disk drive being tested. After testing, the robotic arm  310  retrieves the disk drive transporter  400 , along with the supported disk drive  600 , from the test slot  500  and returns it to one of the disk drive receptacles  224  at the transfer station  200  (or moves it to another one of the test slots  500 ) by manipulation of the disk drive transporter  400  (i.e., with the manipulator  312 ). 
     Other Embodiments 
     Other details and features combinable with those described herein may be found in the following U.S. patent applications filed Dec. 18, 2007, entitled “DISK DRIVE TESTING”, inventors: Edward Garcia et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 11/958,817; and “DISK DRIVE TESTING”, inventors: Edward Garcia et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 11/958,788. Other details and features combinable with those described herein may also be found in the following U.S. patent applications filed Apr. 17, 2008, entitled “Disk Drive Emulator And Method Of Use Thereof”, inventors: Edward Garcia, and having assigned Ser. No. 12/104,594; “Transferring Disk Drives Within Disk Drive Testing Systems”, inventors: Evgeny Polyakov et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 12/104,536; “Bulk Feeding Disk Drives To Disk Drive Testing Systems”, inventors: Scott Noble et al., and having assigned Ser. No. 12/104,869; and “Vibration Isolation within Disk Drive Testing Systems”, inventor: Brian Merrow, and having assigned Ser. No. 12/105,105. The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example,  FIGS. 39A and 39B  illustrate another embodiment of a test slot  540 . The test slot  540  includes a housing  550  having a base  552 , first and second upstanding walls  553   a ,  553   b  and first and second covers  554   a ,  554   b . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 39 , the first cover  554   a  is integrally molded with the base  552  and the upstanding walls  553   a ,  553   b . The housing  550  defines an internal cavity  556  which includes a rear portion  557  and a front portion  558 . The front portion  558  defines a test compartment  560  for receiving and supporting one of the disk drive transporters  400  ( FIG. 7A ). The base  552 , upstanding walls  553   a ,  553   b , and the first cover  554   a  together define a first open end  561 , which provides access to the test compartment  560  (e.g., for inserting and removing the disk drive transporter  400 ), and the beveled edges  562 , which abut the face plate  412  of a disk drive transporter  400  inserted in the test slot  500  to provide a seal that inhibits the flow of air into and out of the test slot  500  via the first open end  561 . The first upstanding wall  553   a  defines an inlet aperture  551  and an outlet aperture  555 . The inlet and outlet apertures  551 ,  555  extend between an outer surface  559  ( FIG. 39B ) of the housing  550  and the internal cavity  556 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 40A and 40B , the rear portion  557  of the internal cavity  556  houses a connection interface board  570 , which carries the connection interface circuit  182  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 40A and 40B , the connection interface board  570  extends between the test compartment  560  and a second end  567  of the housing  550 . This embodiment eliminates the ribbon cable  522  described above with regard to  FIG. 19 . A plurality of electrical connectors  572  are disposed along a distal end  573  of the connection interface board  570 . The electrical connectors  572  provide for electrical communication between the connection interface circuit  182  and the test electronics  160  (e.g., self test system  180  and/or functional test system  190 ) in the associated test rack  100 . The connection interface board  570  also includes a test slot connector  574 , arranged at a proximal end  575  of the connection interface board  570 , which provides for electrical communication between the connection interface circuit  182  and a disk drive  600  in the test slot  500 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 40C and 40D , the test slot  540 , can include a first insulating member  541  disposed between the second cover  554   b  and the connection interface board  570 . The first insulating member  541  inhibits the transfer of thermal energy between the internal cavity  556  and the environment surrounding the test slot  540 . Second insulating members  543  are disposed between the heater heatsink  728  and the second cover  554   b  and inhibit the transfer of thermal energy therebetween. The test slot  540  may also include third insulating members  545  disposed between the internal cavity  556  along the first and second upstanding walls  553   a ,  553   b . The third insulating members  545  help to further inhibit the transfer of thermal energy between the internal cavity  556  and the second cover  554   b , and may also help to inhibit the exchange of air between the internal cavity  556  and the environment surrounding the test slot  540  at the interface between the first and second upstanding walls  553   a ,  553   b  and the second cover  554   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 40E , the test slot  540  can also include an insulator  548  (e.g., a foam insulator) connected (e.g., with an adhesive) to the outer surface  559  of the housing  550 . The insulator  548  includes first and second openings  549   a ,  549   b  which align with the inlet and outlet apertures  551 ,  555 . As discussed above, e.g., with regard to  FIGS. 36A and 36B , the insulator  548  allows for communication with corresponding ones of the air mover assemblies while, at the same time, helps to inhibit the loss of the air flows to the surrounding environment within the test slot compartment  700  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11B ). 
     While the air mover assemblies described above include an air mover housing formed of a flexible, damping material for mounting the associated pair of blowers, the blowers need not be mounted in such a flexible air mover housing. For example, in another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 41A-41C , the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  are mounted in a substantially rigid air mover housing  754  (e.g., a molded plastic part). A plurality of isolators  753  are connected to the air mover housing  754 . The isolators  753  are configured to engage mounting holes  723  on the blowers  722   a ,  722   b , thereby to mount the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  to the air mover housing  754 . The isolators  753  are formed (e.g., molded) from a damping material, e.g., thermoplastics, thermosets, etc., which aids in isolating vibrations produced by the blowers  722   a ,  722   b . Referring to  FIGS. 41A and 41B , the air mover housing  754  defines a first pocket  755   a  ( FIG. 41A ) for receiving the first blower  722   a  and a second pocket  755   b  ( FIG. 41B ) for receiving the second blower  722   b . The air mover housing  754  also defines a first ducting region  756   a  ( FIG. 41A ). Following assembly, the first ducting region  756   a  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  ( FIG. 36A ) of the first test slot  500   a  ( FIG. 36A ) and acts as a duct providing for the flow of air between the outlet aperture  529  of the first test slot  500   a  and the air inlet  730  of the first blower  722   a . The air mover housing  754  also defines a second ducting region  756   b  ( FIG. 41B ) including a through-hole  757 . Following assembly, the second ducting region  756   b  is substantially aligned with the outlet aperture  529  ( FIG. 36A ) of the second test slot  500   b  ( FIG. 36A ) and acts as a duct providing for the flow of air between the outlet aperture  529  of the second test slot  500   b  and the air inlet  730  ( FIG. 41A ) of the second blower  722   b . Within the air mover housing  754 , the first and second blowers  722  are mounted in face-to-face relation and are separated by a dividing wall  758  of the air mover housing  754 . That is to say, the air inlets  730  of the blowers  722   a ,  722   b  face opposing sides of the dividing wall  758 . The air mover housing  754  also includes a first sidewall  759  that defines first and second ducting apertures  760   a ,  760   b . The first ducting aperture  760   a  extends from an outer surface  761  of the first sidewall  759  into the first pocket  755   a , and the second ducting aperture  760   b  extends from the outer surface  761  of the first sidewall  759  into the second pocket  755   b  ( FIG. 41B ).  FIG. 41C  shows the first blower  722   a  mounted within the air mover housing  754 , with the air outlet  731  of the first blower  722   a  substantially aligned with the first ducting aperture  760   a  of the air mover housing  754 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 42 , following assembly, the first ducting aperture  760   a  operates as a duct to direct an air flow  750  exiting the air outlet  731  of the first blower  722   a  towards the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a , and, similarly, the second ducting aperture  760   b  operates as a duct to direct an air flow  752  exiting the air outlet  731  of the second blower  722   b  towards the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b . As shown in  FIG. 42 , additional ducting is provided in the form of a first deck  762  which extends outwardly from the first sidewall  759 . The first deck  762  can be, for example, a separate piece that is mounted to the air mover housing  754 , or can be integrally molded with the air mover housing  754 . The first deck  762  helps to direct the air flow  752  exiting the air mover housing  754  toward the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b . Alternatively or additionally, a second deck  763  (shown in hidden lines) can be provided to help direct the air flow  750  exiting the air mover housing  754  toward the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a . This additional ducting can serve as a substitute for the first ducting features  115   a  described above with regard to  FIG. 31 . This additional ducting also aids in isolating the air flows passing between the test slots and the air mover assemblies and helps to inhibit the loss of the air flows to the surrounding environment within the test slot compartment  700  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11B ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 43  (partially exploded view), a baffling member  770  can also be provided for directing air flows  750 ,  752  ( FIG. 42 ) from the air mover housing  754  toward the first and second electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b . Referring to  FIG. 44 , the baffle member  770  includes a first and second baffles  772   a ,  772   b , and a short deck  774 . When the baffle member  770  is assembled between the air mover housing  754  and the first and second electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b , the short deck  774  is disposed between the respective heat sinks  743  of the first and second electric heatpump assemblies  724   a ,  724   b  and operates to keep the air flows  750 ,  752  substantially isolated from one another. In this manner, the short deck  774  can be used as a substitute for the second ducting features  115   b  described above with regard to  FIG. 31 . As illustrated in  FIG. 45A , the first baffle  772   a  operates to direct the air flow  750  exiting the air outlet  731  of the first blower  722   a  towards the first electric heatpump assembly  724   a . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 45B , the second baffle  772   b  operates as a duct to direct the air flow  752  ( FIG. 42 ) exiting the air outlet  731  of the second blower  722   b  towards the second electric heatpump assembly  724   b . The baffling member  770  is also designed to ensure equal flow between the two associated ones of the test slots  500   a ,  500   b.    
       FIGS. 46A and 46B  illustrate an embodiment of a first sidewall  140  that is configured to receive and support the air mover housing  754  of  FIGS. 41A-41C . As shown in  FIG. 46A , along a first surface  144  the first side wall  140  defines a plurality of mounting flanges  145  adapted to receive the air mover housings  754  therebetween. As mentioned above, the first sidewall  140  can be mounted between adjacent chassis members  104  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 32 ) opposite one of the second side walls  113  ( FIG. 35 ) such that the air mover housing  754  is disposed between the first sidewall  104  and the second sidewall  112 . As shown in  FIG. 46B , along a second surface  146  the first side wall  140  includes a plurality of first card guide assemblies  147   a  each configured to receive and support a first side of one of the test slot mounting plates  513  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 15A ). 
     While test slot thermal control systems have been described above in which an air flow enters the test slot through the inlet aperture, then is directed underneath a disk drive in the test compartment via the ducting conduit, and then is exhausted through the outlet aperture, in some cases, the air flow pattern can be different, e.g., the air flow pattern can be reversed. For example, in some cases, the blower can be arranged to direct an air flow into an associated one of the test slots through the outlet aperture, where it will then pass over a disk drive within the test compartment, and then be directed out of the inlet aperture via the ducting conduit. 
     While test slot thermal control systems have been described above in which the first and second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  ( FIG. 22A ) are maintained at a constant velocity to minimize vibrations associated with the rotation of the blades  732  ( FIG. 22A ), in some cases the speed of the first and/or second blowers  722   a ,  722   b  can be adjusted (e.g., to effect cooling). Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.