Patent ID: 7375923

Claim:
A data storage system comprising: a plurality of data storage devices each joined at proximal and distal ends to a carrier and each clearingly disengaged from the carrier at medial portions thereof to form a multiple device array (MDA) module such that the plurality is unitarily insertable in a shelf, the carrier and shelf cooperatively framing a conduit circumscribing the plurality of data storage devices and thereby defining outer transverse passages between the shelf and the medial portions of outermost rows of the plurality and inner transverse passages between medial portions facing each other in adjacent rows of the plurality; a fan imparting a fluid flow through both the outer and inner transverse passages in a convective heat transfer relationship with both opposing faces of each of the data storage devices; and wherein each data storage device has an actuator operably disposed in a data storing and retrieving relationship with a data storage medium rotating at a speed of substantially greater than 10,000 revolutions per minute and each data storage device has a data storage capacity of substantially greater than 100 gigabytes.