Will a hard drive immersed in non-conductive fluid or oil work properly? - Page 9

lee_what2004 · 22nd Nov 2008, 11:15 PM

looking forward to it

Goofy_Brained · 22nd Mar 2009, 12:39 AM

Very interested in the rotating HDD in oil experiment.

Did this complete or move to some other thread ?

Thanks

Chai · 24th Mar 2009, 07:41 AM

It did work actually.

Motoman · 25th Mar 2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chai

It did work actually.

...was it verified that the fluid actually fully saturated the internals of the drive, or was it (as seems quite possible) still all-air inside, but therefore superficially "in oil?"

Chai · 25th Mar 2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoman

...was it verified that the fluid actually fully saturated the internals of the drive, or was it (as seems quite possible) still all-air inside, but therefore superficially "in oil?"

No obviously not. HDD will never work submerged. You don't have to be a scientist to know that. HDD works mechanically. I don't think it's possible to do that UNLESS the device is designed to work submerged.

But the question is, is it possible to seal the gaps and submerge it to keep it cooled, and the answer is yes.

mikegas · 26th Mar 2009, 10:52 AM

Don't forget snorkeling breather hole ...

Goofy_Brained · 2nd Apr 2009, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the data.

NOTE: there are sealed HDD's available commercially and for large range of altitudes.. (not specified for oil submersion though... )

I have a requirement to effectively hermetically seal small computer systems (incl HDD) for operational environment reasons - so no snorkels.

Tried SSD's but too expensive and cranky ( but hope abounds ) Right now using 2.5" rotating HDDs.

BUT... based on your experiences & data... - my first plan is to simply test a 2.5" HDD (one that has concentric rings on cover that flex) and to simply seal the breather hole with appropriate epoxy techniques.. BUT at HDD pressureized at about 1.3atm (for my requirements)

Given the oil bath (and my limiting altitudes allowed - for normal weather ranges) then the HDD 'breathing' will be greatly limited and if not just pressurizing the case (still having enough 'air' for flying heads).. with some 'volumn' relief transitioned to case flex. This technique is ESPECIALLY indicated, given the control of both thermal transients (VERY IMPORTANT IN HDD SPECS!) as well as an overall oil-thermal design. Care will also be taken to reinforce the drive electronic penetrations and the frame/case seals (again using epoxy - long experience here and at vacuum/pressure chamber pressures)

Adrian Wong · 4th Apr 2009, 09:18 PM

You may improve it by covering the breather hole with a small plastic cover (if it does not impede proper mounting) and sealing that to the drive. That would provide a small reservoir of air for breathing hole.

View Poll Results: Can a hard drive immersed in non-conductive liquid work properly?
Yes, I think it's possible.	6	24.00%
No way! No way in hell it will run.	18	72.00%
I don't really care or wish to guess.	1	4.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

22nd Nov 2008, 11:15 PM	#81 (permalink)
lee_what2004 Super Active Join Date: 28 Dec 2007 Location: Melaka Posts: 1,301 Reputation: 1106 Rep Power: 14	looking forward to it __________________ Once a wise-man said : Chapter 1: Don't ever compare if you want to stay constant..... Chapter 2: Whatever you have done in the internet, you will never get away from it... Chapter 3:To be continued after I thought another one

22nd Mar 2009, 12:39 AM	#82 (permalink)
Goofy_Brained Newbie Join Date: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	Did this Thread complete? or Move ? Very interested in the rotating HDD in oil experiment. Did this complete or move to some other thread ? Thanks

24th Mar 2009, 07:41 AM	#83 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,870 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	It did work actually. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

2nd Apr 2009, 01:11 PM	#87 (permalink)
Goofy_Brained Newbie Join Date: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	Thanks Guys Thanks for the data. NOTE: there are sealed HDD's available commercially and for large range of altitudes.. (not specified for oil submersion though... ) I have a requirement to effectively hermetically seal small computer systems (incl HDD) for operational environment reasons - so no snorkels. Tried SSD's but too expensive and cranky ( but hope abounds ) Right now using 2.5" rotating HDDs. BUT... based on your experiences & data... - my first plan is to simply test a 2.5" HDD (one that has concentric rings on cover that flex) and to simply seal the breather hole with appropriate epoxy techniques.. BUT at HDD pressureized at about 1.3atm (for my requirements) Given the oil bath (and my limiting altitudes allowed - for normal weather ranges) then the HDD 'breathing' will be greatly limited and if not just pressurizing the case (still having enough 'air' for flying heads).. with some 'volumn' relief transitioned to case flex. This technique is ESPECIALLY indicated, given the control of both thermal transients (VERY IMPORTANT IN HDD SPECS!) as well as an overall oil-thermal design. Care will also be taken to reinforce the drive electronic penetrations and the frame/case seals (again using epoxy - long experience here and at vacuum/pressure chamber pressures)

26th Mar 2009, 10:52 AM	#86 (permalink)
mikegas I'm a regular Join Date: 7 May 2008 Posts: 460 Reputation: 206 Rep Power: 4	Don't forget snorkeling breather hole ...

4th Apr 2009, 09:18 PM	#88 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 32,208 Reputation: 3531 Rep Power: 75	You may improve it by covering the breather hole with a small plastic cover (if it does not impede proper mounting) and sealing that to the drive. That would provide a small reservoir of air for breathing hole. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs