Data storage testing apparatus for delivering linear or rotational acceleration

1. A combined linear and rotational acceleration testing apparatus for use with a data storage component, the testing apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

a retaining element coupled to the base platform, the retaining element being sized and configured to retain the data storage component, the retaining element being linearly movable relative to the base platform during a linear acceleration mode without substantial rotational movement, the retaining element being rotationally movable relative to the base platform without substantial linear movement during a rotational acceleration mode; and

an actuator disposable in mechanical communication with the retaining element for moving the retaining element relative to the base platform.

2. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a vibration actuator.

3. The testing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vibration actuator is a dc motor.

4. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a shock actuator.

5. The testing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the shock actuator is a solenoid device.

6. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a vibration actuator and a shock actuator.

7. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data storage component is a disk drive base and the retaining element is sized and configured to retain the disk drive base.

8. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retaining element includes:

a first fixture sized and configured to retain the data storage component; and

a second fixture coupled to the first fixture and the base platform, the second fixture including a first configuration with the second fixture being fixed relative to the first fixture, the second fixture including a second configuration with the second fixture being rotatably coupled to the first fixture.

9. The testing apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second fixtures are linearly movable relative to the base platform during the linear acceleration mode without substantial rotational movement with the second fixture in the first configuration.

10. The testing apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first fixture is rotationally movable relative to the second fixture and the base platform without substantial linear movement during a rotational acceleration mode with the second fixture in the second configuration.

11. The testing apparatus of claim 8 wherein the actuator is disposable in mechanical communication with the first fixture with the second fixture in the first configuration for linearly moving the first fixture relative to the base platform, the actuator is further disposable in mechanical communication with the first fixture with the second fixture in the second configuration for rotatably moving the first fixture relative to the second fixture and the base platform.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 8 further includes a pivot pin disposed between the first and second fixtures for relative rotational movement.

13. The testing apparatus of claim 8 further includes a locking pin for fixedly coupling the second fixture relative to the first fixture in the first configuration of the second fixture.

14. A testing apparatus for use with a data storage component, the testing apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

a first fixture sized and configured to retain the data storage component; and

a second fixture coupled to the first fixture and the base platform, the second fixture including a first configuration with the second fixture being fixed relative to the first fixture and linearly movable relative to the base platform without substantial rotational movement, the second fixture including a second configuration with the second fixture being rotatably coupled to the first fixture;

wherein in the second configuration the first fixture being rotationally movable relative to both the second fixture and the base platform without substantial linear movement.

15. The testing apparatus of claim 14 further includes a pivot pin disposed between the first and second fixtures for relative rotational movement.

16. The testing apparatus of claim 14 further includes a locking pin for fixedly coupling the second fixture relative to the first fixture in the first configuration of the second fixture.

17. The testing apparatus of claim 14 wherein the data storage component is a disk drive base and the first fixture is sized and configured to retain the disk drive base.

18. A testing apparatus for use with a data storage component, the testing apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

a retaining element coupled to the base platform, the retaining element including:

a first fixture sized and configured to retain the data storage component; and

a second fixture coupled to the first fixture and the base platform, the second fixture including a first configuration with the second fixture being fixed relative to the first fixture and linearly movable relative to the base platform without substantial rotational movement, the second fixture including a second configuration with the second fixture being rotatably coupled to the first fixture;

wherein in the second configuration the first fixture being rotationally movable relative to both the second fixture and the base platform without substantial linear movement;

a vibration actuator disposable in mechanical communication with the first fixture for moving the first fixture relative to the base platform; and

a shock actuator disposable in mechanical communication with the first fixture for moving the first fixture relative to the base platform.

19. The testing apparatus of claim 18 further includes a locking pin for fixedly coupling the second fixture relative to the first fixture in the first configuration of the second fixture.