AU2017101254A4

AU2017101254A4 - Movable apparatus for destroying computer hardware

Info

Publication number: AU2017101254A4
Application number: AU2017101254A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Aaron Drew; Leigh Stillard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-13
Filing date: 2017-09-13
Publication date: 2017-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-13

Abstract

A movable apparatus for destroying computer hardware, comprises one or more vibration dampening mounts mounted to a movable body; a hammermill mounted on the one or more vibration dampening mounts and being configured to destroy the computer hardware into fragments; an inertia wheel coupled to the hammermill adapted to facilitate rotation of the hammermill; an inlet for receiving and delivering computer hardware to the hammermill; and an outlet for receiving and expelling the fragments from the hammermill. 1i Figure 1

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a movable apparatus for destroying computer hardware and particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for destroying computer hard drives such that any data stored thereon is unrecoverable.

Background of invention

Vast amounts of data can be stored on computer hard drives, such as pictures, videos, documents, programs, etc. The data stored on hard drives, whether fixed or external, often includes sensitive information such as work reports, credit card information, employee information, photos of new inventions, case files, etc.

While it is possible to delete such sensitive information from an obsolete hard drive, it can often be possible to recover this information using readily available software. Thus, if a fraudster was to obtain a discarded hard drive, there is a risk that they could recover any deleted information for use in a fraudulent manner.

To ensure that data stored on a hard drive is unrecoverable, the hard drive itself must be destroyed. This typically involves crushing or shredding the hard drive into small fragments that cannot be repaired. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have released a standard for media sanitization, outlining the grade of destruction required to truly clear, purge or destroy a hard drive. According to NIST SP 800-88 of this standard, the complete destruction of a hard drive is characterised as requiring the hard drive to be shredded, disintegrated, pulverized, or incinerated by burning the device in a licensed incinerator.

Currently, there are computer hardware shredding businesses that collect computer hard drives from a customer’s premises for subsequent destruction at a separate location where their shredding machine is located. These machines are extremely loud, heavy and comprised of numerous parts that prevent the machines from being readily transported. Furthermore, in use, such shredding machines vibrate heavily and are therefore typically bolted to the ground, solidifying their lack of transportability.

Still further, a large amount of power is required by these shredding machines to shred computer hardware into fragments of a suitably small size. As such, shredding machines usually need to be connected to a three-phase power supply, which are not common place.

While stationary shredding machines can suitably destroy a hard drive, there is a risk that the hard drives collected by or delivered to the shredding business may become lost during transportation. Another potential risk is that an employee of the shredding business may fraudulently recover sensitive information stored on a drive before it is destroyed. These risks can understandably cause customers to feel uneasy when handing over their hard drives for remote destruction.

Summary of invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a movable apparatus for destroying computer hardware, comprising: one or more vibration dampening mounts mounted to a movable body; a hammermill mounted on the one or more vibration dampening mounts and being configured to destroy the computer hardware into fragments; an inertia wheel coupled to the hammermill adapted to facilitate rotation of the hammermill; an inlet for receiving and delivering computer hardware to the hammermill; and an outlet for receiving and expelling the fragments from the hammermill.

In an embodiment the apparatus further comprises a sieve that prevents fragments greater than 5mm from being expelled from the hammermill.

In an embodiment the movable further comprises at least one of a diesel or petrol motor powering the hammermill.

In an embodiment the movable further comprises two or more ground engaging legs which extend downwardly from the movable apparatus for stabilising the apparatus when in use.

In an embodiment the movable body comprises a trailer. The trailer may comprise a housing for enclosing the hammermill and inertia wheel. The housing may at least partially covered in acoustic panelling.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a movable apparatus for destroying computer hardware, comprising: a hammermill and being configured to destroy the computer hardware into fragments; an inlet for receiving and delivering computer hardware to the hammermill; and an outlet for receiving and expelling the fragments from the hammermill.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure. 1 is a sectional schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional schematic top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an image of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed description

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to a movable apparatus for on-site high grade secure data destruction. Embodiments are particularly suited for destruction of internal and external computer hard drives (including solid state drives) and are described in that context herein. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus may be configured to destroy other forms of computer hardware including USB drives, memory chips, CDs and DVDs and indeed any other computer hardware of a size that can be processed by the apparatus.

The apparatus is mountable on a trailer or other suitable transportation means. The apparatus comprises a hammermill that is configured to destroy the computer hard drives into small fragments of a size that renders them incapable of being pieced together for data recovery. In a particular embodiment, the fragments are smaller than 5mm. An inertia wheel is provided for facilitating continuous steady rotation of the hammermill.

With reference to the Figure 1 there is shown a sectional view of an apparatus (1) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the apparatus (1) is mounted to a frame of a trailer by way of one or more vibration dampening mounts (2). The vibration dampening mounts (2) act to dampen the vibration emanating from the different components of the apparatus (1) when in use. The mounts (2) may be formed of rubber, or any other suitable material (or combination of materials) that operate to absorb/dampen vibration.

Hard drives are fed into the apparatus (1) by way of an inlet taking the form of an inlet chute (3). The inlet chute (3) is formed of metal and feeds into an inlet (4) of a hammermill (5). In a particular embodiment, and with additional reference to Figure 2, an operator opens a chute door (28) and places one or more hard drives (11) in the chute (3). The operator closes the chute door (28) and then actuates an electrically actuated plunger (6) which operates to push the hard drives (3a) further into the chute (3) such that they drop into the inlet (4) of the hammermill (5) in a safe manner. In this regard, the hammermill (5) comprises a body in which is located a steel drum (5a) supporting a plurality of metal hammers (7). The steel drum (5a) is coupled to an input shaft (8) which is, in turn, coupled by way of a belt to a drive shaft of a motor (9) for rotating the steel drum (5a). In use, the motor (9) causes the drum (5a) to rotate at high speed causing the individual hammers (7) to swing and crush any hard drive material in their path. The resultant crushed hard drive fragments (12) are output via an outlet in the form of an outlet chute (13) for collection by an operator of the apparatus (1). According to the illustrated embodiment, the outlet chute (13) expels the fragments (12) externally of the apparatus (1). A sieve (26) is located prior to the outlet chute (13). The sieve (26) is configured to prevent fragments that are greater than 5mm in diameter from being expelled from the hammermill (noting that the fragments are typically in irregular shape due to the crushing process). According to the illustrated embodiment, the sieve (26) includes multiple circular holes that are 3mm in diameter to satisfy the above requirement.

An inertia wheel (10) is located externally of the hammermill body. The inertia wheel (10) is additionally coupled to the input shaft (8) for facilitating rotation of the hammermill (5). The inertia wheel (10) may be coupled byway of a clutch or fluid coupling so as to allow the wheel (10) to be brought up to speed before the clutch is engaged (and the hammermill (5) put into use). The inertial wheel (10) provides a moment of inertia similar to that of large industrial crushing machines and may stabilize the engine’s revolutions and assist to prevent jamming when the hammermill (5) attempts to grind too much material.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the motor (9) is a diesel motor thereby allowing the hammermill (5) to be powered without relying on on-site power to be available, thereby making the apparatus (1) truly mobile. The diesel motor (9) may be connected to a battery (14) housed in a battery housing (15), to ensure a smooth start. A fuel tank (16) stores fuel for user by the diesel motor (13).

With particular reference to the top view of Figure 2, the apparatus (1) is mounted on a trailer. According to the illustrated embodiment, the trailer is a tandem wheel trailer (17) comprising a base (18) and a housing (19) for enclosing the apparatus (1). The trailer (17) employs four stabilising legs (21) in the form of crane style legs for onsite deployment to stabilise the apparatus (1). A hitching component (21) extends from the enclosed trailer (17) for securing to a vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, the housing (19) is at least partially formed from acoustic panelling (20) for reducing the noise level of the apparatus (1) and thus minimising any on-site disturbance. The acoustic panelling (20) is preferably 100mm thick to not only dampen noise, but also to act as a safety barrier. The panelling (20), stabilising legs (21) and vibration dampening mounts (2) work in combination to facilitate mobility and allow the hammermill (5) to work at operational capacity when on-site.

As shown, the housing (19) includes a number of openings for accessing the various components of apparatus (1). For instance, a first access door (27) allows access for maintenance of the motor (9) and fuelling of the fuel tank (16). A second access door (29) provides easy access to the clutch. A control panel (25) is provided externally of the housing at the rear of the trailer (17) for controlling the various internal components. These control panel may include a revometer, ignition, starter button, warning lights, emergency stop switch, throttle and chute door (28). The control panel may be removed for security and to disarm the apparatus (1). An image of the apparatus mountable on a trailer is shown in Figure 3. A typical implementation of the apparatus (1) involves arriving at a customer’s business/datacentre, shredding their drives with full chain of custody, and thereafter removing the fragments (if desired) for metal recycling. A key value proposition is the full chain of custody while achieving the highest standard of destruction available for satisfying the strictest regulatory and compliance requirements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hammermill (5) is configured to crush the hard drives into fragments (12) such that the fragments expelled from the apparatus are no larger than 5mm in order to satisfy NIST regulation SP 800-88 (which also covers a previous standard DoD 5220.22-M). The fragments can be provided to the customer, or safely discarded.

The inlet chute (3) may extend through an opening in the housing (19) and take any suitable size or shape for allowing hard drives to enter into the hammermill (5). In an embodiment, the inlet chute (3) may employ a conveyor belt system for automated feeding of hard drives into the hammermill (5). Similarly, the outlet chute (13) can be of any shape, angle and size so long as it does not depart form the nature of the invention. While the chutes (3, 12) are preferably made of metal to support the weight and withstand the sharp edges of the fragments (12), they may also be made of hard plastic or other suitable material.

The hammermill (5) may be of any size, and have any number of hammers (7), provided that it is capable of crushing the hard drives into suitably small fragments (12). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the hammers (7) would usually be formed of metal or another hard substance in order to destroy the computer hard drives.

According to an alternative embodiment, the apparatus (1) may include an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic and/or petrol motor (either in place of, or in addition to, the diesel motor).

In an embodiment of the invention the apparatus (1) may be incorporated into a movable vehicle as opposed to being mounted on a trailer.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of acoustic panels may be used, and they may be of any size, shape and thickness so long as they are able to dampen noise. They may also serve as a safety barrier. Many types of acoustic panelling (23) may be used to dampen noise radiating from the apparatus (1), for example; acoustic fabric wrapped panels, art acoustic panels, cotton acoustic panels, foam acoustic panels, indoor-outdoor acoustic panels, metal acoustic panels, polyester acoustic panels, PVC or Ripstop wrapped acoustic panels, cement acoustic panels, raw acoustic panels, fiberglass acoustic panels or wooden acoustic panels.

In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

The preceding description is provided in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other embodiments. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the inventions, and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, the inventions have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware, comprising: one or more vibration dampening mounts mounted to a movable body; a hammermill mounted on the one or more vibration dampening mounts and being configured to destroy the computer hardware into fragments; an inertia wheel coupled to the hammermill adapted to facilitate rotation of the hammermill; an inlet for receiving and delivering computer hardware to the hammermill; and an outlet for receiving and expelling the fragments from the hammermill.
2. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in claim 1, further comprising a sieve which prevents fragments that are greater than 5mm from being expelled.
3. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: at least one of a diesel, hydraulic or petrol motor powering the hammermill.
4. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: two or more ground engaging legs which extend downwardly from the movable apparatus for stabilising the apparatus when in use.
5. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable body comprises a trailer.
6. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in claim 5, further comprising: wherein the trailer comprises a housing for enclosing the hammermill and inertia wheel.
7. The movable apparatus for on-site destruction of computer hardware as in claim 6, wherein the housing is at least partially covered in acoustic panelling.