Narrow contour head assembly
DCFirst Claim
1. A head assembly for a magnetic tape drive including a transport for moving a magnetic tape along a tape path, said tape having a natural radius of curvature, a portion of said tape path located in close proximity to the head assembly whereby the head assembly may read or write data upon the tape, said assembly comprising:
- (A) the head assembly having a generally arcuate outer surface which the tape passes adjacent thereto;
(B) a write island integral with said head assembly and projecting above said head assembly outer surface, said write island having an arcuate top surface spaced from said head assembly outer surface with a radius substantially equal to the natural radius of curvature of the tape, and write island sides that extend between said head assembly outer surface and said write island top surface, said write island sides being planar and extending downward from the line defined by the end points of the write island top surface by at least 10°
; and
(C) a read island integral with said head assembly projecting above said head assembly outer surface, and spaced away from said write head so that there is an arcuate portion of said head assembly arcuate outer surface therebetween, said read island having an arcuate top surface spaced from said head assembly outer surface with a radius substantially equal to the natural radius of the tape, and read island sides that extend between said head assembly outer surface and said read island top surface, the line defined by the end points of the read island top surface by at least 10°
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-cleaning head assembly characterized by one or more raised head islands with convex top surfaces and sloped sides, and designed to be used with a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape, which wraps each island. The machined radius of curvature of the top surface of the head island is not less than half the natural curvature of the tape, and the running radius of the head is approximately equal to the natural curvature of the medium. A steep angle of approach between tape and head provides cleaning action, while the small top surface reduces errors due to lift-off and provides superior magnetic contact.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A head assembly for a magnetic tape drive including a transport for moving a magnetic tape along a tape path, said tape having a natural radius of curvature, a portion of said tape path located in close proximity to the head assembly whereby the head assembly may read or write data upon the tape, said assembly comprising:
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(A) the head assembly having a generally arcuate outer surface which the tape passes adjacent thereto; (B) a write island integral with said head assembly and projecting above said head assembly outer surface, said write island having an arcuate top surface spaced from said head assembly outer surface with a radius substantially equal to the natural radius of curvature of the tape, and write island sides that extend between said head assembly outer surface and said write island top surface, said write island sides being planar and extending downward from the line defined by the end points of the write island top surface by at least 10°
; and(C) a read island integral with said head assembly projecting above said head assembly outer surface, and spaced away from said write head so that there is an arcuate portion of said head assembly arcuate outer surface therebetween, said read island having an arcuate top surface spaced from said head assembly outer surface with a radius substantially equal to the natural radius of the tape, and read island sides that extend between said head assembly outer surface and said read island top surface, the line defined by the end points of the read island top surface by at least 10°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification