Negative pressure head contour in a linear tape recording system with tape deforming cavity

• US 6,122,147 A
• Filed: 01/05/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Imation Corporation (Glassbridge Enterprises, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fahimi, A. Saeed, Schwarz, Theodore A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinz, A. J.
• Application Number:
  US09/225,281
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 360/221, 360/130.21
• US Class Current: 360/221
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/00821 using stationary heads
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/1871 Shaping or contouring of the transducing or guiding surface
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/255 comprising means for protection against wear in thin film structures G11B5/3106
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/3106 where the integrated or assembled structure comprises means for conditioning against physical detrimental influence, e.g. wear, contamination G11B5/3133 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/584 for track following on tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/60 Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record-carriers

Abstract

A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system having an interface region having a substantially flat region with a substantially square leading edge and at least one cavity in the flat region. The cavity has a depth of about 0.5 micrometers to about 20 micrometers. At least one read-write element is located on the flat region adjacent to the cavity. As a magnetic tape traversing the interface region, a sub-ambient condition is generated. The magnetic tape is bent or otherwise deformed as it passes over the cavity, thereby increase tape stability at the interface with the read-write elements. A magnetic tape system for recording, reproducing and/or erasing magnetic information in a linear tape system or for servo-writing magnetic tapes is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system, comprising:

an interface region having a substantially flat region with a substantially square leading edge and at least one cavity in the flat region, the cavity having a depth of between about 0.5 micrometers and about 20 micrometers; and

at least one read-write element located on the flat region adjacent to the cavity, whereby movement of a magnetic tape traversing the interface region generates a sub-ambient condition substantially across the interface region and is deformed as it passes over the cavity, thereby increasing tape stability at an interface with the read-write element.

2. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 comprising a pair of bleed slots adjacent to the interface region.

3. The magnetic head assembly of claim 2 comprising a pair of outrigger positioned adjacent to the bleed slots for maintaining a wrap angle of less than about 5 degrees between a magnetic tape and the interface region.

4. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 comprising at least one outrigger positioned to maintain a wrap angle of less than about 5 degrees between a magnetic tape and the magnetic head.

5. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 further comprising a read-write element adjacent to each side of the cavity.

6. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 comprising a pair of cavities in the flat region.

7. The magnetic head assembly of claim 6 wherein the read-write element is located on the flat region between the pair of cavities.

8. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the leading edge comprises a material with a greater resistance to wear than the read-write elements.

9. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the interface region comprises a flatness of less than about 100 nanometers.

10. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the cavity comprises a length measured in a direction of tape travel of less than about 2.0 millimeters.

11. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the flat region comprises a length measured in a direction of tape travel of less than about 2.0 millimeters.

12. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the cavity comprises a width measured in a direction perpendicular to a direction of tape travel less than, greater than or equal to a width of a magnetic tape.

13. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the sub-ambient condition comprises a Reynolds pressure of less than about 1 atmosphere.

14. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic head assembly is capable of recording, reproducing and/or erasing magnetic information in the linear tape system bi-directionally.

15. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 comprising a servo-writing magnetic head assembly.

16. The magnetic head assembly of claim 1 wherein the cavity comprises a depth of between about 0.5 micrometers and about 10 micrometers.

17. A magnetic head assembly for recording, reproducing and/or erasing magnetic information on a magnetic tape in a linear tape system, the magnetic head assembly comprising:

an interface region having a substantially flat region with a substantially square leading edge and at least one cavity in the flat region, the cavity having a depth of between about 0.5 micrometers and about 20 micrometers;

a pair of bleed slots located adjacent to the interface region;

a pair of outriggers for maintaining a wrap angle of less than about 5 degrees between a magnetic tape and the interface region; and

at least one read-write element located on the flat region adjacent to the cavity, whereby movement of the magnetic tape generates a sub-ambient condition at the interface region.

18. A magnetic tape system for recording, reproducing and/or erasing magnetic information in a linear tape system, the magnetic tape system comprising:

a magnetic tape;

a magnetic head assembly comprising;

an interface region having a substantially flat region with a substantially square leading edge and at least one cavity in the flat region, the cavity having a depth of between about 0.5 micrometers and about 20 micrometers; and

at least one read-write element located on the flat region adjacent to the cavity, whereby the magnetic tape traversing the interface region generates a sub-ambient condition and is deformed as it passes over the cavity, thereby increasing tape stability at an interface with the read-write element.

19. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein a head-to-tape spacing at the interface with the read-write element is substantially constant at tape speeds of about 4 meters/second to at least about 12 meters/second.

20. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein contact pressure of the tape at the interface with the read-write element is substantially constant at tape speeds of about 4 meters/second to at least about 12 meters/second.

21. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein Reynolds pressure of the tape at the interface with the read-write element is substantially constant at tape speeds of about 4 meters/second to at least about 12 meters/second.

22. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein the tape has a thickness of less than about 15 micrometers.

23. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein the tape maintains asperity contact with the read-write element at tape tensions of less than about 40 Newtons/meter.

24. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein the tape maintains asperity contact with the read-write element at tape tensions of less than about 40 Newtons/meter at a tape speed of at least about 4 meters/second.

25. The magnetic tape system of claim 18 wherein the tape maintains asperity contact with the read-write element at tape tensions of less than about 20 Newtons/meter at a tape speed of at least about 4 meters/second.