Tape head surface with non-uniform cross-width profile
First Claim
1. A tape head module for performing at least one of reading operations and writing operations on a magnetic tape, comprising:
- a body; and
an upper surface on the body that is configured to face a magnetic tape traveling at least partially along a first reference axis over the upper surface, wherein the upper surface includes;
a first region including a plurality of at least one of read elements and write elements that are respectively configured to read data from and write data to the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape travels over and at least partially in contact with the first region along a direction of motion that is collinear with or parallel to the first reference axis; and
a second region configured to be free of contact with the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape travels over the second region, wherein a distance between a) a second reference axis perpendicular to the first reference axis and b) the second region increases in a direction away from the first reference axis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tape head having an upper surface with a non-uniform (e.g. non-planar) cross-width (e.g., perpendicular to tape moving over the tape head) profile for eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not disposed over read/write elements of the tape head (e.g., near opposite first and second edges of the tape) during reading/writing operations on the tape. The upper surface of the tape head includes at least one “active” zone encompassing the read/write elements and that is configured to contact the tape and at least one “inactive” zone that recesses (e.g., slopes, tapers, drops, rounds, etc.) away from the active zone to avoid contact with tape traveling thereover. Eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not currently being read and/or written reduces friction between the tape and the tape head and facilitates control of tape head lateral positioning, tape tension, and tape speed.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tape head module for performing at least one of reading operations and writing operations on a magnetic tape, comprising:
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a body; and an upper surface on the body that is configured to face a magnetic tape traveling at least partially along a first reference axis over the upper surface, wherein the upper surface includes; a first region including a plurality of at least one of read elements and write elements that are respectively configured to read data from and write data to the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape travels over and at least partially in contact with the first region along a direction of motion that is collinear with or parallel to the first reference axis; and a second region configured to be free of contact with the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape travels over the second region, wherein a distance between a) a second reference axis perpendicular to the first reference axis and b) the second region increases in a direction away from the first reference axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tape head module for performing at least one of reading operations and writing operations on a magnetic tape, comprising:
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a body; and an upper surface on the body that includes a plurality of at least one of read elements and write elements that are respectively configured to read data from and write data to a magnetic tape, wherein the upper surface tapers in first and second opposite directions away from the plurality of the at least one of read elements and write elements, wherein the upper surface tapers in third and fourth opposite directions away from the plurality of the at least one of read elements and write elements, and wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular to the third and fourth directions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a tape drive, comprising:
moving tape over a tape head of a tape drive so that a) a first portion of the tape is in contact with a plurality of at least one of read elements and write elements of the tape head and b) a second portion of the tape, disposed along a reference line perpendicular to first and second opposite lateral edges of the tape and that passes through the first portion of the tape, is spaced from the tape head. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification