Storage Technology Corporation

Larry Robert Hedding

Jeffrey M Waynik

Joseph Philip Falace

John Sam Todor

Donald Wayne Selg

The recent trend towards incorporating a higher density of data tracks on magnetic tape has necessitated more accurate mechanisms for positioning tape heads. A system for seeking tracks on a magnetic tape via a fine position adjustment system includes a carriage frame that holds a magnetic tape head. The magnetic tape head reads and writes magnetic tape as the tape passes in close proximity to the tape head. Flexures attach the carriage frame to the tape head permitting movement in a transverse direction normal to the direction of tape travel across the head while restricting movement of the tape head in a direction parallel to tape travel or in a direction normal to the tape surface. A drive mechanism moves the tape head in the transverse direction in response to a control signal. A linear tachometer provides a velocity signal based on the movement of the tape head in the transverse direction. Control logic receives a command to move the tape head in the transverse direction, generates a control signal to change the head position, and modifies the control signal to dampen tape head oscillations relative to the carriage frame based on the velocity signal.

Damped tape head

A tape guide mechanism for guiding a tape media adjacent to a transducer, and methods of operation are disclosed. The tape guide mechanism is a C-shaped guide member rotatably mounted around a first reel. The tape media is normally stored spooled around a second reel within a data cartridge. A tape guide surface is formed circumferentially on the guide member. An opening is provided in the tape guide surface to allow the tape media to reach the first reel. In operation, the tape media can be wrapped and unwrapped from the tape guide surface with any amount of tape media spooled around the first reel. This wrapping and unwrapping ability allows the tape to the loaded onto the first reel at the start of the tape media, or at any arbitrary location on the tape media. It also allows the tape media to be rewound to the second reel directly from the first reel, or with the tape media passing across the tape guide surface. Finally, the tape media can be unwound from the tape guide surface, rapidly moved to a predetermined location on the tape media, and then rewound onto the tape guide surface.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Larry Robert Hedding