Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

Quantum Corporation

Paul W Poorman

Richard H Henze

Patricia A Beck

George M Clifford, Jr

Mike Alan Holmberg

Lawrence A Hansen

Geoff Spratt

Jeffrey S McAllister

James Clifford Anderson

Albert Hua Jeans

Ralph F Simmons, Jr

Marc Roman Humann

Brian Brong

Stephan P Howe

Eric Petersen

Donald J Fasen

Robert G Walmsley

Richard H Dee

Carl R Hoerger

Robert Christopher Aaron

Steven L Brittenham

Scott A Swanbeck

Michael Anthony Ellis

Mike Sharrock

Josef Romako

Hubert Schoenhart

A method for calibrating a tape drive is disclosed herein. The method includes writing a calibration track onto a tape cartridge using a first tape drive. The method includes reading the calibration track using a plurality of tape drives to measure a plurality of write element offset values, in which each write element offset value corresponds to each of the plurality of tape drives. The method includes determining a calibration factor based on an average write element offset value, in which the calibration factor is used to align a write element of a drive head of the first tape drive.

Calibrating a tape drive

A system including a magnetic tape processing system that includes a read/write head to write to a top surface of a magnetic tape. The read/write head provides a write head field gradient of at least 40 Oersteds per nanometer at the top surface of the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape processing system and the read/write head provide a track density of greater than 8000 tracks per inch, a bit density of greater than 440 kilo-bits per inch, and an aspect ratio of less than 70.

Magnetic tape processing

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the design and implementation of backward-compatible magnetic tape drives () that are read/write compatible with a current magnetic-tape format () as well as one or more previous magnetic-tape formats (and). Embodiments of the present invention include read/write tape-head configurations (-) and corresponding magnetic-tape-drive-component features () that allow a magnetic-tape drive to read and write magnetic tapes formatted according to different formats.

Magnetic-tape drive and magnetic-tape head compatible with multiple tape formats

Tape heads are described herein including (i) a first module including a read transducer array with at least one transducer element to read data from a tape, and (ii) a second module including a read transducer array with at least one transducer element to read data from the tape. In examples herein, a lifting member is provided to cause tape lifting the module at a leading position with respect to tape travel direction.

Operation of tape drives

Methods and apparatus are provided related to magnetic recording tape. Respective voltage sources are coupled to respective magnetic head components of a tape recording apparatus. Circuitry controls each voltage source independently in accordance with identity information for a magnetic tape, relative humidity within the tape recording apparatus, or other factors. Chemical migration from the tape, and/or plating or erosion of elements of the tape recording apparatus are substantially reduced or eliminated according to the present teachings.

Reduction of degradation of magnetic tape apparatus

Systems and methods related to magnetic tape heads are provided. A first process forms a first read module on a substrate in accordance with a prior generation recording format. A second process, different than the first, forms a second read module on a substrate in accordance with a present generation recording format. The first and second read modules are directly bonded in parallel such that a single continuous tape reading zone is defined. Write modules can be formed and disposed on opposite sides of and aligned with the tape reading zone. Bidirectional read/write heads, having backward reading compatibility, can be made and used accordingly.

Bidirectional read/write heads having backward reading compatibility

A transducer head apparatus () is disclosed for concurrently transferring data relative to a plurality of tracks on a data carrier. The head apparatus comprises a body () extending longitudinally, the body supporting a plurality of longitudinally spaced transducer elements (), and adjuster apparatus () operable to adjust the relative longitudinal dispositions of at least some of the transducer elements.

Adjusting a transducer head for transferring data

A system and method for reading magnetic tape are provided herein. The system includes a tape head including two read arrays. Each of the two read arrays includes a first set of data read elements of a first channel pitch and a second set of data read elements of a second channel pitch, and the first set of data read elements and the second set of data read elements are interleaved. The tape head also includes a write array located between the two read arrays.

Reading magnetic tape

Methods and apparatus are provided related to magnetic recording tape. One or more ion emitters are disposed in non-contacting proximity to a passing recording tape. Static electric charges born on the tape are neutralized prior to passing the tape in contact with a read-write head. Migration of chemical constituency from the tape to the head is prevented or significantly reduced with a corresponding elimination or reduction of related problems.

Neutralization of static charge on magnetic tape

A flexible circuit having a first end attached to a clamping mechanism and a second end attached to a carriage to move, a magnetic head to read a tape. The clamping mechanism has a curved surface to allow the flexible circuit to maintain an S-shape when the magnetic head moves with respect to the magnetic tape.

Flexible circuit for use with a magnetic head

In one embodiment a transducer head assembly is disclosed having a head module. The head module comprises at least one media bearer element providing a media bearer surface, and a head element block having an array of head elements. The assembly further comprises a carrier structure to carry the head module, and an actuator to move the head element block relative to the at least one media bearer element. Tape drive apparatus having actuator apparatus to cause relative displacement between head element blocks is also disclosed. A transducer head module and a method of making a transducer head assembly are also disclosed.

Transducer head assemblies and modules

Various embodiments are disclosed for a flexible circuit. In one embodiment, the flexible circuit bends on a curved surface to form a partial loop.

Tape drive with a clamping mechanism coupled to a flexible circuit

A tape back-up drive having a head assembly. The head assembly includes a head configured to read data from a tape and to write data to the tape. The head assembly also includes at least one tape guide disposed adjacent to the head.

Tape drive

A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape. A rounded trailing edge may be disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape passes over the trailing edge after passing over the head surface. The head may be formed from an upper ferrite wafer having a non-magnetic spacer. Non-magnetic material is photolithographically defined to produce gaps above the spacer. The non-magnetic material may be photoresist, semiconductor materials, glass, metal or the like. The material may even be removed later to leave air gaps. The non-magnetic material forms a region where the field loops out to intersect the passing tape, thereby transferring a magnetic pattern to tape. Additionally, a lower ferrite wafer may be mated to the upper ferrite wafer to complete a magnetic circuit around the gaps. The upper or lower ferrite wafer may have a channel through which an inductive winding passes. Multiple heads may be formed through batch processing of the upper and lower ferrite wafers.

Servo write method for magnetic tape

An apparatus and method for electrically coupling read elements and write elements of a tape head assembly to another component includes an interconnect structure having plural layers of traces, with the traces comprising write traces electrically connected to respective write elements, and read traces electrically connected to respective read elements. The write traces and read traces are interleaved across a dimension of the interconnect structure.

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Meridian, ID, United States of America

Paul W Poorman