The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 23, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 15, 1999
Mark R. Thompson, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Kempton W. Redhead, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Seagate Removable Storage Solutions LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A reel-to-reel tape system stops movement of the tape during a power loss situation without overrun by one of the tape reels and without causing undue stress upon the tape itself. If rotational momentum of the supply reel is sensed to be disproportionately larger than the momentum of the take-up reel, supply motor back emf for dynamically braking the supply reel is applied while also driving the take-up reel in the direction of rotation in which it operated when the power source was discontinued. An appropriate amount of tension is maintained on the tape until the tape motion has come to a complete stop. A capacitor large enough to supply the power needed to provide current to the power bridge of the motor drivers is provided. The capacitor is charged upon power up of the drive and is not tapped unless and until the normal supply voltage of the motor drivers is turned off. The take-up reel motor is provided with optimum current to take up the loose tape that otherwise would be produced in the tape path and around the reels, thus preventing a hazardous situation.