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:
Jun. 02, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2005
Frank Goodknight, Niwot, CO (US);
Darryl Wayne Yeakley, Erie, CO (US);
Frank Goodknight, Niwot, CO (US);
Darryl Wayne Yeakley, Erie, CO (US);
Storage Technology Corporation, Louisville, CO (US);
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for a tape head actuator having a guide bearing preload mechanism, wherein the preload mechanism utilizes a magnet or magnets and an elongated steel member. These magnetic components interact to produce a force that is selectively directed to preload the guide bearings. In addition, the magnetic components produce a field used to shield the tape head from stray magnetic fields. In a useful embodiment of the invention, directed to apparatus for a tape transducer positioning mechanism, a carriage is disposed for movement along a path of travel relative to a support structure, to selectively position a tape transducer. One or more bearings are joined to the carriage, to support the carriage for movement along the path of travel. The apparatus further includes a first magnetic component joined to the support structure, and a second component joined to the carriage for cooperatively interacting with the first component, in order to produce a magnetic force that is transferred through the carriage to apply a preload force to each of the bearings.