Abstract: A triggerable spark gap, a switching circuit and a method for manufacturing a triggerable spark gap are disclosed. In an embodiment, a triggerable spark gap includes a trigger electrode, an adjacent electrode at the trigger electrode, a counter electrode and a gap between the counter electrode and the adjacent electrode, wherein a distance between the trigger electrode and the adjacent electrode is less than a distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode is less than a distance between the adjacent electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the counter electrode and/or the adjacent electrode includes a first phase including a first material and a second phase including a second material, and wherein the second material has a lower electron work function than the first material.

Abstract: A triggerable spark gap, a switching circuit and a method for manufacturing a triggerable spark gap are disclosed. In an embodiment, a triggerable spark gap includes a trigger electrode, an adjacent electrode at the trigger electrode, a counter electrode and a gap between the counter electrode and the adjacent electrode, wherein a distance between the trigger electrode and the adjacent electrode is less than a distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the distance between the trigger electrode and the counter electrode is less than a distance between the adjacent electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the counter electrode and/or the adjacent electrode includes a first phase including a first material and a second phase including a second material, and wherein the second material has a lower electron work function than the first material.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing having a base deck, a cover member and a seal assembly constructed of a liquid crystal material (LCM), the base deck and cover member forming an enclosure containing an inert gas atmosphere. Various embodiments have the LCM seal bonded to one or both of the base deck and cover member and bonded to seal the enclosure by molding, compression, adhesive bonding, thermoplastic welding or soldering, or a combination of such.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing encloses an inert gas atmosphere, and an electrical interconnect has at least one electrically conductive signal trace embedded onto a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) body to extend from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is disclosed. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and a radio frequency write medium. The housing defines first and second housing sections that are reciprocally mated to form an enclosed region. The tape reel assembly/ies is/are rotatably disposed within the enclosed region, and the storage tape is wound about a hub of the tape reel assembly/ies. The radio frequency write medium is coupled to one of the housing and the tape reel assembly and has cartridge initialization information stored thereon.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing having a base deck, a cover member and a seal assembly constructed of a liquid crystal material (LCM), the base deck and cover member forming an enclosure containing an inert gas atmosphere. Various embodiments have the LCM seal bonded to one or both of the base deck and cover member and bonded to seal the enclosure by molding, compression, adhesive bonding, thermoplastic welding or soldering, or a combination of such.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed housing encloses an inert gas atmosphere, and an electrical interconnect has at least one electrically conductive signal trace embedded onto a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) body to extend from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes an outer electrode and an other electrode. An electrically conductive contact element is spaced apart from the outer electrode by an air gap. The electrically conductive contact element is pretensioned by a spring mechanism that exerts a spring force on the contact element in the direction towards the outer electrode. An electrically conductive connection is located between the other electrode and the contact element. The air gap between the outer electrode and the contact element is arranged in a tightly enclosed hollow space.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge providing robust interactions with leadering mechanisms of data storage tape drives. In one relevant aspect, a data storage tape cartridge includes improved leader member access area features, such as a docking ramp configured to transition from a first height, to a second height greater than the first.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes an outer electrode and an other electrode. An electrically conductive contact element is spaced apart from the outer electrode by an air gap. The electrically conductive contact element is pretensioned by a spring mechanism that exerts a spring force on the contact element in the direction towards the outer electrode. An electrically conductive connection is located between the other electrode and the contact element. The air gap between the outer electrode and the contact element is arranged in a tightly enclosed hollow space.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is disclosed. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing, at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and a radio frequency write medium. The housing defines first and second housing sections that are reciprocally mated to form an enclosed region. The tape reel assembly/ies is/are rotatably disposed within the enclosed region, and the storage tape is wound about a hub of the tape reel assembly/ies. The radio frequency write medium is coupled to one of the housing and the tape reel assembly and has cartridge initialization information stored thereon.

Abstract: A tape drive system is disclosed. The tape drive system includes at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and at least one pack arm assembly. The tape reel assembly includes a hub defining a tape winding surface about which is wound the storage tape. The pack arm assembly is disposed adjacent the tape reel assembly and includes a pack arm and a pin. The pack arm defines a guide defining a pivot end and has at least one flexible flange cantilevered from a side of the guide. The pin is coupled to the tape drive system. In this regard, the pack arm is slidingly coupled to the pin and configured to follow the wound storage tape by moving axially relative to the hub and radially about the pivot end.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge providing robust interactions with leadering mechanisms of data storage tape drives. In one relevant aspect, a data storage tape cartridge includes improved leader member access area features, such as a docking ramp configured to transition from a first height, to a second height greater than the first.

Abstract: A tape drive system is disclosed. The tape drive system includes at least one tape reel assembly, a storage tape, and at least one pack arm assembly. The tape reel assembly includes a hub defining a tape winding surface about which is wound the storage tape. The pack arm assembly is disposed adjacent the tape reel assembly and includes a pack arm and a pin. The pack arm defines a guide defining a pivot end and has at least one flexible flange cantilevered from a side of the guide. The pin is coupled to the tape drive system. In this regard, the pack arm is slidingly coupled to the pin and configured to follow the wound storage tape by moving axially relative to the hub and radially about the pivot end.

Abstract: A single reel data storage tape cartridge is described that includes a housing having a tape access window. A single tape reel assembly is rotatably disposed within the housing and includes a hub about which a storage tape is wrapped. A tape guide is disposed within the housing adjacent the single tape reel assembly, opposite the tape access window, and is configured to define a pathway of the storage tape from the single tape reel assembly to the tape access window and limit lateral motion of the storage tape.

Abstract: A tape guide for limiting lateral tape movement within a tape transport system component, such as a data storage tape cartridge. The storage tape, having a tape width, extends between two tape reels along a tape path defined, at least in part, by the tape guide. The tape guide includes a tape contact face, a top flange and a one bottom flange. The tape guide is configured to define an effective tape path width between the top and bottom flanges that is less than the tape width. During use, the tape guide biases the tape path to minimize lateral motion of the storage tape.

Abstract: A subambient pressure feature for assisting in guidance of storage tape within a tape transport system such as a data storage tape cartridge and/or a tape drive. The storage tape is extended between two tape reels along a tape path defined, in part, by a tape guide. The tape guide includes a curved tape-receiving surface defined by an entrance side and an exit side. The subambient pressure feature is located along the tape path and is adapted to induce frictional engagement between the tape and at least a portion of the tape-receiving surface at speeds of not less than 1 meter/second to suppress lateral tape motion.

Abstract: A single reel data storage tape cartridge is described that includes a housing having a tape access window. A single tape reel assembly is rotatably disposed within the housing and includes a hub about which a storage tape is wrapped. A tape guide is disposed within the housing adjacent the single tape reel assembly, opposite the tape access window, and is configured to define a pathway of the storage tape from the single tape reel assembly to the tape access window and limit lateral motion of the storage tape.

Abstract: A tape guide for limiting lateral tape movement within a tape transport system component, such as a data storage tape cartridge. The storage tape, having a tape width, extends between two tape reels along a tape path defined, at least in part, by the tape guide. The tape guide includes a tape contact face, a top flange and a one bottom flange. The tape guide is configured to define an effective tape path width between the top and bottom flanges that is less than the tape width. During use, the tape guide biases the tape path to minimize lateral motion of the storage tape.

Abstract: A tape guide for use in a tape transport system, such as a data storage tape cartridge or a tape drive. The storage tape extends from the tape reel along a tape path that includes the tape guide. In this regard, the tape guide includes a tape contact face and at least one guide flange. Extension of the guide flange relative to the tape contact face defines an angle of not less than 90°. With this configuration, an edge of the storage tape is directed to move along the guide flange with lateral tape movement so as to minimize the opportunity for micro-buckling. In one preferred embodiment, a portion of the guide flange is curved.