Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tape guide that includes multiple spaced grooves or a spiral groove in the surface of the hub to bleed air from between the surface of the hub and the tape. The distance between adjacent grooves or turns in the case of a spiral groove is 2.4 to 3.7 times greater than the width of each groove or turn. For tape guides used with ½ inch type data storage tapes that have a nominal tape width of 12.65 mm, the grooves or turns are 0.30 mm to 0.38 mm wide and spaced 0.90 mm to 1.12 mm center to center.

Abstract: A space saving interconnect having a plurality of conductors. To decrease the width of a selected portion of the interconnect, the conductors are split between two or more layers. One group the conductors extend along a portion of a first layer jumping to and continuing along a second layer. The remaining conductors extend only along the first layer. Consequently, the width of the interconnect where the conductors are split between the layers can be substantially reduced. In one exemplary embodiment, the first layer is characterized by a first section having only first conductors and a second section having both the first second conductors. The first conductors in the first section of the first layer span a first width and the first and second conductors in the second section of the first layer span a second width greater than the first width. The second layer includes third conductors extending between first and second sections of the second layer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tape drive read/write head assembly that utilizes a magnetic shield to help protect the head from any magnetic flux that strays from the tape drive's motor. The head assembly includes a voice coil motor, a transducer head (typically a read/write head), and a carriage carrying the head. The carriage is movably coupled to the motor. The magnetic shield is positioned at least partially between the head and the motor. In one preferred version of the invention, the shield is a metal plate sandwiched between the head and the carriage. It is desirable to make the shield from a high nickel content metal or similar type material that has a large magnetic flux carrying capacity with a small magnetizing force.

Abstract: A tape drive read/write head assembly that utilizes a magnetic shield to help protect the head from any magnetic flux that strays from the tape drive's motor. The head assembly includes a voice coil motor, a transducer head (typically a read/write head), and a carriage carrying the head. The carriage is movably coupled to the motor. The magnetic shield is positioned at least partially between the head and the motor. In one preferred version of the invention, the shield is a metal plate sandwiched between the head and the carriage. It is desirable to make the shield from a high nickel content metal or similar type material that has a large magnetic flux carrying capacity with a small magnetizing force.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A servo head having a substantially planar head surface and a leading rounded edge is disclosed with a technique of utilizing the disclosed servo head to write to tape passing over the planar head surface, the tape separate from the servo head by an air bearing. The rounded leading edge on the head creates the 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 the 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.

Abstract: A tape drive, comprising a tape cartridge including a tape having a leader pin; a tape carrier including a leader block and a hub, the leader block coupled with the hub via a tape, the leader block configured to removably mate with the leader pin; and a cleaning surface provided on the leader block configured to be movably positioned into contact with a transducer head of the tape drive and operative to clean the transducer head. A method is also taught.

Abstract: 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 with low linewidth variation. 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.

Abstract: Electrical connections between the read/write elements on the magnetic transducer head and the circuitry associated therewith (usually an amplifier/driver integrated circuit chip) are provided by means of fine, flat conductive wires encapsulated in a plastic film. At points where the wires need to make substantial angular turns, portions of the plastic film are removed so as to permit such turns to be accomplished without unacceptably increasing the stiffness of the connections which would adversely affect the aerodynamic properties of the transducer head as it "flies" over a spinning magnetic recording disc.