Patents by Inventor Robert G. Biskeborn

Robert G. Biskeborn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • MULTICHANNEL TAPE HEAD MODULE HAVING THERMALLY SETTABLE TRANSDUCER PITCH AND METHOD OF SETTING PITCH THEREOF
    Publication number: 20200219531
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a substrate and a closure, an array of transducers in a thin film structure on the substrate, the array being positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a heating element positioned in the thin film structure and recessed from the tape bearing surface, and a controller electrically coupled to the heating element. The controller is configured to apply a current pulse of size, shape and duration sufficient to induce a permanent expansion of the array of transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Hugo E. Rothuizen, Calvin S. Lo
  • Magnetic recording head having longitudinally spaced offset arrays
    Patent number: 10699735
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a head having at least three pairs of modules, each module having an array of transducers and at least one servo transducer. The axes of the arrays are oriented about parallel to each other. Of each pair of modules, the array of a first module is offset from the array of a second module in a direction parallel to the axis of the array of the second module. All of the transducers of each first module are positioned on a first side of an imaginary line oriented in the intended direction of tape travel, all of the transducers of each second module are positioned on a second side of the imaginary line. A first pair of modules and a third pair of modules have a same first function, and a second pair of modules has a second function, the first function and the second function are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • Multi-channel magnetic recording head having compliantly encapsulated transducers
    Patent number: 10699741
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a magnetic tape head module having: a substrate and an encapsulation layer which includes a compliant, deformable material. The magnetic tape head module also includes a closure, and a plurality of transducers positioned in an array along a longitudinal length of the magnetic tape head module. The array of transducers is sandwiched between at least a portion of the encapsulation layer and the substrate. Moreover, a portion of the encapsulation layer extends toward the substrate directly between adjacent transducers in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • TAPE HEAD WITH ELEMENT-TO-ELEMENT SPACING AND ADJUSTMENT AND MECHANISM TO CONTROL THE SPACING
    Publication number: 20200202892
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a substrate and a closure above the substrate. A gap is positioned between the closure and the substrate, the gap having an array of magnetic transducers extending therealong and unpatterned films. The gap further includes a first layer of a first material having a bulk modulus of elasticity lower than the unpatterned films in the gap. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a plurality of magnetic transducers arranged in a linear array, and a layer of an expansion material between each adjacent pair of magnetic transducers in the array. An encapsulant is positioned between each layer of the expansion material and the adjacent magnetic transducers. The expansion material has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Liang, Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, JR.
  • Multichannel tape head module having thermal device for controlling span between transducers
    Patent number: 10692520
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Hugo E. Rothuizen
  • Tape head and system having asymmetrical construction
    Patent number: 10679649
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge, where a tape tenting region extends from the first edge toward the second edge, the first edge being a first end of the tape tenting region, a second end of the tape tenting region being positioned between the first and second edges. The apparatus includes a guide positioned relative to the first edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape and a transducer positioned in the tape tenting region. In one approach, the transducer is a TMR sensor. In another approach, the tape bearing surface is planar. In yet another approach, the guide is positioned to create an inflection point of the moving magnetic recording tape at a location above the tape tenting region that is between the transducer and the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • Tape head having sensors proximate to an edge
    Patent number: 10679651
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge, where a first tape tenting region of the tape bearing surface extends from the first edge along the tape bearing surface toward the second edge. A guide is positioned relative to the first edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape and to create a point of inflection of the moving magnetic recording tape at a location above the tape bearing surface that is about midway between a peak of the tenting and a point of closest approach of the moving magnetic recording tape to the tape bearing surface. A sensor is located in a thin film region of the module. The sensor has a free layer. The location of the point of inflection of the moving magnetic recording tape is between the free layer and the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • Head having wrap-controlled flexible media interface
    Patent number: 10679654
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a magnetic transducer in a thin film region, and an edge closest to the transducer. A guide is positioned relative to the edge for inducing tenting of a moving magnetic recording tape above a tape tenting region of the tape bearing surface. The magnetic transducer is positioned along the tape tenting region. The magnetic transducer is positioned a distance from a location on the tape bearing surface directly under a peak that is more than one-fourth the length from the location directly under the peak to the edge closest thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Jason Liang, Calvin S. Lo
  • In-situ protective film
    Patent number: 10672422
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic read transducer comprised of a sensing portion and proximate magnetic shields, and a wear-resistant in-situ film on a media-facing side of the read transducer. The in-situ film is comprised of material derived from a flexible medium. The in-situ film is primarily above the read transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Jason Liang
  • MULTICHANNEL TAPE RECORDING DEVICE HAVING CALIBRATED SPAN OF TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20200168245
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one approach includes a module having an array of transducers having at least two transducers. The apparatus also includes a persistent memory having stored therein data of a span of the array of transducers at a particular temperature. An apparatus according to another approach includes a module having fiducials at known positions relative to an array of transducers. The apparatus also includes a persistent memory having stored therein data of a span between the fiducials at a particular temperature. The fiducial span may be used in conjunction with the known locations of the fiducials relative to the array to characterize the span of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • DATA STORAGE CARTRIDGE HAVING A CALIBRATED SERVO FORMAT REGION AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
    Publication number: 20200168246
    Abstract: A tape cartridge according to one aspect includes a tape formatted with a servo pattern having at least two servo tracks thereon. The tape cartridge having stored therein a value corresponding to a difference between a specified distance between adjacent servo tracks and an average distance between adjacent servo tracks on the tape. The average distance is an average of actual distances between adjacent servo tracks over a portion of the tape. Various computer program products for using such a tape cartridge are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
  • Tape head module having recessed portion(s) and air aperture(s) for providing an air bearing between a tape and the module
    Patent number: 10657989
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a tape bearing surface, and an array of transducers extending along the tape bearing surface. The module has an aperture extending therethrough from the tape bearing surface to an opposing side of the module for permitting passage of air therethrough to the tape bearing surface. In another general embodiment, a method includes adhering a closure to a thin film layer formed on a substrate. The thin film layer has an array of transducers extending therealong. The closure has a channel therein which forms an aperture when the closure is coupled to the thin film layer. A tape bearing surface is formed along the substrate, closure and thin film layer. A recessed portion is formed in the tape bearing surface. An opening of the aperture is present in the recessed portion upon forming the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • Tunnel valve magnetic tape head for multichannel tape recording
    Patent number: 10657992
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along a read module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes: a sensor structure having a cap layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a reference layer and an antiferromagnetic layer, and electrically insulating layers on opposite sides of the sensor structure. Moreover, a height of the free layer measured in a direction perpendicular to a media bearing surface of the read module is less than a width of the free layer measured in a cross-track direction perpendicular to an intended direction of media travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Calvin S. Lo
  • Write transducers having high moment layer
    Patent number: 10650848
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: an array of write transducers. Each of the write transducer include: a first write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the first write pole, and a second write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the second write pole. Each of the write transducers also include a nonmagnetic write gap between the pole tips of the write poles, a first high moment layer between the write gap and the pole tip of the second write pole, and a second high moment layer between the write gap and the pole tip of the first write pole. The first and second high moment layers each have a higher magnetic moment than magnetic moments of the pole tips of the second and first write poles, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Calvin S. Lo
  • Apparatus having recessed TMR read sensor structures for robust head-tape interface
    Patent number: 10650846
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface and a plurality of tunnel valve read transducers arranged in an array extending along the tape bearing surface of the module. Each of the tunnel valve read transducers includes a sensor structure having a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a reference layer. At least some of the sensor structures are recessed from a plane extending along the tape bearing surface. An at least partially polycrystalline coating is positioned on a media facing side of the recessed sensor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • MULTICHANNEL TAPE HEAD MODULE HAVING THERMAL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SPAN BETWEEN TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20200143825
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Hugo E. Rothuizen
  • DETECTING MEDIA DEFECTS
    Publication number: 20200143837
    Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a processor, and logic that is integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. Moreover, the logic is configured to: detect, by the processor, a change in a resistance value of at least one of a plurality of detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. However, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Edwin R. Childers, Jason Liang
  • MULTICHANNEL TAPE HEAD MODULE HAVING THERMAL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SPAN BETWEEN TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20200143824
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having an array of transducers, and a heating element having multiple parts positioned proximate to the array of transducers. The multiple parts of the heating element are distinct from each other, where the multiple parts include a first part, a second part, and a third part. In addition, the first part includes a center portion and the second and third parts include a second portion and a third portion, respectively, and are positioned on opposite ends and a center portion positioned therebetween. The heating element is configured to produce more heat per unit length along the second and third portions at the opposite ends than in the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Hugo E. Rothuizen
  • TUNNEL MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR HAVING CONDUCTIVE CERAMIC LAYERS
    Publication number: 20200143826
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a sensor having an active region, a magnetic shield adjacent the active region, a spacer between the active region and the magnetic shield, a second magnetic shield on an opposite side of the active region as the magnetic shield, and a second spacer between the active region and the second magnetic shield. Both spacers include an electrically conductive ceramic layer. The sensor is an electronic lapping guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo, Philip M. Rice, Teya Topuria
  • Methods for selecting wrap angle for inducing tape tenting above transducer
    Patent number: 10643654
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes running a magnetic recording tape over a tape bearing surface of a module having at least one edge, detecting signals from the tape at differing wrap angles for estimating a height of tenting of the tape above a transducer at each of the wrap angles, and selecting a wrap angle to provide about a predefined height of tenting of the tape above the transducer. A resulting tent of the moving magnetic recording tape extends from the edge of the module closest thereto to a minima with a tent apex therebetween, where the minima is at a first point of closest approach of the moving magnetic recording tape to the tape bearing surface of the module nearest the tent apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, W. Stanley Czarnecki, Calvin S. Lo