Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic tape within a tape drive. The tape drive comprises a tape head, which shows a tape-bearing surface meant to face a front side of a magnetic tape, in operation. The tape-bearing surface comprises a transducer area. This area includes at least one transducer, which is a read or write element configured to read or write to the magnetic tape, respectively. The method may include driving the tape (along a longitudinal direction of circulation thereof above the tape-bearing surface) and concomitantly ejecting a gas flow toward the transducer area. The gas flow ejected impinges on the back side of the driven tape (e.g., opposite to the front side of the tape), so as to locally urge the front side of the tape against the transducer area and thereby read or write to the tape via said at least one transducer.

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 addition, the module has a wear coating on a media facing side of the transducer, where a peak height is defined between the peak of tenting and an upper surface of the coating. The thickness of the wear coating is in a range of between about 0.5 and about 3 times the peak height.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, a guide configured to guide a magnetic tape over the module, and a patterned bar positioned relative to the guide and module to engage the magnetic tape. The patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface of the patterned bar. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective overcoat onto a tape bearing surface of a tape head used for magnetic tape recording. In order to ensure optimal surface tension and liftoff properties of the ink mask, the tape bearing surface is treated with a first application of ethanol, followed by an application of polydimethylsiloxane, followed by a second application of ethanol. After this treatment an ink mask can be printed onto the tape bearing surface so as to form a mask having an opening over the location of the magnetic transducer. An etching can then be performed followed by the deposition of a protective coating such as alumina.

Abstract: A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head, the magnetic head having: a tape bearing surface having a first edge oriented perpendicular to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross; and an array of transducers in and/or adjacent the tape bearing surface, wherein a longitudinal axis of the array is defined between opposite ends thereof, wherein the longitudinal axis of the array of transducers is oriented at an angle relative to the first edge, the angle being between greater than 0.2° and about 10°.

Abstract: A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape transport system which has multiple magnetic heads arranged parallel to each other that a magnetic tape slides in contact with, and which has a structure to prevent a decrease in contact pressure between the magnetic tape and the magnetic heads. The magnetic tape transport system includes a supply reel for feeding the magnetic tape, a take-up reel for winding the magnetic tape fed from the supply reel, a plurality of magnetic heads being arranged parallel to each other, a partition plate for dividing a space between the magnetic heads into an air space and a close-tape space, a negative pressure generation means for setting a pressure in the air space to be lower than that in the close-tape space, and a communicating path for allowing the air space and the close-tape space to communicate with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary head drum unit including a cylindrical drum surface and a magnetic head for recording/reproducing a signal to/from a magnetic tape running along the drum surface. The magnetic head has a tape sliding surface adapted to come into sliding contact with the magnetic tape. The tape sliding surface of the magnetic head is positioned at a level lower than the height of the magnetic tape flying above the drum surface. The magnetic tape is brought into contact with the tape sliding surface by negative pressure. With this configuration, an increase in contact pressure of the magnetic tape sliding on the tape sliding surface of the magnetic head can be prevented and the contact pressure can be uniformed to thereby prevent a reduction and variations in magnetic recording or reproduction output.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system. The magnetic head assembly includes a magnetic head having a central section, a first outrigger, and a second outrigger. The central section maintains at least one read/write element. The first outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section and forms at least one air bleed slot. The second outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section opposite the first outrigger and also forms at least one air bleed slot. Finally, the central section is laterally moveable relative to the outriggers. With this configuration, the moveable, central section, otherwise used for lateral positioning of the read/write element relative to a magnetic tape, is separated from the outriggers that otherwise minimize a fly height between the magnetic tape and the outriggers.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an exemplary method of manufacturing a magnetic head assembly with a predetermined wrap angle is described. The method includes removing a portion of a magnetic head support surface to create a slot transverse to a direction the media advances and at least partially separating a major support surface having an active device region and a thin support surface. The method further includes removing a portion of the thin support surface such that the height of at least a portion of the thin support surface is reduced relative to the major support surface. The height may be reduced to achieve a predetermined wrap angle between the media and the major support surface of the head assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system. The magnetic head assembly includes a magnetic head having a central section, a first outrigger, and a second outrigger. The central section maintains at least one read/write element. The first outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section and forms at least one air bleed slot. The second outrigger is positioned adjacent the central section opposite the first outrigger and also forms at least one air bleed slot. Finally, the central section is laterally moveable relative to the outriggers. With this configuration, the moveable, central section, otherwise used for lateral positioning of the read/write element relative to a magnetic tape, is separated from the outriggers that otherwise minimize a fly height between the magnetic tape and the outriggers.

Abstract: A transducer head assembly used in a read/write recording apparatus employs an air bearing that supports a carriage on an air cushion for reciprocal motion. The carriage supports a transducer and is moved by a drive in order to read or write on a track located on a storage tape. The bearing and the carriage may be mutually keyed to prevent relative rotation. The air bearing is shown to be a porous ceramic material such as alumina. The bearing may be triangular in cross-section, and the carriage may be a triangular frame telescopically received on the bearing. The drive may be a conductive coil that interacts with a magnet on the carriage. A dual air bearing and dual carriages is disclosed to support a pair of transducers. A method of supporting and moving a transducer implements the steps of this structure.

Abstract: A tape recording and playback unit records and reads back data from tape either in a high track density standard format or alternatively reads back data from a tape previously recorded on another unit in accordance with a previous low density standard track format. The unit includes a primary head positioning mechanism for positioning a primary multi-channel write/read head and a secondary head positioning mechanism for positioning a secondary read-only head. The secondary head may be positioned angularly to read longitudinal and azimuth track patterns, and also to be retracted when not needed.

Abstract: A floating head for magnetic tape includes a longitudinal raised mesa and side wings and has a mesa major dimension less than a width of the tape without outriggers and employs a minimized tape wrap angle. The head may be rotated between operating positions for longitudinal track patterns and azimuthal track patterns. In one preferred form, the head is employed as a read-only head within a secondary head positioning mechanism included for backward compatibility within a high track density tape unit for reading longitudinal and azimuth track patterns recorded in accordance with earlier tape track standards.

Abstract: A magnetic head that delays the onset of pole tip recession. Each read and write transducer protrudes out from a mesa, which in turn protrudes out of the magnetic head's tape bearing surface. The initial protrusion distance extends the magnetic head's expected life. The mesas define the shape and position of the active portion of the transducers. Additionally, the mesas may be situated in recessed channels formed in the tape bearing surface. Lowering the mesas into the recessed channels slows the transducer wear rate by supporting the magnetic medium over a larger area.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a pair of longitudinal channels in a tape bearing surface that flank each transducer. The channels reduce the effective height of debris in the channels near the transducers. The channel floors may have a transverse slope, and the tape bearing surface between channels may be tapered. Transverse slots help direct debris away from the transducers. The channels overlap the end sections of the transducers and help to define the shape and position of the transducer's active section. When applied to a two pole write transducers, the channels narrow and equalize the effective width of the top and bottom poles. Narrow equal-sized poles can write narrow data tracks with a track width that is independent of the magnetic medium's direction of motion.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly in a linear tape system having an interface region having a substantially flat region with a substantially square leading edge and at least one cavity in the flat region. The cavity has a depth of about 0.5 micrometers to about 20 micrometers. At least one read-write element is located on the flat region adjacent to the cavity. As a magnetic tape traversing the interface region, a sub-ambient condition is generated. The magnetic tape is bent or otherwise deformed as it passes over the cavity, thereby increase tape stability at the interface with the read-write elements. A magnetic tape system for recording, reproducing and/or erasing magnetic information in a linear tape system or for servo-writing magnetic tapes is also disclosed.