Abstract: A deflection mirror tower (DMT) of a multiple-disk array, optical storage system includes a plurality of prism members, each having an angular mirror surface, arranged along a vertical axis of the DMT and configured at a predetermined angular orientation to deflect a laser beam to a respective disk surface. The DMT is generally fabricated using a two-level partitioning process. Several prepared glass substrates, i.e., one for each mirror type, are initially sliced into bars having predetermined geometries. A bar from each substrate is sequentially aligned to a master reference and bonded to adjacent bars to form an intermediate bar stack. The stack is then segmented into a plurality of DMT components, each having a plurality of prism members.

Abstract: A deflection mirror tower (DMT) of a multiple-disk array, optical storage system includes a plurality of prism members, each having an angular mirror surface, arranged along a vertical axis of the DMT and configured at a predetermined angular orientation to deflect a laser beam to a respective disk surface.

Abstract: A tape drive reel for providing controlled, uniform stacking of tape during read/write operations to reduce lateral tape motion. The reel comprises a hub and two flanges that are located on opposite sides of the hub. Each flange includes a deflectable radial section which pivots about the hub as tape is wound onto the reel. As each loop of tape is wound on the hub and the amount of tape stacked thereon increases, the radial sections of the flanges are deflected towards each other and against the opposite edges of the tape stack, ensuring that the tape stacks uniformly.

Abstract: A method of holographic recording in a photorefractive medium wherein stored holograms may be retrieved with maximum signal-to noise ratio (SNR) is disclosed. A plurality of servo blocks containing position feedback information is recorded in the crystal and made non-erasable by heating the crystal. The servo blocks are recorded at specific increments, either angular or frequency, depending whether wavelength or angular multiplexing is applied, and each servo block is defined by one of five patterns. Data pages are then recorded at positions or wavelengths enabling each data page to be subsequently reconstructed with servo patterns which provide position feedback information. The method of recording data pages and servo blocks is consistent with conventional practices. In addition, the recording system also includes components (e.g.

Abstract: A method of responding to a request for data over a bus structure, such as a SCSI bus. Upon receiving a request, a data storage device releases control of the bus and accumulates the requested data in a buffer. Before the data has been completely accumulated, the device acquires control of the bus and begins transmitting the data over the bus. The beginning of transmission occurs late enough that the transmission can occur in a single burst. If the data can be transmitted over the bus in a time period t.sub.burst, then the beginning of transmitting should begin substantially a t.sub.burst period before the time at which the buffer completes accumulating the requested data.

Abstract: A buckling mechanism for improving buckling reliability between a take-up leader and a cartridge leader. The mechanism includes a buckling link, buckling arm and a link driver. The buckling link is biased about one end and includes a protruding portion having a T-shape face at the other end. The combination of the dimensions of the protruding portion and the constant biasing force ensures that the leaders are positioned and remain in position for successful buckling as the tape cartridge is inserted into the tape drive. The buckling link is mounted such that it functions independently of the link driver and buckling arm, enabling the buckling link to maintain the biasing force against the take-up leader even after the buckling arm releases the take-up leader.

Abstract: A coating system and method for facilitating the cleaning of hydrodynamic bearings and their associated structure is effectuated by applying a surface energy lowering coating to selected portions of the bearing other than the surface tension seal producing gaps thereof prior to a lubricant fluid fill. The coating system and method of the present invention may also advantageously be utilized to produce a secondary barrier seal extending a relatively short distance within and adjoining the opening of the surface tension seal producing gaps.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for mounting a rotary actuator bearing cartridge between a disk drive base and cover, are disclosed. The mounting arrangement minimizes any possible deformations to bearing sleeve as well as any effects to bearing preload and friction while enabling a top down assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing recording density in zone bit recording on a magnetic recording disk without increasing track density by maximizing the data density the at disk's outer track. A magnetic recording head is attached to a parallelogram shaped slider such that the head's gap-to-radius skew and the slider rail skew changes continuously as the slider moves in an arcuate path from the disk's inner track to the disk's outer track. The parallelogram slider is designed to reduce the loss of data density at the outer track by minimizing the head's gap-to-radius skew while maximizing the rail skew angle at the outer track to maintain an essentially constant low fly height across the disk.

Abstract: An airlock latch assembly for restraining a disk drive actuator when the disk drive is subjected to rotary shock forces includes a first member and a second member rotatably mounted to the disk drive base. The second member engages the first member, preventing the first member from disengaging with the actuator assembly while the disk is not spinning. The two members are mechanically related such that one member can rotate in one direction only when the other member rotates in the opposite direction. The latch assembly also restrains the actuator in its proper position when the disk drive is subject to linear shock forces.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for providing rotational and linear movement to an azimuth tape recording head is disclosed. The mechanism includes a toothed gear upon which the read/write head is mounted. Two identical threaded shafts, each extending from identical stepper motors are mounted on a base, along a same vertical plane as the toothed gear. Rotational axes of the threaded shafts are arranged in a parallel relation such that each is meshably engaged to the toothed gear on opposing sides. Rotational movement of the head is achieved by synchronously rotating the threaded shafts, at the same speed, in opposite directions. Linear movement, or lifting/lowering, of the head is achieved by synchronously rotating one threaded shaft in one direction and the other threaded shaft in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A motor assembly integrates a motor mounting structure and electrical connection parts achieving reduced motor component count and assembly cost. The motor assembly includes a mounting structure integrally formed into a motor coil support with plastic overmold. A plurality of connector pins are molded into the coil support for electrically coupling the motor to a printed circuit board (PCB).

Abstract: An airlock latch assembly for restraining a disk drive actuator when the disk is not spinning and the disk drive is subjected to a rotational shock force includes a latch member meshably engaged with a counter inertia member by gear teeth provided on each member. The latch member and the counter inertia member are each characterized by a moment of inertia, the ratio of which is determined by the gear ratio of the respective gear teeth. The latch assembly also restrains the actuator in its proper position when the disk drive is subject to linear shock forces.

Abstract: An optimized bump and offset along the spring section of a load beam of a head-gimbal assembly ("HGA") in the loaded state redistributes the mass and stiffness distributions of the load beam from a truly flat state, so that the mode shape of the first torsional resonance mode is changed such that the coupling between a drive actuator head arm and the head slider is essentially eliminated. A fabrication method to produce the desired bump and offset, and a characterization method to ascertain that optimized bump and offset parameters have been achieved are also disclosed. By optimizing bump and offset, the slider remains independent from any load beam first torsional vibration even at resonance and/or sway mode resonant frequency of the HGA may be increased.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus, and associated method, for laterally positioning the head/access arms of a computer mass storage device disk drive relative to the individual storage media disks thereof. The relative lateral positions of the head/access arms and the corresponding disks are determined, and the access arms are laterally translated to permit a merging operation of the various head/access arms and disks of a disk stack to be performed. The head/access arms are positioned by the application of biasing forces which are normal to the longitudinal axes of the access arms to laterally position the access arms without sliding engagement between the positioning apparatus and the access arms.

Abstract: An automated system for measuring gram load in a head suspension arm of a disk drive. The system is utilized during the assembly of a disk drive, and is operated in an automated mode without requiring manual assistance. The system includes an apparatus for placing each suspension arm into position to measure the gram force, a controller for driving the apparatus in an automated mode, an instrument for measuring the gram load of each suspension arm, and a computer for storing data from the measuring instrument. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically-aligned cam pins which meshably engage the plurality of vertically-aligned suspension arms. Each of the cam pins separates a pair of adjacent arms and includes an end defined by a semi-circular cross-section. As each cam pin is rotated by servo motors, each arm is placed into a preloaded biased state, enabling the measuring means to measure its gram load.

Abstract: An aerodynamic actuator filter-latch for releasably locking a rotary voice coil actuator within a hard disk drive includes a shaft and a rotating latch structure on the shaft. The latch structure includes an airvane portion extending across a rotating disk adjacent one of the major surfaces thereof, a central portion including an air filter for removing minute particulate contaminants from air within the enclosed head and disk assembly, the air filter being located adjacent to a periphery of the disk, and an actuator latch portion extending toward the rotary voice coil actuator. The aerodynamic actuator filter-latch also includes a bias force mechanism for biasing the latch structure toward an actuator latch position in the absence of airflow. Rotation of the data storage disk causes the latch structure to rotate to a release position while some resultant airflow through the air filter removes contaminants.

Abstract: A lens/mirror tower (LMT) of a multiple-disk array, optical storage system includes a plurality of lens and mirror elements integrally formed on a monolithic, optically-clear substrate. There is a specific lens/mirror set for each recording disk surface of the optical storage device; however, the mirror elements are preferably configured as one reflective surface of the substrate. The lenses are molded onto the opposite surface in a single operation that fixes their relative positions. The LMT is generally fabricated using a lens replication process. Initially, a glass substrate is formed with a trapezoidal configuration. A lens array mold is also formed with a plurality of cavities arranged in overlapping pairs. The cavities are filled with optical-quality resin and the mold is applied to the surface of the substrate opposing the reflective angular, e.g., 45.degree., surface. Once cured, the resin serves as an array of lenses that are aligned with the optical paths to the objective lenses of the disk array.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for packing variable size user data records into fixed size blocks on a storage medium. The invention includes the steps of receiving user data of variable record lengths along with error detection information; creating a data page for each user data record; building a map entry of record packing information for each data page; and storing each data page and its associated map within the same physical record on a storage medium. The data pages being stored in consecutive order and the map entries are stored in reverse order. A predetermined number of physical blocks are combined to form a logical block and a predetermined number of logical blocks form an entity.