Abstract: Controlling the position of a head within a tape transport system. A track-follow control system (TFCS) includes a controller device for generating a control signal as a function of a position error signal (PES), wherein the PES indicates a difference between the actual and target positions of the head relative to the tape, and an actuator for changing the actual position. The TFCS is adapted to select a controller device configuration from a plurality of configurations dependent on an operating tape speed. The configurations are predetermined depending on a vibration frequency domain profile indicative of environmental vibrations induced to the head and tape to determine the control signal for adjusting an actuator output signal relative to a lateral tape motion signal. The TFCS is also adapted to feed-back a signal depending on a difference of the actuator output signal and the lateral tape motion signal to generate the PES.

Abstract: Controlling the position of a head within a tape transport system. A track-follow control system (TFCS) includes a controller device for generating a control signal as a function of a position error signal (PES), wherein the PES indicates a difference between the actual and target positions of the head relative to the tape, and an actuator for changing the actual position. The TFCS is adapted to select a controller device configuration from a plurality of configurations dependent on an operating tape speed. The configurations are predetermined depending on a vibration frequency domain profile indicative of environmental vibrations induced to the head and tape to determine the control signal for adjusting an actuator output signal relative to a lateral tape motion signal. The TFCS is also adapted to feed-back a signal depending on a difference of the actuator output signal and the lateral tape motion signal to generate the PES.

Abstract: Controlling the position of a head within a tape transport system. A track-follow control system (TFCS) includes a controller device for generating a control signal as a function of a position error signal (PES), wherein the PES indicates a difference between the actual and target positions of the head relative to the tape, and an actuator for changing the actual position. The TFCS is adapted to select a controller device configuration from a plurality of configurations dependent on an operating tape speed. The configurations are predetermined depending on a vibration frequency domain profile indicative of environmental vibrations induced to the head and tape to determine the control signal for adjusting an actuator output signal relative to a lateral tape motion signal. The TFCS is also adapted to feed-back a signal depending on a difference of the actuator output signal and the lateral tape motion signal to generate the PES.

Abstract: Controlling the position of a head within a tape transport system. A track-follow control system (TFCS) includes a controller device for generating a control signal as a function of a position error signal (PES), wherein the PES indicates a difference between the actual and target positions of the head relative to the tape, and an actuator for changing the actual position. The TFCS is adapted to select a controller device configuration from a plurality of configurations dependent on an operating tape speed. The configurations are predetermined depending on a vibration frequency domain profile indicative of environmental vibrations induced to the head and tape to determine the control signal for adjusting an actuator output signal relative to a lateral tape motion signal. The TFCS is also adapted to feed-back a signal depending on a difference of the actuator output signal and the lateral tape motion signal to generate the PES.

Abstract: In a tape drive having a rotatable take-up reel supporting an end of an elongate tape, a drive control system for rotating the take-up reel and for rotating a tape supply reel of a removable tape cartridge. The drive control system is arranged to tension and move the elongate tape between the reels. At rewind, the drive control system rewinds the elongate tape onto the supply reel at rewind velocity under tension; upon the rewinding approaching the end of the elongate tape, rewinds the elongate tape at a reduced velocity under tension, the reduced velocity less than 60% of the rewind velocity; and stops the reduced velocity rewinding for a period of time and maintains the elongate tape in a dwell state under tension which is greater than an operating tension during tape motion. The dwell state time period may be substantially 10 seconds.

Abstract: A tape guide roller includes a first flange and a second flange separated by a barrel wherein at least one of the first flange and second flange comprise a soft material. The soft material can include acetal homopolymers, such as Delrin. It can also include soft metals, such as aluminum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

Abstract: A tape cartridge comprising a housing, a tape reel disposed within that housing, where that tape reel is capable of rotation around a first axis, and where that tape reel includes a hub and a reel coupling which is engageable with a motor coupling for rotation of the tape reel. The tape cartridge further includes a brake plate disposed within the hub, where that brake plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, but where the brake plate is not capable of rotation around the first axis. The brake plate includes a first side, an opposing second side, a brake plate gear disposed on the second side, and a fixturing assembly disposed on the first side. The tape cartridge further includes a clutch plate disposed within the hub, where that clutch plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, and where that clutch plate is capable of rotation around the first axis.

Abstract: A tape cartridge comprising a housing, a tape reel disposed within that housing, where that tape reel is capable of rotation around a first axis, and where that tape reel includes a hub and a reel coupling which is engageable with a motor coupling for rotation of the tape reel. The tape cartridge further includes a brake plate disposed within the hub, where that brake plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, but where the brake plate is not capable of rotation around the first axis. The brake plate includes a first side, an opposing second side, a brake plate gear disposed on the second side, and a fixturing assembly disposed on the first side. The tape cartridge further includes a clutch plate disposed within the hub, where that clutch plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, and where that clutch plate is capable of rotation around the first axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening a tape access door at the forward end of a tape cartridge which pivots about an axis perpendicular to a mount plate of the cartridge. The access door is spring biased to a closed position and includes a slot which opens along a side wall of the door and has a rearward end that angles open on an outer wall of the door. The door opening mechanism itself comprises an elongate door opener frame, a pin extending from a forward end of the door opener frame, a door opener bearing and a pivot shaft for pivotally mounting a rearward end of the door opener frame and a rear end of the opener bearing to a frame of a loader mechanism adjacent a cartridge insertion slot thereof.

Abstract: A compliant tape guide in a tape cartridge loads edge of a tape with an optimum pressure and a minimum of vibration by a series of compliant spring arms which transmit a guiding load to the edge through a flexible metal foil. The metal foil contacts the tape over a specified arc length in which the tape is supported by a curved guide bearing.

Abstract: A tape reel brake which is mounted in a well in the top of a tape reel hub. The well is inside the tape bearing surface of the hub. The brake is mounted to be compliantly biased away from the base of the well. The hub is seated against a first inside surface of a tape cartridge housing. The hub and brake are seated in the tape cartridge such that teeth on the periphery of the brake are biased against the opposite inside surface of the cartridge housing about the periphery of an opening therein. The biasing of the brake against the opposite inside surface both prevents the rotation of the reel and shields out dust when the tape cartridge is removed from a tape drive. To rotate the reel, a tape drive clutch enters the opening in the opposite inside surface and depresses the brake into the well to mate with a smaller diameter portion of the hub or a recessed portion of the brake.

Abstract: Ferrite read and write modules of a magnetic head assembly that are aligned and positioned within a nonferrite housing are clamped by a leaf spring between the walls of the housing. The leaf spring compensates for thermal mismatch between the ferrite modules and the housing, and compensates for stress fluctuation that occurs with temperature change. The clamping force of the leaf spring is precisely controlled.

Abstract: A multielement magnetic head is formed with a closure section having a nonmagnetic ceramic substrate on which a thin layer of magnetic ferrite is deposited and processed. The thin ferrite layer is cut to define the separate transducing elements and data track separation. The closure section is joined to a wafer formed from a ferrite substrate and a thin film conductive coil means.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly includes a ferrite core sandwiched between two ceramic layers. Alumina films are deposited by sputtering on the sides of the ferrite core and on the ceramic layers in one structure, and on the ferrite core only in another structure, which are then bonded to form an integral head assembly. Slots to provide flying height control are formed in the air bearing surface of the ceramic layers. The process of making the assembly includes the steps of sputter etching the ferrite and ceramic prior to the deposition of the alumina.