Abstract: A tape storage system includes a system housing, a tape movement system and a tape head assembly. The system housing has a housing thickness that is not greater than 3.5 inches. The tape movement system is positioned within the system housing. The tape movement system includes a first reel and a second reel. The tape movement system is configured to retain a tape having a tape length of at least 2,000 meters. The tape head assembly is positionable within the system housing. The tape head assembly is configured to at least one of write data to and read data from the tape.

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a service tray and a capture assembly. The service tray is removably positionable within the library housing. The service tray includes a tray body. The capture assembly is configured to enable the service tray to securely receive and releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position. The capture assembly includes at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body when the media mover is in the removable position.

Abstract: An automated tape library (10) includes a library housing (12) that is substantially rectangular box-shaped, including a first housing side (12A), a second housing side (12B), a housing rear (12C), a housing top (12D), a housing bottom (12E), and a housing front (12F). The library housing (12) defines a library width (10W) that is less than or equal to approximately 550 millimeters and a library depth (10D) that is at least approximately 1000 millimeters. The automated tape library (10) can further include a front door (16) that is movably coupled to the housing front (12F) to move between a closed configuration (11A) and an open configuration (11B); wherein the library housing (12) defines a library interior (14); and wherein full access to the library interior (14) is only provided through the front door (16) when the front door (16) has been moved to the open configuration (11B). The automated tape library (10) can also include at least one tape drive (20) that is coupled to the front door (16).

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a module housing and a service tray. The module housing forms at least a part of a library housing. The service tray is removably positionable within the module housing. The service tray is configured to releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position so that the service tray and the media mover are movable as an integral unit out of and into the module housing. The service tray includes a tray body and at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body.

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a module housing and a service tray. The module housing forms at least a part of a library housing. The service tray is removably positionable within the module housing. The service tray is configured to releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position so that the service tray and the media mover are movable as an integral unit out of and into the module housing. The service tray includes a tray body and at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body.

Abstract: A mover replacement system for removing a media mover, movable between an operating position and a removable position, from within a media library includes a module housing and a service tray. The module housing forms at least a part of a library housing. The service tray is removably positionable within the module housing. The service tray is configured to releasably retain the media mover when the media mover is in the removable position so that the service tray and the media mover are movable as an integral unit out of and into the module housing. The service tray includes a tray body and at least one locking mechanism that is movable relative to the tray body between a retracted position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned not to engage the media mover, and a fully extended position when the at least one locking mechanism is positioned to retain the media mover relative to the tray body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing data storage capacity of a media library is disclosed herein. The elevation or vertical clearance of a tray assembly included in the library is configured to permit access of data storage media stored near the floor of the library.

Abstract: A system for managing a flexible electrical cable for use in limited rotational applications is provided. The system includes a main hub coupled with a substrate, the main hub comprising an outer hub portion, an inner cavity portion and a gap portion, the main hub rotatable about a stationary post disposed inside the inner cavity portion and coupled with the substrate. The system is for managing a contiguous length of flexible electrical cable having a first free end and a second end, the second end electrically coupled to the inner post wherein a first portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the free end is wrapped around the outer hub portion in a first direction and a second portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the second end is wrapped inside the inner cavity portion in a second direction and wherein the contiguous length of flexible electrical cable passes through the gap portion of the main hub.

Abstract: A media storage library for storing a plurality of media cartridges is provided. The media storage library includes at least one media transfer mechanism, and a plurality of storage panels for storing media cartridges, including at least a first movable storage panel. The first storage panel is movable from the first position to a second position, and each storage panel of the plurality of movable storage panels includes at least a first access face for the at least one media transfer mechanism to access the media cartridges. An access space is formed between the first movable storage panel and a second storage panel, and the at least one media transfer mechanism is able to access the media cartridges via the access space and the first access face.

Abstract: A system for managing a flexible electrical cable for use in limited rotational applications is provided. The system includes a main hub coupled with a substrate, the main hub comprising an outer hub portion, an inner cavity portion and a gap portion, the main hub rotatable about a stationary post disposed inside the inner cavity portion and coupled with the substrate. The system is for managing a contiguous length of flexible electrical cable having a first free end and a second end, the second end electrically coupled to the inner post wherein a first portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the free end is wrapped around the outer hub portion in a first direction and a second portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the second end is wrapped inside the inner cavity portion in a second direction and wherein the contiguous length of flexible electrical cable passes through the gap portion of the main hub.

Abstract: A media storage library for storing a plurality of media cartridges is provided. The media storage library includes at least one media transfer mechanism, and a plurality of storage panels for storing media cartridges, including at least a first movable storage panel. The first storage panel is movable from the first position to a second position, and each storage panel of the plurality of movable storage panels includes at least a first access face for the at least one media transfer mechanism to access the media cartridges. An access space is formed between the first movable storage panel and a second storage panel, and the at least one media transfer mechanism is able to access the media cartridges via the access space and the first access face.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing data storage capacity of a media library is disclosed herein. The elevation or vertical clearance of a tray assembly included in the library is configured to permit access of data storage media stored near the floor of the library.

Abstract: A spool system for packing tape on a hub. The spool has upper and lower flanges on the hub, and a flexure positioned on the hub between the two flanges. The flexure is normally parallel to the flanges, but when a force is applied to the tape lead-in edge of the flexure, that edge of the flexure is pressed toward one of the flanges. This causes the tape lead-in side of the spool system to have a wider opening than the tape packing side of the spool system. The width of the space on the tape packing side is preferably equal to or narrower than the width of the tape to be packed, so that the flexure presses against the edge of tape as it loads, reducing stagger of the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a transducer includes a fixed frame and a moving frame movably associated with the fixed frame such that the moving frame is movable between a plurality of discrete positions relative to the fixed frame. A carriage is movably associated with the moving frame and has the transducer mounted thereon. The apparatus further includes an actuator associated with the carriage. The actuator is operative to move the moving frame to a selected discrete position of the plurality of discrete positions, and is further operative to move the carriage relative to the moving frame when the moving frame is in the selected discrete position.

Abstract: A read-write head positioning device and method of operation that provide coarse and fine positioning using only one actuator. The read-write head is mounted on a carriage. The carriage is resiliently mounted to a moving frame. The moving frame is slidably mounted to a fixed frame. A detent mechanism disposed between the fixed frame and moving frame provides coarse positioning of the moving frame in several discrete positions relative to the fixed frame. An actuator disposed between the fixed frame and carriage provides for fine positioning of the transducer. To change coarse positions, the actuator drives the carriage in the desired direction to engage a mechanical stop on the carriage with a stop abutment on the moving frame. The actuator then continues to drive the carriage and the moving frame in the desired direction causing the detent mechanism to release from its current coarse position.

Abstract: The reaction force decoupling system, as implemented in a tape drive, reduces the motion that is coupled back into the tape cartridge from the reaction force that is generated by the operation of the read/write head actuator. The read/write head actuator consists of a magnet assembly which produces a large magnetic field in an annular gap and a coil of wire which operates freely in the magnetic field of the gap. The magnet assembly is mounted to the base of the drive and the coil is attached to the read/write head carriage. When current is applied to the coil, a force is produced between the coil and the magnet assembly to move the read/write head carriage. The magnet assembly is disconnected from the base of the drive and mounted on dual flexures arranged in a four bar linkage parallel guide arrangement. The reaction forces that are generated by the operation of the read/write head actuator must deflect the flexures to apply a load to the base of the drive.

Abstract: A read-write head positioning device and method of operation that provide coarse and fine positioning using only one actuator. The read-write head is mounted on a carriage. The carriage is resiliently mounted to a moving frame. The moving frame is slidably mounted to a fixed frame. A detent mechanism disposed between the fixed frame and moving frame provides coarse positioning of the moving frame in several discrete positions relative to the fixed frame. An actuator disposed between the fixed frame and carriage provides for fine positioning of the transducer. To change coarse positions, the actuator drives the carriage in the desired direction to engage a mechanical stop on the carriage with a stop abutment on the moving frame. The actuator then continues to drive the carriage and the moving frame in the desired direction causing the detent mechanism to release from its current coarse position.

Abstract: A cartridge for cleaning read/write heads and associated tape path in a magnetic tape system includes a brush arranged to loosen debris, and an impeller driven by a tape drive mechanism to create a vacuum within the cartridge housing to facilitate capture of the loosened debris within a removable filter. In one embodiment, the brush is attached to a wiper arm driven by either the same or a second tape drive mechanism in the tape system. The wiper arm can be driven in a direction orthogonal to the direction of tape movement to allow efficient cleaning of magnetic heads having bleed slots or gutters which extend orthogonal to the tape path. In addition, the wiper arm can be made of electrically conductive material, and the cartridge can include a conductive base plate arranged to provide a ground path between the brush and a ground potential in the tape system, thereby safely dissipating any buildup of static electricity.

Abstract: A tape cartridge, a cartridge-drive system, and a method of operation for aligning spools inside the tape cartridge with fixed center drives. The spools are allowed to slide relative to a baseplate allowing them to move in a direction normal to their axis of rotation to account for axial misalignment with the fixed center drives. Posts maintain the spools in close proximity to the baseplate. The fixed center drives have a flexible joint to account for angular misalignments of the spool and drive axes, and to account for spool-to-drive distance variations along the axis of rotation. Each spool and drive have a ring of triangular shaped teeth that self-align when engaged. Thrust bearings may be disposed between the spools and the baseplate to minimize friction. Each spool may include a normally engaged locking clutch mechanism to reduce the possibility of tape spillage during handling. The clutch is disengaged by engagement with an annular boss on the drive.

Abstract: The coaxial reel tape cartridge uses a lengthy tape path within the tape cartridge to reduce the stresses on the tape medium as it is transported between the two reels. The tape reel lock mechanism locks the two tape reels together to prevent rotation of the reels with respect to each other when the tape cartridge is removed from the tape drive. The lock mechanism also locks the tape reels to the exterior housing to prevent any rotation of either tape reel. This lock mechanism enables to tape cartridge to implement mid-point loads.