Patents by Inventor David H. F. Harper

David H. F. Harper 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).

  • Patent number: 10832724
    Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a roller guide. A patterned bar is also positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. Moreover, the patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. The patterned bar is also not directly coupled to the module, and both edges of the patterned bar which engage the magnetic tape are skiving edges. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Peter Reininger
  • Patent number: 10789980
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate, a stator, a rotor sub-assembly, and at least one isolation mount coupled between the support plate and the stator. The isolation mount is for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the support plate. Moreover, the stator is coplanar with the support plate. The rotor sub-assembly includes a magnet, and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. The rotor sub-assembly is also configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corrporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Patent number: 10783919
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate, a stator, and a stator support arm. The stator support arm has a first end that is coupled to the support plate, and extends from the support plate to the stator. Moreover, the stator is coplanar with the support plate. The apparatus further includes at least one isolation mount, and a rotor sub-assembly. The isolation mount is coupled between a second end of the stator support arm and the stator for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the stator support arm. The rotor sub-assembly includes a magnet, and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. Furthermore, the rotor sub-assembly is configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Patent number: 10679662
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H. F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10580443
    Abstract: A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to: determine first and second currents to apply to an actuator assembly in response to detecting a track following error. The first and second currents are applied to the actuator assembly simultaneously. The actuator assembly itself includes: a fine motion motor for enabling positioning of a beam of a head carriage assembly. The actuator assembly also includes a skew motion motor for enabling rotatable positioning of the head carriage assembly about an axis of skew. Furthermore, the actuator assembly includes a main coil configured to induce skew motion and lateral motion of the beam of the head carriage assembly relative to the fine motion motor and the skew motion motor upon energization of the main coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David H. F. Harper
  • Publication number: 20200058325
    Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module, and a roller guide. A patterned bar is also positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. Moreover, the patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. The patterned bar is also not directly coupled to the module, and both edges of the patterned bar which engage the magnetic tape are skiving edges. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Peter Reininger
  • Patent number: 10553245
    Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a module having transducers positioned along a tape bearing surface of the module; a roller guide; and a patterned bar positioned relative to the roller guide and module to engage a magnetic tape. The patterned bar has a plurality of recessed regions along a tape bearing surface thereof. Moreover, the patterned bar is not directly coupled to the module. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Peter Reininger
  • Publication number: 20200035269
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H.F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10515663
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H. F. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190311739
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate, a stator, and a stator support arm. The stator support arm has a first end that is coupled to the support plate, and extends from the support plate to the stator. Moreover, the stator is coplanar with the support plate. The apparatus further includes at least one isolation mount, and a rotor sub-assembly. The isolation mount is coupled between a second end of the stator support arm and the stator for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the stator support arm. The rotor sub-assembly includes a magnet, and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. Furthermore, the rotor sub-assembly is configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Publication number: 20190311738
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate, a stator, a rotor sub-assembly, and at least one isolation mount coupled between the support plate and the stator. The isolation mount is for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the support plate. Moreover, the stator is coplanar with the support plate. The rotor sub-assembly includes a magnet, and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. The rotor sub-assembly is also configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Publication number: 20190304500
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H.F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10424333
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate, a stator, at least one isolation mount coupled between the support plate and the stator for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the support plate, and a rotor sub-assembly. Furthermore, the rotor sub-assembly is configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator, the rotor sub-assembly including: a magnet, and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Patent number: 10424332
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a support plate; a stator; a stator support arm having a first end that is coupled to the support plate, the stator support arm extending from the support plate to the stator. The apparatus further includes at least one isolation mount coupled between a second end of the stator support arm and the stator for reducing transfer of vibration from the stator to the stator support arm; and a rotor sub-assembly. The rotor sub-assembly is configured to rotate relative to the support plate and the stator, the rotor sub-assembly including: a magnet; and a hub rotatably fixed relative to the magnet. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Kevin B. Judd, Armando Argumedo
  • Patent number: 10410670
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether an absolute value of a channel offset exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the absolute value of the channel offset exceeds a threshold value, a direction of travel of the tape media is determined. In response to determining that the direction of travel of the tape media is a forward direction, a determination is made whether the channel offset is positive. In response to determining that the channel offset is positive, a left cooling device within the tape drive storage unit is powered on. The left cooling device lowers the temperature of a left guide roller and the tape media coming off a left tape storage reel prior to the media passing by a read/write head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H. F. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190267034
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H.F. Harper
  • Publication number: 20190267035
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether an absolute value of a channel offset exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the absolute value of the channel offset exceeds a threshold value, a direction of travel of the tape media is determined. In response to determining that the direction of travel of the tape media is a forward direction, a determination is made whether the channel offset is positive. In response to determining that the channel offset is positive, a left cooling device within the tape drive storage unit is powered on. The left cooling device lowers the temperature of a left guide roller and the tape media coming off a left tape storage reel prior to the media passing by a read/write head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H.F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10395682
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a first module and a second module each having an array of transducers oriented orthogonal to an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, where the first module is movable relative to the second module. The apparatus also includes an actuator configured to exert a force on one of the modules for causing a relative movement of the first module with respect to the second module for aligning the transducers of the first module with the transducers of the second module in a direction of tape travel thereacross. Moreover, longitudinal axes of the arrays of the first and second modules are not pivotable from orthogonal to the intended direction of tape travel thereacross. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David H. F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10395687
    Abstract: A determination is made whether read/write is enabled within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that read/write is enabled, a determination is made whether a temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds a threshold value. In response to determining that the temperature within the tape drive storage unit exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made of a direction of travel of a tape media within the tape drive storage unit. In response to determining that the direction of travel is a forward direction, a first cooling device is powered on. The first cooling device lowers the temperature of a first guide roller and the tape media coming off a first tape storage reel prior to the tape media passing by a read/write head within the tape drive storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nhan X. Bui, Kevin B. Judd, Randy C. Inch, Mark A. Lantz, David H. F. Harper
  • Patent number: 10374475
    Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a motor having: a rotor, a magnet, and a damping layer positioned between the rotor and the magnet. The damping layer is constructed of a material characterized by converting kinetic energy into heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. F. Harper, Hugo E. Rothuizen