Abstract: A servo detection system for detecting servo tracks of a longitudinal tape. In a read/write head, two servo read heads are spaced laterally on a first head module, and a servo read head is on a second head module spaced longitudinally from the first module. A method comprises initially sensing a tape servo track with one servo read head of the first module and the servo read head of the second module to determine skew misalignment of the servo track. A zero reference value is stored representing the determined skew misalignment. The detection system switches from the one servo read head of each module, to the two servo read heads of the first module, and employs the stored value to position the read/write head in the zero skew position. The two servo read heads are then employed to read two servo tracks to identify the data band and to control skew.

Abstract: A method, a servo system and a tape drive are provided to acquire lock on a servo signal. The servo signals of at least one servo element are monitored to detect a valid servo signal. If a valid servo signal is not detected than the fine actuator is moved in a first direction until either a valid servo signal is detected or the fine actuator travel limit is reached. When a valid servo signal is detected, the fine actuator is set to a neutral position and the coarse actuator is moved in the first direction. When the fine actuator travel limit is reached the fine actuator is moved to the first position and the coarse actuator is moved in a second direction, opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, a roller barrel of the tiltable roller bearing is biased in a first position on a pivot axis, using magnetic attraction between a movable magnet and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. The roller barrel is pivoted on the pivot axis by conducting current through a fixed coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint for a tape drive system, comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates, and an actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface when the actuator is actuated, to control the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tape guide roller comprises a cylindrical barrel with a cylindrical peripheral surface parallel to a central axis; the cylindrical peripheral surface comprising smooth cylindrical surface zones alternating in the circumferential direction about the cylindrical peripheral surface with non-smooth cylindrical surface zones. The non-smooth cylindrical surface zones may comprise a textured surface, and/or may comprise a grooved surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for attenuating vibration. A cover includes at least four slots. Each slot physically isolates a midsection from either the distal end or the proximal end of the cover. In one embodiment, a first slit isolates a midsection side and a second slit at an angle in the range of seventy degrees to one hundred-ten degrees to the first slit physically isolates a portion of a top from a portion of a side. The midsection is physically connected to an enclosure configured to supply power, cooling, and communications to the storage mechanism.

Abstract: A rotatable tape guide with a cylindrical barrel having a cylindrical peripheral surface; and a guide flange substantially at each outer side of the cylindrical barrel and having a frusto-conical surface. The frusto-conical surface is configured at a taper angle outward with respect to the perpendicular direction from the cylindrical surface; the taper angle of the guide flange substantially at an angle such that the angle at which a tapered tangential line extends from the circumference of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the cylindrical barrel and along the taper of the guide flange, to the maximum periphery of the frusto-conical surface, is at the maximum potential angle of attack from a magnetic tape at a supply reel with respect to the guide flange.

Abstract: Magnetic tape guiding system takes advantage of characteristics of slit magnetic tape wherein one of the two tape edges has a higher tendency to shed tape debris than the other, and the slit tape is consistently loaded into tape cartridges in the same direction. A tape guiding system is configured to guide a magnetic tape along a tape path extending across magnetic tape head(s) from a tape cartridge oriented in a single direction, the cartridge having a length of magnetic tape with a second edge tending to create lower debris under contact than a first edge. At least one single flange tape guide roller has a cylindrical surface oriented to provide the tape path for the magnetic tape, and has a single flange at one end of the cylindrical surface that is oriented with respect to the cartridge receiver to correspond to the second edge of the magnetic tape.