Abstract: A data storage disk cartridge having a dual housing structure includes an inner housing that contains a disk, and an outer housing that contains the inner housing. The inner housing is at least partially removable from the outer housing for insertion into a disk drive. The outer housing remains external to the disk drive, however, except for a portion that is inserted into the drive to provide a docking channel for retraction of the inner housing. A shutter on the inner housing covers a portion of the disk, but is manipulable by the disk drive to uncover the disk and allow drive access. The dual housing structure of the cartridge is capable of significantly improving disk and drive reliability, particularly for recording applications that require higher areal recording densities, such as near field optical recording. In particular, the disk cartridge reduces the accumulation of debris on the disk and drive components.

Abstract: A data library system is disclosed, having a lightweight carousel featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A rotating express port is disclosed for addition or removal of single cartridges without the need to dismount the carousel from the library system. The express port is designed to prevent cartridges from being inserted in the wrong orientation, and a reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives and express port. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: A lightweight carousel is disclosed for use in an automatic cartridge library system, featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: A bidirectional manipulator is disclosed for use in removal and replacement of data tape cartridges from the carousel of an automatic cartridge library system. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A lightweight carousel is also disclosed, featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by the bidirectional manipulators. A reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: An improved access door for magnetic tape library systems and the like, including a pivotable cartridge-receiving receptacle for facilitating the insertion and removal of cartridges into and out of the system. The receptacle is pivotably mounted to be rotatable between a first position extending at least part way out of the system housing, and a second position wherein the receptacle is at least partially disposed within the housing. A trip lever actuated latch holds the receptacle in the second position, and a spring-loaded lifter rotates the receptacle away from the second position when the latch is released. A damping cam and resilient roller control the rotation of the receptacle and provide limit stops therefor. Optical sensors indicate receptacle position and the presence or absence of a cartridge in the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved carousel apparatus for use in carousel-type magnetic tape library systems and the like, including a cylindrical magazine carried by a rotatable turntable. The turntable includes a sprocket wheel that is engaged by a drive belt or chain connected to a stepper motor affixed to a rotatable base plate. Affixed to the sprocket is a shutter plate having a plurality of notches in its perimeter for detection by an optical-indexing sensor. The apparatus also includes a carousel-indexing sensor and a cartridge-in-carousel and cartridge-orientation sensor. Disposed within the central cavity of the carousel magazine unoccupied by cartridges is a cartridge-onloading/offloading mechanism which is rotatably mounted concentric with the carousel turntable.

Abstract: An improved carousel-type magnetic tape library system including a pivotable cartridge-receiving door for facilitating the insertion and removal of cartridges into the system and a cylindrical magazine carried by a turntable rotatably mounted to a turntable plate secured to a base casting. The turntable includes a sprocket wheel that is engaged by a drive belt or chain connected to a stepper motor affixed to the base plate. Affixed to the sprocket is a shutter plate having a plurality of notches in its perimeter for detection by an optical-indexing sensor. The apparatus also includes a carousel-indexing sensor and a cartridge-in-carousel and cartridge-orientation sensor. Disposed within the central cavity of the carousel magazine unoccupied by cartridges is a cartridge-onloading/offloading mechanism which is rotatably mounted concentric with the carousel turntable. Disposed on a side of the carousel opposite the door is a dual tape drive assembly including modular tape drive units mounted to the base plate.

Abstract: Gate mechanism for a data cartridge library system including an upstanding lever arm having a laterally extending tab formed at its upper end and a generally Z-shaped member extending from its lower end, the distal end segment of the Z-shaped member forming a light-breaking flag disposed between an optical switch. The lever arm is pivotally attached proximate its lower end to a pivot member that allows the lever arm and its appendages to be rotated about orthogonal axes. An actuator is attached to the lower end of the arm so as to rotate it about one of the axes, and a spring is attached to the lower end of the lever arm to return the arm to a neutral position following its rotation about either axis. The gate mechanism is useful in blocking entry to a drive unit, limiting ejection distance of a cartridge ejected from the drive unit, and indicating when a cartridge extends out of the drive unit.

Abstract: A data library system is disclosed, having a lightweight carousel featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A rotating express port is disclosed for addition or removal of single cartridges without the need to dismount the carousel from the library system. The express port is designed to prevent cartridges from being inserted in the wrong orientation, and a reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives and express port. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a disk drive controller system having separate head positioning and data transfer subsystems and supporting up to four disk drives, two of which may be removable and two of which may connect through a standard ST506 interface. The system provides a read and write protected cylinder for removably drive and a read only cylinder for removable drives which may store a unique serial number as well as other write protected data. Each removable disk drive may includes a register storing an identification code which may be used to control operation of the drive.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a disk controller system having separate head positioning and data transfer subsystems and supporting up to four disk drives, two of which may be removable, portable drive units and two of which may connect through a standard ST506 interface. The removable disk drives incorporate a read and write protected data cylinder for storing information such as the maintenance history of the drive, and a read only cylinder for storing a unique serial number as well as other write protected data. The system also features a high capacity, high speed sector buffer which allows continuous transfers of data to or from noninterleaved sectors and supports concurrent disk and system accesses.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk storage system incorporated in a removable, portable module for use in a microcomputer system, a hinged separator element having a plurality of angled surfaces is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the disk storage system is in an operational state with magnetic transducers loaded onto the surfaces of rigid magnetic disks and a carriage which mounts cantilevered beams for the transducers being free to move radially relative to the disks. In the second position, carriage motion is inhibited by the separator element which engages the cantilevered beams to raise the transducers away from the surfaces of the disks and into unloaded positions.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk storage system, a hinged separator element having a plurality of angled surfaces is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the disk storage system is in an operational state with magnetic transducers loaded onto the surfaces of rigid magnetic disks and a carriage which mounts cantilevered beams for the transducers being free to move radially relative to the disks. In the second position, carriage motion is inhibited by the separator element which engages the cantilevered beams to raise the transducers away from the surfaces of the disks and into unloaded positions. A spring loaded trigger member which normally engages the separator element to latch the separator element in either of the first and second positions is momentarily disengaged from the separator element to permit movement of the separator element from the first to the second position by the spring or from the second to the first positions in response to movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A portable hard disk drive module enclosing all of the operative components of the disk drive is removably received by a receptacle in a microcomputer system. The disk drive module and the receptacle each have an electrical connector and these connectors are coupled when the module is in an operating position within the receptacle. The connectors comprise the sole interface between the operative components of the disk drive and the remainder of the computer system. The receptacle includes a transport mechanism for moving the module from a load position to the operating position and from the operating position to a module unload position. Accordingly, movement of the module between these positions in the receptacle is completely under machine control.

Abstract: A "Winchester" type magnetic disk memory apparatus is disclosed that includes an air recirculation system in the clean chamber that assures positive pressure at all points of potential leakage. In conjunction with that feature, the head assembly positioning mechanism is located outside the clean chamber to provide substantial improvements in contamination control. Significant advantages in the manufacture and maintenance of the apparatus also result.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk drive in which a cantilevered arm for mounting a magnetic head slider assembly is pivoted to move the slider assembly between a loaded position adjacent a rigid magnetic disk and an unloaded position spaced apart from the disk, a mechanism is provided for limiting the extent of movement of the slider assembly relative to the arm to prevent damaging contact of the slider assembly with the disk when the arm is in the unloaded position and the disk drive is subjected to shock loads. The slider assembly is mounted in gimballed fashion at a free outer end of the arm by a flexure element having different portions secured to the arm and to the slider assembly and a gimballing protuberance engaging the arm.

Abstract: Tape-to-head compliance in a bidirectional magnetic tape drive is substantially improved in both directions by pivotally mounting the pressure pads. Friction between the moving tape and the pressure pads causes the pads to rotate slightly, the leading portions of the pressure pads thereby exerting greater pressure on the tape than the trailing portions.

Abstract: A dual magnetic head assembly is provided with asymmetrical crosstalk shielding. One of the heads includes a pair of mu-metal washers sandwiching a copper washer, the stacked washers surrounding the portion of the head including the read-write gap. The washers are enclosed within a copper plated mu-metal cap having a central opening through which the gap-containing portion of the head projects for cooperation with a magnetic medium. The other head is unshielded.

Abstract: A magnetic tape storage and drive apparatus in which the tape stored in the cartridge has a ferrule means attached to the lead end of the tape. The associated drive means includes a leader and threading apparatus for the tape and is used with a pair of spherical recording heads and pressure pads to eliminate the need for accurate tape tension control means.

Abstract: An improved read/write head carriage assembly for use with a floppy disk recorder including a rigidly mounted head-carrying arm, a pivotally mounted head-carrying arm, a damper assembly for limiting the excursion and damping the motion of the pivotally mounted arm, and a pair of protective sleds, each affixed to an arm.