Abstract: A storage device comprises, a head assembly, motor(s) configured to actuate the head assembly. The storage device may optionally include tape reel(s) holding tape media for storing data and a casing. The head assembly and its suspension system comprises a support structure, a head housing having an upper attachment bracket and a lower attachment bracket, a first flat spring attached to the upper attachment bracket, a second flat spring attached to the lower attachment bracket, and a head bar attached on an upper side to the first flat spring and attached on a lower side to the second flat spring. The head bar includes at least one read head and at least one write head.

Abstract: The magnetic tape cartridge includes a magnetic tape, and a cartridge reel, in which, in the magnetic tape, a minimum winding deviation occurrence load measured after the magnetic tape is rewound around the cartridge reel by applying a tension of 0.30 N in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is 250 N or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tape drives, tape transport, tape heads and tape head suspension. More particularly, the present invention is related to magnetic tape data storage and tape recorders that include components designed to minimize or eliminate head-to-tape contact to reduce or eliminate wear and contamination of tape drive heads. Methods and apparatus of the present invention may dynamically control the head-to-media spacing by moving locations of magnetic heads relative to a tape. Such apparatus may include components designed to minimize magnetic spacing. This may be accomplished using actuators that move the magnetic heads, that move the tape, or that move both the magnetic heads and the tape. This may include supporting a back surface of the tape. Alternatively, or additionally, the movement of the tape past the magnetic heads may be performed using mechanisms that contact and drive the back surface of the tape.

Abstract: A recording head actuator assembly for correcting for tape mis-registration (TMR) in a tape drive. The assembly includes a recording head actuator including a recording head and actuators for laterally positioning the head relative to tracks of a tape. The assembly also includes a dynamic azimuth control (DAC) assembly that includes a flexural pivot and a rotation driver. The rotation driver applies a driving force on the flexural pivot causing the flexural pivot to rotate about a hinge axis and the head to rotate about a rotation axis passing through the head, from a first azimuth angle to a second azimuth angle. The rotation axis and the hinge axis coincide, and the rotation axis of the head is transverse to a direction of tape travel. In some useful implementations, the flexural pivot may include a planar outer flexure and a planar inner flexure arranged as a cross strip pivot.

Abstract: A device is provided for supporting a magnetic reading head. The device includes a guide for guiding and cushioning the reading head. The guide is mounted between a base of the reading head and a bearing surface parallel to the base, and includes at least one part made of a material, the Young's modulus of which is greater than 200 N/mm2.

Abstract: A head assembly according to one embodiment includes at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape; electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers; bias circuitry; write drivers; write resistors; a memory device; and a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; and a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for receiving the head assembly. A magnetic tape drive according to one embodiment includes a head region for removably receiving a head assembly; a mechanical interface to facilitate alignment of the head assembly when inserted in the head region; and a connector for detachably interfacing with the head assembly. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A transducer head apparatus (140) is disclosed for concurrently transferring data relative to a plurality of tracks on a data carrier. The head apparatus comprises a body (310) extending longitudinally, the body supporting a plurality of longitudinally spaced transducer elements (240, 241, 242, 250, 251, 252, 260, 261, 255, 256, 257, 265, 266, 267), and adjuster apparatus (330) operable to adjust the relative longitudinal dispositions of at least some of the transducer elements.

Abstract: A tape storage device includes a head assembly having plural access head elements to access data on respective data tracks on a storage tape. A controller, responsive to information contained in at least one of the data tracks, is provided to individually adjust a lateral position of at least one of the access head elements independently of at least one other head element.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head including a transducer disposed between a substrate, a recession between the transducer and the substrate, where the recession is formed at least by wear from a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape head also includes a heater disposed in the transducer. The heater thermally expands the transducer at a particular location such that the recession is reduced at the particular location.

Abstract: A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a support for engaging a tape; and a head directly opposing the tape engaging portion of the support, the head being for performing at least one of reading from a tape and writing to a tape. During an operation period, the head is positioned such that at least one of the following occurs: the head does not contact the tape for a majority of the operation period; the head does not contact the tape for at least a portion of the operation period; and the head engages the tape for at least a portion of the operation period when the tape is lifted from the support by a cushion of air formed between the support and the tape, the head pressing the tape into the air cushion when engaging the tape.

Abstract: A system to interface analog-to-digital converters to inputs with arbitrary common-modes includes a common-mode voltage amplifier circuit and a PGA circuit connected to the common-mode voltage amplifier circuit. The common-mode voltage amplifier and PGA circuits receive first and second analog input signals. The PGA circuit eliminates the arbitrary common-modes from the first and second analog input signals based on an output of the common-mode voltage amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A tape transducer positioning assembly is provided with a frame with a first rail mounted to the frame. A carriage is mounted to the first rail to translate along the first rail. A transducer is supported by the carriage to cooperate with a tape as the tape is translated relative to the transducer. An actuator is mounted to one of the frame and the carriage and connected to the other of the frame and the carriage to position the carriage, and consequently the transducer relative to the tape. A magnet is mounted to the frame to provide a magnetic field. A second rail is mounted to the carriage generally parallel with the first rail. The second rail is oriented within the magnetic field such that a magnetic force is applied upon the second rail to maintain the second rail within the magnetic field.

Abstract: A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a support for engaging a tape; and a head directly opposing the support such that a tape engaging the support is positioned between the head and the support, the head being for performing at least one of reading from a tape and writing to a tape, wherein, during an operation period when the head is reading from or writing to a tape, the head is positioned such that at least one of the following occurs: the head does not contact the tape for a majority of the operation period; the head does not contact the tape for at least a portion of the operation period; and the head engages the tape for at least a portion of the operation period, the head pressing the tape towards the support when engaging the tape.

Abstract: Provided is a thin-film magnetic head, in which the magnetic spacing can be controlled appropriately, regardless of the presence of the variation in height of the medium-opposed surface of the closure. The thin-film magnetic head includes: at least one head element formed on or above an element-formation surface of a substrate, for reading data from a magnetic recording medium and/or writing data to a magnetic recording medium; an overcoat layer formed on the element-formation surface so as to cover the at least one head element; and at least one closure adhered to at least a portion of an upper surface of the overcoat layer. Here, at least one of the at least one closure includes at least one element for adjusting the height of a medium-opposed surface of the closure. The element is preferably a heating element provided within the closure.

Abstract: A system for adjusting misalignment between a read/write head and a flexible data storage media is provided. The system includes a head carriage assembly, a linear assembly that includes a pivot member pivotably supporting the head carriage assembly, and a magnetic assembly coupled to the head carriage assembly. Current is applied to the magnetic assembly for dynamically positioning the head carriage assembly relative to a direction of media movement across the head carriage assembly. A first current is applied to the magnetic assembly for track following of media moving across the head carriage assembly. A second current is applied to the magnetic assembly for dynamically rotationally positioning the head carriage assembly to compensate for skew of flexible media moving across the head carriage assembly.

Abstract: A transducer positioning apparatus is provided that supports a read/write head on a data storage machine and biases the head against rotation. The transducer positioning apparatus may comprise a base that includes a linear drive motor and a support frame to which the read/write head is secured. The support frame is reciprocally driven by the linear drive motor relative to the base. A magnetic coupling is provided between the base and the support frame that resists movement of the frame other than the reciprocal movement of the support frame relative to the base. A method is also disclosed for magnetically biasing a movable head of a transducer against rotation.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head according to one embodiment comprises a support having a surface with an opening in said surface; at least one head chin comprising a substrate having a plurality of magnetic recording elements, said head chip positioned to protrude through the opening in the surface of the support for read/write access to a magnetic recording tape, a tape bearing surface of the head chip being positioned above the surface of the support, wherein the at least one head chip includes two transducing surfaces separated in a direction parallel to a direction of tape travel over the at least one head chip by a gap and held in fixed relation to one another. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: To enable a read-write head to perform a fast and accurate track following, the invention proposes a read-write head (1), which exhibits: a first block (11) and a carrier (14) movably attached to the first block (11) carrying a read-write element, and at least one electromagnetic actuator device, with at least one electromagnetic element (8, 9) to generate magnetic forces, which are acting upon the carrier (14).

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided for positioning a transducer with a primary frame and a secondary frame mounted thereto for transverse translation. A coarse actuator is connected to the frames for translating the secondary frame incrementally. A carriage with a transducer is mounted to the secondary frame for transverse translation. A fine actuator is connected to the secondary frame and the carriage. The coarse actuator provides coarse adjustment and the fine actuator provides fine adjustment of the transducer for following tape. A method for positioning a transducer is provides a transducer connected to a coarse actuator and a fine actuator. Tape is conveyed across the transducer and lateral motion of the tape is monitored. The transducer is positioned by the fine actuator relative to a lateral tape position, and if the position exceeds a predetermined range, then the transducer is positioned by the actuation of the coarse actuator.

Abstract: A tape drive system according to one embodiment includes a support for engaging a tape; and a head directly opposing the support such that a tape engaging the support is positioned between the head and the support, the head being for performing at least one of reading from a tape and writing to a tape, wherein, during an operation period when the head is reading from or writing to a tape, the head is positioned such that at least one of the following occurs: the head does not contact the tape for a majority of the operation period; the head does not contact the tape for at least a portion of the operation period; and the head engages the tape for at least a portion of the operation period, the head pressing the tape towards the support when engaging the tape.

Abstract: A head actuator design for a low profile tape drive is configured with a damping system for a head suspension system having flexure springs to accommodate a half-high form factor. The damping system employs hall sensors, for example, mounted on the head carriage that moves with the head carriage to provide position signals that are differentiated to form velocity signals used by a servo loop control system to dampen suspension system resonance. A flexible circuit routing is provided that is manageable for half-high form factors by combining the fine positioner loop and course positioner loop into a single loop, and preventing the head flexible printed circuit from contacting a top cover in the routing to a printed circuit board near the top cover.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments provide methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a servo-actuated positioner for a read/write head that uses a piezoelectric super fine actuator that moves the read/write head to maintain alignment with data tracks on a magnetic tape. The servo-actuated positioner, in one implementation, uses flexures to mechanically support the read/write head. Piezoelectric elements are attached to the flexures in strategic locations to effect movement of the read/write head when the elements are actuated. This configuration achieves a large actuator motion using small piezoelectric elements. Additionally, manufacturability is improved since the piezoelectric elements, which are typically brittle, are attached to the mechanically robust flexures.

Abstract: A transducer positioning apparatus is provided that supports a read/write head on a data storage machine and biases the head against rotation. The transducer positioning apparatus may comprise a base that includes a linear drive motor and a support frame to which the read/write head is secured. The support frame is reciprocally driven by the linear drive motor relative to the base. A magnetic coupling is provided between the base and the support frame that resists movement of the frame other than the reciprocal movement of the support frame relative to the base. A method is also disclosed for magnetically biasing a movable head of a transducer against rotation.

Abstract: A head actuator assembly includes a coarse positioner base assembly that is mounted on a guide shaft and an anti-rotation shaft and provides increased structural rigidity due to a four-point support and spring loading of the coarse positioner base against the anti-rotation shaft. A two-part head-carriage and voice coil holder system permits different materials to be used for the head-carriage and the voice coil holder, obviating structural problems of a single-structured head-carriage and coil-holder system. A flexible printed circuit bracket eases manufacture and allows flexible printed circuits to be slid into the bracket and retained in place without the need for locating tabs and screws.

Abstract: A tape recording head is provided comprising a support plate having a contoured surface with an opening in the contoured surface which allows head chips to protrude far enough to allow proper head tape contact for recording. The support plate is fixed on a coarse actuator so that the support plate and coarse actuator move together perpendicular to the motion of the recording tape. The head chips comprising rowbar substrates containing a multiplicity of recording elements are supported on a carrier mounted on a fine actuator and are not fixed to the support plate to allow low mass fine actuation.

Abstract: A head actuator design for a low profile tape drive is configured with a damping system for a head suspension system having flexure springs to accommodate a half-high form factor. The damping system employs hall sensors, for example, mounted on the head carriage that moves with the head carriage to provide position signals that are differentiated to form velocity signals used by a servo loop control system to dampen suspension system resonance. A flexible circuit routing is provided that is manageable for half-high form factors by combining the fine positioner loop and course positioner loop into a single loop, and preventing the head flexible printed circuit from contacting a top cover in the routing to a printed circuit board near the top cover.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides a magnetic head device and linear tape drive that increase the resonant frequency and the range of a servo system. In particular, the invention provides a magnetic head device comprising a magnetic head chip with multiple magnetic head elements that is a structural part of the fine positioning system which allows the magnetic head elements follow the data tracks on the linear magnetic tape. Consequently, weight is reduced thereby increasing the resonant frequency and servo bandwidth. In another embodiment, the invention provides a magnetic head comprising bimodal actuators that are formed into an S shape and displaced by applying voltage where the polarization direction is opposite from one end to the other. In particular, the head chip may remain stable and may be driven dynamically thereby allowing the mechanical resonance of the bimodal actuator (including the head chip) to increase to 1 kHz or higher.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a non-linear array of magnetoresistive (MR) heads arranged in a two-dimensional matrix for reading information stored on magnetic media. The non-linear array of MR heads may comprise a planar array formed by a plurality of linear arrays of MR heads stacked to define a plurality of layers. Each of the linear arrays may share at least one shield element with another linear array of the non-linear array. In general, each layer is offset by one written track pitch and the number of layers of the invention is equal to the number of written track pitches in a channel pitch. The invention can also be used in a system for reading and writing information to magnetic media at improved track pitches relative to conventional read/write systems.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides a magnetic head device and linear tape drive that widen the high frequency side of the servo range. In particular, the invention provides a magnetic head device comprising a magnetic head chip with multiple magnetic elements arranged for recording or playback of multiple tracks and a fine positioning structure that uses a bimodal construction that may widen the high frequency side of the servo range by increasing the resonant frequency of the magnetic head chip including the tracking structure and lowering the Q value of the resonance point. In addition, the invention includes a damping structure suitable for the fine positioning structure that improves high speed response by widening the range in which the magnetic head device can be used for a servo. The magnetic head device may use a linear tape drive method.

Abstract: Determining an error in position of at least two heads coupled to a piezoelectric material, and changing a potential applied to a piezoelectric material to reduce the error in position of the at least two heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disk cartridge in which a disk-like recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk and a magnetic disk is accommodated within a disk compartment of a cartridge housing, a disk recording medium device in which the disk-like recording medium is accommodated in advance within the disk compartment so as to become freely rotatable and a disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information by using this disk recording medium device.

Abstract: There is provided a tape recording system and head device. A tape recording system and head device include a plurality of recording sections for recording data signals on a recording medium wherein one recording section of the plurality of recording sections and another recording section arranged so as to adjoin the one recording section are disposed such that the one recording section and the another recording section are shifted from each other in a running direction and a width direction of the recording medium, and wherein the one recording section and another recording section simultaneously record a data signal on adjacent recording tracks on the recording medium.

Abstract: A head actuator assembly includes a coarse positioner base assembly that is mounted on a guide shaft and an anti-rotation shaft and provides increased structural rigidity due to a four-point support and spring loading of the coarse positioner base against the anti-rotation shaft. A two-part head-carriage and voice coil holder system permits different materials to be used for the head-carriage and the voice coil holder, obviating structural problems of a single-structured head-carriage and coil-holder system. A flexible printed circuit bracket eases manufacture and allows flexible printed circuits to be slid into the bracket and retained in place without the need for locating tabs and screws.

Abstract: A head support structure of the present invention is the head support structure for recording/reproducing a servo signal on a magnetic tape, comprises a base portion and a support arm, which is one-side supported at the base portion and provides a head provided position-adjustably at a free end for the magnetic tape, and provides a support portion for supporting the free end of the support arm for the base portion.

Abstract: A tape recording head is provided comprising a support plate having a contoured surface with an opening in the contoured surface which allows head chips to protrude far enough to allow proper head tape contact for recording. The support plate is fixed on a coarse actuator so that the support plate and coarse actuator move together perpendicular to the motion of the recording tape. The head chips comprising rowbar substrates containing a multiplicity of recording elements are supported on a carrier mounted on a fine actuator and are not fixed to the support plate to allow low mass fine actuation.

Abstract: A method of supporting a transducer head in a read/write application provides an air bearing member that has a bearing surface area. The transducer is reciprocally supported on the air bearing member. Gas is flowed out of the bearing surface area so that the transducer floats on a resulting air cushion. The transducer is then reciprocated in a controlled manner while floating. The method may be accomplished by mounting the transducer on a carriage and floatably supporting the carriage on the air bearing member. The bearing member and the carriage may be keyed to one another, and the bearing member may be formed of porous material. Reciprocation of the bearing member may be accomplished electromagnetically. The transducer may be used to read or write data on a tape medium.

Abstract: A cartridge having a sensor hole to be opened/closed and a method and an apparatus for driving the same. To improve a problem that a cartridge receiving a DVD-RAM disc which has been once withdrawn therefrom performs the recording process under the same conditions as a bare disc, the disclosed cartridge has a unit for flexibly opening/closing the sensor hole in accordance with a result of a defect check, so that information processing process is greatly accelerated.

Abstract: An audio/control head assembly of a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes: a head base on which an audio/control head is mounted; a plurality of engaging parts formed at a main chassis, with which a plurality of adjustment bolts are engaged after passing the head base so that the head base can be engaged to be adjustable in its position; and a spring installed between the head base and the main chassis to elastically support the head base. Since the head base with the audio/control head mounted thereon is position-adjustably engaged at the main chassis directly, a unit for adjusting the position of the audio/control head is not necessary. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced, and accordingly, the fabrication cost can be reduced. In addition, since the number of the assembly parts is reduced, an assembly process can be reduced, an assembly workability can be improved, and an assembly time can be shortened.

Abstract: A tape head module assembly system and method is disclosed. A first and second module holder are placed in an initial alignment with module holder ends facing each other, the module ends each holding a tape head module. A tape wrap angle between the first and second module is set by first performing a fringe alignment and then lifting a rear end of the first and second module holder a prescribed amount. A horizontal adjuster produces a rotation for the first module holder so that gaps between the first and second modules are parallel. An alignment along a longitudinal axis for the second module holder is selected and the second module is translated laterally until the second tape head module held by the second module holder is aligned with the first tape head module held by the first module holder to provide reader-opposite-writer track-to-track registration. Then, the first and second tape head modules are joined together using a joining agent in the gap between the first and second tape head modules.

Abstract: A magnetic head is disclosed that utilizes MEMS technology to form microsliders and micromotors to provide fine movement of read, write and/or servo heads. In one exemplary embodiment, the head block includes cavities in which the microsliders are movably disposed. Read, write and/or servo elements are disposed on the microsliders. In other exemplary embodiments, the microsliders are disposed on the body block. Micromotors are mechanically coupled to the microsliders to move the microsliders with respect to the head body. Exemplary control systems include a controller that receives independent fine position data of the microslider and controls the micromotors to move the microsliders into a desired position.

Abstract: The recent trend towards incorporating a higher density of data tracks on magnetic tape has necessitated more accurate mechanisms for positioning tape heads. A system for seeking tracks on a magnetic tape via a fine position adjustment system includes a carriage frame that holds a magnetic tape head. The magnetic tape head reads and writes magnetic tape as the tape passes in close proximity to the tape head. Flexures attach the carriage frame to the tape head permitting movement in a transverse direction normal to the direction of tape travel across the head while restricting movement of the tape head in a direction parallel to tape travel or in a direction normal to the tape surface. A drive mechanism moves the tape head in the transverse direction in response to a control signal. A linear tachometer provides a velocity signal based on the movement of the tape head in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A magnetic head element linear actuator assembly including a base, a platform, a core, a coil, a plurality of slats and a plurality of magnetic bars. The platform is positioned opposite the base and is configured to maintain a magnetic recording head. The core is disposed between the base and the platform such that a space is defined between the core and the platform. The coil is wound about a central axis of the core. The plurality of slats rigidly maintain the platform relative to the base. Further, the plurality of slats are deflectable from a straightened state and are biased to return to the straightened state following deflection. Finally, the magnetic bars are secured to respective ones of the plurality of slats adjacent the coil. With this configuration, a magnetic field generated by the coil induces deflection of the plurality of slats via the magnetic bars. In response, the platform moves linearly toward the base.

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 servo positioned carriage and actuator assembly in which a part of the carriage is positioned within the central portion of the motor. The motor, typically a voice coil motor, includes a coil of electrically conductive windings and a magnet or magnets adjacent to the coil. In one embodiment of the invention, the central portion of the motor is defined by a perimeter of the magnets and the carriage is positioned at least partially inside this perimeter. The carriage, for example, will typically include a ring shaped center portion in which the coil is mounted. This ring shaped center portion mounting the coil is positioned inside the magnets to help minimize the overall mass of the carriage elements of the assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive by employing at least one head gap per rail. A flexible printed circuit provides communication between main control circuitry of the tape drive and the head positioning apparatus. The flex circuit provides flexible control loops that correspond to the translation range of the head positioning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the flex circuit includes a fine positioner loop and a coarse positioner loop.

Abstract: A magnetic data transfer system includes a tape drive with a magnetic tape cartridge insertable in a cartridge receptacle in the tape drive, and a magnetic data transfer head having at least two data transfer elements disposed in succession along a transport direction of the tape drive. The vertical position of the magnetic data transfer head in the tape drive is adjustable along a vertical adjustment direction. The data transfer elements monitor a monitored feature of the magnetic tape, such as a tape edge, a reference track or a servo track, and generate respective signals which are supplied to a controller circuit. The controller circuit, dependent on a difference between these signals, generates a control signal which is supplied to an adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic head device for reading and recording information from a magnetic recording section of a photographic film has a recording head and a playback head. The playback head and recording head are adjacently positioned by a head base plate. The head base plate rotatably supports the recording head and playback head as the head base plate rotates about a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft. The first rotation shaft extends in a direction of the film defined by movement of the film as film is wound onto a winding spool within a film cartridge. The second rotation shaft extends in a width direction of the film, perpendicular to the first rotation shaft. As a result the recording head and playback head make contact with the film to improve consistency of the playback and reading of information from the magnetic section of the film.

Abstract: In a video tape recorder of the invention, a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the X distance comprises a support plate 6 having a control head mounted thereon, a pivot pin 16 pivotally supporting an end of the support plate 6 on a chassis 1, a clamp piece 7 holding a portion 60 of the support plate 6 on the chassis 1 by clamping to give resistance to the pivotal movement of the support plate 6, and a screw 91 engaging another end of the support plate 6 with play for permitting the pivotal movement of the support plate 6 and fixing the end to the chassis 1 at an optional position within the range of the play. The clamp piece 7 comprises a receiving portion 71 for receiving the rear surface of the portion 60 of the support plate 6 and a holding portion 72 for holding the front surface of the support plate portion 60 under pressure. The portion 60 of the support plate 6 is inserted between the receiving portion 71 and the holding portion 72 by a press fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a tape drive head to a carriage that supports the head on the actuator. The method includes the steps of providing an inside corner on either the head or the carriage, providing a mating outside corner on the other of the head or the carriage, drawing the outside corner into the inside corner, and fastening the head to the carriage. The apparatus includes an inside corner on either the head or the carriage, a mating outside corner on the other of the head or the carriage, and a fastener that secures the head to the carriage. The inside and outside corners are configured to fit together when the head is fastened to the carriage. Preferably, the fastener is configured to pull the outside corner into the inside corner as the head is fastened to the carriage. This may be achieved, for example, by angling the fastener toward the inside corner.

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.