GB2229852A

GB2229852A - Magnetic disc memory unit

Info

Publication number: GB2229852A
Application number: GB9008950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Young; David Johnson; David W Richard; James A Augeri; Carl Bolz; Bruce Bickford
Original assignee: Raymond Engineering Inc
Current assignee: Raymond Engineering Inc
Priority date: 1986-01-21
Filing date: 1990-04-20
Publication date: 1990-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-21
Also published as: GB9008950D0; GB2229852B

Abstract

A magnetic disc memory unit includes read/write heads attached to and driven by a continuous split belt driven by a stepper motor. The read/write heads (48) move nearly, and they retract to a landing position fully off the disc (24) when the unit is shut down by transforming the disc drive to a power generator to power the stepper motor and having a cam mechanism to raise a flexure supporting the heads. The head carriage structure (15) is dynamically counterbalanced by a counterbalance assembly (62) to allow operation at all attitudes and minimize vibration and shock problems. The unit incorporates several features to overcome or minimize vibration and temperature problems (eg preloaded bearings and a cryogenic joint Fig. 7A) so that the unit is suitable for operation in extreme vibration and temperature environments and in all attitudes. The unit, which is filled with an inert gas, is latched into a shock-proof rack. <IMAGE>

Description

MAGNETIC DISC MEMORY UNIT This invention relates to the field of magnetic disc memory units. More particularly this invention relates to a ruggedized magnetic disc memory unit suitable for use in hostile or severe environments and capable of withstanding loads or stresses, such as shock, vibration, and temperature extremes and which is capable of operation at any attitude. The unit of the present invention is particularLy suitable for use in military applications, but it may also find use in other demanding environments, such as, for example, oil and gas well drilling and seismic exploration.

Both magnetic tape recorder units and magnetic disc memory units have been known in the art for many years.

Tape units suitabLe for use in demanding applications are available, but a need exists for an improved disc unit.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved disc unit, particuLarLy in regard to fitting within a smaller envelope and having enhanced capability to operate in extreme vibration and temperature environments In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present. invention there is provided a magnetic disc memory unit comprising a housing disc support means rotatably mounted in said housing, said disc support means being adapted to receive and hold at least one magnetic memory disc drive means in said housing for rotatably driving said disc support means readlwrite head means for interacting with said memory discs to be supported on said disc support means, said read!write head comprising at Least one magnetic pick-up head support arm means mounted in said housing, said support arm means comprising a flexure beam having said magnetic pick-up head attached to a first end thereof and a support pLate attached to a second end of said flexure beam means for supporting said magnetic head when said readlwrite head means is in a retracted position means for raising and Lowering said fLexure beam as said read/write head means moves relative to said disc support means stepper motor means mounted in said housing for driving said support arm means reLative to the magnetic memory disc mounted on said disc supporting means, and means for transforming said disc supporting means driving means to a power generator for producing electrical power to power said stepper motor means whereby said support arm means and said readlwrite head means are moved into a retracted position in the event of power interruption to said unit.

According to a first embodiment of the invention means are provided for moving said head carriage means and said readlwrite head means back and forth in a first Linear direction between a retracted position and a preselected position reLative to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means wherein said first Linear direction is radial or paraLLeL to a radial Line with respect to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means.

According to a second embodiment of the invention said support means is a rotary arm mounted in said housing , said readlwrite head means being mounted on said rotary arm means and the output of said stepper motor means is in arcs of rotary motion and further incLuding split belt means connected between said support arm and the output of said stepper motor means to move said support arm and the readlwrite head mounted thereon in steps of rotary movement.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the exterior casing or housing of the magnetic disc unit of the present invention Figure 2 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention , Figure 2 being a top pLan view of -the unit of Figure 1 with the top cover removed.

Figure 3 is a sectional eLevation view taken along Line R-R of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional elevation view taken along Line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an electrical control system suitable for operating the unit of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view, similar to Figure 2, showing a second embodiment of the unit of the present invention Figure 7P is a partial view along line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 78 is an enlarged showing of a detail of Figure 7R Figure 8 is a partiaL sectional eLevation view taken aLong line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9R is a view showing the readlwrite head carrier used with the present invention.

Figure 98 is a view showing an enlarged detail of Figure SP.

Figure 9C is a view along Line C-C of Figure SP.

Figure lOP is a view showing a split drive belt of the present invention Figure 108 is a view aLong Line 8-B of Figure lOP.

Figure 11 is a an enlarged detail of the attachement and operation of the split belt of FIGURE 10A Figure 12 is a top pLan view of a vibration isolation cradle for the unit of the present invention Figure 13P is a view of the front cover and locking handle used with the present invention.

Figure 138 is an enLarged detail of a cradleihandle feature.

Referring now to Figure 1, the exterior housing for the unit of the present invention is shown. Housing 10 has a main housing section 12 with a removable cover pLate 14 which is fastened to main housing section 12 with a pLuraLity of screw fasteners 16. Housing section 12 and cover plate 14 are of metal, preferably aluminium. R front cover 18 is attached to housing section 12, and cover 18 has a release latch mechanism 20 for locking the housing into or releasing it from a vibration cradle (not shown) equipped with shock mounts in which the unit would be mounted.Housing section 12 has a mounting slot 22 along the length of its two opposite sides, and these grooves mate with corresponding runners or guides in the cradle To insure that the unit is properly mounted in the cradle (and to insure proper alignment with electrical connectors on the back end of the unit), the grooves are offset on the two sides of the unit (as are the mating guides in the cradLe) Since the grooves and mating guides are asymetric, the unit can only be mounted in one position (i.e., the proper one) in the cradle.

Referring now to a combined consideration of Figures 2,3 and 4, the details of the magnetic disc unit of the present invention are seen. P magnetic disc 24 (which is, per se, known in the art) is mounted on a rotary plate or table 26 from which extends a rotary spindle 28. spindle 28 is mounted and supported in bearings 30 and 32, preferabLy via an elastomeric member 33. Magnetic disc 24 is locked to rotary table 26 by a top plate 34 which is releasably fastened to table 26 by screws 36. Ps best seen in Figure 3, top plate 34 overlaps the inner edge of a central opening in disc 24 to lock the disc to table 26. TabLe 26 is driven by a motor 37, the stator 38 of which is mounted on housing segment 40 and the rotor 42 of which is mounted on a skirt 44 which, in turn, is fastened to rotary table 26. Upon the delivery of electrical power to motor 37, table 26 and disc 24 rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as desired, preferably in the counterclockwise direction.

readlwrite head mechanism 46 cooperates with both the upper and lower sides of magnetic disc 24 (both sides of which may contain data). The upper and Lower readlwrite head mechanisms are identical, so only one will be described. Readlwrite head mechanism 46 has a magnetic pickup head 48 which is mounted on the end of a contoured flexure beam 50. Flexure beam 50 is attached to a support plate 52 which, in turn, is attached to a head carriage 54.Flexure beam 50 holds head 48 steady in its position just above but out of contact with disc 24 when the unit is operating; and flexure beam 50 will flex to permit head 48 to be raised or lowered as it moves to and from a home position and an operating position, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Head carriage 54 is mounted for linear movement on a pair of cylindrical guide rods 56 and 58. The unit also has a third cylindrical guide rod 60; and a counterbaLance assembly 62 is mounted for Linear movement on guide rods 58 and 60. Guide rods 56, 58 and 60 each extend between and are supported in end plate 55 mounted on the front end of housing section 12 and support block 57 which is mounted on the floor of housing section 12. Rs best shown in Figure 4, head carriage 54 is mounted for Linear movement on rod 56 by upper and Lower roLler bearings 64 and 66 which are rotatably mounted in carriage 54 and engage rod 56 from above and beLow.Head carriage 54 is also mounted for Linear movement on rod SE by a pair of roLLer bearings 68, 70 which are rotatably mounted in carriage 54 and engage rod 58 from above and below preferably via an elastomeric member (not shown). SimiLarLy, counterbalance assembly 62 is mounted for Linear movement on rod 60 by upper and Lower roller bearings 72, 74 which are rotatably mounted in counterbalance assembly 62 preferably via an elastomeric member (not shown); and assembly 62 is also mounted for linear movement on rod 58 by a pair of rollers 76, 78 which are rotatably mounted in assembly 62 and engage rod 58 from above and beLow also preferably via an elastomeric member Cnot shown) Ps can be seen and understood from the foregoing, head carriage 54 and counterbalance assembly are movable back and forth in linear directions which are radial or parallel to a radial Line with respect to disc 24. RIso, counterbalance assembly 62 is constructed so that its weight equals the weight of head carriage 54, support plate 52 and flexure beam 50.This balancing of weights provides for static and dynamic balance in the assembly to minimize the effects of shock and vibration Head carriage 54 and counterbalance assembly 62 are each attached to a continuous drive belt BO, preferabLy of stainless steel material. Drive belt 80 extends between and around drive capstan 82 and a rotatable idler 84. stepping motor 86 drives capstan 82 and moves belt 80 in step increments in response to operating inputs to the stepping motor. Head carriage 54 is attached to one leg of belt 80 and counterbalance assembLy 62 is attached to the other leg of belt 80. Thus, head carriage 54 and counterbalance assembly 62 move equal amounts and in opposite directions when the stepping motor is actuated.This equal and opposite action of head carriage 54 and counterbalance assembly 62 contribute to the stability of operation and the shock and vibration resistance of the unit of the present invention The head carriage 54 and counterbalance assembly 82 are each attached to drive belt 80 by an identical gripping mechanism, one of which (associated with counterbaLance 62) wilL be described.Belt 80 is gripped between a depending portion 68 of counterbalance 62 and an eccentrically mounted shaft or clamp finger 90 which is eccentrically mounted on a rotatable screw element 52. Belt 80 passes between clamp finger 90 and depending portion 88, and the belt is gripped and locked between clamp finger SO and portion 88 when the eccentric is in the actuated or locked position.ConverseLy, the counterbalance 62 may be released from the belt 80 by rotating screw 92 to rotate eccentric 90 away from depending portion 88. R lock screw 94 overlaps and contacts the head of screw 92 to Lock screw 92 and eccentric SO in the position to engage belt 80.

Ps can be seen and understood from the foregoing, actuating signals to stepper motor 86 will drive belt 80 and head carriage 54 to accurately position readJwrite head 48 at a desired position relative to disc 24. When head 48 is in an operative position over disc 24 for reading or writing, the head is close to but. spaced from the disc; and, it is important to keep the head spaced from the disc to avoid contact with and damage to the disc. When the disc is spinning, an air cushion or air bearing effect is established between disc 24 and head 48 whereby head 48 operates like a flying head.However, in accordance with the present invention, when the disc 24 is not rotating (or if retraction of the head is programmed) the head 48 is retracted to a Nhome or reference position, where it is stored on a Landing pad 96 to both store and protect the head.When rotation of the disc stops for any reason, stepper motor 86 operates to drive belt 80 in the direction to move head carriage 54 away from disc 24. Ps the head assembly is retracted, a cam foLLower 9B (cam follower 98 having a preferably spherical or semispherical shape) on the underside of flexure beam 50 contacts the leading step edge 100 of a step element 101 whereby head 48 is lifted away from disc 48 ti e , moved in a direction perpendicular to disc 48). It will be appreciated that a cam foLLower 98 with a spherical or semi-spherical shape will have the necessary abrupt angle change which will permit the head 48 to be quickly raised and lowered over a relatively short Linear distance.With further retraction, motion of the readlwrite mechanism and head 48 moves parallel to disc 24 (with head 48 spaced from the disc) and then cam foLLower 9B drops behind the trailing edge 102 and head 48 moves perpendicularly downward to a rest position on landing pad 86.

Similarly1 when signals are delivered to stepper motor 86 to move the readiwrite mechanism to the operating position to position head 48 over disc 24, cam foLLower 98 wiLL contact trailing edge 102 to Lift head 48 perpendicularly upward off Landing pad 96; and the readlwrite mechanism and head 48 then move parallel to disc 48 with head 48 spaced considerably above disc 24; and then head 48 moves perpendicularly downward to its operating position just away from the surface of disc 24 when cam follower 98 drops along Leading edge 100 of cam member 101.This portion of head 48 perpendicular to the surface of disc 24 when the head is moved to the retracted or operative positions is a very important feature of the present invention in that it ensures against dragging of the head across the surface of the disc, whereby both the heads and the disc are protected.

The magnetic disc unit has an electro-optic sensor 104 which functions to deactivate the stepper motor when the head carriage 54 and head 48 reach the full retracted position. R flag 106 is attached to head carriage 54. When head carriage 54 approaches the full retracted position, flag 106 enters a slit in sensor 104; and, when carriage 54 and head 48 reach the full retracted position, flag 106 interrupts the optical path in sensor 104 whereby sensor 104 generates an output signal to terminate operation of stepper motor 86 in the retracted direction.

The unit includes a zero index magnetic sensor 116 which interacts with skirt 44 to sense an index notch 118 or other indicator on skirt 44 to determine a aaO.

index position to coordinate the angular position of the disc with axial movement of head 48. Skirt 44 is comprised of a magnetic material such as iron. Index notch 116 is actually an air gap in the magnetic iron skirt 44 Sensor 116 thus senses the change in a magnetic path (reluctance) at index notch 118. In this way, the anguLar position of data stored (and readout thereof) and the axial position of head 48 can be coordinated from a reference point for retrieval of desired information.

The unit also includes a feature whereby a power interruption for any reason will result in drawing the head carriage 54 and head 48 to the fuLly retracted position. The power interruption could be caused by intentional shut down, a power failure, or by actuating front cover latch 20 to the open position which would permit removal of the unit from its cradle. The opening of latch 20 is sensed by a magnetically operated switch 108 which operates to shut down power to the unit.

Regardless of the cause of power interruption, the voltage to spindel motor 37 drops to zero. That drop in voltage is sensed in the electronic control unit (Figure S); and the spindel motor, which is still spinning, is used as a generator to power both the stepper motor and the stepper motor microprocessor to drive head carriage 54 and head 48 to the full retracted position.

Cover 14 includes a channel 109 along the perimeter thereof as shown in Figure 3.Channel 109 includes a seal 110 therein, preferably an elastomeric seal. SeaL 110 is compressed between cover plate 14 and housing 12 when housing 12 is secured in place so as to hermetically seal the interior space of the unit. CIt wilL be understood that cover plates 14 and housing 12 have matching holes 112 to receive screws 16, only some of these holes being shown in Figure 2. HoLes 112 are preferably positioned to the outside of seaL 110.) The interior of the hermetically sealed unit is fiLLed with an inert gas such as freon to establish and maintain a constant environment for the system.The rotary movement of disc 24 establishes a current or circulating flow of the freon gas in the sealed unit, and the gas flows through an internal filter 114 to constantly filter out any contaminants that may appear in the gas (such as from the disc or any other component in the system). The combination of hermetic seaLing and an internal filter establishes a particuLarly stabLe and contaminant free environment.

For convenience of assembLy, disassembly and repair, the unit is modularized. The rotary tabLe 26, spindle 28, top 34 and motor 37 constitute one moduLe; the entire readlwrite mechanism (head 48, beam 50, pLate 52), head carriage 54, counterbalance assembLy 62, guides 56, 58, 60, stepper motor 86, and end pLate 55 and support block 57 constitute another moduLe; housing 12, cover 14 and seaL 110 constitute another module; and front cover 18 with Latch 20 and switch 108 constitute another module.

Figure 5 shows a bLock diagram of an eLectronic controL system suitabLe for use with the unit of the present invention As shown in Figure 5, when the spindLe servo 204 generates a drive signal to spindle driver 206 power is suppLied to spindle motor 37 causing motor 37 to rotate. The speed of spindLe motor 37 is synchronized to the spindel servo 204 via the spindel zero index 208 signal and the crystal osciLLator 210 frequency. The spindLe zero index signaL is generated by the zero index magnetic sensor 116. Thus, at this point, the spindle motor is rotating at a desired speed and the readlwrite head 48 is at a pre-selected Location over the disc.

The eLectronics which controLs the operation of the readlwrite mechanism is as foLLows: Upon receipt of a preselected command, a signaL proportional to the distance to be traveLLed tby the readlwrite head 48) is generated by microprocessor 201 and converted to an analog format by the DIP converters 212 and 214 whereby the signaLs are transmitted to the stepper motor 86 via the stepper servo and driver 216. Ps a result, the readlwrite head 48 wiLL have been moved to the commanded position over a pre-selected track or cylinder of the disc 24. Once the commanded position is acquired, a unique servo pattern which is embedded in the track or clinder of disc 24 is detected by the track follow servo 218, reformated by the PlO converter 220 and processed by microprocessor 201 to maintain (or align) the head position in the center of that disc track. This precludes any undesirabLe off-track drift by readlwrite head 48 and resultant problems during subsequent readlwrite functions.

During the event of a power interrruption of any kind (as discussed earlier), the readlwrite head 48 and carriage 54 are returned to the fully retracted position on landing pad 96. This automatic retraction is initiated when microprocessor 201 detects any of the aforementioned power interruption states (such as when magnetic switch 108 is actuated by latch 20). When Xa power interruption is detected, microprocessor 201 witt transmit motion signaLs via DIP converters 212, 214 and stepper servo and driver 216 to the stepper motor 86 causing the read/write head 48 to automaticaLLy withdraw to the Landing pad. Power to control the automatic retraction of head 48 is derived from the spindle motor 37, acting as a generator (as discussed in detail above). Thus, a signaL is sent from the auto retract power supply 230 to the microprocessor 201, DiP converter 212,214 and stepper servo and driver 216 via the spindle servo 204. The auto retraction function is initiated upon receipt of the retract signaL (such as from switch 108 which is actuated by latch 20) by the microprocessor 201.

Referring now to a combined consideration of Figures 6, 7P, 78 and 8, a number of details of the second embodiment of the magnetic disc unit of the present invention are seen. P pair of magnetic discs 324 (which are, per se, known in the art) are mounted on a rotary plate or tabLe 326 which is attached to a rotary drive spindLe 328. SpindLe 328 is mounted and supported in bearings 330 and 332.Spindle 328 is a separate member from the tabLe 326, consisting of a stee pLate portion 328(a) and a steel shaft portion 328(b). TabLe 326 is fastened to drive spindLe 328 by three screws 329 which are countersunk in tabLe 326 and extend into plate portion 326cub). Magnetic discs 324 are Locked to and positioned on rotary tabLe 326 by a top pLate 334 which is releasabLy fastened to table 326 by screws 336 and a ring spacer 335 between the two discs. As best seen in Figure 7R, top pLate 334 overlaps the inner edge of a centraL opening in upper disc 324 to Lock the discs to tabLe 326. TabLe 326 is driven by a motor 337, the stator 338 of which is mounted on housing member 340 and the rotor 342 of which is mounted on a skirt 344 which, in turn, is fastened to rotary tabLe 326.Upon the delivery of electrical power to motor 337, tabLe 326 and discs 324 rotate in either a cLockwise or counterclockwise direction as desired, preferably in the clockwise direction for the rotary arm system of this embodiment The clockwise rotation of the discs for the rotary arm system optimizes the stability of the head over small skew angles as the head flies over the disc.

Housing member 340 consists of an upper segment 340(a) and a Lower segment 340(b) which are fastened together by screws 341(a) and 3 < 1(b). There are a plurality of each of screws 3 < 1(a) and 341(b);and screws 3 < 1(a) and 3 < 1(b) extend into a thickened portion of the base of main body 312 to physicaLLy Lock member 340 to main body 312. Bearings 330 and 332 are trapped and supported between annular flanges 343(a) and 343(b) on segments 340(a) and 340(b), respectively.

The rotary table, drive spindle and related structure of Figure 7P includes important features of the present invention for improved vibration and temperature characteristics. Magnetic discs 324 are aluminum; and drive tabLes such as table 326 are typically made of steel. However, and somewhat surprisingly, a temperature induced differentiaL expansion probLem has been found to exist if the aluminum discs 324 are mounted on a steel drive table. The occurence of this probLem was unexpected and surprising , because it had been expected that thermal expansion would be isotropic (i.e., uniform) with respect to the axis of spindLe 328.

However, that was found not to be the case. Rather, it was found that thermal expansion starts at the Location of each clamping site where the discs 324 are clamped to table 326. Ps a result, unisotropic (i#e. , nonuniform) thermal expansion occurs; and the problem is exacerbated by the presence of a steel drive table in the center of discs 324 since the coefficients of thermal expansion of steeL and aluminum are significantly different (on the order of 113). This differential expansion results in distortion ot the center opening in the discs 3241 both of which can seriously impair the operation and reLiability of the unit.

This differentiaL expansion probLem is solved by use of an aluminum drive tabLe 326, an aLuminum top plate 334, an aluminum spacer ring 335 and screws 336; and aluminum drive tabLe 326 is Locked to the steel plate portion 328 Ca) of the drive spindle by a cryogenic joint and by screws 325. PLate 328(a) and a mating recess in drive tabLe 326 are sized for a press fit. The cryogenic joint between aluminum tabLe 326 and pLate portion 328(a) is formed by cooling steel plate 328(a) with Liquid nitrogen, heating aluminum tabLe 326, then mating the parts together and permitting them to reach room temperature. The parts are then secureLy Locked together.This cryogenic joint serves to enhance alignment between the parts and ensure that the discs 324 are coaxial with and perpendicular with respect to the axis of drive shaft 328Ca).

The improved vibration characteristics for the drive spindle and rotary tabLe are achieved by imposing a reload on the bearing structure (330,332). The bearing 330 , 332 are spaced and urged apart against flanges 343(a) and 343(b) by a central ring spacer 346 and a pair of oppositely disposed BelviLLe springs 348,350 which Load the bearings away from each other and against their support flanges. P broad temperature range (BTR) "O" ring 352 is positioned between a Load plate 354 and Lower bearing 330, and load plate 354 is secured to (but spaced from) spindle shaft 328(a) by a screw 356.Screw 356 and load plate 354 are adjusted to apply a preload of nine (9) kg to ID ring 352, which preload is, in turn, imposed on the bearing pack (330,332). This reload, working in conjunction with the Belleuille springs operates to maintain contact throughout the bearing pack to reduce the effects of shock Load and vibration.

Referring to Figure 7E, an important detaiL is shown. Screw 356 has a bore 358 in which a spring 360 and ball 362 are Located (aLL of which are steel or other electrically conductive material). Spring 360 Loads ball 362 against metaL housing 312, thus grounding spindle 328 and table 326 to housing 312 to avoid a buiLdup of static charge or voltage differential.

Readlwrite head mechanisms 366 cooperate with both the upper and Lower sides of each of the magnetic discs 324 (both sides of which may contain data). The read/write head mechanisms are identical, so onLy one wiLl be described. The readlwrite mechanism is generally shown in Figures 6 and 7R and is shown in detaiL in Figures SP and SB. Readlwrite head mechanism 366 has a magnetic pickup head 368 which is mounted on the end of a contoured beam 370 and a flexure member 371 attached to the end of beam 370. Beam 370 is attached to a support plate 372 which, in turn, is attached to the mounting pLatform 374 of a rotary arm 376. Beam 370 and flexure member 371 hold head 368 steady in its position just above but out of contact with disc 324 when the unit is operating; and beam 370 will flex to permit head 368 to be raised or towered as it moves to and from a home position and an operating position, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Referring particularly to Figures 6 and 8 rotary arm 376 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 378 which is integral with a triangular shaped footpad 380. Footpad 380 is fastened to the base of main body 312 by three screws 382. Rotary arm 376 is mounted on shaft 378 by a depending integral sleeve 384 which is trapped and held between upper bearing member 386 and Lower bearing member 388. Lower bearing 388 rests on an annuLar step 390 on footpad 380, and an annular fLange 392 engages the Lower part of sLeeve 384 Pn annuLar fLange 394 on upper bearing 386 engages the top of sleeve 384. R retaining cap 396 is connected to shaft 378 by a screw 396, and a preLoad ZOH ring 400 is trapped between cap 398 and upper bearing member 386.Cap 396 and screw 398 impose a reload on "O" ring 400 to impose a reload on the eLemnts of bearings 386, 388 and sLeeve 384 to stabilize them and arm 376 against shock Loads and vibration It is important to the function of the present invention that arm 376 be staticaLLy and dynamicaLLy baLanced and have a resonant frequency above 600 Hz.

Strengthening arms or ribs 402 and 404 run along the upper and Lower surfaces, respectively, of arm 376 so that the arm is strengthened and meets the desired resonant frequency requirements. For static baLance, a counterweight 406 is attached to sLeeve 384; for dynamic baLance, arm 376 may have a pLuraLity of a balance holes 408 ce.g., threaded holes) by which weights may be affixed to achieve dynamic balance.

Readiwrite head 368 is also dynamically balanced about its X,Y and Z axes (see Figure 98) This is accomplished by forming head 368 with weight bars 368(a), 358(b) which define a mounting channel 368(C) therebetween; and head 368 is configured so that its center ot gravity in at least the X and Y axes C and preferably, in the Z axis as weLL) is at the surface in channel 368(c) at the point of attachment 410 of fLexure member 371 to head 368. If the center of gravity in the Z axis can not be located at said attachment joint, the center of gravity in the Z axis is located as cLose as practicabLe to said attachment point. Head member 368 has two rails 411 to form air bearing surfaces in a known manner.

The balancing of arm 376 and head 368 are important features to protect the surfaces of discs 324 from damage during operation of the unit. During normaL operation, head 368 is positioned over spinning disc 324 and is heLd slightLy spaced from the disc (about 0,250,35# ) by an air bearing effect. Pny contact between head 368 and disc 324 during operation will damage the disc or the head, or both; and such contact is to be avoided. The balancing of head 368 and arm 376 prevent (or at Least minimize) any such contact and damage.

Mounting head 368 at its center of gravity in aLL three axes eliminates or reduces rolL of the head about the "Y" axis (i.e., the axis along beam 370). -RolL motion would reduce the air bearing stability. ELimination of roll reduces the risk of the head contacting the disc during movement of the head from one position to another relative to the disc. Roll motion also poses a risk of head contact with the disc caused by vibration; and elimination of roLL also reduces that risk.

Rotary arm 376 is driven by a stepper motor and a puLLey and drive belt system However, the drive of arm 376 is not effected simply by a drive input to rotary shaft 378. Rather, to improve the accuracy of the stepper motor drive system and reduce vibration, arm 376 is directly attached to and driven by the belt system at a Location near the end of the arm removed from shaft 378 The stepper motor and puLLey and belt drive system are best understood by referring to Figures 6, 8, and 11. P stepper motor 412 C a commerciaLLy available unit) has an output shaft 414 on which a capstan or puLLey 416 is mounted. Pulley 416 drives a compLiant (preferabLy polymide such as Kapton available from OuPont) continuous beLt 418 which engages and drives a second and Larger diameter rotatable puLLey 420. There is a 2/1 ratio between the diameters of pulleys 420 and 416.

Pulley 420 has a smaLLer diameter pulley- segment 422 to which a second, and specially configured, drive belt 424 is affixed.

Drive belt 424 is shown in Figures lOP and 108.

Drive belt 424 is a spLit beLt of a metallic material (preferabLy stainless steel). Belt 424 has a first singLe strand section 426 and a double strand section of strands 428, 430 bordering and defining an intermediate space 432. In operation, singLe strand section 426 moves in space 432 between strands 428, 430. Belt 424 is tack weLded to a pair of mounting studs < 3 < 434, 436, each of which had a threaded center bore 434(a), 436(a), respectively . Belt 424 also has a reinforced attachment opening 438 in the web 440 joining strands 428, 430 to strand 426.

Belt 424 is attached to and drives arm 376, the attachment to arm 376 and drive being effected at the studs 434, 436 and site 438 and by a wing member 442 on the underside of arm 376. Referring jointly to Figures 10R and ila stud 436 is attached to arm 376 at point "R", and the double stranded portion of the belt (i.e., strands 428,430), is wrapped aroung the right hand portion 442(a) of wing member 442 and around smaLLer diameter pulley segment 422. BeLt web 440 is attached by a screw fastener 439 through opening 438 to pulley segment 422 at attachment site h8" The single stranded portion 426 of the beLt then continues around puLLey segment 422, wraps around the Left hand portion 442(b) of wing segment 442, and stud 434 is attached to arm 376 at point "C". Studs 434 and 436 are positioned on the underside of arm 376 and are secured to arm 376 by screw fasteners which extend through holes in arm 376 at points #P and hC and engage the threaded bores 434(a) and 436(a) in studs 434 and 436. From the foregoing, it can be seen that steeL belt 424 wraps around and engages wing 442 and puLLey 422, with the double stranded part of the beLt extending from attachment site ZRi to attachment site "B", and with the single stranded portion of the beLt extending from attachment site "8" to attachment site "C" and passing through opening 432 in the double stranded portion of the belt wing 442 includes a tensioning mechanism to keep a tension load on beLt 424 to keep the belt taut and in contact with the surfaces of wing 442 and puLLey 422.

The tension load is imparted by an end segment 444 of wing portion 442(by which is spLit (i.e. separated from wind 442(b) and which is forced outwardly against bett strand 426 by a spring 446 housed in a bore 448 in wing segment 442(a). P pair of guide doweL pins 450 (onLy one of which is seen in Figure 11) are press fit into tension segment 444 and have a sliding fit in a pair of bores 452 in wing segment 442(a). The dowel pins serve to keep tension segment 444 aligned with the main body of the wing; and spring 446 urges segment 444 outwardLy to impose a tension Load on belt 424.It is important to note that whiLe spLit beLts have been used previousLy to convert rotary to Linear motion, the spLit beLt is being used to achieve rotary to rotary motion.

Furthermore, in the present invention the belt 424 operates through a direct and 1006 positive drive of arm 376 rather than reLying on a friction drive. This positive drive enhances the accuracy of positioning arm 376.

Stepper motor 412 responds to actuating signaLs deLivered to it to move arm 376 in microsteps. When the stepper motor is actuated, puLLey 4L6 is stepped in arcs of rotary movement to move beLt 418 and puLLey 420 and 422 in corresponding steps of Linear and arcs of rotary movement, respectively. Because of the 2/1 ratio of diameters of puLLeys 420 and 416, the steps of puLLeys 420 and 422 are only 1/2 the steps of puLLey 416, so the system has a built in ratio of 112. Movement of pulley 422 drives split bett 424 whereby single strand section 426 is fed through the space 432 in the doubLe strand section to step arm 376 cLockwise or counterclockwise about the axis of shaft 378.Actually, since it is desirable to move arm 376 in very small increments (because of the spacing of data bands on discs 324), the output of stepper motor 412, and hence the motion of arm 376 is caused to be in microsteps by the use of known microstepping techniques employing opposing coils in the stepper motor.

Ps with the first embodiment (Figures 1-S), actuating signals to stepper motor 412 wiLl position readlwrite head 368 at a desired position relative to disc 324. When head 368 is in an operative position over disc 324 for reading or writing, the head is cLose to but spaced from the disc; wand, it is important to keep the head spaced from the disc to avoid contact with and damage to the disc. When the disc is spinning, an air cushion or air bearing effect is established between disc 324 and head 368 whereby head 368 operates Like a flying head.However, when the disc 324 is not rotating Cor if retraction of the head is programmed) the head 368 is retracted to a aahomea or Zreferencef position where it is stored on a Delran (acetal copolymer) Landing pad 454 to both store and protect the head. When rotation of the disc stops for any reason, stepper motor 412 operates to drive beLt 418 in the direction to move read/write head 368 away from disc 324.As the head assembLy is retracted, a cam foLLower 456 (cam foLLower 456 being a spherical or semispherical balL eLement) on the underside of flexure beam 370 contacts the Leading step edge 458 of a step element 460 whereby head 368 is lifted away from disc 324 (i.e. a moved in a direction perpendicuLar to disc 324). It will be appreciated that a cam folLower 456 with a spherical or semi-spherical shape will have the necessary abrupt angLe change which will permit the head 368 to be quickly raised and lowered over a reLativeLy short linear distance. With further retraction, the readlwrite mechanism and head 368 moves parallel to disc 324 (with head 368 spaced from the disc) and then cam follower 456 drops behind the trailing edge 462 of step 460 and head 368 moves perpendicularly downward to a rest position on tefLon Landing pad 454.SimiLarLy, when signaLs are deLivered to stepper motor 412 to move the readlwrite mechanism to the operating position to position head 368 over disc 324, baLL cam foLLower 456 wilL contact trailing edge 462 to Lift head 368 perpendicuLarLy upward off Landing pad 454 ; and the readlwrite mechanism and head 368 then move parallel to disc 324 with head 368 spaced considerabLy above disc 324; and then head 368 moves perpendicuLarly downward to its operating position just away from the surface of disc 324 when baLl cam folLower 456 drops aLong the Leading edge 458 of step 460. This moving of head 368 perpendicuLar to the surface of disc 324 when the head is moved to the retracted or operative positions is a very important feature of the present invention in that it ensures against dragging of the head across the surface of the disc, whereby both the heads and the disc are protected.

It is important to note that the mechanism for raising or Lowering head 368 is small and compact. This makes it possibLe to accompLish the lifting or lowering motion in a short space and cover a short arc travel of arm 376, which is an important space conservation feature in a system where space is at a premium.

The ball cam mechanism also results in an abrupt raising or lowering of heat 368 which reduces the exposure of the disc and head to vibration induced damage when the air bearing effect is Lost. When the unit is operating and is shut down for any reason, the air bearing effect is quickly Lost, and it is important to get the head away from the disc as quickLy as possible to avoid fluttering or tilting of the head. For the same reasons, when the head is being towered to an operating position, it is also desired to Lower it as quickly as possible. The ball shaped cam foLlower and the step cam accompLish these objectives; and the counterbalanced head configuration (described with respect to Figure 98) also minimizes rolL or flutter during raising or Lowering of the head.

While onLy one Landing pad and cam mechanism has been discussed, it wilL be understood that each of the four beams 366 has a cam foLlower 456, and there is a stack of four landing pads and cam mechanism in a Linear array for each beam 356.

Ps with the previousLy described Linear unit, the rotary arm embodiment aLso has an electro-optic sensor, 464 which functions to deactivate the stepper motor when the arm 376 and head 368 reach the fuLl retracted position. R flag 466 is attached to arm 376. When arm 376 approaches the fuLL retracted position, fLag 466 enters a slit in sensor 464; and, when arm 376 and head 368 reach the futt retracted position, flag 466 interrupts the optical path in sensor 464 whereby sensor 464 generates an output signal to terminate operation of stepper motor 412 in the retracted direction.

Rs with the previously described Linear unit, the rotary arm embodiment also incLudes a coordination system such as shown and described with respect to Figure 1 where a zero magnetic sensor 116 interacts with skirt 44 to sense an index notch 118 or other indicator on skirt 44 to determine a DII position to coordinate the angular position of the disc with axiaL movement of head 46. Skirt 44 is comprised of a magnetic material such as iron. Index notch 118 is actuaLLy an air gap in the magnetic iron skirt 44. Sensor 116 thus senses the change in a magnetic path (reluctance) at index notch 118. In this way, the anguLar position of data stores (and readout thereof) and the axial position of head 368 can be coordinated from a reference point for retrieval of desired information.

Ps with the previousLy described Linear unit, the rotary arm unit aLso incLudes a feature whereby a power interruption for any reason wiLL resuLt in moving arm 376 and head 368 to the fulLy retracted position. The power interruption couLd be caused by a normaL shut down command, i e , an intentional shut down, or by an abnormaL situation such as a power failure or by actuating front cover Latch 320 to the open position for removal of the unit from its cradLe while the disc is spinning. The opening of latch 320 is sensed by a magnetically operated switch 408 in handle 318 of Figure 6 which operates to shut down power to the unit.

Regardless of the cause of power interruption, the voltage to spindLe motor 337 drops to zero. That drop in voltage is sensed in the electronic control unit (Figure 5); and the spindle motor, which is still spinning, is used as a generator to power both the stepper motor and the stepper motor microprocessor to drive arm 376 and head 368 to the full retracted position in the same manner as described with respect to the previous (Linear) embodiment.

Ps with the previously described Linear unit, the case or housing rotary arm unit is hermeticaLLy sealed by means of a channel 309 with a molded seaL 310 therein, preferably an elastomeric seal, in cover plate 314. Seal 310 is compressed between cover plate 314 and housing 312 so as to hermetically seal the interior space of the unit. It wilt be understood that cover plate 314 and housing 312 have matching holes to receive screws 16. (The holes are preferabLy positioned to the outside of seal 310). The interior of the hermeticaLly sealed unit is filled with an inert gas such as freon to establish and maintain a constant environment for the system.The rotary movement of discs 324 establishes a current or circulating flow of the freon gas in the sealed unit, and the gas flows through an internal filter 468 to constantly filter out any contaminants that may appear in the gas (such as from the disc or any other component in the system). The combination of hermetic seating and an internal fiLter estabLishes a particularly stable and contaminant free environment.

For convenience of assembly, disassembLy and repair, the unit is modularized. The rotary table 326, spindle 328, top 334 and motor 337 constitute one module - the entire readlwrite mechanism (head 348, beam 370, pLate 372) arm 376 counterbalance 406, stepper motor 418 constitute another moduLe; housing 312, cover 314 and seal 410 constitute another module; and front cover 318 with Latch 320 and switch 408 constitute another module.

Ps previousLy indicated the entire magnetic disc unit is housed in a support cradle. That cradle 470 is shown in Figures 12P and 128; and Figures 12R 125 13R and 138 show vibration reducing features of the mounting cradLe as weLL The magnetic disc unit fits and is housed in the interior 472 of cradle 470.CradLe 470 has a pair of internaL asymmetric guide raiLs 474, 476 which mate with asymmetric grooves (not shown) on housing 312 to guide the unit into proper position in the cradLe to mate with eLectricaL connectors (not shown) in the rear of the cradle. P known gear mechanism in front cover 318, which is actuated by handLe 320, brings pinion gears 478,480 into Locking engagement with toothed rack segments 482, 484 to Lock the disc unit into the cradle The gears engage the rack segments to urge the disc unit toward the rear of the cradLe against Leaf spring 488, whereby vibration front to back is reduced.The front cover handle, and gear mechanism and basic cradLe structure are known such as ModeL 6400 series tape units avaiLabLe from Raymond Engineering Inc Sets of upper and Lower roLLers 488, 490 in the upper and Lower pLate surfaces of the cradle narrow the height of the opening into the cradLe to provide a slight interference fit between the cradle roLLers and the upper and Lower surfaces of the disc unit. The disc unit housing then causes the upper and Lower surfaces of the cradle to bow outward slightly, whereby a spring action and spring forces are generated to further secure the disc unit against vibrations and prevent the cradle from going into a resonant mode. The rollers also serve as entry guides to faciLitate entry of the disc unit housing into the cradle.

One additionaL vibration isolation feature is shown in Figure 13B wherein elastomeric or soft plastic elements 492, 494 are positioned on the rear of the front cover 318 above and below the gears 478, 480.

ELements 492, 494 engage rack segments 482, 484 to further grip, and secure the parts and provide additional vibration isolation.

Claims

1. P magnetic disc memory unit ,comprising - a housing - disc support means rotatably mounted in said housing, said disc support means being adapted to receive and hoLd at Least one magnetic memory disc - drive means in said housing for rotatably driving said disc support means - read/ write head means for interacting with said memory discs to be supported on said disc support means, said readlwrite head comprising at Least one magnetic pick-up head - support arm means mounted in said housing, said support arm means comprising a flexure beam having said magnetic pick-up head attached to a first end thereof and a support pLate attached to a second end of said fLexure beam - means for supporting said magnetic head when said readlwrite head means is in a retracted position - means for raising and Lowering said fLexure beam as said readlwrite head means moves reLative to said disc support means - stepper motor means mounted in said housing for driving said support arm means reLative to the magnetic memory disc mounted on said disc supporting means, and - means for transforming said disc supporting driving means to a power generator for producing eLectricaL power to power said stepper motor means whereby said support arm means and said readlwrite head means are moved into a retracted position in the event of power interruption to said unit.

2. R magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for moving said support arm means and said readlwrite head means back and forth in a first Linear direction between a retracted position and a preseLected position relative to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means wherein said first linear direction is radial or paraLLeL to a radial Line with respect to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means.

3. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in ctaim 2, wherein said disc supporting means comprises - a rotary plate having a rotary spindLe extending therefrom, said rotary spindLe being mounted in and supported in first bearing means and - a top plate , said top pLate being releasably fastened to said rotary pLate whereby a disc is supported and secured between said rotary pLate and said top plate 4. R magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in cLaim 3, wherein said disc driving means comprises a motor including a stator and rotor , said stator being mounted on said housing and said rotor being mounted to a skirt on said rotary plate

5. P magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in cLaim 2, wherein said means for moving said head carriage comprises - first and second paraLLeL guide rods - first and second block means for supporting opposed ends of said first and second paraLLeL guide rods in said housing ; - second bearing means mounted on said first and second paraLleL guide rods ; and - said head carriage being attached to said second bearing means whereby said carriage is movable in said first linear direction along and between said first and second paraLlel guide rods

6. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 2 or 5, including - a counter balance assembLy - means for moving said counter balance assembly in a second Linear direction, said second Lined direction being equal and opposite to said first Linear direction and - said counter balance assembLy having a weight about equaL to the weight of said head carriage and said readrwrite head

7. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 6 ,wherein said means for moving said counter balance assembLy cumprises - a third guide rod parallel to said first and second guide rods - said third guide rod having opposed ends supported in said first and second bLock means - third bearing means mounted on said second and third parallel guide rods ; and - said counter balance assembly being attached to said third bearing means whereby said counter balance assembly is movabLe in said second linear direction along and between said second and third parallel guide rods

8. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 6 or 7, including a continuous drive belt connecting said head carriage and said counter balance assembly with said stepper motor means.

9 P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 2, wherein said means for raising and lowering said flexure beam incLudes cam follower means on said flexure beam and a step on said means for supporting said magnetic head wherein said cam follower contacts said step and raises said flexure beam in a first direction and lowers said flexure beam in a second opposite direction.

10. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cam foLLower means has a spherical or semi-spherical shape.

11. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 2, including - electro-optic sensor means in said housing for generating an optical path - flag means on said head carriage for interrupting said optical path of said electro-optic sensor means when said head carriage and said readlwrite head are in a retracted position whereby said electro-optic sensor means generates an output signal to terminate operation of said stepper motor means.

12. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 2, wherein - said disc supporting means includes a skirt , said skirt being comprised of a magnetic material, and having a preseLected gap therein defining an index notch - and wherein said unit further includes zero index magnetic sensor means which interacts with said skirt to sense the change in magnetic path at said index notch.

13. P magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in claim 2, incLuding means for transforming said disc supporting driving means to a power generator for producing electrical power to power said stepper motor means whereby said head carriage and said readlwrite head are moved into said retracted position during power interruption to said unit.

14. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein - said support means is a rotary arm mounted in said housing , said read/write head means being mounted on said rotary arm means and - the output of said stepper motor means is in arcs of rotary motion; - and further including a split belt connected between said support arm and the output of said stepper motor means to move said support arm and the readlwrite head mounted thereon in steps of rotary movement.

15. fl magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in claim 14, wherein said disc support means incLudes a rotary table made of a first material connected to a rotary mounted spindle made of a second materiaL, said rotary tabLe and said spindLe being joined by a cryogenic joint.

16. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rotary table and said spindle have different coefficients of thermal expansion, the coefficient of thermal expansion of said rotary table being substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the memory discs to be mounted on said rotary table

17. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rotary table is made of the material from which the memory discs are made.

18. P magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in claim 15, wherein said rotary table is aluminum and said spindle is steel.

18. P magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in claim 14, wherein said drive means includes a rotary spindle supported in bearing means and preload means to maintain said bearing means in operating position.

20. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said preload.means includes an elastomeric #D# ring to which a preload is applied.

21. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein - said bearing means includes first and second bearing means spaced apart - spring means urging said first and second bearing means apart - an elastomeric 0" ring adjacent and in contact with one of said bearing means and - means to impose a preload on said "0" ring.

22. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14,including grounding means to ground said disc support means to said housing.

23. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 22, wherein said disc support means includes a rotary table and a rotary spindle, said grounding means including an electrically conductive baLL and an elec- trically conductive spring between said spindle and said housing ,said spring urging said ball against said housing.

24. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said rotary support arm includes - an arm - a support shaft , said arm being mounted on said support shaft - foot pad means mounted in said housing and supporting said support shaft and - bearing means between said arm and said support shaft for mounting said arm on said support shaft.

25. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 24, wherein - said arm has a depending sleeve - said bearing means includes first and second bearings; - a first of said bearings being supported on said foot pad - a second of said bearings being spaced from said first bearing - said depending sleeve being held between said first and second bearings - and means to impose a preload on said bearings and said depending sleeve

26. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein said preload means includes an etaztomeric uOu ring in contact with said second bearing and means to Load said MON ring against said second bearing to urge said bearings and sleeve together.

27. R magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 14, including strengthening ribs on said rotary support arm -

28. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14 including counterweight means attached to said support arm for static balance thereof.

29. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in cLaim 28,including mounting means for mounting weights on said support arm for dynamic balance.

30. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1 , including means for dynamically balancing said read/write head

31. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said means for dynamically balancing said read/write head includes weight bars on the upper surface of said head, said bars defining a mounting channel therebetween, said flexure beam extending from said rotary arm and being attached to said head in said mounting channel.

32. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 31, wherein the center of gravity of said head unit Xin at Least two mutually perpendicular directions is at the point of attachment of said flexure member to said head.

33. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for raising and Lowering said flexure beam includes a cam follower on said fLexure beam and a step on said means for supporting said magnetic head wherein said cam foLLower contacts said step and raises said flexure beam in a first direction and Lowers said flexure beam in a second opposite direction.

34. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 33, wherein said cam follower has a spherical or semispherical shape.

35. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14, incLuding a rotary puLLey for connecting the output of said stepper motor to said split belt.

36. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 35 ,incLuding wing means on said rotary support arm said spLit belt extending between said wing means and said pulley.

37. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 36, wherein - said split belt includes a first single strand section and a second double strand section , said double strand section defining an intermediate space between the strands thereof in which the single strand section travels ; - said double strand section being attached to and wrapped around one end of said wing and being wrapped around part of said pulley ; - said singLe strand section being wrapped around part of said puLLey , passing through said intermediate space in said double strand section and extending around and being attached to a second end of said wing.

38. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 37 including means for tensioning said spLit belt.

39. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 38 , wherein said tensioning means includes a split end segment of one end of said wing and spring means urging said split end outwardly from said wing to impose a tension todd on said split belt.

40. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 39 ,including alignment means to keep said split end segment aligned with said one end of said wing.

41. R magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein said housing is hermetically sealed.

42. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 41, including an inert gas in said hermetically sealed housing.

43. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 42, including filter means in said housing for filtering said inert gas.

44. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14, including - an electro-optic sensor in said housing for generating an optical path - flag means on said rotary support arm for interrupting said optical path of said electro-optic sensor when said rotary support arm and said readlwrite head are in a retracted position whereby said electro-optic sensor generates an output signal to terminate operation of said stepper motor.

45. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein - said disc supporting means includes a skirt , said skirt being comprised of a magnetic material and having a preselected gap therein defining an index notch - and wherein said unit further includes zero index magnetic sensor means which interacts with said skirt to sense the change in magnetic path at said index notch.

46. R magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any one of cLaims 1 to 45, incLuding Latch means on the outside of said housing for locking and unlocking said housing from a cradle which receives said housing and switch means cooperating with said Latch means whereby power to said unit is shut down when said Latch means is actuated

47. R magnetic disc memory unit as cLaimed in any one of claims 1 to 45, including - a mounting cradle for receiving said housing - roLLer means in said cradLe to estabLish an interference fit between upper and Lower surfaces of said housing and said mounting cradle.

48. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 47 further incLuding means for Locking said housing in said cradle and leaf spring means in said mounting cradle, said Locking means urging said housing against said leaf spring means.

49. P magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 47, including elastomeric shock absorbing means between said housing and said cradle.

50. P readiwrite head apparatus for use in conjunction with a memory disc unit comprising - at Least one magnetic pick-up head - a flexure beam, said flexure beam having said magnetic pick-up head attached to a first end thereof - a support plate,said support pLate being attached to a second end of said flexure beam and - cam follower means -disposed on said flexure beam, said cam follower means having a sphericaL or semi-spherical shape.

51. R magnetic disc memory unit substantiaLly as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

52. R readlwrite head apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

53. A magnetic disc memory unit comprising means for rotating a magnetic disc, read/write head means and and means for moving said head means relative to said disc, wherein in the event of an interruption of power to said unit the rotary motion of said rotating means is used to generate power to operate said head moving means to retract said head means to a position remote from said disc, means being provided to raise said head means away from the surface of said disc during such retraction.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A magnetic disc memory unit, comprising: a housing: disc support means rotatably mounted in said housing, said disc support means being adapted to receive and hold at least one magnetic memory disc; drive means in said housing for rotatably driving said disc support means; read/write head means for interacting with said memory discs to be supported on said disc support means, said read/write head comprising at least one magnetic pick-up head; head carriage supporting said read/write head means comprising support arm means comprising a flexure beam having said magnetic pick-up head attached to a first end thereof and a support plate attached to a second end of said flexure beam;; means for moving said head carriage and said read/write head means back and forth in a first linear direction between a retracted position and a preselected position relative to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means wherein said first linear direction is radial or parallel to a radial line with respect to a disc mounted on said disc supporting means, said means for moving said head carriage comprising: stepper motor means for driving said head carriage; first and second parallel guide rods; first and second block means for supporting opposed ends of said first and second parallel guide rods in said housing; first bearing means mounted on said first and second parallel guide rods; and said head carriage being attached to said first bearing means whereby said carriage is movable in said first linear direction along and between said first and second parallel guide rods; means for supporting said magnetic head when said read/write head means is in a retracted position; means for raising and lowering said flexure beam as said read/write head means moves relative to said disc support means; a counter balance assembly having a weight about equal to the weight of said head carriage and said read/write head; means for moving said counter balance assembly in a second linear direction, said second linear direction being equal and opposite to said first linear direction, said means for moving said counter balance assembly comprising:: a third guide rod parallel to said first and second guide rods; said third guide rod having opposed ends supported in said first and second block means; second bearing means mounted on said second and third parallel guide rods; said counter balance assembly being attached to said second bearing means whereby said counter balance assembly is movable in said second linear direction along and between said second and third parallel guide rods; and means for transforming said disc support and drive means to a power generator for producing electrical power to power said stepper motor means whereby said head carriage, support arm means and said read/write head are moved into said retracted position during power interruption to said unit.

2. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disc supporting means comprises: a rotary plate having a rotary spindle extending therefrom, said rotary spindle being mounted in and supported in first bearing means and a top plate, said top plate being releasably fastened to said rotary plate whereby a disc is supported and secured between said rotary plate and said top plate.

3. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said disc driving means comprises a motor.

including a stator and rotor, said stator being mounted on said housing and said rotor being mounted to a skirt on said rotary plate.

4. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, including a continuous drive belt connecting said head carriage and said counter balance assembly with said stepper motor means.

5. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said means for raising and lowering said flexure beam includes cam follower means on said flexure beam and a step on said means for supporting said magnetic head wherein said cam follower contacts said step and raises said flexure beam in a first direction and lowers said flexure beam in a second opposite direction.

6. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cam follower means has a spherical or semispherical shape.

7. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including: electro-optic sensor means in said housing for generating an optical path; flag means on said head carriage for interrupting said optical path of said electro-optic sensor means when said head carriage and said read/write head are in a retracted position whereby said electro-optic sensor means generates an output signal to terminate operation of said stepper motor means.

8. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: said disc supporting means includes a skirt, said skirt being comprised of a magnetic material, and having a preselected gap therein defining an index notch and wherein said unit further includes zero index magnetic sensor means which interacts with said skirt to sense the change in magnetic path at said index notch.

9. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including latch means on the outside of said housing for locking and unlocking said housing from a cradle which receives said housing and switch means cooperating with said latch means whereby power to said unit is shut down when said latch means is actuated.

10. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, including: a mounting cradle for receiving said housing: roller means in said cradle to establish an interference fit between upper and lower surfaces of said housing and said mounting cradle.

11. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 10, further including means for locking said housing in said cradle and leaf spring means in said mounting cradle, said locking means urging said housing against said leaf spring means.

12. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 10 or 11, including elastomeric shock absorbing means between said housing and said cradle.

13. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for dynamically balancing said read/write head.

14. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for dynamically balancing said read/write head includes weight bars on the upper surface of said head, said bars defining a mounting channel therebetween, said flexure beam extending from said rotary arm and being attached to said head in said mounting channel.

15. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the centre of gravity of said head unit in at least two mutually perpendicular directions is at the point of attachment of said flexure member to said head.

16. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said housing is hermetically sealed.

17. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 16, including an inert gas in said hermetically sealed housing.

18. A magnetic disc memory unit as claimed in claim 17, including filter means in said housing for filtering said inert gas.

19. A magnetic disc memory unit substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.