US20020041470A1 - Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive - Google Patents
Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020041470A1 US20020041470A1 US09/401,100 US40110099A US2002041470A1 US 20020041470 A1 US20020041470 A1 US 20020041470A1 US 40110099 A US40110099 A US 40110099A US 2002041470 A1 US2002041470 A1 US 2002041470A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- head
- positioner
- loop
- tape drive
- flexible printed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/58—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B5/584—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for track following on tapes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/02—Details
- H05K1/03—Use of materials for the substrate
- H05K1/0393—Flexible materials
Definitions
- Magnetic tape data storage devices have long been used for storing large quantities of computer data. More recently, as disc drives have become increasingly faster, tape drives have become more popular for long term data storage and backup.
- the transfer rate of a tape drive is a function of the linear speed of the tape moving past the head and the recording density, or bits per inch, of the data present on the tape.
- the transfer rate represents the amount of data that can be recorded or read in a given period of time.
- both linear tape speed and recording density are limited by available technology.
- One solution is to increase the transfer rate by providing multiple writing heads. Consequently, a tape drive with a very high transfer rate would have multiple gaps per rail.
- bridge brackets 150 Also included in the fine positioner 100 are bridge brackets 150 , a first and second flexure 160 , 162 , outer mounting brackets 164 , screws 166 , inner mounting brackets 170 and screws 172 .
- flexures 160 , 162 and brackets 164 are fixedly mounted on a coarse positioner.
- Magnetic head 110 , head carriage 120 , voice coil portion 130 bridge bracket 150 , inner mounting bracket 170 and screws 172 form the moving mass of the fine positioner 100 as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Landscapes
- Moving Of Heads (AREA)
- Adjustment Of The Magnetic Head Position Track Following On Tapes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to provisional application Serial No. 60/101,342 filed Sep. 22, 1998, entitled “FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT ROUTING CONFIGURATION FOR A FINE-COARSE POSITIONER”.
- The invention relates generally to tape drives and more specifically to tape drives employing fine-coarse positioners. More specifically, the invention relates to tape drives using fine-coarse positioners and having more than one head gap to provide enhanced bandwidth.
- Magnetic tape data storage devices, or tape drives, have long been used for storing large quantities of computer data. More recently, as disc drives have become increasingly faster, tape drives have become more popular for long term data storage and backup.
- The storage and recovery of data from a tape drive is accomplished via a gap in the read/write head. The data is stored in the form of magnetic flux reversals within the magnetic coating on the tape. To maximize flux reversal sharpness, and therefore maximize the amplitude of the data pulses read, the length of the head gap is aligned as accurately as possible with the tape as it moves laterally past the head.
- Frequently, tape drives include a multi gap head, with one head gap used to write data and another head gap used to read the just-written data to ensure accuracy. The purpose of the second head gap is to read or verify the written data recorded by the first head gap while the tape is in motion in a forward direction. Similarly, while the tape moves in a reverse direction, the second head gap writes the data and the first head gap verifies the data. The terms forward and reverse direction, as well as the notations first and second head gap are relative terms defined in relation to each other.
- If it is desired that the tape drive could read/write with the tape moving in either direction, an additional head gap is required. In order to provide an optimal interface between the head and the tape, the head gap is raised in relation to the rest of the head. This raised area is better known as a rail. A head with only one gap would have a single rail while, for example, a head with two gaps would have two rails. The distance between the rails is as short as possible and is currently limited by manufacturing and fabrication technology.
- As long as there is only one gap per rail, the transfer rate of a tape drive is a function of the linear speed of the tape moving past the head and the recording density, or bits per inch, of the data present on the tape. The transfer rate represents the amount of data that can be recorded or read in a given period of time. Unfortunately, both linear tape speed and recording density are limited by available technology. One solution is to increase the transfer rate by providing multiple writing heads. Consequently, a tape drive with a very high transfer rate would have multiple gaps per rail.
- While this would certainly increase the transfer rate, certain mechanical difficulties arise in the design of a flexible printed circuit for a head that would support an increased transfer rate. The purpose of the flexible printed circuit is to operably connect the head gap to a main printed circuit board of the tape drive. For each magnetic gap, there are five circuits or lines required between the head gap and the main printed circuit board, i.e., 2 for the read gap (read + and read −); 2 for the write gap (write + and write −); and 1 shield or ground.
- Thus, the circuitry requirements for even a single gap head are significant. If the single gap head was required to read and write simultaneously, the circuitry requirements double. It is anticipated, however, that future tape drives will have substantially more gaps per rail as expected transfer rates reach the 15 to 20 megabyte per second range.
- For example, a tape drive with 10 head gaps per rail is anticipated. Such a head would require 50 circuits or lines. If the drive has read and write capabilities, the head would utilize 100 circuits. As the flexible printed circuit board becomes larger, it becomes less flexible, which can be a significant detriment as the head is required to move laterally across the width of the tape to access and follow a desired data track. A typical tape has about 400 data tracks across the width of the tape.
- A need remains for a tape drive with a high transfer rate. A need remains for a tape drive that minimizes the stiffness caused by substantial flexible printed circuits.
- Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the invention is found in a method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive that has a fine positioner, a coarse positioner, and main control circuitry. The method includes providing a head having at least one rail, wherein the rail has at least one head gap, mounting the head in an assembly including a fine positioner and a coarse positioner, and operatively connecting the head to the main control circuitry of the tape drive via a flexible printed circuit that is configured to provide a predetermined level of stiffness.
- A second aspect of the invention is found in a magnetic tape drive having an increased transfer rate. The drive includes a magnetic head having a minimum of two rails, each rail having a plurality of head gaps; wherein the head is arranged within and positioned by a head positioning apparatus including a fine positioner and a coarse positioner. The drive also includes flexible printed circuits that provide communication between the magnetic head and main control circuitry; wherein the flexible printed circuits have at least one loop that corresponds to the translation range of the head positioning apparatus.
- A third aspect of the invention is found in a flex circuit for coupling a head of a tape drive to a main circuit board that provides translation commands to the head of the tape drive. The flex circuit includes a fine positioner loop having a shape that is designed to reduce stiffness in the flex circuit and a coarse positioner loop coupled to the fine positioner loop, the coarse positioner having a shape that is designed to reduce stiffness in the flex circuit.
- These and other features as well as advantages that characterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.
- FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a positioner according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1b is an exploded perspective view of the positioner shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the positioner shown in FIG. 1a mounted on a coarse posiitoner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3a is a perspective view illustrating the flexible printed circuitry used in conjunction with the fine posiitoner shown in FIG. 1a.
- FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a positioner according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4b is a side view of the posiitoner shown in FIG. 4a without the loop bracket attached.
- FIG. 4c is a side view of the positioner shown in FIG. 4a with the loop bracket attached.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a positioner loop bracket used in conjunction with the posiitoner shown in FIGS. 4a and 4 b according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a posiitoner according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- A magnetic recording head is located and controlled via a head positioner. In a preferred embodiment, the positioner includes both a fine positioner and a coarse positioner. The fine positioner moves the head to follow either a track centerline or for short distance track seeks. The maximum distance that the fine positioner can travel is referred to as its stroke. Conversely, the coarse positioner moves the head during seeks when the required distance is greater than the stroke of the fine positioner. A positioner utilizing both a fine and a coarse positioner is described, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,492, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the fine positioner functions under closed-loop servo control while the coarse positioner utilizes open-loop control.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fine positioner has a stroke of six tracks. A six-track stroke means that the fine positioner can be used to move the head up to three tracks in either the plus or minus direction. For example, if the head is located at
track # 3, the fine positioner can move the head from track #0 to track #6. If a longer seek is needed, the coarse positioner is used. - As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1 b,
fine positioner 100 includes amagnetic head 110 andhead carriage 120. Themagnetic head 110 is preferably retained in a forked shaped portion of thehead carriage 120 preferably by an adhesive. Of course other types of fasteners may be used to fasten themagnetic head 110 to thehead carriage 120 such as an interference fit or mechanical fasteners such as screws, for example. Also included in thefine posiitoner 100 is avoice coil motor 131 including avoice coil portion 130 and outer winding 140. Only thevoice coil portion 130 is attached to thehead carriage 120 to translate with thehead carriage 120. Thevoice coil portion 130 is suspended in a magnetic field produced by magnets (not shown) in the outer winding 140 of the voice coil motor. Also included in thefine positioner 100 arebridge brackets 150, a first andsecond flexure brackets 164,screws 166, inner mountingbrackets 170 and screws 172. As will be described in detail hereinafter,flexures brackets 164 are fixedly mounted on a coarse positioner.Magnetic head 110,head carriage 120,voice coil portion 130bridge bracket 150, inner mountingbracket 170 andscrews 172 form the moving mass of thefine positioner 100 as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. - FIG. 2 illustrates the
fine positioner 100 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1 b mounted on acoarse positioner 200. The coarse positioner includes acoarse positioner bracket 220 on which thefine positioner 100 is supported. Thecoarse positioner bracket 220 is mounted about aguide shaft 210 by two precision bushings 212 (of which only one is illustrated). Amiddle arm 221 of thecoarse positioner bracket 220 is held in contact with a threaded nut 230 via apreload spring 232. Consequently, threaded nut 230 andcoarse positioner bracket 220 will remain in physical contact as long as any externally applied forces are less than the applied force by thepreload spring 232. Threaded nut 230, which is driven bylead screw 240, translates the coarse positionedbracket 220 as thelea screw 240 rotates. Threaded nut 230 includes three pads that rest against the top surface of themiddle arm 221 of thecoarse positioner bracket 220. The spring pushes the top surface of themiddle arm 221 of the bracket against the threaded nut 230. - Since the
coarse positioner 200 preferably includes twoprecision bushings 212 and aguide shaft 210, a three-point contact design allows threaded nut 230 to adjust in accordance with parallelism tolerances betweenguide shaft 210 andlead screw 240. Therefore, threaded nut 230 floats on three points as it moves and retains a three-point contact withcoarse positioner bracket 220.Coarse positioner 200 also includes ananti-rotation shaft 250 andanti-rotation guide 252 that prevent thecoarse positioner bracket 220 from rotating aslead screw 240 rotates. - An
actuator bracket 260 is used to support all of thecoarse positioner 200 components.Guide shaft 210 is supported at both ends to provide the preferred structural rigidity tocoarse positioner bracket 220 as it translates up and down.Lead screw 240, which is driven by astepper motor 270, is mounted onactuator bracket 260.Actuator bracket 260 also supports a ball bearing system (not shown) forlead screw 240 and also includes threecircular posts 280 that are attached to the main plate of the tape drive with a spring load (not shown) at eachpost 280 to create an adjustable three-point mounting system. One of the posts is fixed and functions as a pivot during the head alignment process. - With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1 b, the moving mass is supported by two
flexures fine positioner 100 and one at the bottom.Flexure 160 includes acenter portion 161 which is attached to thehead carriage 120 usinginner mounting bracket 170 and screws 172. Similarly,bottom flexure 162 includes acenter portion 163 that is attached to bridgebracket 150 usinginner mounting bracket 170 andscrew 172. Bothflexures - A control system utilizing a single voice coil motor is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,008, which is incorporated herein by reference. When a command is given to
fine positioner 100 to move, the voice coil motor must produce a particular force. Preferably, this force is sufficient to acceleratehead 110 andhead carriage 120 and to overcome the stiffness of the suspension system. Most of the suspension system stiffness comes fromflexures circuits fine positioner 100 to the tape drive's main control circuitry. - Likewise, when
coarse positioner 200 is commanded to move, it must receive enough power to overcome the inertia of the moving head and also to overcome the stiffness of the coarse positioner system. This stiffness largely comes from thepreload spring 232 on the threaded nut 230 and the stiffness of the flexible printedcircuits - In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a first flexible circuit includes all of the necessary circuitry for each head gap located on the first rail while a second flexible circuit has the necessary circuitry for the head gaps present on the second rail. FIG. 3a is a perspective view illustrating the flexible printed circuitry used in conjunction with the posiitoner shown in FIG. 1a. As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the front portion of each
flexible circuit magnetic head 110. FIG. 3b is an enlarged view of a portion ofhead 110, illustrating the geometric relationship betweenforward gap 390 andreverse gap 392. The flexible circuit includes forwardflexible circuit 340 and reverseflexible circuit 350. For simplicity, only reverseflexible circuit 350 will be discussed herein, as forwardflexible circuit 340 is essentially identical. - Reverse
flexible circuit 350 attaches tomagnetic head 110 atattachment point 310. Ninetydegree bend 312 permits reverse flexible circuit to attached to thehead carriage 120 atattachment point 314. As illustrated, reverseflexible circuit 350 continues vertically downward until it reaches thestart 322 of thefine positioner loop 320. - This
first loop 320, i.e., the fine posiitoner loop, is designed to follow the short stroke offine positioner 100.Fine positioner loop 320 functions much as a cantilever beam. As the moving mass represented byfine positioner 100 moves, thefree end 322 offine positioner loop 320 follows the moving mass. The shape offine positioner loop 320 is formed such that it will add a minimum force to the overall force necessary to move the fine positioner suspension system. It can be seen in this preferred embodiment that theflexible circuits 340 each have atab 315 that extends toward the other flexible circuit. Eachtab 315 has ahole 317 formed therethrough. FIGS. 4a and 4 b illustrate the positioner andflexible circuits loop bracket 600 has been added to improve the precision with which the fine and coarse positioner loops are located. Thebracket 600, shown in greater detail in FIG. 5, is attached to abottom surface 602 of the coarse positioner bracket. 220. As previously described, each flexible printedcircuit tab 315 with a hole 317 (see FIG. 3a) and theloop bracket 600 has correspondinghole 604. Preferably, both flexible circuits are secured between the loop bracket and the bottom surface of thecoarse positioner bracket 220 by ascrew 604. - As illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4 b, and 4 c the
fine positioner loop 320 terminates at theloop bracket 600. In FIG. 4b the loop bracket is not illustrated for purposes of clarity. The tabs on bothflexible circuits loop bracket 600 using preferably a screw. The location of the loop bracket and the hole on the tab on the flexible circuits provides the precise termination for the fine positioner loop. The flexible circuit wraps around the post 606 (see FIG. 5) which is part of theloop bracket 600 and the loop rests against an angled wall 610 of theloop bracket 600. Thecoarse posiitoner loop 330 begins at this angled wall located on the loop bracket. The coarse positioner loop continues as a curved line and forms a 180°turn 612 at the edge of the main printed circuit board 614. As shown in FIG. 4b, the loop changes from a curved line to a semi “U” shape as the coarse positioner moves from its upper position shown bycurve 616 to its lower position shown bycurve 618. - FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a posiitoner according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the coarse positioner loops of the flexible circuits are “U” shaped as compared with the coarse lops in the previous embodiments.
- In summary, a first aspect of the invention is found in a method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive that has a
fine positioner 100, a coarse positioned 200, and main control circuitry. The method includes providing ahead 110 having at least one rail, wherein the rail has at least one head gap, mounting thehead 110 in an assembly including afine positioner 100 and a coarse positioned 200, and operatively connecting thehead 110 to the main control circuitry of the tape drive via a flexible printedcircuit - Preferably, the method of increasing the transfer rate includes the step of providing a
head 110 having two rails. In a preferred embodiment, the step of operatively connecting thehead 110 to the main control circuitry of the tape drive via a flexible printedcircuit loop 320 in said flexible printed circuit that corresponds to the stroke of thefine positioner 100 and further includes the step of providing aloop 330 in said flexible printed circuit that corresponds to the translation range of the coarse positioned 200. - A second aspect of the invention is found in a magnetic tape drive having an increased transfer rate. The drive includes a
magnetic head 110 having a minimum of two rails, each rail having a plurality of head gaps; wherein thehead 110 is arranged within and positioned by a head positioning apparatus. The drive also includes flexible printedcircuits magnetic head 110 and main control circuitry; wherein the flexible printedcircuits - Preferably, the tape drive includes a
fine positioner 100 and a coarse positioned 200. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible printedcircuit loop 320 corresponding to the stroke of thefine positioner 100 and preferably also includes aloop 330 corresponding to the translation range of the coarse positioned 200. Each rail is preferably connected to main control circuitry via a flexible printedcircuit circuits - An advantage of the design according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it separates the forward and reverse flexible printed circuits. Both rails of the magnetic head have multiple gaps. During a write-read operation in the forward direction, the write is performed using the gaps in the forward rail while the read is performed using the gaps in the reverse rail. During a write operation, the circuits on the main printed circuit board sends signals though the forward flexible printed circuit. Immediately after the write operation is performed, the read heads on the reverse rail read the written information. Thus, the write current is present in the forward flexible circuits when the read current is present in the reverse flexible printed circuits. By separating the two flexible printed circuits, the possibility of electromagnetic interference between the two flexible circuits is severely reduced if not eliminated. The same is true when the tape motion is reversed. In this case, a write is performed using the reverse rail and a read is performed using the forward rail. The same advantage of reducing, if not eliminating, electromagnetic interference between the two flexible printed circuits is present.
- A third aspect of the invention is found in a flex circuit for coupling a
head 110 of a tape drive to a main circuit that provides translation commands to thehead 110 of the tape drive. Theflex circuit fine positioner loop 320 having a shape that is designed to reduce stiffness in theflex circuit coarse positioner loop 330 coupled to thefine positioner loop 320, thecoarse positioner loop 330 having a shape that is designed to reduce stiffness in theflex circuit loop 330 is U shaped or semi U shaped. - In a preferred embodiment, the
flex circuit fixed end 332 located between thefine positioner loop 320 and the coarse positionedloop 330, wherein thefixed end 332 couples the fine and coarse positioner loops. Thecoarse positioner loop 330 can terminate in a second fixed end 334 that can be a 180° bend. Preferably, theflex circuit flex circuit - It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment has been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/401,100 US6404598B1 (en) | 1998-09-22 | 1999-09-22 | Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10134298P | 1998-09-22 | 1998-09-22 | |
US09/401,100 US6404598B1 (en) | 1998-09-22 | 1999-09-22 | Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020041470A1 true US20020041470A1 (en) | 2002-04-11 |
US6404598B1 US6404598B1 (en) | 2002-06-11 |
Family
ID=26798144
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/401,100 Expired - Fee Related US6404598B1 (en) | 1998-09-22 | 1999-09-22 | Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6404598B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060209447A1 (en) * | 2005-03-17 | 2006-09-21 | Hamming John A | System and method for protecting head elements of a tape drive |
US20060263013A1 (en) * | 2005-05-20 | 2006-11-23 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical transceiver using optical sub-assembly having multiple lead pins connected to the substrate by a flexible printed circuit |
US20070285845A1 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2007-12-13 | Quantum Corporation, A Delaware Corporation | Narrow width actuator for tape drive systems |
US20080024932A1 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2008-01-31 | Nayak Ashok B | Head Actuator Assembly for a Tape Drive |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6594118B1 (en) * | 2000-02-03 | 2003-07-15 | Seagate Removable Storage Solutions Llc | Suspension system for a head-carriage assembly for a magnetic tape drive |
JP2002133626A (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2002-05-10 | Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd | Actuator assembly |
US7116522B2 (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2006-10-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System and method related to a flexible circuit |
US6985430B1 (en) * | 2003-11-18 | 2006-01-10 | Storage Technology Corporation | Transducer positioning device |
US20070285844A1 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2007-12-13 | Quantum Corporation, A Delaware Corporation | Multi-function head flex-circuit design for tape drives |
US7474495B2 (en) * | 2007-02-20 | 2009-01-06 | Quantum Corporation | Piezoelectric micro-actuator for magnetic tape read/write head |
US8004797B2 (en) * | 2007-04-27 | 2011-08-23 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Tape drive with a clamping mechanism coupled to a flexible circuit |
US7948715B2 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2011-05-24 | Oracle America, Inc. | Head positioning assembly |
US8581174B2 (en) * | 2008-08-26 | 2013-11-12 | Omnivision Technologies, Inc. | Image sensor with prismatic de-multiplexing |
US8059355B2 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2011-11-15 | Quantum Corporation | Dual stage head actuator assembly for tape drive |
US9117462B2 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2015-08-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Tape drive with overlapped operations |
US9466334B1 (en) * | 2015-10-23 | 2016-10-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Monolithic tape head and actuator for high density recording |
US9810422B2 (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2017-11-07 | Dell Products L.P. | Floating apparatus for fixing membrane cable for fan module lighting |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3941594A1 (en) * | 1989-12-16 | 1991-06-20 | Thomson Brandt Gmbh | DRIVE CHASSIS FOR A MAGNETIC TAPE DEVICE |
EP0565918B1 (en) * | 1992-04-13 | 1998-05-20 | Imation Corp. | Head positioning mechanism for multitrack tape recorder |
US5631788A (en) * | 1992-04-17 | 1997-05-20 | Quantum Corporation | Flex circuit for head and disk assembly |
US5986854A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1999-11-16 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Magnetic cassette recorder with reversing and translating magnetic head |
US5448438A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-09-05 | Quantum Corporation | Head actuator having spring loaded split nut |
EP0734569A1 (en) * | 1993-12-15 | 1996-10-02 | Seagate Technology, Inc. | Voice coil driven positioner for coarse and fine positioning of magnetic head in multi-track tape drive |
JP2850764B2 (en) * | 1994-08-01 | 1999-01-27 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Positioning actuator and disk device |
US5519554A (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1996-05-21 | Storage Technology Corporation | Rack and pinion linear slide read/write head positioning device |
US5818667A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1998-10-06 | Western Digital Corporation | Retaining apparatus for a disk drive actuator assembly electrical flex circuit |
US5862014A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1999-01-19 | Quantum Corporation | Multi-channel magnetic tape head module including flex circuit |
US5739984A (en) * | 1996-08-28 | 1998-04-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | damping loop for a tape drive actuator with a servo control system |
JP3413051B2 (en) * | 1997-03-28 | 2003-06-03 | 株式会社東芝 | Magnetic disk drive |
US6078483A (en) * | 1998-05-14 | 2000-06-20 | Hewlett-Packard Co. | Flexible circuit support structure and head carrier |
-
1999
- 1999-09-22 US US09/401,100 patent/US6404598B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080024932A1 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2008-01-31 | Nayak Ashok B | Head Actuator Assembly for a Tape Drive |
US7420781B2 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2008-09-02 | Certance Llc | Head actuator assembly for a tape drive |
US20060209447A1 (en) * | 2005-03-17 | 2006-09-21 | Hamming John A | System and method for protecting head elements of a tape drive |
US7274528B2 (en) | 2005-03-17 | 2007-09-25 | Certance Llc | System and method for protecting head elements of a tape drive |
US20060263013A1 (en) * | 2005-05-20 | 2006-11-23 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical transceiver using optical sub-assembly having multiple lead pins connected to the substrate by a flexible printed circuit |
US7267553B2 (en) * | 2005-05-20 | 2007-09-11 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical transceiver using optical sub-assembly having multiple lead pins connected to the substrate by a flexible printed circuit |
US20070285845A1 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2007-12-13 | Quantum Corporation, A Delaware Corporation | Narrow width actuator for tape drive systems |
US7679864B2 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2010-03-16 | Quantum Corporation | Narrow width actuator for tape drive systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6404598B1 (en) | 2002-06-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6404598B1 (en) | Flexible circuit routing configuration for a fine/coarse positioner for a tape drive | |
US6055132A (en) | Integrated lead suspension flexure for attaching a micro-actuator with a transducer slider | |
US7159300B2 (en) | Method for manufacturing a suspension design for a co-located PZT micro-actuator | |
US5745319A (en) | Recording/reproducing apparatus with coarse and fine head positioning actuators and an elastic head gimbal | |
US5856896A (en) | Gimbal suspension for supporting a head in a disc drive assembly | |
US5216559A (en) | Carrier structure for read/write heads | |
US7411764B2 (en) | Head gimbal assembly with precise positioning actuator for read/write head and disk drive device with the head gimbal assembly | |
US7027248B2 (en) | Magnetic disk apparatus having an adjustable mechanism to compensate write or heat element for off-tracking position with yaw angle | |
US7733607B2 (en) | Suspension with strengthening plate, head gimbal assembly, and disk drive unit with the same | |
CN1078818A (en) | Head positioning mechanism for multitrack tape recorder | |
US7535680B2 (en) | Micro-actuator with integrated trace and bonding pad support | |
US7468869B2 (en) | Micro-actuator, micro-actuator suspension, and head gimbal assembly with the same | |
US6549375B1 (en) | Suspension gimbal with reduced pitch stiffness, compliant preloading bridge and unloading limiters | |
US11308982B1 (en) | Curved outer gimbal strut | |
WO2004034384A1 (en) | An integrated method and device for a dual stage micro-actuator and suspension design for the hard disk driver | |
CN1187736C (en) | Read/write head suspension assembly of disk driver | |
US20070115591A1 (en) | Suspension, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the same | |
US6219202B1 (en) | Slider suspension assembly and method for attaching a slider to a suspension in a data-recording disk file including a flexible integrated cable having an aperture therein for permitting electrical contact | |
KR100841279B1 (en) | Mechanism for fine tracking a head that records and reproduces on a disc, and disc drive having the mechanism | |
US6366430B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for improved static angle adjustment | |
CN1650352A (en) | Suspension design for co-located PZT micro actuator | |
JP2007042262A (en) | Head gimbal assembly and disk driving device | |
EP0448338B1 (en) | A rotary actuator head positioning apparatus and dual pivot apparatus for a disk drive | |
US6469860B1 (en) | Damped tape head | |
US7564651B2 (en) | Integrated-lead suspension vibration-canceling member |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NAYAK, ASHOK BABUBHAI;DECOT, JAMES MARK;REEL/FRAME:010333/0128 Effective date: 19991019 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEAGATE REMOVABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LLC, CALIFORNI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:010959/0706 Effective date: 20000630 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, THE, NE Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:SEAGATE REMOVABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LLC;REEL/FRAME:011436/0001 Effective date: 20001122 |
|
CC | Certificate of correction | ||
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CERTANCE LLC (FORMERLY SEAGATE REMOVABLE STORAGE S Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK;REEL/FRAME:015918/0321 Effective date: 20041101 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CERTANCE LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SEAGATE REMOVABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018260/0302 Effective date: 20030401 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AG Free format text: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (SECOND LIEN);ASSIGNOR:QUANTUM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:018268/0475 Effective date: 20060822 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AG Free format text: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN);ASSIGNOR:QUANTUM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:018303/0336 Effective date: 20060822 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CERTANCE LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SEAGATE REMOVABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LLC;REEL/FRAME:019529/0409 Effective date: 20030407 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: QUANTUM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS REEL 018269 FRAME 0005 AND REEL 018268 FRAME 0475;ASSIGNOR:KEY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:019550/0659 Effective date: 20070712 Owner name: QUANTUM CORPORATION,CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS REEL 018269 FRAME 0005 AND REEL 018268 FRAME 0475;ASSIGNOR:KEY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:019550/0659 Effective date: 20070712 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: QUANTUM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT AT REEL 018303 FRAME 0336;ASSIGNOR:KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:019562/0958 Effective date: 20070712 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:QUANTUM CORPORATION;ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION;CERTANCE HOLDINGS CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019605/0159 Effective date: 20070712 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE,NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:QUANTUM CORPORATION;ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION;CERTANCE HOLDINGS CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019605/0159 Effective date: 20070712 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20100611 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CERTANCE, LLC, WASHINGTON Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: CERTANCE HOLDINGS CORPORATION, WASHINGTON Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: ADVANCED DIGITAL INFORMATION CORPORATION, WASHINGT Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: CERTANCE (US) HOLDINGS, INC., WASHINGTON Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: QUANTUM INTERNATIONAL, INC., WASHINGTON Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT, CALIFO Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:QUANTUM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:027967/0914 Effective date: 20120329 Owner name: QUANTUM CORPORATION, WASHINGTON Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CREDIT SUISSE), AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027968/0007 Effective date: 20120329 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: QUANTUM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:040474/0079 Effective date: 20161021 |