Head cleaning mechanism
AssigneeQuantum Corporation
InventorsStephen Stamm, Ray Chapman, Joe Jurneke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a media drive transducer head is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a cleaning member (e.g., a brush having a plurality of bristles) and an actuator assembly operable to move the cleaning member from a position vertically offset from a drive head to a position engaging the drive head, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the direction of tape transport adjacent the drive head. The apparatus may further include a displacement feature operable to engage a leader member (e.g., the drive leader or tape) and displace the leader member from the drive head.
Claims22
A cleaning apparatus for use with a tape media drive head, comprising:
- a cleaning member;
- an actuator assembly operable to move the cleaning member from a position vertically offset from a drive head to a position engaging the drive head, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the direction of tape transport adjacent the drive head;
- and
- a displacement feature operable to engage a leader member and displace the leader member from the drive head.
A tape media drive, comprising:
- a drive head having at least one data transducer;
- a drive leader;
- and
- a cleaning apparatus, the cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a cleaning member;
- an actuator assembly operable to move the cleaning member from a position vertically offset from the drive head to a position engaging the drive head, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the direction of tape transport adjacent the drive head;
- and
- a displacement feature operable to engage the drive leader and displace the drive leader from the drive head.
A method for cleaning a drive head of a media drive, the method comprising:
- moving a cleaning member from a position vertically offset from a drive head to a position engaging the drive head, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the direction of tape transport adjacent the drive head;
- and
- displacing a leader member away from the drive head to allow the cleaning member to engage the drive head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.