Transducer array to write data to tape
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsPaul W Poorman, Mike Alan Hoimberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tape heads are described herein including (i) a first module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element to write data to a tape, and (ii) a second module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element to write data to the tape. In examples herein, a lifting member with a curved portion formed at an inward edge of the module is provided to cause tape lifting the module and to prevent contact between the tape and the module at a trailing position with respect to tape travel direction.
Claims15
A tape head comprising:
- a first module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element to write data to a tape;
- a second module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element to write data to the tape;
- a first lifting member having a first curved portion formed at an inward edge of the first module to cause lifting of a tape portion over the first module and to prevent contact between the tape and the first module while the tape moves in a first direction such that the tape encounters, in the following order, the second module and the first curved portion of the first module;
- and
- a second lifting member having a second curved portion formed at an inward edge of the second module to cause lifting of a tape portion over the second module and to prevent contact between the tape and the second module when the tape moves in a second direction such that the tape encounters, in the following order, the first module and the second curved portion of the second module.
A tape drive, comprising:
- a tape head including
- (i) a first module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element for writing data, and
- (ii) a second module including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element for writing data;
- a motorised drive for causing a tape to move in
- (a) a first direction in which the first module is at a trailing position and the second module is at a leading position, and
- (b) a second direction in which the first module is at a leading position and the second module is at a trailing position;
- a first lifting member having a first curved portion formed on an inward edge of the first module arranged to cause a lift of a tape portion such that tape contact with the first module is prevented while the tape moves in the first direction;
- a second lifting member having a second curved portion formed on an inward edge of the second module arranged to cause lift of a tape portion such that tape contact with the second module is prevented while the tape moves in the second direction;
- and
- a circuit to cause
- (i) the write transducer array of the first module to write data to the tape during a write operation in which the tape is moved in the second direction,
- (ii) the write transducer array of the second module to write data to the tape during a write operation in which the tape is moved in the first direction.
A method for operating a tape drive, the method including:
- moving a tape in a direction such that the tape encounters a module at a leading position and a module at a trailing position, each of the modules including a write transducer array with at least one transducer element for writing data to the tape;
- and
- writing data to the tape using the write transducer array of the module at the leading position with respect to a direction of tape travel;
- wherein
- moving the tape includes moving the tape over a lifting member with a curved portion formed on an inward edge of the module so as to cause a lift of a tape portion over the module at the trailing position while moving the tape in said direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.