Data storage and/or retrieval method and apparatus employing a head array having plural heads

A data storage and retrieval system for reading and/or writing data onto at least one data storage disk defining at least one recording surface having a radial dimension and at least one data track directed generally traverse to the radial dimension, the system comprising:

• a housing having an interior for receiving said at least one data storage disk;
• means for rotating said at least one data storage disk, upon said disk being received in the housing interior;
• a head array comprising a plurality of read and/or write heads arranged in a longitudinal dimension, for communicating with at least one recording surface of at least one data storage disk;
• a head array support arm disposed within the housing interior for supporting the head array adjacent at least one recording surface of at least one data storage disk, with the longitudinal dimension of the arrangement of heads extending in a cross-track direction of the adjacent disk recording surface;
• and
• an actuator coupled to selectively move the head array support arm and head array in a cross-track direction;
• wherein said array comprises a longitudinal member defining a plurality of fingers separated by slots, each finger having at least one said read/write heads, and wherein said fingers are flexible substantially independent of each other;
• and
• wherein said head array defines an inside diameter end disposed proximal to the inside diameter the disk and an outside diameter end disposed proximal to the outside diameter of the disk and wherein each of said fingers has a first portion defining a first thickness dimension and a second portion defining a second thickness dimension greater than the first thickness dimension, and wherein the length along each finger of the second portion varies from finger to finger, from shorter dimensions to longer dimensions in the direction from the outside diameter toward the inside diameter.

A data storage and retrieval system for reading and/or writing data onto at least one data storage disk defining at least one recording surface having a radial dimension and at least one data track directed generally traverse to the radial dimension, the system comprising:

• a housing having an interior for receiving said at least one data storage disk;
• means for rotating said at least one data storage disk, upon said disk being received in the housing interior;
• a head array comprising a plurality of read and/or write heads arranged in a longitudinal dimension, for communicating with at least one recording surface of at least one data storage disk;
• a head array support arm disposed within the housing interior for supporting the head array adjacent at least one recording surface of at least one data storage disk, with the longitudinal dimension of the arrangement of heads extending in a cross-track direction of it the adjacent disk recording surface;
• and
• an actuator coupled to selectively move the head array support arm and head array in a cross-track direction:
• wherein said head array defines an inside diameter end disposed proximal to the inside diameter of the disk and an outside diameter end disposed proximal to the outside diameter of the disk;
• wherein said head array defines a plurality of head sections, wherein each head section includes at least one of said read/write heads and defines a first thickness dimension along a first portion of the head section and a second thickness dimension along the rest of the head section;
• and
• wherein the length of the first portion of the sections vary from a greater length to a shorter length in the direction from the inside diameter toward the outside diameter.