Magnetic tape reel coupling
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorsWayne R. Hemzacek, David T. Hoge, Joseph P. Falace, David C. Graves, Clark Janssen, Michael W. Johnson, Steven A. Bendson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling for driving a magnetic tape reel uses the interface between a flat surface on the coupling and datum pads on the reel to locate the reel. The coupling includes a drive ring with ring teeth located around a drive shaft. The ring teeth engage mating teeth on the tape reel. The coupling also includes a datum ring having an annular surface located about the drive shaft. The annular surface contacts datum pads on the tape reel to axially position the tape reel relative to the drive shaft.
Claims12
A coupling for driving a magnetic tape reel comprising:
- a drive shaft;
- a plurality of drive teeth located a fixed radial distance from the drive shaft, the plurality of drive teeth driving the tape reel by engaging mating teeth on the tape reel;
- and
- an annular surface radially located about the drive shaft, the annular surface contacting a plurality of datum pads on the tape reel thereby axially positioning the tape reel relative to the drive shaft.
A system for accessing magnetic tape comprising:
- a plurality of tape cartridges, each tape cartridge having at least one reel upon which magnetic tape is wound and unwound, the reel having a reel surface accessible through an opening in the tape cartridge, the reel surface defining a plurality of reel teeth concentric with the reel axis, the reel surface further defining a plurality of datum pads, each tape cartridge further having a tape opening for accessing the magnetic tape;
- and
- a tape unit receiving at least one of the plurality of tape cartridges, the tape unit comprising
- (a) at least one tape head for accessing information on the magnetic tape;
- (b) a drive ring having a plurality of drive teeth located a fixed radial distance from a drive shaft, the drive teeth driving the tape reel by engaging the plurality of reel teeth;
- (c) a datum ring defining an annular surface radially located about the drive shaft, the annular surface contacting the plurality of datum pads on the tape reel thereby axially positioning the tape reel relative to the drive shaft;
- and
- (d) a motor for spinning the drive ring, thereby driving the tape reel.
A method for rotating a magnetic tape reel about a drive axis comprising:
- locating the tape reel relative to the drive axis by contacting an annular surface operative to rotate about the drive axis with a plurality of datum pads on a tape reel flange of the tape reel;
- and
- engaging drive teeth operative to rotate about the drive axis with mating reel teeth on the tape reel flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.