Tape transport using a carrier ribbon with edges
AssigneeStorage Technology Corporation
InventorGary W. Collins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape over a tape head includes a carrier ribbon with edges defining a channel for carrying the tape. Ribbon guides bring the carrier ribbon into contact with the tape as the tape moves near the tape head. A separation guide is positioned to allow the tape to separate from the carrier ribbon as the tape passes the tape head.
Claims21
A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape moving at a tape speed over a tape head, the magnetic tape having an active side that may be written on and read from by the head and a passive side opposite the active side, the active and passive sides defining a tape width, the system comprising:
- a carrier ribbon having a width greater than the magnetic tape width, the carrier ribbon operative to contact the tape passive side, the carrier ribbon comprising edges which define a channel for carrying the magnetic tape, the width of the channel substantially equal to the tape width;
- at least one ribbon guide positioned to bring the carrier ribbon into contact with the magnetic tape passive side and to hold the carrier ribbon in contact with the magnetic tape passive side as the magnetic tape moves near the tape head;
- at least one separation guide positioned to allow the magnetic tape to separate from the carrier ribbon as the magnetic tape passes the tape head contact surface;
- and
- a ribbon drive operative to move the carrier ribbon past the at least one ribbon guide and the at least one separation guide.
A method of transporting magnetic tape in a tape direction along a tape path past a tape head, the method comprising:
- driving a carrier ribbon in the tape direction;
- contacting the magnetic tape within a channel formed in the carrier ribbon, the magnetic tape contacted in a region of the tape path prior to the tape head in the direction of tape travel;
- and
- separating the magnetic tape from the carrier ribbon in a region of the tape path near the tape head.
A system for guiding magnetic tape past a tape head in a tape direction comprising:
- a carrier ribbon comprising a channel;
- means for driving the carrier ribbon in the tape direction;
- means for contacting the magnetic tape within the channel in a region prior to the tape head in the direction of tape travel;
- and
- means for separating the magnetic tape from the carrier ribbon in a region near the tape head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.