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US 6,644,581 B2Granted
Flange guide for improved tape winding
AssigneeImation Corp.
InventorsDouglas R. Plourde, Helen J. Yoo, William R. Qualls
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A winding flange guide (10) is utilized to provide a better quality wind of a strand media. The guide (10) has a first flange (12) and a second flange (13) which constrain the movement of the outer wraps of the tape pancake formed by the tape media. The winding flange guide (10) is utilized in a servo writer (20), tape cartridge (40, 60) and tape drive (80).
Claims12
A take-up reel assembly for receiving a magnetic tape having a thickness and a width, from a tape source comprising:
- a) a mounting member;
- b) a rotatable take-up reel, the magnetic tape having a first end operatively connected to the take-up reel, the take-up reel operatively connected to the mounting member;
- c) a rotatable idler guide positioned between the take-up reel and tape source, the idler operatively connected to the mounting member;
- d) the magnetic tape forming a tape pancake as the magnetic tape is wound around the take-up reel, and creating a tangent point where the magnetic tape contacts the tape pancake;
- e) a winding flange guide operatively connected to the mounting member, the guide comprising:
- i) a hub having a first end and a second end;
- ii) a first flange operatively connected to the first end of the hub, the first flange having a first guiding surface;
- and
- iii) a second flange operatively connected to the second end of the hub, the second flange having a second guiding surface;
- f) the winding flange guide positioned to contact the tape pancake at or after the point of tangency, wherein the tape pancake is guided between the first and second guiding surfaces;
- g) the first flange and the second flange having a land section having a length that is less than 100 times the thickness of the magnetic tape;
- h) the length of the land sections are greater than 10 times the thickness of the tape media;
- i) the first and second guiding surfaces are spaced at a distance, the distance is from 0.0002 inches to 0.0012 inches greater than the width of the magnetic tape and the guiding surfaces having a finish of at least 8Ra microinches;
- and
- j) a pack wheel, the winding flange guide positioned between the pack wheel and the idler guide.
12 more elements
A take-up reel assembly for receiving a magnetic tape having a thickness and a width, from a tape source, comprising:
- a) a rotatable take-up reel, the magnetic tape having a first end operatively connected to the take-up reel;
- b) a rotatable idler guide positioned between the take-up reel and tape source;
- c) the magnetic tape forming a tape pancake as the magnetic tape is wound around the take-up reel, and creating a tangent point where the magnetic tape contacts the tape pancake;
- d) a winding flange guide, the guide comprising:
- i) a hub having a first end and a second end;
- ii) a first flange operatively connected to the first end of the hub, the first flange having a first guiding surface;
- and
- iii) a second flange operatively connected to the second end of the hub, the second flange having a second guiding surface;
- e) the winding flange guide positioned to contact the tape pancake at or after the point of tangency, wherein the tape pancake is guided between the first and second guiding surfaces;
- and
- f) a pack wheel, the winding flange guide positioned between the pack wheel and the idler guide.
8 more elements
A servo writer comprising:
- a) a mounting member;
- b) a rewind assembly plate slidably mounted to the mounting member;
- c) a take-up reel rotatably mounted to the mounting member;
- d) a rotatable idler guide operatively connected to the mounting member;
- e) a magnetic tape forming a tape pancake as the magnetic tape is wound around the take-up reel, and creating a tangent point where the magnetic tape contacts the tape pancake;
- f) a winding flange guide operatively connected to the rewind assembly plate, the guide comprising:
- i) a hub having a first end and a second end;
- ii) a first flange operatively connected to the first end of the hub, the first flange having a first guiding surface;
- and
- iii) a second flange operatively connected to the second end of the hub, the second flange having a second guiding surface;
- g) the winding flange guide positioned to contact the tape pancake at or after the point of tangency, wherein the tape pancake is guided between the first and second guiding surfaces;
- and
- h) a pack wheel operatively connected to the rewind plate assembly, the winding flange guide positioned between the pack wheel and the idler guide.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.