Head positioner apparatus for data storage and retrieval

Abstract

A head positioner is described wherein a read/write head is slidably propelled along an arm by an electrically, an acoustically, or an magnetically active material. One embodiment is comprised of a driver arm with a single slidable positioner. The driver arm is composed of a rail with two driver layers. An isolator layer between rail and each driver layer prevents distortion of rail when driver layers are activated. A wear-resistant, low-friction layer prevents damage to driver layer and facilitates sliding motion between positioner and driver arm. Positioner is propelled along driver arm by energizing driver layer composed of either a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostatic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic material. At least one read/write head is attached to the positioner for data communication purposes with a storage element. In an alternate embodiment, two positioners are separately and independently slidable along a single driver arm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.