# US 8,542,460 B2 · Head for tape drive with transversely varying contour > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,460 B2 - Document ID: US8542460B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/047,116 - Filed: 2008-03-12 - Published: 2009-09-17 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-03-12 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: Robert Glenn Biskeborn; Wayne Isami Imaino; Calvin Shyhjong Lo; Gary Miles McClelland - Inventors: Robert Glenn Biskeborn; Wayne Isami Imaino; Calvin Shyhjong Lo; Gary Miles McClelland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542460B2 ## CPC - G11B 15/62: Maintaining desired spacing between record carrier and head - G11B 5/1871: {Shaping or contouring of the transducing or guiding surface} - G11B 5/255: comprising means for protection against wear {(in thin film structures G11B5/3106)} - G11B 5/584: for track following on tapes - G11B 5/60: Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record-carriers - G11B 5/3106: {where the integrated or assembled structure comprises means for conditioning against physical detrimental influence, e.g. wear, contamination (G11B5/3133 takes precedence)} - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) ## Abstract A system comprises a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof, the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger spacing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the plurality of transducers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof; the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger air bearing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface closest to a plane extending across tape-facing sides of the transducers and positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface spanning a plurality of the transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the length of the array, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed lie substantially along the plane extending across the tape-facing sides of the transducers, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the array defined along the length of the array. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed lie along the plane extending across the tape-facing sides of the transducers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the feature lies along an edge of the tape bearing surface that extends about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross, the feature including a continuous skiving edge positioned in front of the array in a direction about parallel to the direction of tape travel thereacross. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the skiving edge has a length that is greater than about 75% of the array length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A system as recited in claim 3, wherein outer portions of the edge of the tape bearing surface flanking the skiving edge have a shape adapted for inducing formation of an air bearing between the tape and the tape bearing surface therebehind. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the outer portions of the edge of the tape bearing surface have a rounded shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the outer portions of the edge of the tape bearing surface have a beveled shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the skiving edge promotes a contiguous area of contact between the tape and the array along a majority of a length of the array, the outer portions flanking the skiving edge and being aligned therewith in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the array of transducers, wherein the areas of the tape bearing surface over which the air bearing is formed lie along the longitudinal axis of the array defined along the length of the array. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) A tape head system as recited in claim 3, wherein the skiving edge has a continuous length that is greater than about 50% of the array length, portions of the edge of the tape bearing surface flanking the skiving edge in a direction about perpendicular to the direction of tape travel having a shape adapted for inducing an air bearing between the tape and the tape bearing surface over areas of the tape bearing surface adjacent thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array are rough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the feature includes an outrigger having portions positioned relative to the tape bearing surface to induce the larger spacing between the tape and portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array than between the tape and the contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface in front of or behind the array. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contiguous portion extends beyond the length of the array. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the tape bearing surface is predominantly planar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the tape bearing surface is predominantly rounded. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein no air bearing is formed over a majority of the array. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the head; and a controller electrically coupled to the head. ### Claim 17 A method, comprising: passing a magnetic tape across a head; inducing formation of a larger spacing between the tape and portions of a tape bearing surface of the head positioned closest to the tape and positioned laterally to an array of transducers in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travelh thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface spanning a plurality of the transducers, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed lie substantially along the plane extending across the tape-facing sides of the transducers, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the array defined along the length of the array. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as recited in claim 17, wherein inducing formation of the larger spacing further comprises promoting formation of an air bearing between the tape and the portions of the tape bearing surface of the head positioned laterally to, and aligned with a longitudinal axis of, the array of transducers in a direction about perpendicular to the direction of tape travel.