Method and apparatus for preventing electrostatic damage to the read/write head of a tape drive
US6157516A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/59683
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for reducing electrostatic discharge damage to a read/write (R/W) head attached to a shutter/head assembly are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a shutter/head assembly includes a lead screw, a head housing, and a shutter. The head assembly is configured to be coupled to a R/W head, and is rotatably coupled with the lead screw. The shutter is also rotatably coupled to the lead screw, but in such a manner that the shutter is able to rotate independently of the head housing. The shutter is also configured in such a manner so that it rotates to a radial position between the R/W head and the tape/leader ribbon when the lead screw brings the shutter toward a certain linear position, and rotates to another radial position away from the R/W head and the tape/leader ribbon when the lead screw brings the shutter toward a different linear position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.