Patent · US Expired

Loading and unloading a flying lens

US6163415A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
65References
61Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 2, 1999
Grant dateDec 19, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 2, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B11/1058
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for loading and unloading a flying lens relative to the surface of an optical storage media is provided. The apparatus is comprises a flying lens, a movable optical module for supporting and positioning the lens, and a ramp that slidably engages the movable optical module to load and unload the flying lens. The flying lens is loaded, or moved into a position close to the surface of the moving optical storage media, when the speed is sufficient that aerodynamic forces prevent contact between the flying lens and the storage media. The flying lens is unloaded before the storage media slows or stops and is held in a parked position by the ramp. During the loading and unloading the alignment integrity of the optical path is maintained.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.