Gripper-positioning component for storage library system
US6208483A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/6835
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Some storage library systems use servo motors to control positioning of the hand assembly for removal of an ejected cartridge from a tape drive. This and other methods of positioning the hand assembly may be inaccurate or time consuming, and may inadvertently result in pushing the cartridge too far into the tape drive. The present invention provides a storage library system including a tape drive for receiving, reading and ejecting cartridges, wherein the tape drive has a front face. A locator plate is attached to the front face. The locator plate has a stall limit surface. A robotically-movable hand assembly is operative to retrieve ejected cartridges from the tape drive. The robotically-movable hand assembly includes a stall limit feature protruding therefrom for abutting against the stall limit surface to limit movement of the hand assembly toward the tape drive to properly space the hand assembly with respect to the tape drive for removing cartridges from the tape drive. Additionally, the hand assembly includes a z-limit feature and the locator plate includes a z-locator feature which is engageable with the z-limit feature to properly locate the hand assembly vertically with re…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.