Apparatus and method for adapting a data recording device to ambient environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity in order to reduce the risk of damage to the storage media
US6661596B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/54
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A data tape drive senses the ambient temperature and the relative humidity of the environment in which the tape drive is operating. The tension exerted on the data tape by the tape drive is then adjusted as a function of the temperature and/or humidity. When the tape is more rigid at low temperature/humidity, the tension is increased. At nominal temperature/humidity, a nominal tape tension is used. However, under elevated conditions a lower tension is utilized to avoid damaging the tape. The sensors also may be used to completely prohibit drive and tape operation when the tape drive is in an extreme environment that is beyond an acceptable design range. Tape acceleration profiles due to atmospheric conditions are changed based on the propensity of the tape to stick to the head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.