Narrow width actuator for tape drive systems
US7679864B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/584
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A servo-controlled, head actuator design that has low profile characteristics in both the height and width dimensions. The low height allows the actuator to fit into a half-high tape drive form factor. Additionally, in some implementations, the actuator comprises a smaller, concentrated moving mass coupled with a flexure construction having a narrowed width with added ribs for torsional stiffness. These aspects of the actuator provide a higher second mode of vibration compared to the flexure designs of the prior art. The actuator includes a coarse actuator assembly for larger movements of the head, and a fine actuator, including a Voice coil motor, responsive to analysis of servo signals. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor of the fine actuator and the coarse actuator shafts are in line. Since the centerlines of the shafts are in-line with the voice coil motor, the resonance response of the shaft spring-mass system is reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.