Tape head surface with non-uniform cross-width profile
US8958175B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B5/3106
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tape head having an upper surface with a non-uniform (e.g. non-planar) cross-width (e.g., perpendicular to tape moving over the tape head) profile for eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not disposed over read/write elements of the tape head (e.g., near opposite first and second edges of the tape) during reading/writing operations on the tape. The upper surface of the tape head includes at least one “active” zone encompassing the read/write elements and that is configured to contact the tape and at least one “inactive” zone that recesses (e.g., slopes, tapers, drops, rounds, etc.) away from the active zone to avoid contact with tape traveling thereover. Eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not currently being read and/or written reduces friction between the tape and the tape head and facilitates control of tape head lateral positioning, tape tension, and tape speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.