Low Track Pitch Write Module for Magnetic Tape
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thin film tape heads for magnetic recording have a wide gap pitch that results in inefficient track spacing, leading to the 'comb' effect and track misregistration due to tape dimensional changes, which complicates data reading and writing.
Innovation Solution
A low track pitch write module with write elements having pole pieces and coils arranged in a pancake or helical configuration, allowing for near contiguous write gaps to reduce gap pitch and facilitate efficient data writing and reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If transducer elements are arranged with sufficient spacing to accommodate bulky recessed structures, then the head can accommodate all necessary components, but the gap pitch becomes much larger than the gap width, creating inter-track white space and reducing data density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical head construction to planar head construction, changing the dimensional orientation of transducer elements from perpendicular to parallel with the tape bearing surface. This allows the recessed structures to be positioned behind the tape bearing surface rather than extending vertically, enabling much closer spacing of transducer elements and eliminating inter-track white space while maintaining all necessary components.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional vertical head construction is used, then fabrication techniques are well-established, but tape dimensional changes cause track misregistration because the gap spacing geometry remains unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the head gap spacing geometry adaptable to tape dimensional changes by allowing the gap pitch to be adjusted. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for tape expansion or contraction, maintaining proper track registration across varying tape dimensions while using established fabrication techniques.
3Quantity of substance
If the head is stepped in cross-track direction during multiple passes, then the comb effect is solved and data can be densely packed, but sophisticated mechanics and skew compensation circuitry are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all necessary transducing operations in a single pass by arranging planar transducer elements to cover the entire tape area underneath the head. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple stepped passes, sophisticated mechanics, and skew compensation circuitry while achieving maximum data density through contiguous track writing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables more dense data packing and reduces track misregistration by allowing for single-pass data recording across the entire tape area, improving data storage efficiency and reducing mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the recessed structure includes the pole pieces and the coil windings
Implementation Method 2
the recessed structure includes the electrical leads and magnetic hard biasing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A low track pitch write module and bidirectional tape head for writing and/or reading data on a magnetic recording tape. The write module and tape head have a tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape and plural write elements. The write elements are arranged so that the write gaps of adjacent write elements are spaced from each other by not more than approximately one write gap width, while being generally aligned along an axis that is perpendicular to a direction of movement of the magnetic recording tape. The write elements may have a planar or vertical construction comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel or perpendicular relationship with the tape bearing surface. One or more read element arrays may also be provided.