Organic Coating for Magnetic Head Corrosion Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic tape heads in high-density tape storage systems face issues with corrosion and oxidation, leading to increased Wallace spacing losses and reduced magnetic performance, which are exacerbated by the use of hard protective coatings that wear off and require expensive reapplication.
Innovation Solution
Applying an organic coating, such as squalane, to the magnetic head to reduce exposure to oxidation-promoting materials and applying a lubricant to the tape, with a specialized tape having an applicator portion for coating the head and a cleaning portion for removing the coating as needed, to maintain effective magnetic coupling and prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard protective overcoat (e.g., alumina) is applied to the sensor, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the coating wears away over time and requires expensive reapplication using large tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a soft protective coating that is intentionally designed to be replaceable rather than permanent. When the coating wears away, it can be easily removed and reapplied using simple procedures, avoiding the need for expensive large-scale tools required for hard coatings like alumina. This disposable approach to protection maintains reliability while simplifying maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the protective coating from hard and permanent (alumina) to soft and replaceable. This parameter change allows the coating to provide adequate corrosion protection while enabling easy reapplication through simple procedures, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If the sensor is recessed to protect it from corrosion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but Wallace spacing losses increase due to the recess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a soft protective coating as an intermediary layer between the sensor and the corrosive environment. This coating provides corrosion protection without requiring the sensor to be recessed, thereby maintaining the sensor's position close to the tape and minimizing Wallace spacing losses while still providing the needed protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to protection by applying a protective coating with different physical properties (soft rather than hard) directly on the sensor surface. This parameter change allows protection without recessing, thus avoiding the increase in Wallace spacing losses that would result from recessing the sensor.
3Force
If magnetic tape is made rougher to reduce stiction, then stiction is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates and detection capability is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different parts of the tape: the leader portion is made rougher to reduce stiction during engagement, while the data portion maintains a smoother surface to preserve signal-to-noise ratio and detection capability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reducing stiction and maintaining measurement precision.
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 organic coating significantly reduces corrosion and oxidation effects, maintaining the magnetic performance and signal quality of the tape head over time, even in corrosive environments, while allowing for easy reapplication and removal without affecting the head's operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials
Implementation Method 2
applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting or corrosive materials
Data Source
AI summary
A method in one embodiment includes fabricating a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials. The method also includes applying the organic coating to the applicator portion of the tape, the organic coating being for coating a tape bearing surface of the magnetic head with the organic coating upon the applicator portion being run over the tape bearing surface of the magnetic head. The method further includes applying a lubricant to a data portion of the tape.