Write Head With Separately Energizable Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic tape storage technologies face challenges in efficiently writing servo patterns to magnetic tape storage media, particularly in achieving precise position control and high-density pattern writing with minimal side erasing and dynamic skew sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A write head design featuring separately energizable write gaps, with distinct sections that allow for continuous parallel writing of servo tracks, enabling the writing of different servo patterns on adjacent tracks with precise phase alignment and minimizing side erasing effects by using a planar configuration and alternating current waveforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional write head with single write gap is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to write different servo patterns on adjacent tracks with precise phase alignment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The write head is divided into multiple independently energizable write gaps (first write gap, second write gap with first and second sections, third write gap). Each write gap can be controlled separately to write different servo patterns on adjacent tracks, enabling precise phase alignment and flexible pattern writing while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each write gap is designed to perform multiple functions: writing different servo patterns, achieving precise phase alignment, and minimizing side erasing. The second write gap with its first and second sections can selectively magnetize or leave unchanged different portions of the tape track, providing universal capability for various servo writing requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second write gap has uniform width, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ability to selectively magnetize different track portions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The second write gap features non-uniform width distribution: the first section has a first width and the second section has a second width that differs from the first. This local variation in geometry enables selective magnetization capability where different portions of the tape track can be magnetized independently when the second write gap is energized, while the overall structure remains manufacturable through standard fabrication processes.
3Productivity
If high-density servo pattern writing is implemented, then the storage capacity increases, but side erasing effects and dynamic skew sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and isolates the magnetization function to specific sections of the write gaps. By confining the magnetic flux generation to defined regions (first section and second section of the second write gap), the harmful side erasing effects are minimized as the magnetic field is concentrated where needed rather than spreading to adjacent areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of magnetic flux spread into a beneficial selective magnetization capability. By designing the second write gap with different width sections, the magnetic flux that could cause side erasing is instead directed precisely to specific track portions, turning what would be a harmful spreading effect into a useful selection mechanism for magnetizing only desired areas.
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
Enables efficient, high-density servo pattern writing with precise position control and reduced side erasing, allowing for accurate lateral position adjustment and improved signal quality by using a write head with separately energizable write gaps and alternating current frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
an energization of the second write gap causes a magnetic flux across the first section insufficient for changing a magnetization of a track
Implementation Method 2
sufficient for magnetizing a track of the magnetic tape storage medium passing the second section of the second write gap
Data Source
AI summary
A write head is provided for writing a servo pattern to a magnetic tape storage medium. The write head comprises at least a first write gap (A) and a second write gap (B), the first write gap (A) and the second write gap (B) being separately energizable. The second write gap (B) comprises at least a first section (a) and a second section (b). The first section (a) is designed such that an energization of the second write gap (B) causes a magnetic flux across the first section (a) insufficient for changing a magnetization of a track of the magnetic tape storage medium (TP) passing the first section (a) of the second write gap (B). The second section (b) is designed such that an energization of the second write gap (B) causes a magnetic flux across the second section (b) sufficient for magnetizing a track of the magnetic tape storage medium (TP) passing the second section (b) of the second write gap (B).