An apparatus according to one approach includes an array of skew detection transducers. An array of write transducers is spaced from the array of skew detection transducers along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. An array of read transducers is aligned with the array of write transducers in the intended direction of tape travel. The apparatus also includes a first actuator configured to operatively exert a force on the array of skew detection transducers for orienting a longitudinal axis of the array of skew detection transducers substantially orthogonal to the actual direction of tape travel across the array of skew detection transducers. A magnetic recording medium according to one approach includes a magnetic recording tape having a longitudinal axis extending between distal ends thereof, the magnetic recording tape having vertical bars written in servo-skew patterns thereof, the vertical bars being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape.

A storage device comprises, a head assembly, motor(s) configured to actuate the head assembly. The storage device may optionally include tape reel(s) holding tape media for storing data and a casing. The head assembly and its suspension system comprises a support structure, a head housing having an upper attachment bracket and a lower attachment bracket, a first flat spring attached to the upper attachment bracket, a second flat spring attached to the lower attachment bracket, and a head bar attached on an upper side to the first flat spring and attached on a lower side to the second flat spring. The head bar includes at least one read head and at least one write head.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a base and related methods for write and read heads. In one example, the base and related methods are used as part of a magnetic storage device, for example a magnetic media drive such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a magnetic tape drive (e.g., a tape embedded drive). The base includes one or more base bodies formed of a ceramic material. Each base body includes an inward surface, an outward surface opposing the inward surface, a lower surface, and an angled upper surface disposed above the lower surface. Each base body includes a vertical opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. In one example, two base bodies are bonded together. In one example, the two base bodies combine to form a single base body of the base that is monolithic and unitary.

A magnetic tape device includes: a magnetic head; a head actuator that holds the magnetic head; and a tape lifting mechanism including a lifter arm. The lifter arm comes into contact with the magnetic tape to separate a magnetic tape from the magnetic head. The tape lifting mechanism moves the lifter arm in a push-out direction in conjunction with the head actuator moving in a first direction. The tape lifting mechanism moves the lifter arm in a retreating direction in conjunction with the head actuator moving in a second direction. The lifter arm pushes out the magnetic tape to separate the magnetic tape from the magnetic head, in response to the lifter arm moving in the push-out direction. The lifter arm separates from the magnetic tape to bring the magnetic tape into contact with the magnetic head, in response to the lifter arm moving in the retreating direction.

The present invention relates to the field of tape drives, tape transport, tape heads and tape head suspension. More particularly, the present invention is related to magnetic tape data storage and tape recorders that include components designed to minimize or eliminate head-to-tape contact to reduce or eliminate wear and contamination of tape drive heads. Methods and apparatus of the present invention may dynamically control the head-to-media spacing by moving locations of magnetic heads relative to a tape. Such apparatus may include components designed to minimize magnetic spacing. This may be accomplished using actuators that move the magnetic heads, that move the tape, or that move both the magnetic heads and the tape. This may include supporting a back surface of the tape. Alternatively, or additionally, the movement of the tape past the magnetic heads may be performed using mechanisms that contact and drive the back surface of the tape.

Embodiments are disclosed for a method. The method includes determining a reference plane for a tape drive read-write array. The tape drive read-write array includes a first array element, a predetermined array element, and a last array element. Further, determining the reference plane is based on a first array position of the first array element and a last array position of the last array element. The method also includes capturing a position of a predetermined array element using an imaging device. The method further includes determining a deviation of the captured position from the reference plane. Additionally, the method includes generating a plot of an in-plane bow based on the deviation.

A tape drive includes a first tape head, a first actuator assembly, a second tape head, a second actuator assembly, and a controller. The first tape head includes two first servo elements that each read one of two servo tracks, and a first read/write element that one of reads data from and writes data to a first data track. The first tape head is positionable at a first base head rotation angle. The first actuator assembly selectively rotates the first tape head from the first base head rotation angle to a first adjusted head rotation angle. The second tape head includes two second servo elements that each read one of the two servo tracks, and a second read/write element that one of reads data from and writes data to the first data track. The second tape head is positionable at a second base head rotation angle. The second actuator assembly selectively rotates the second tape head from the second base head rotation angle to a second adjusted head rotation angle. The controller independently controls the selective rotation of the first tape head and the second tape head based solely on servo information.

An apparatus according to one approach includes an array of skew detection transducers. An array of write transducers is spaced from the array of skew detection transducers along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. An array of read transducers is aligned with the array of write transducers in the intended direction of tape travel. The apparatus also includes a first actuator configured to operatively exert a force on the array of skew detection transducers for orienting a longitudinal axis of the array of skew detection transducers substantially orthogonal to the actual direction of tape travel across the array of skew detection transducers. A magnetic recording medium according to one approach includes a magnetic recording tape having a longitudinal axis extending between distal ends thereof, the magnetic recording tape having vertical bars written in servo-skew patterns thereof, the vertical bars being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape.

The present disclosure is generally related to a tape drive including a tape head configured to read shingled data on a tape. The tape head comprises a first module head assembly aligned with a second module head assembly. Both the first and second module head assemblies comprises a plurality of data heads. Each data head comprises a write head, a first read head aligned with the write head, a second read head offset from the first read head in both a cross-track direction and a down-track direction, and a third read head offset from the first and/or second read heads in the cross-track and down-track directions. By utilizing three read heads within each data head, data can be read from a tape that has experienced tape dimensional stability, as at least one read head will be near a center of each data track of the tape.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape drive including a tape head. The tape head comprises one or more modules, each module comprising a plurality of writers disposed in a first row, a plurality of readers disposed in a second row parallel to the first row, a first servo reader aligned with either the first row or the second row, and a second servo reader aligned in a third row parallel to the first and second rows. The first servo reader and the second servo reader are offset from one another in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first direction being a cross-track direction. The first servo reader and the second servo reader are spaced apart in the first direction about 1 μm to about 20 μm.