Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Head – Head accessory
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-04-03
Evans, Jefferson (Department: 2652)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Head
Head accessory
C360S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212036
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to magnetic tape head cleaning arrangements, and more specifically to a cleaning cartridge suitable for use with tape systems having high density read/write head arrangements.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, a problem common to all types of magnetic tape systems is that, over a period of time and use, the magnetic heads and associated tape drive components within the system for writing to and reading signals from the magnetic tape media become covered with contaminants. One source of such contaminants derives from the tape material itself, which is typically formed from a substrate having multiple types of coatings applied thereto, all of which tend to decay during operation and storage of the tape. As a result, debris forms and accumulates on the head and other drive components. Because this accumulation can compromise the ability of the tape system to properly read to and write from the tape, routine cleaning of the tape system is required.
The accumulation of debris is particularly problematic in high density multi-track tape systems. More specifically, known high density multi-track magnetic tape systems employ magnetic read/write heads having slots or gutters formed therein to ensure a proper interface for reading and writing information to the tape. In conventional head arrangements, these gutters are positioned between respective read and write elements and oriented parallel to the direction of tape movement across the head. In order to maintain proper tape contact with the read and write elements during operation of the system, the gutters must be free from any debris. Since the orientation of the gutters is parallel to the direction of tape travel, one type of conventional tape cleaning cartridge has been developed which uses a cleaning media spooled onto a standard cartridge and run across the read/write head to clean accumulated debris and other contaminants from the gutters. This type of conventional cleaning cartridge device and variations thereof operate using a linear wiping motion in the same direction as tape travel.
However, such a cleaning arrangement has not proven wholly satisfactory. More specifically, such cleaning cartridges are capable of holding only a limited length of cleaning media, and therefore can be used only a small number of times before a new cleaning cartridge is required. In addition, such cleaning cartridge arrangements typically are not capable of removing debris from other tape drive mechanisms which operate to transport the tape across the head of the tape system, nor eliminate the potential for static discharge which can potentially damage electronic circuit components located in the tape system.
Further compounding the problem of debris removal in multi-track recording devices is that newer high density linear tape systems locate the respective read and write elements much closer together on the head. Such close placement prohibits positioning of gutters between the elements. As a result, the gutters are reoriented to extend in an orthogonal direction relative to the direction of tape motion. While such an orthogonal gutter orientation achieves the desired read/write interface, the orientation also allows debris to more readily accumulate. In addition, the orthogonal orientation does not lend itself well to cleaning by the aforementioned conventional wiping cartridge cleaning arrangements.
An additional problem with existing head cleaners is the disposition of debris removed from the tape head. Removed debris may remain on the cleaning brush or pad, reducing effectiveness. The debris may also settle back into tape head groves or fall onto tape system components.
Alternative head cleaning approaches have attempted to clean the gutters using a single or dual brush mechanism arranged to be swept across the head orthogonal to the direction of tape movement. While such arrangements may provide improved performance over spooled cleaning cartridges, the brush mechanisms only operate to push debris along a gutter without actually insuring removal from the gutter or tape path. As a consequence, a need still exists for a head cleaning arrangement capable of efficiently cleaning gutters oriented orthogonal to the direction of tape while eliminating the inadequacies of known head cleaning arrangements.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device having improved efficiency in removing contaminants and other debris from a read/write head and drive mechanism of a magnetic tape system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning cartridge which can efficiently clean and remove contaminants and other debris from a magnetic tape system having a read/write head arranged with gutters or bleed slots extending orthogonal to the direction of tape movement.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for cleaning debris and other contaminants from a read/write head and drive mechanism of a magnetic tape system which is capable of removing and discharging the debris from the tape system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning cartridge for cleaning debris and other contaminants from a read/write head and drive mechanism of a magnetic tape system which is capable of removing and capturing the debris within the cleaning cartridge.
In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention provides a cartridge for removing contaminants from a read/write head of a magnetic tape system which includes a housing, a gear positioned within the housing so as to engage a tape drive mechanism when the cartridge is inserted into the tape system, and a cleaning element mounted to the housing and arranged to loosen any contaminants from the read/write head. A first impeller is mounted within the housing and arranged to be rotated when the gear is driven by the tape drive mechanism. Rotation of the impeller creates an air flow that draws loosened contaminants into the housing.
In further accordance with the present invention, a filter can be positioned within the air flow created by the impeller to capture and store the loosened contaminants drawn into the housing. In accordance with one embodiment, an opening is formed in the housing and positioned relative to the impeller to provide an output port for the air flow created by the impeller. The filter can be positioned within the air flow at the output port. In accordance with another embodiment, a cavity is formed within the housing having openings positioned to allow the air flow created by the impeller to pass through the cavity. The filter could also be positioned within the cavity.
The cleaning element can be formed from a wiper arm mounted to the housing and arranged to be driven by the tape drive mechanism. A brush is mounted to the wiper arm. In one embodiment, one end of the wiper arm is pivotally mounted to the housing to allow the brush to be moved in a direction orthogonal to a direction of tape movement across the head. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the tape system can include two separate tape drive mechanisms, one driving the wiper arm and driving the impeller gear. The wiper arm can be driven by a drive gear and drive pin arrangement, or a cam and drive pin arrangement. In still another embodiment where the read/write head is moveable relative to the cartridge, the cleaning element is kept stationary. In addition, the cleaning element of the present invention can be formed from an electrically conductive material, and connected to a tape system ground potential to safely dissipate static electrical charge. In accordance with still another embodiment, a magnetic element is positioned within the housing to attract loosened contaminants for collection with the housing.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for cleaning a read/write head in a tape system which includes contacting the read/write head with a cleaning element to loosen any contaminant
Burke Philip J.
Todd Christian Allen
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Evans Jefferson
Storage Technology Corporation
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