Planar Write Module And Hybrid Planar Write-Vertical Read Bidirectional Tape Head

Abstract

A planar write module and a hybrid planar write-vertical read bidirectional tape head comprising the write module and one or more vertical read modules. The write module has a write module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural write elements in the write module each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with the write module tape bearing surface. The write elements are arranged so that the transducing gaps of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of the magnetic recording tape. Each read module has a read module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural read elements in the one or more read modules each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally perpendicular relationship with the read module tape bearing surface.

1 . In a tape drive, a tape head for reading and writing data on a magnetic recording tape, comprising:
 a write module;   a write module tape bearing surface on said write module for engaging said magnetic recording tape;   plural write elements in said write module, each of said write elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface;   said write elements being arranged so that the transducing gaps of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of said magnetic recording tape;   one or more read modules;   a read module tape bearing surface on each of said read modules for engaging said magnetic recording tape; and   plural read elements in said one or more read modules, each of said read elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally perpendicular relationship with said read module tape bearing surface.   
   
   
       2 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write module is disposed between two read modules in a trackwise direction relative to said magnetic recording tape. 
   
   
       3 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write elements comprise a pancake coil construction. 
   
   
       4 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write elements comprise a helical coil construction. 
   
   
       5 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write elements comprise a pair of pole tips providing a write gap at said write module tape bearing surface and a pair of pole pieces extending from said pole tips to a back gap region where said pole pieces are joined, said back gap region being spaced in a trackwise direction from said write gap. 
   
   
       6 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write elements are arranged with spaced write gaps. 
   
   
       7 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said write elements are arranged in one or more arrays. 
   
   
       8 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  further including write channel circuitry for said write elements fabricated in thin film layers of said write module. 
   
   
       9 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 1  further including servo read elements on said write module, each of said servo read elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface. 
   
   
       10 . A tape drive in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said servo read elements comprise a flux guide construction. 
   
   
       11 . A write module for writing data on a magnetic recording tape, comprising:
 a write module tape bearing surface for engaging said magnetic recording tape;   plural write elements in said write module, each of said write elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface;   said write elements comprising a pancake coil construction with a pair of pole tips providing a write gap at said write module tape bearing surface and a pair of pole pieces extending from said pole tips to a back gap region where said pole pieces are joined, said back gap region being spaced in a trackwise direction from said write gap; and   said write elements being arranged so that the write gaps of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of said magnetic recording tape.   
   
   
       12 . A write module in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said write elements are arranged in one or more arrays. 
   
   
       13 . A write module in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said write gaps are spaced by approximately one gap width. 
   
   
       14 . A write module in accordance with  claim 11  further including servo read elements on said write module, each of said servo read elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface. 
   
   
       15 . A write module in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said servo read elements comprise a flux guide extending from said write module tape bearing surface to a sensor structure recessed from said write module tape bearing surface. 
   
   
       16 . A write module for writing data on a magnetic recording tape, comprising:
 a write module;   a write module tape bearing surface on said write module for engaging said magnetic recording tape;   plural write elements in said write module, each of said write elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface;   said write elements comprising a helical coil construction with a pair of pole tips providing a write gap at said write module tape bearing surface and a pair of pole pieces extending from said pole tips to a back gap region where said pole pieces are joined, said back gap region being spaced in a trackwise direction from said write gap; and   said write elements being arranged so that the write gaps of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of said magnetic recording tape.   
   
   
       17 . A write module in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said write elements are arranged with spaced write gaps. 
   
   
       18 . A write module in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said write elements are arranged in one or more arrays. 
   
   
       19 . A write module in accordance with  claim 16  further including servo read elements on said write module, each of said servo read elements comprising plural thin film layers oriented in parallel planar relationship with said write module tape bearing surface. 
   
   
       20 . A write module in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said servo read elements comprise a flux guide extending from said write module tape bearing surface to a sensor structure recessed from said write module tape bearing surface.