Western Digital Technologies Assigned Three Patents

Tape recording system and method for reading media having write-append head-positioning based on change in tape lateral dimension
Western Digital Technologies, Inc., San Jose, CA, has been assigned a patent (11776569) developed by Biskeborn, Robert G., Hollister, CA, and Olson, Trevor W., San Jose, CA, for “tape recording system and method for reading media having write-append head-positioning based on change in tape lateral dimension.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “The present disclosure generally relates to a tape drive comprising a tape head comprising one or more modules, wherein each module comprises a plurality of servo readers, a plurality of read elements, and a control circuitry configured to retrieve a priority servo reader designation for a bundle of data tracks of the plurality of data tracks, wherein the priority servo reader designation is one or more servo readers of the plurality of servo readers, use the designated priority servo reader to adjust a lateral position the tape head, retrieve a target delta Y position (ΔYpos), and adjust a tilt of the tape head based on the target Δypos.”

The patent application was filed on 2022-04-26 (17/729843).

Magnetic tape having alternating sections for use in ultra-high areal density tape storage systems
Western Digital Technologies, Inc., San Jose, CA, has been assigned a patent (11776572) developed by Watson, Mark L., Boulder, CO, and Malina, James N., Irvine, CA, for “magnetic tape having alternating sections for use in ultra-high areal density tape storage systems.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “The present disclosure generally relates to a tape utilized with a tape drive including a tape head. The tape comprises a plurality of writeable portions configured to store data and a plurality of non-writeable portions that are unable to store data. The writeable portions comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: Ru, Pt, Ta, and Co, and the non-writeable portions comprise a different material than the writeable portions. Each writeable portion is defined between two non-writeable portions, and each writeable portion has a greater area on the tape than each non-writeable portion. The non-writeable portions are utilized during stop-start and turn-around operations of the tape head, are configured to lubricate the tape head, clean the tape head, and remove debris from the tape head. The non-writeable portions enable improved performance of the tape drive while reducing a cost of the tape.”

The patent application was filed on 2021-11-16 (17/455120).

Tape head with side-shielded writers and process for making same
Western Digital Technologies, Inc., San Jose, CA, has been assigned a patent (11776565) developed by Le, Quangn Jiang, Hongquan, Hwang, Cherngye, San Jose, CA, Seagle, David J., Morgan Hill, CA, and Liu, Xiaoyong, San Jose, CA, for “tape head with side-shielded writers and process for making same.“

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “The present disclosure generally relates to a tape head of a tape drive, and methods of forming thereof. In one embodiment, a tape head for magnetic storage devices comprises a trailing shield, a leading shield, a first write pole coupled to the trailing shield, a second write pole coupled to the leading shield, and side shields spaced from the first write pole and the second write pole by a thin insulation layer. The side shields are further disposed between the trailing shield and the leading shield. In another embodiment, a tape head for magnetic storage devices comprises a main pole disposed between a trailing shield and a leading shield and a side shield disposed adjacent to the main pole. The side shield is further disposed between the trailing shield and the leading shield and spaced from the main pole by a thin insulation layer.”

The patent application was filed on 2022-01-12 (17/647809).