System and method utilizing a conductive brush for providing power signals to a cartridge access device
View Patent ↗A cartridge access device in a cartridge storage system is designed to retrieve a cartridge from a storage device and to transfer the cartridge to a particular location within the system. Once the cartridge is no longer needed at the particular location, the cartridge access device retrieves the cartridge from the particular location and returns the data cartridge to the storage device. The data cartridge device preferably includes at least two engaging members that engage a respective surface of a frame assembly. Channels in the surfaces of the frame assembly guide the engaging members and, therefore, the cartridge access device as the cartridge access device moves. The engaging members are engaged with a respective conductive track member that extends through the channels in the frame assembly. Electrical current is passed through the conductive track members and the engaging members to the cartridge access device in order to supply the cartridge access device with electrical power and/or to communicate control signals to the cartridge access device. Therefore, a power cable and/or a control cable does not have to be physically connected to the cartridge access device in order for the components on the cartridge access device to receive electrical power and/or control signals.
1. A system for transferring cartridges, comprising:
means for inserting a cartridge into a cartridge access device;
means for moving said cartridge access device;
means for engaging a brush coupled to said cartridge access device with a conductive member residing in a channel for guiding said brush;
means for sliding said brush across a surface of said conductive member as said cartridge access device moves; and
means for supplying said cartridge access device with electrical power via said brush and said conductive member.
2. A method for transferring data cartridges within a cartridge storage system, comprising:
inserting a cartridge associated with said cartridge storage system into a cartridge access device;
moving said cartridge access device;
engaging a brush coupled to said cartridge access device with a conductive member residing in a groove in a frame assembly;
sliding said brush across a surface of said conductive member during said moving;
guiding said brush via said groove during said moving; and
supplying said cartridge access device with electrical power via said brush and said conductive member.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising reading data from said cartridge.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
inserting said brush into said groove in said frame assembly; and
guiding said cartridge access device via said brush inserted in said groove.
5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
passing an electrical signal through said brush and said conductive member;
filtering said electrical signal in order to recover a control signal; and
moving said cartridge access device in response to said control signal.
6. A method for transferring data cartridges within a cartridge storage system, comprising:
inserting a cartridge associated with said cartridge storage system into a cartridge access device;
moving said cartridge access device;
engaging a brush coupled to said cartridge access device with a conductive member residing in a groove in a frame assembly;
sliding said brush across a surface of said conductive member during said moving; and
supplying said cartridge access device with electrical power via said brush and said conductive member;
wherein said engaging comprises utilizing a spring to push said brush against said conductive member.
7. A system for transferring cartridges, comprising:
a cartridge access device configured to receive a cartridge and configured to transfer said cartridge to another location, said cartridge access device comprising an actuator for moving said cartridge access device;
a conductive member;
a conductive brush coupled to said cartridge access device, said conductive brush engaged with said conductive member such that said conductive brush slides along a surface of said conductive member as said cartridge access device moves; and
a filter configured to receive a combined power and control signal transmitted over said conductive member and said conductive brush, said filter configured to recover a control signal from said combined power and control signal, wherein said cartridge access device is configured to utilize a power signal of said combined power and control signal for powering said actuator.
8. A method for transferring cartridges, comprising:
receiving a cartridge in a cartridge access device;
moving said cartridge, via said cartridge access device, to another location;
sliding a conductive brush across a surface of a conductive member during said moving, said conductive brush coupled to said cartridge access device;
receiving, at said cartridge access device, a combined power and control signal transmitted over said conductive member and said brush;
filtering said received signal to recover a control signal; and
powering said cartridge access device via said received signal.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising combining said control signal with a power signal thereby forming said combined power and control signal.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said moving comprises moving said cartridge access device via an actuator of said cartridge access device, and wherein said powering comprises powering said actuator via said combined power and control signal.
11. A method for transferring cartridges, comprising:
receiving a cartridge in a cartridge access device;
moving said cartridge, via said cartridge access device, to another location;
sliding a conductive brush across a surface of a conductive member during said moving said cartridge, said conductive brush coupled to said cartridge access device;
receiving, at said cartridge access device, an electrical signal transmitted over said conductive member and said brush, said electrical signal comprising a control signal superimposed with a power signal;
filtering said received electrical signal to separate said control signal from said power signal thereby recovering said control signal; and
powering at least one component of said cartridge access device via said power signal.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said moving said cartridge further comprises moving said cartridge access device via an actuator of said cartridge access device, and wherein said powering at least one component further comprises powering said actuator via said electrical signal.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising controlling said actuator based on said control signal.