Servo track writer with actuator vibration isolation
An actuator assembly and method for orienting a head over a disc within a multi-disc servo-track writer incorporates an actuator block, rotational air bearing, translational air bearing, adaptor plate, E-block and actuator arm/head assembly. Rotation of the E-block, and hence actuator arm/head assembly, is directly controlled by the movement of the rotational air bearing, which is rotated by a motor. The air bearing provides for reduced friction and, as a result, decreased eccentricity of the head as compared to related art configurations. A translational air bearing laterally positions the actuator assembly within the multi-disc servo-track writer for servo-track recording.
1. An actuator assembly for recording information onto a disc surface in a multi-disc track writer, the actuator assembly comprising:
an E-block having one or more elongated actuator arms, each actuator arm having a distally located recording head; and
means for rotating the E-block in the actuator assembly to position the recording heads over a disc surface.
2. The actuator assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for moving the actuator between a recording position and a disc loading and unloading position.
3. A track writing apparatus comprising:
an actuator assembly comprising a stationary actuator block having a cavity therein; and
a rotational gas bearing comprising an outer race fixed to the actuator block and a rotatable inner spindle fixed in rotation with a head for storing data on the track.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the rotational gas bearing defines a gap between the outer race and the inner spindle adapted for containing a pressurized fluid supporting the inner spindle in a non-contacting engagement with the outer race.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the inner spindle is operably rotatable around an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravitational force.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the heads are rotated around the inner spindle axis of rotation.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a motor coupled to the inner spindle.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a corner cube providing positional information for controlling the motor to position the heads.
9. A track writing apparatus comprising a pressurized fluid bearing supporting a data transfer head relative to a storage medium, the bearing configured to retain a pressurized fluid while maintaining the head in a stationary position.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fluid bearing rotationally supports the data transfer head.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid bearing comprises a fixed race in noncontacting engagement with a rotatable spindle.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the spindle operably rotates around an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of gravitational force.