Multiple format magnetic storage media drive
View Patent ↗Methods and systems are provided for receiving and streaming storage tape by a tape head from storage tape cartridges of varying formats in a single tape drive. In one example, an exemplary tape drive system includes a receiver, a reel driver system configured to selectively drive at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats, and a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two different cartridge leader formats associated with the at least two different cartridge formats.
1. A tape drive system for use with multiple cartridge formats, the tape drive system comprising:
a receiver;
a reel driver system configured to drive at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats; and
a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats associated with the at least two different cartridge formats, wherein the at least two different cartridge leader formats vary in one or more of leader pin location and egress of storage tape from a cartridge housing.
2. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two different cartridge leader formats vary in both leader pin location and egress of storage tape from a cartridge housing.
3. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two different cartridge formats vary in one or more of cartridge size, cartridge shape, and cartridge reel configuration.
4. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the reel driver system includes two gears for selectively engaging the at least two different cartridge formats.
5. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the reel driver system includes two gears varying in radius and tooth pitch.
6. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the reel driver system includes two gears and a control ring that may be rotated to selectively extend one of the two gears to engage a cartridge, the control ring including a contoured surface to extend and retract the two gears separately during rotation.
7. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the reel driver system includes two gears, wherein a first gear is configured for an SDLT cartridge and a second gear is configured for an LTO cartridge.
8. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the reel driver system includes a permanent magnet located at the axis of rotation of a gear assembly.
9. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the leader system includes at least two buckling mechanisms disposed in different locations relative to the receiver.
10. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the leader system includes a first drive leader portion configured to selectively couple with a first cartridge leader or a second drive leader portion, the second drive leader portion configured to couple with a second cartridge leader, the first and second cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats.
11. The tape drive system of claim 10 , wherein a guide moves the first drive leader portion to couple with the first cartridge leader or the second driver leader portion.
12. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the leader system includes a track on which at least one buckle mechanism travels to attach to the at least two different cartridge leaders.
13. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the leader system includes a track on which at least one buckle mechanism travels to attach to the at least two different cartridge leaders at least two different locations.
14. The tape drive system of claim 1 , wherein the leader system includes a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an SDLT cartridge leader pin and a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an LTO cartridge leader pin.
15. The tape drive system of claim 1 , further including a take-up reel, the take-up reel including at least one discontinuity on the inner surface to accommodate a buckle mechanism associated with the leader system.
16. The tape drive system of claim 1 , further including a receiver having adjustable rails configured to locate the at least two different cartridge formats over the reel driver system.
17. The tape drive system of claim 1 , further including a sensor configured to identify a cartridge format.
18. The tape drive system of claim 17 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of a mechanical and optical sensor.
19. A tape drive leader system comprising:
a first drive leader portion; and
at least one buckle mechanism, wherein the at least one buckle mechanism is configured to couple with at least two cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats, and the first drive leader portion is configured to selectively couple with a first cartridge leader having a first format or a second drive leader portion, the second drive leader portion configured to couple with a second cartridge leader having a second format.
20. The drive leader system of claim 19 , wherein the at least two different cartridge leader formats vary in at least one of leader pin, leader pin location, and egress of storage tape from a cartridge housing.
21. The drive leader system of claim 19 , further including at least two buckling mechanisms disposed in different locations relative to a drive receiver.
22. The drive leader system of claim 19 , further including a guide system that moves the first drive leader portion to couple with the first cartridge leader or the second driver leader portion.
23. The drive leader system of claim 19 , wherein the leader system includes a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an SDLT cartridge leader pin and a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an LTO cartridge leader pin.
24. A tape drive leader system comprising:
at least one buckle mechanism, wherein the at least one buckle mechanism is configured to couple with at least two cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats; and
a track on which the at least one buckle mechanism may travel along to attach to the at least two cartridge leaders.
25. The drive leader system of claim 24 , wherein the buckle mechanism attaches with the at least two cartridge leaders in two different locations.
26. The drive leader system of claim 24 , wherein the at least two different cartridge leader formats vary in at least one of leader pin, leader pin location, and egress of storage tape from a cartridge housing.
27. The drive leader system of claim 24 , wherein the leader system includes a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an SDLT cartridge leader pin and a buckle mechanism configured to couple with an LTO cartridge leader pin.
28. A method for buckling a drive leader system of a tape drive to cartridges having two or more cartridge leader formats, the method comprising:
positioning a cartridge within a receiver of a tape drive, the cartridge including a cartridge leader; and
selectively engaging the cartridge leader with a drive leader system at one of at least two separate locations to provide one of at least two different egresses of storage tape from the cartridge into the tape drive.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the drive leader system includes a first drive leader portion configured to selectively couple with a first cartridge leader format or a second drive leader portion, the second drive leader portion configured to couple with a second cartridge leader format.
30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the drive leader system includes a track on which at least one buckle mechanism travels to attach to the cartridge leader.
31. The method of claim 28 , further comprising selectively engaging the cartridge reel with a drive reel system, the drive reel system including at least two different drive reels for driving varying cartridge reel formats.
32. A method for buckling a drive leader system of a tape drive to cartridges having at least to different cartridge leader formats, the method comprising:
positioning a cartridge within a receiver of a tape drive, the cartridge including a cartridge leader; and
selectively engaging the cartridge leader with a drive leader system configured to couple with at least two different cartridge leader formats, the two different cartridge leader formats varying in one or more of leader pin location and egress of storage tape from the cartridge.
33. The method of claim 32 , further comprising selectively engaging the cartridge reel with a drive reel system, the drive reel system including at least two different drive reels for driving varying cartridge reel formats.
34. A tape drive system for use with multiple cartridge formats, the tape drive system comprising:
a receiver; and
a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats associated with at least two different cartridge formats, wherein the cartridge leader formats vary in the size of the leader pin.
35. The tape drive system of claim 34 , further comprising a reel driver system configured to drive the at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats, wherein the at least two different cartridge formats vary in cartridge size.
36. The tape drive system of claim 34 , wherein the at least two different cartridge formats vary in reel configuration.
37. The tape drive system of claim 34 , wherein the at least two different cartridge formats include an SDLT cartridge format and an LTO cartridge format.
38. The tape drive system of claim 34 , wherein the reel driver system comprises two gears for engaging the at least two different cartridge formats.
39. The tape drive system of claim 34 , wherein the at least two different cartridge leader formats vary in at least one of leader pin location or egress of storage tape from a cartridge housing.
40. A tape drive system for use with multiple cartridge formats, the tape drive system comprising:
a receiver;
a reel driver system configured to drive at least two cartridges having different cartridge formats, wherein the reel driver system includes two gears for selectively engaging the at least two different cartridge formats; and
a drive leader system configured to selectively couple with at least two cartridge leaders having different cartridge leader formats associated with the at least two different cartridge formats.
41. The tape drive system of claim 40 , wherein the two gears vary in radius and tooth pitch.