Tape tension sensor
View Patent ↗A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium is provided. The tension sensor comprises a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium; at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin. In some embodiments, the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.
1. A tension sensor within a tape drive for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium, the tension sensor comprising:
a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium;
at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and
at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin.
2. The tension sensor of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field density sensor is a Hall sensor.
3. The tension sensor of claim 1 , wherein the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.
4. The tension sensor of claim 1 , wherein an output of the tension sensor represents a voltage associated with a load.
5. The tension sensor of claim 1 , wherein an output of the tension sensor represents a lateral distance associated with a load.
6. The tension sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least two flexure structures allow motion in one substantially lateral direction.
7. A tape drive system for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium comprising the tension sensor of claim 1 , and a head element for accessing data on the magnetic tape medium.
8. A method of operating a tape drive system including a tension sensor in a tape path to detect a tension in a magnetic tape medium, the method comprising:
passing the magnetic tape medium between a take-up reel and a supply reel along the tape path such that a tension in the magnetic tape medium causes the magnetic tape medium to contact a head element;
guiding the magnetic tape medium on a guide pin connected to a top plate, wherein at least two flexure structures are connected to the top plate and a base, and disposed in a parallel configuration; and
detecting lateral motion of the guide pin using at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the guide pin is a tape guiding roller.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein an output of the tension sensor represents a voltage associated with a load.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least two flexure structures allow motion in one substantially lateral direction.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein an output of the tension sensor represents a lateral distance associated with a load.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein an output of the tension sensor provides feedback information for adjusting the tension of the magnetic tape media.
14. A tape drive system for measuring tension of a magnetic tape medium, the tape drive comprising:
a head element for accessing data on the magnetic tape medium; and
a plurality of tension sensors, wherein each tension sensor comprises:
a guide pin connected to a top plate for guiding the magnetic tape medium;
at least two flexure structures connected to the top plate and a base such that the at least two flexure structures are in a parallel configuration; and
at least one magnetic field density sensor associated with the guide pin for detecting lateral motion of the guide pin.
15. The tape drive system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tension sensors comprises two tension sensors.
16. The tape drive system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tension sensors comprises four tension sensors.
17. The tape drive system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a take-up reel; and
a tape path for the magnetic tape medium.
18. The tape drive system of claim 14 , further comprising a controller.