Patent ID: 8542460
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: a head having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers in the tape bearing surface, the transducers being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers and servo readers, a length of the array being defined between outer transducers thereof; the head having a feature that induces formation of a larger air bearing between a tape and portions of the tape bearing surface closest to a plane extending across tape-facing sides of the transducers and positioned laterally to the array in a direction about perpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross than between the tape and a contiguous portion of the tape bearing surface spanning a plurality of the transducers, wherein the feature has a continuous length that is at least as long as the length of the array, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed lie substantially along the plane extending across the tape-facing sides of the transducers, wherein the portions of the tape bearing surface positioned laterally to the array over which the air bearing is formed are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the array defined along the length of the array.