Scanning system for a probe storage device

A scanning system includes a base plate, an anchor structure mounted to the base plate, and a first O-topology bracket moveably mounted along a first axis of an X-Y plane to the anchor structure. The first O-topology bracket is resiliently interconnected to the anchor structure by a plurality of parallelization springs. A second O-topology bracket is moveably mounted along a second axis of the X-Y plane to the first O-topology bracket. The second O-topology bracket is resiliently interconnected to the first O-topology bracket through a second plurality of parallelization springs. The first and second O-topology brackets provide a robust, vibration resistant structure that resists both in-plane and out-of-plane deformations to enable sub-nanometer tracking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the art of probe storage devices and, more particularly, to a scanning system for a probe storage device.

2. Description of Background

Parallel probe-based data-storage systems are currently being developed for future data-storage applications. A parallel probe-based system employs a large array of atomic-force microscopic probes that read, write and erase data on a storage medium carried by and X/Y scanning system. The large array of probes enables very high storage densities to be achieved. Moreover, by operating the array of probes in parallel, high data transfer rates are also achievable. The high storage capacity, combined with rapid transfer rates, enables the storage system to be built into a small package that is ideal for mobile storage applications.

Mobile storage applications present a variety of engineering challenges. First, mobile storage systems must be robust against vibration and shock. Second, mobile storage system must be capable of operating on a restricted power budget. A mobile probe based storage system should be capable of maintaining sub-nanometer tracking performance while being subjected to mechanical shocks that create accelerations approaching 10's of g's. However, making a mechanical devise more robust, i.e., capable of withstand high accelerations typically requires making components stiffer. Existing scanning systems employ a “C”-topology frame that supports a scan table for movement along a single axis of an X-Y plane. The “C”-topology frame suffers from undesirable shear and bending deformations which impose limits on maintaining sub-nanometer tracking. That is, in order to maintain high tracking accuracies, components of the probe storage device must be made stiffer. The additional, stiffer, components possess power requirements that render the probe storage device less desirable for mobile applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a scanning system for a probe storage device. The scanning system includes a base plate, an anchor structure mounted to the base plate, and a first O-topology bracket moveably mounted along a first axis of an X-Y plane to the anchor structure. The first O-topology bracket is resiliently interconnected to the anchor structure by a plurality of parallelization springs. A second O-topology bracket is moveably mounted along a second axis of the X-Y plane to the first O-topology bracket. The second O-topology bracket is resiliently interconnected to the first O-topology bracket through a second plurality of parallelization springs. The first and second O-topology brackets provide a robust, vibration resistant structure that resists both in-plane and out-of-plane deformations to enable sub-nanometer tracking for the scanning system.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention, with advantages and features thereof, refer to the description and to the drawings.

The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features thereof, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With initial reference toFIG. 1, a scanning system, constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is generally indicated at2. Scanning system2includes a base plate4and a scanning chip6. Scanning chip6includes first and second opposing side edges8and9interconnect by corresponding third and fourth side edges10and11that collectively define a substantially planner main body12. Scanner chip6includes a first coil14mounted within a shuttle16that is moveably positioned within main body12. As shown, first coil14is connected to an actuating arm18. A first top plate20is positioned above first coil14and is provided with a first magnet22. First coil14is selectively supplied with an electrical current to generate a magnetic field causing shuttle16to translate along a first axis of an X/Y plane defined by main body12. Scanning chip6also includes a second coil24mounted within a shuttle27that is selectively shiftable along a second axis, that is orthogonal to the first axis, of the X/Y plane defined by main body12. In a manner similar to that described above, second shuttle27is connected to second actuating arm29. In a manner also similar to that described above, a second top plate31is positioned above a second coil24and includes a second magnet33.

In accordance to the exemplary embodiment shown, scanning system2further includes a suspension system40including an anchor structure44that is fixedly secured to base plate4. Suspension system40further includes a first O-topology bracket47having first and second opposing side elements49and50interconnected by third and fourth opposing side element51and52that collectively define a central opening55. At this point it should be understood that the term “O-topology” bracket refers to a bracket having a continuous, uninterrupted, outer frame that defines a central opening. In any case, first O-topology bracket47is moveably mounted to anchor structure44. More specifically, first O-topology bracket47is resiliently interconnected to anchor structure44through a first plurality of parallelization springs, one of which is indicated at57. First plurality of parallelization springs57extend along an axis that is substantially parallel to first and second side edges8and9of scanner chip6.

Suspension system40is also shown to include a second O-topology bracket69having first and second opposing side members73and74interconnected by third and fourth opposing side members75and76that collectively define a central opening80. Second O-topology bracket69is resiliently mounted to first O-topology bracket47through a second plurality of parallelization springs, one of which is indicated at88. Second plurality of parallelization springs88extend along an axis that is substantially parallel to third and fourth side edges10and11of the scanning chip6.

As shown, second O-topology bracket69includes a first connector member90that is operatively connected to second actuating arm29and a second connector member (not shown) that is operatively connected to first actuating arm18. With this arrangement, application of an electrical current to first and second coils14and24generates a magnetic field that selectively shifts first and second shuttles16and27within main body12along the first and second orthogonal axes. As shuttles16and27move within main body27, actuating arms18and29selectively shift second O-topology brackets69along corresponding first and second orthogonal axes in order to shift scan table94to a predetermined location relative to a plurality of parallel probes (not shown).

By forming first and second O-topology brackets47and69as a continuous, closed structure, the present invention provides a robust, vibration resistant structure that resists both in-plane and out-of-plane deformations to enable sub-nanometer tracking of scan table94relative to the plurality probes. With this arrangement, scanning system2can be constructed in a small package so as to be readily adapted for mobile data storage applications. Moreover, by forming first and second O-topology brackets47and69as closed structures, there is no need to stiffen other components in scanning system2in order to resist vibrations. Thus, power requirements remain at optimal level for mobile storage applications. Of course, while the scanning system is described as being configured for mobile data storage applications, it should be readily apparent that scanning system2can also be employed in other data storage applications such as, for example, in connection with a redundant array of independent discs or RAID-like system used in data archive applications.