Patent Publication Number: US-11657842-B2

Title: Tape drive with head-gimbal assembly and contact plate

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/230,654, filed Apr. 14, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/864,050, filed Apr. 30, 2020, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,087,786, both of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Tape data storage is a system for storing digital information on magnetic tape using digital recording. Tape storage media is more commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes. A tape drive performs writing or reading of data in the cartridges or cassettes. A common cassette-based format is linear tape open (LTO), which comes in a variety of densities. 
     Tape drives operate by using a tape head to record and read back information from tapes by magnetic processes. The tape head comprises servo elements and data elements that are arranged in an array that is oftentimes referred to as a tape head array. 
     In operation, the tape drive system uses an up/down stepping motor and voice coil motor (VCM), called dual stage motors, to move a large writer and reader head bar. The tape may stretch and move and thus not properly align with the tape head during read and/or write operations. Furthermore, the track spacing between adjacent data tracks can be different due to the stretching and/or moving of the tape. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved tape drive that can correct tape stretching or movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape. 
     In one embodiment, a storage device comprises: a first tape reel for unwinding tape media for storing data; a second tape reel for winding the tape media for storing data; a head assembly for reading data from and writing data to the tape media; and a contact plate movable from a first position spaced from the tape media to a second position in contact with the tape media, wherein the tape media is movable from a third position that is spaced a first distance from the head assembly and a fourth position that is spaced a second distance from the head assembly, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. 
     In another embodiment, a storage device comprises: a head-gimbal assembly for reading data from and writing data to the tape media, wherein the head-gimbal assembly is configured to fly above the tape media when reading data from and writing data to the tape media. 
     In another embodiment, a storage device comprises: a first tape reel for unwinding tape media for storing data; a second tape reel for winding the tape media for storing data; means to read data from and write data to the tape media, wherein the means to read data from and write data to the tape media is movable from a first position spaced a first distance from the tape media to a second position spaced a second distance from the tape media, wherein the means to read data from and write data to the tape media reads data from and writes data to the tape media at the second position; and means to move the tape media closer to and farther from the means to read data from and write data to the tape media. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  are schematic illustrations of a tape embedded drive, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic illustration of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic illustration of a head assembly of a tape embedded drive, according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are schematic illustration of a linear tape-open (LTO) head bar and a head bar for the tape embedded drive, according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  are schematic illustrations of a head assembly using a push-pull suspension system, according to various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  are schematic illustrations of a head assembly comprising a head gimbal assembly (HGA), according to various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 C  are schematic illustrations of a contact plate, according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the disclosure. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the disclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the disclosure. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to “the disclosure” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  are schematic illustrations of a tape embedded drive  100 , according to various embodiments. The tape embedded drive, in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , comprises a casing  105 , one or more tape reels  110 , tape media  115 , one or more motors (e.g., a stepping motor  120  (i.e., a stepper motor), a voice coil motor (VCM)  125 , etc.), a head assembly  130  with one or more read and write heads, a contact plate  160 , and tape guides/rollers  135   a ,  135   b . The tape media  115  may be referred to as tape media  115  for exemplary purposes. In  FIG.  1 C , the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)  155  is mounted on an external surface of the casing. 
     In  FIG.  1 B , two tape reels  110  are placed in the interior cavity of the casing  105 , with the center of the two tape reels  110  in-line with one another and on the same level in the cavity and with the head assembly  130  located in the middle and below of the two tape reels  110 . Tape reel motors  140  located in the spindles of the tape reels can operate to wind and unwind the tape media  115  in the tape reels. Each tape reel  110  may also incorporate a tape folder to ensure the tape media  115  is wound neatly onto the reel  110 . The tape media  115  may be made via a sputtering process to provide improved areal density. 
     Tape media  115  from the tape reels  110  are biased against the guides/rollers  135   a ,  135   b , collectively referred to as guides/rollers  135 , with the two guides/rollers  135   a  furthest away from the head assembly  130  serving to change the direction of the film and the two guides/rollers  135   b  closest to the head assembly  130  pressing the tape media  115  towards the head assembly  130 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , the guides/rollers  135  on the same side (i.e., left or right of the center axis of the long edge of the device) utilize the same structure. In  FIG.  1 B , the guides/rollers  135  may have more specialized shapes and differ from each other based on function. The number of guides/rollers  135  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are not intended to be limiting, and a greater or a lesser number of rollers may be used in other embodiments. For example, the two function rollers may be cylindrical in shape, while the two functional guides may be flat-sided (e.g., rectangular prism) or clip shaped with two prongs and the film moving between the prongs of the clip. 
     The VCM  125  and the stepping motor  120  may variably position the one or more read/write tape heads transversely with respect to the width of the tape media  115 . The stepping motor  120  may provide coarse movement of the one or more read/write tape heads while the VCM  125  may provide finer actuation of the one or more read/write tape heads. In one embodiment, servo data can be written to the tape to aid in more accurate positioning of the one or more write/read heads along the tape film. 
     The contact plate  160  may comprise various mechanics to provide support to the backside (i.e., opposite of the writing side) of the tape media  115  when writing to or reading from the tape media  115 . By utilizing the contact plate  160  to support the backside of the tape media  115 , the less tension may be applied to the tape media  115 , thus lengthening the lifespan of the tape media  115 . 
     In  FIG.  1 A , the casing  105  comprises one or more particle filters  141  and/or desiccants  142  to help maintain the environment in the casing. For example, if the casing is not airtight, the particle filters  141  and/or desiccants  142  may be placed where airflow is expected. The particle filters  141  and/or desiccants  142  may be placed in one or more corners or in one or more locations away from the moving internal components. For example the moving reels  110  may generate internal airflow as the tape media  115  winds/unwinds, and the particle filters  141  and/or desiccants  142  may be placed within the generated internal airflow. 
     The placement of the internal components within the casing  105  of the tape embedded drive  100  may be different according to various embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the head assembly  130  is internal to the casing  105 , such that the tape media  115  is not exposed outside of the casing  105 , such as in conventional tape drives. Thus, the tape film does not need to be routed along the edge of the casing and can be freely routed in more compact or otherwise more efficient ways within the casing. The one or more read/write tape heads and tape reels  110  may be placed in a variety of locations to achieve a more efficient layout, as there is no design requirement to provide external access to the previously mentioned components. 
     In  FIG.  1 C , the casing  105  comprises a cover  150  and a base  145 . 
     The PCBA  155  is attached to the bottom of the external surface of the casing  105  and opposite of the cover  150 . Since the PCBA  155  is made of solid state electronics and may be more durable to the environment, the PCBA  155  does not need to be placed inside the casing  105 . However, in some embodiments, the PCBA  155  is placed inside the casing  105 . The placement of the PCBA  155  on the outside of the casing  105  releases space within the cavity of the tape embedded drive  100  that would otherwise be occupied by the PCBA  155 . The space released by the placement of the PCBA  155  may be utilized to place other components, such as filters  141  and/or desiccants  142  to better protect to the internal environment of the tape embedded drive  100 . 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic illustration of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), according to one embodiment. The PCBA  155  is attached to the bottom surface of the casing, with a connector  205  attaching to contacts or an interface on the bottom surface electrically/electronically connected to internal components in the casing. For example, the contacts or the interface may be electronically connected to one or more motors, such as the VCM  125  and the stepping motor  120  of  FIG.  1   , and/or actuators within the casing, such as the casing  105  of  FIG.  1   . In one embodiment, the contacts/interface are built into the casing  105  without comprising the hermetically sealed casing  105 . In another embodiment, the connector  205  can be electrical feed-through electrically connecting components inside the casing  105  to those on the PCBA  155 , while maintaining the hermetic seal of the casing  105 . 
     The PCBA  155  comprises various components, such as one or more controllers, one or more connectors  205 , system on chip (SoC)  210 , one or more data interfaces  215  (e.g., Serial ATA (SATA), Serial attached SCSI (SAS), non-volatile memory express (NVMe), or the like), memory  220 , Power Large Scale Integration (PLSI)  225 , and/or data read channel controller  230 . One or more cutouts  235  may be added to the PCBA  155  to provide additional space for tape reel motors, such as the tape reel motors  140  of  FIG.  1   . For example, the portion of the casing  105  above the tape reel motors  140  may be raised to provide additional space for the motors. The cutouts  235  may allow for the reduction of the thickness of the tape embedded drive  100  as the PCBA  155  may surround the raised portion of the casing  105 . 
     The PCBA  155  may extend along the entire bottom exterior surface of the casing  105  or may only partially extend along the surface, depending on the space requirements of the various tape embedded drive components. In some embodiments, a second PCBA (not shown) may be located internally in the casing  105  and be in communication with the first PCBA  155 , for example, via the connector  205 . 
     In various embodiments, a controller on the PCBA  155  controls the read and write operations of the tape embedded drive  100 . The controller may engage the tape reel motors  140  and cause the tape reels  110  to wind the tape media  115  forwards or backwards. The controller may further use the VCM and the stepping motor, such as the VCM  125  and the stepping motor  120  of  FIG.  1   , to control the placement of the one or more read/write tape heads above the tape media  115 . The controller may also control the input/output of data to or from the tape embedded drive  100  through one or more interfaces  215 , such as SATA or SAS. 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic illustration of a head assembly  300  of a tape embedded drive  100 , according to one embodiment. The head assembly  300  comprises a multi-stage actuator for moving the head assembly  300 . In some embodiments, the multi-stage actuator comprises a stepping motor  305  (first stage), which may provide coarse actuation, a voice coil motor  310  (second stage) comprising a coil  329  and magnet  330 , which may provide fine actuation, and a piezoelectric actuator  315  (third stage), which may provide ultra-fine actuation for up/down movement of a head bar  320 . In one embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator  315  is a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuator (e.g., shear PZT). By using a 3-stage motor, the movement of the head bar  320  can be more precise. With greater precision, more channels can be supported on the tape film, potentially allowing for greater data density on the tape media  115 . In one embodiment, the head bar  320  comprises heads in a write-read-write layout, similar in layout to conventional tape heads. In another embodiment, the head bar  320  comprises two heads in a read-write layout, similar in layout to HDD heads. 
     The head assembly  300  further comprises a screw shaft  325  coupling an actuator block  326  to the stepping motor  305 . The screw shaft  325  and guide shafts  324 ,  340  may facilitate movement of the actuator block by the stepping motor  305 . In some embodiments, a different number of guide shafts  324 ,  340  are used (e.g., 0, 1, 3+). For example, smaller or lighter actuator blocks may need less support during movement and use only one or even no guide shafts. Meanwhile, larger or heavier actuator blocks may use additional guide shafts or multiple screw shafts. 
     A suspension assembly  328  couples the head bar  320  to the actuator block  326 . In one embodiment, the suspension assembly  328  comprises a mounting plate, a load beam, and a laminated flexure to carry the electrical signals to and from the read and write heads in the head bar  320 . The suspension assembly  328  comprising a coil  329  through which a controlled electrical current is passed. The coil  329  interacts with one or more magnets  330  attached to the actuator block  326  to form a voice coil motor  310  to controllably move the head bar  320 . 
     In one embodiment, a head support block  335  couples the head bar  320  and piezoelectric actuator  315  to the suspension assembly  328 . The head support block  335  comprises a clamp  336  to secure the head bar  320  and the piezoelectric actuator  315  to a supporting structure  337  perpendicular to the clamp  336  to couple the base to the suspension assembly  328 . In another embodiment, the head support block  335  and the actuator  315  form a suspension system that allows the head bar  320  to move across the width of the tape media  115 , in conjunction with the control provided by the VCM  310  and the stepping motor  305 . 
     In one embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator  315  may optionally be a multilayer piezoelectric element, comprising a plurality of piezoelectric material layers sandwiched between conductive (e.g., gold) electrode layers. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator  315  may optionally comprise one or more of the many known piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate, lead scandium tantalite, lanthanum gallium silicate, lithium tantalite, barium titanate, gallium phosphate, and/or potassium sodium tartrate. 
     In one embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator  315  extends or contracts along a second axis. The actuator  315  may push the head bar  320  towards the tape media  115  or pull the head(s) away from the tape media  115 . In one embodiment, a heater (e.g., heating coil) may be incorporated into the head bar  320  in order to cause the one or more read/write heads to move closer to the tape film. A touchdown sensor may also be incorporated into the head bar  320  to detect head-film contact and prevent the head bar from touching the tape media  115 . 
     By allowing the one or more read/write heads to move closer to the tape film, the signal strength can be increased. In addition, by allowing the head bar  320  to move away from the tape media  115 , a fast-forward or fast-rewind function may be enabled for the tape embedded drive  100 . As the head bar  320  is further away from the media, the chances of the media hitting the head bar is decreased even if the tape media  115  is moving faster. By avoiding contact, the reliability of the read/write heads and/or the tape media  115  is maintained. 
     In order to better secure the head assembly  300  to the casing  105 , a second guide shaft  340  may be used. In one embodiment, the first guide shaft  324  is on one side of the actuator block  326  with the second guide shaft  340  on the opposite end of the actuator block  326 . 
     In one implementation, movement of the head bar  320  is accomplished in a 3-stage action. First, the stepping motor  305  rotates the screw shaft  325 , causing the actuator block  326  to move up and down the first guide shaft  324  and the second guide shaft  340 . The head bar  320  moves across (i.e., up and down) the width of a tape media  115 . When a current is applied to the VCM coil, the head support block  335  moves in the similar fashion (i.e., up and down the width of the tape media  115 ) as the head bar  320 , while being supported by the suspension assembly  328 . When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator  315 , the one or more read/write heads move across (i.e., up and down) the width of the tape media  115 . Working in tandem, the 3-stage action can move the head bar  320  across (i.e., up and down) the width of the tape film in coarse, fine, or ultra-fine increments. In one embodiment, the 3 stages of movement proceed at around a  30 , 000 / 10 , 000 / 1  ratio, with the stepping motor  305  capable of moving up to about 12.65 mm, the VCM  310  capable of moving up to about 4 mm, and the piezoelectric actuator  315  capable of moving up to about 0.4 μm. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a schematic illustration of a linear tape-open (LTO) head bar  405  and a head bar  410  for the tape embedded drive, according to one embodiment. LTO cassettes comprise a stepping motor, such as the stepping motor  120  of  FIG.  1    or the stepping motor  305  of  FIG.  3   , and a VCM, such as the VCM  125  of  FIG.  1    or the VCM  310  of  FIG.  3   , to actuate the head bar  410 . In one embodiment,  FIG.  4 A  illustrates the relationship between tape width and tape head bar length for LTO. 
     Multiple writers and readers may be located in a head bar. For example, a tape bar may have 1-10 reader heads and/or 1-10 writer heads. Typically, a tape head bar uses a writer-reader-writer layout. However, other layouts, such as writer-reader-reader-writer may be used. In various embodiments, using two or more readers provides better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), allowing for higher TPI. 
     Tape recording uses head film contact technology for recording. Typically, an LTO tape uses four data bands on the film, in which the one or more read/write heads are moved to four different locations up and down the width of the tape. The stepping motor is used to move the head bar to each of the four locations, with the voice coil motor handling finer actuation within each location. Thus, an LTO cassette uses a longer head bar length (e.g. 22.4 mm) than the tape width (e.g. 12.65 mm), so that the tape width is covered by the head bar in each of the four possible locations that the stepping motor may move the head bar. 
     Due to the heavy mass of the longer head bar  405 , wider head reader width and limited movement granularity of the stepping and voice coil motors, the track density on the film for an LTO cassette is limited. An LTO-7 track pitch is about 10.7 k TPI (2.37 um). 
     In one embodiment, the tape embedded drive  100  comprises a significantly smaller head bar  410  than an LTO head bar  405 , such as a head bar  410  of about 4 mm in length. With a shorter head bar length and corresponding less mass, the head bar can be moved up and down by PZT ultra-fine actuation. In one embodiment, the head assembly, such as the head assembly  130  of  FIG.  1    or the head assembly  300  of  FIG.  3   , is attached to the PZT actuator, such as the PZT actuator  315  illustrated in  FIG.  3   , which is located on an assembly attached to an actuating portion of the voice coil motor, which in turn is on an assembly attached to an actuating portion of the stepping motor. In one embodiment, the PZT actuator  315  is moved by the VCM and the VCM is in turn moved by the stepping motor. 
     While the above discusses head bar sizes of about 4 mm, other sizes are possible, such as about 3 mm, about 5 mm, or even other sizes. In some embodiments, the head bar is significantly smaller than the tape width. For example, the head bar may be less than half or even less than a quarter of the width of the tape media. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG.  4 B , two tape guides  415  are located on both sides of the tape assembly. The tape guides  415  limit the movement of the tape media, such as the tape media  115  of  FIG.  1   , and provide better stability when the head assembly is moving over the tape media  115 . In another embodiment, a single tape guide placed either before or after the head assembly may be utilized. 
     The head bar  410  may be supported by an HDD-like gimbal assembly or suspension assembly, such as the gimbal assembly illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The assembly may provide gentler and/or more stable head to film contact, potentially providing better reliability for reading and/or writing. The suspension assembly may use a variety of materials, such as stainless steel or the like. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  are schematic illustrations of a head assembly  500  using a push-pull suspension system, according to various embodiments. Push-pull actuators generally use less voltage than shear actuators. The push-pull suspension system comprises a push actuator  541 , a pull actuator  542 , and a frame  543 . In one embodiment, the push actuator  541 , the pull actuator  542 , and a plurality of suspension wires connect the head bar  520  to the frame  543  connected to a support structure  544 . 
     Working in tandem, the push actuator  541  and pull actuators  542  may move the suspended head bar  520  up and down relative to the width of the tape, as illustrated by the dashed arrows in  FIG.  5 B . For example, when the push actuator  541  contracts, the pull actuator  542  expands, thereby pushing the head bar  520  to one direction (up). When the push actuator  541  expands and the pull actuator  542  contracts, the head bar  520  is pushed in the opposite direction (down). In one embodiment, the push actuator  541  and pull actuator  542  are PZTs. 
     The suspension system can also comprise wire suspensions  545   a ,  545   b  for movably supporting the one or more read/write heads. In one embodiment, the wire suspensions  545   a ,  545   b  are made of a flexible material that can be easily moved by the push actuator  541  and pull actuator  542 . In the illustrated embodiment, two suspension wires are placed on each side of the one or more read/write heads. 
     The design of the wire suspensions may be different to account for the desired movement of the head bar  520 . For example, the push/pull actuators  541 ,  542  are moving the head bar  520  across the width of the tape media, such as the tape media  115  of  FIG.  1   , as illustrated by the dashed arrows. In one embodiment, a first wire suspension type  545   a  is configured to facilitate the up-down movement, for example, by having a loop section configured to compress along the up-down movement. In one embodiment, a second wire suspension type  545   b  is configured to reduce lateral movement during the up-down movement. For example, the second suspension wire may be stiffer, utilize a higher tensile material, and/or utilize a shape (e.g., a “W” shape) that reduces compression along the direction perpendicular to the up-down motion. In one embodiment, the push-pull actuator designs used in HDDs may be adapted for use in the tape embedded drives  100 , as described above, due the high reliability and low production cost of the push-pull actuator designs. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  are schematic illustrations of a head assembly  600  comprising a head gimbal assembly (HGA)  650  adapted from HDD HGAs, according to various embodiments.  FIG.  6 C  is a side profile view of  FIG.  6 B  rotated 90 degrees along an axis. The HGA  650  comprises an elongated suspension  651  comprising a top end and a base end. The suspension  651  may support, on its top end, one or more heads  620  and one or more head sliders with an air bearing system  652 . 
     The elongated suspension  651  may be connected, at its base end, to a supporting structure  653  by one or more actuators  654 ,  655  and a spring-type clamp  656 . In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more actuators  654 ,  655  are a push-pull actuator, with a first actuator  654  and a second actuator  655  connecting the base of the suspension  651  to the spring-type clamp  656  that connects the suspension  651  to the supporting structure  653 . 
     In an embodiment, the first actuator  654  and the second actuator  655  are PZT actuators. As shown in  FIG.  6 C , when the first actuator  654  expands and the second actuator  655  contracts, the one or more read/write heads move to the left. When the first actuator  654  contracts and the second actuator  655  expands, the head(s) move to the right. 
       FIGS.  7 A- 7 C  are schematic illustrations of a contact plate  700 , according to various embodiments. The contact plate  700  may be the contact plate  160  of  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B . The contact plate  700  provides support to the backside of the tape media, such as the tape media  115  of  FIG.  1   , when a head, such as a flying head or a HDD HGA as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C . The term “flying head” may be used interchangeably with HDD HGA for exemplary purposes. The contact plate  700  comprises several elements, such as a first actuator  702  and a second actuator  704  working in tandem, a contact plate  706  of a contact plate structure  708 , a base  712  of the contact plate structure  708 , and a base mechanical component  710 . 
     The contact plate structure  708  may be formed with any suitable material to provide support to the tape media  115  and the flying head. In one embodiment, the contact plate structure  708  is a flat structure. In another embodiment, the contact plate structure  708  is a curved structure. In yet another embodiment, the contact plate structure  708  is any suitable shape to provide support to the flying head and the tape media  115 . The contact plate structure may be moved towards or away from the flying head to provide the appropriate amount of support to the flying head during read/write operations by a base mechanical component  710 . The base mechanical component  710  may be an additional feature of the base  712  to maneuver the contact plate structure into an appropriate position. 
     The contact plate  706  may be coated in a material suitable to reduce and minimize friction as the tape media  115  moves across the surface of the contact plate  706  during a read and/or write operation. In one embodiment, the contact plate  706  width may be a similar size to the tape media described in  FIG.  4 A . In another embodiment, the contact plate  706  may be wider than the tape media described in  FIG.  4 A . In yet another embodiment, the contact plate track  706  has a leading edge taper and a trailing edge taper to allow for adjustment. In one embodiment, the contact plate  706  comprises elements to manipulate the tape media  115 , such as a heating element. In another embodiment, the contact plate  706  comprises elements to maneuver the tape media  115 , such as a tape guide, like the tape guide  615  described in  FIG.  4 A . 
     In one embodiment, the first actuator  702  and the second actuator  704  are PZT actuators. Illustrated in  FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B , when the first actuator  702  expands and the second actuator  704  contracts, the contact plate  706  tilts in the direction of the second actuator  704 . Likewise, when the second actuator  704  expands and the first actuator  702  contracts, the contact plate  706  tilts downwards in the direction of the first actuator  702 . The tilting of the contact plate  706  allows for the tension or pressure to be applied to the tape media  115  to provide support for the flying head or the HDD HGA when reading from or writing form the tape media  115 . 
     By using a contact plate as well as a head-gimbal assembly, tape media can be properly read without worry of tape stretching or movement. 
     It is to be understood that while embodiments discussed herein make reference to a tape drive having two reels, it is contemplated that tape drives having a single reel, along with a contact plate, may be used as well. For example, a read/write head, along with a contact plate, may be disposed in a cartridge or enclosure that may then be inserted into a device. Additionally, the cartridge may have one or two reels disclosed therein. The cartridge is contemplated to be insertable into a device for use. 
     In one embodiment, a storage device comprises: a first tape reel for unwinding tape media for storing data; a second tape reel for winding the tape media for storing data; a head assembly for reading data from and writing data to the tape media; and a contact plate movable from a first position spaced from the tape media to a second position in contact with the tape media, wherein the tape media is movable from a third position that is spaced a first distance from the head assembly and a fourth position that is spaced a second distance from the head assembly, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. The head assembly is spaced from the tape media when reading data from and writing data to the tape media. The head assembly is a head-gimbal assembly. The contact plate has a curved surface for contacting the tape media. The contact plate is movable to maintain the second distance as a substantially constant distance while the tape media is moving. The contact plate comprises a piezoelectric material. The storage device includes an enclosure and wherein the first tape reel, the second tape reel, the head assembly, and the contact plate are all disposed within the enclosure. 
     In another embodiment, a storage device comprises: a head-gimbal assembly for reading data from and writing data to the tape media, wherein the head-gimbal assembly is configured to fly above the tape media when reading data from and writing data to the tape media. The head-gimbal assembly is movable from across the tape media in a direction perpendicular to a direction that the tape media moves during operation. The head-gimbal assembly includes a slider and a magnetic head assembly coupled thereto. The storage device further comprises a suspension coupled to the slider. The storage device further comprises an actuator arm coupled to the slider. The storage device further comprises a voice coil motor coupled to the actuator arm. The storage device further comprises a contact plate, wherein the tape media is configured to move across the contact plate during device operation. 
     In another embodiment, a storage device comprises: a first tape reel for unwinding tape media for storing data; a second tape reel for winding the tape media for storing data; means to read data from and write data to the tape media, wherein the means to read data from and write data to the tape media is movable from a first position spaced a first distance from the tape media to a second position spaced a second distance from the tape media, wherein the means to read data from and write data to the tape media reads data from and writes data to the tape media at the second position; and means to move the tape media closer to and farther from the means to read data from and write data to the tape media. Both the first position and the second position are spaced from the tape media. The means to move the tape media contacts the tape media. The storage device further comprises means to stretch the tape media. The storage device further comprises an enclosure and wherein the means to read data from and write data to the tape media and the means to move the tape media are disposed within the enclosure. The storage device further comprises means to correct track spacing on the tape media. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.