Patent ID: 8743508

Claim:
A tape drive system for a tape having tracks extending in a longitudinal direction along the tape, comprising: a tape head; a drive adapted to move said tape along a tape path in a longitudinal direction across said tape head; a tape position sensor positioned to detect the lateral position of the tape; and a tape roller bearing, comprising: a base having a first support frame; a coil supported by said first support frame and adapted to conduct an electric current to generate a magnetic field wherein said first support frame includes a return path structure formed of a magnetically permeable material, and positioned adjacent said coil to conduct said magnetic field generated by said coil; a second support frame pivotally coupled to said first support frame; a first permanent magnet supported by said second support frame wherein said magnet is positioned facing said return path structure; and a tape roller barrel rotatably supported by said second support frame, said roller barrel being positioned along said tape path, and having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as said roller barrel rotates; wherein magnetic attraction between said magnet and said return path structure biases said second support frame and said roller barrel in a first position relative to said first support frame and wherein current conducted through said coil generates a magnetic field which is conducted by said return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of said magnet which causes said second support frame and said roller barrel to pivot relative to said first support frame as a function of the magnitude and direction of said current through said coil; and a controller responsive to the tape position sensor and adapted to control the current through said coil to tilt the roller barrel to control the lateral position of the tape in response to the tape position sensor.