Conductive pairing for piggyback magnetic head

Abstract

A magnetic tape head having an array of reader/writer pairs formed on a common substrate, each reader/writer pair being configured in a piggyback configuration such that the writer and reader of each pair are aligned in a direction parallel to a relative direction of media travel thereover. Each reader comprises a first shield, a second shield, a sensor positioned between the shields, and leads coupled to the sensor. Each writer comprises a first pole and a second pole. A charge clamp circuit electrically couples at least one of the reader shields to at least one of the leads. An electrical conductor operatively electrically couples the at least one of the shields to at least one of the poles.

1 . A magnetic head, comprising:
 an array of reader/writer pairs formed on a common substrate, each reader/writer pair being configured in a piggyback configuration such that the writer and reader of each pair are aligned in a direction parallel to a relative direction of media travel thereover;   each reader comprising a first shield, a second shield, a sensor positioned between the shields, and leads coupled to the sensor;   each writer comprising a first pole and a second pole;   a charge clamp circuit electrically coupling at least one of the shields to at least one of the leads; and   an electrical conductor electrically coupling the at least one of the shields to at least one of the poles.   
   
   
       2 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the charge clamp circuit includes a pair of resistors, each resistor being coupled to one of the leads, wherein the at least one shield is electrically coupled to the charge clamp circuit at a point between the resistors. 
   
   
       3 . The head as recited in  claim 2 , wherein a resistance of each of the resistors is less than about 500 kOhms. 
   
   
       4 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein both shields are coupled to the charge clamp circuit. 
   
   
       5 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor includes a resistor. 
   
   
       6 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shield and the pole positioned closest together are electrically connected by the electrical conductor. 
   
   
       7 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the shields and the at least one of the poles coupled to the electrical conductor are maintained at about the same voltage during operation of the head. 
   
   
       8 . The head as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic head is a tape head. 
   
   
       9 . A tape drive system, comprising:
 a magnetic head as recited in  claim 1 ;   a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the magnetic head; and   a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.   
   
   
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       19 . A magnetic head, comprising:
 an array of reader/writer pairs formed on a common substrate, each reader/writer pair being configured in a piggyback configuration such that the writer and reader of each pair are aligned in a direction parallel to a relative direction of media travel thereover;   each reader comprising a first shield, a second shield, a sensor positioned between the shields, and leads coupled to the sensor;   each writer comprising a first pole and a second pole;   wherein the shields are electrically clamped such that each shield has about a same voltage as the sensor;   wherein at least one of the poles is electrically clamped such that the at least one of the poles has about a same voltage as the shields.   
   
   
       20 . A tape drive system, comprising:
 a magnetic head as recited in  claim 19 ;   a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the magnetic head; and   a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.