The application of magnetic bearing technology to the read/write head of an optical disk data storage buffer will allow its use in a spacecraft environment. An optical disk data storage concept can provide gigabit-per-second data rates and terrabit capacity through the use of arrays of solid state lasers applied to a stack of erasable/reusable optical disks. The disks are fixed to a common shaft and each disk surface is served by an independent electro-optica module for recording, playback, and erasure of data. A magneto-optic technique is used to implement the record/erase cycle. The RCA optical disk buffer has evoked interest by NASA for space applications. The porous graphite air bearings in the rotary spindle as well as those used in the linear translation of the read/write head would be replaced by mangetic bearings or mechanical (ball or roller) bearings. Based upon past experience, roller or ball bearings for the translation stages are not feasible. Unsatisfactory, although limited, experience exists with ball bearing spindles also. Magnetic bearings, however, appear ideally suited for both applications.
Magnetic bearings for an optical disk read/write head
Magnetische Lager fuer einen optischen Speicherplatten Lese-Schreibkopf
IECEC, 23rd Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., ASME ; 2 , Aug ; 133-140
1988
8 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 7 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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