A shield assembly (48) for a tape head (34) of a tape drive (14)
includes a head shield (60) that selectively moves between a first position
(75A) wherein the tape head (34) is substantially exposed, and a
second position (75B) wherein the tape head (34) is substantially
shielded. In the first position (75A), a shield aperture (124) exposes
the tape head (34) to a storage tape (26). The shield assembly (48)
can include a first shield mover (62) that biases the head shield (60)
to the first position (75A), and a second shield mover (64) that
selectively overcomes the bias of the first shield mover (62) to move the
head shield (60) to the second position (75B). The head shield (60)
is positioned across the tape head (34) at a shield wrap angle 2
that is greater than a tape wrap angle 1 of the storage tape
(26). A surface of the head shield (60) can include a cleaning region
(120) that includes a head cleaning material. Movement of the head shield
(60) between the first position (75A) and the second position (75B)
can cause contact between the cleaning region (120) and the tape head (34),
resulting in cleaning of the tape head (34).
