Abstract:
An air bearing supports the magnetic recording tape of a magnetic tape unit as the tape moves in a curved path, the air bearing having a plenum chamber connected through an orifice to a high-pressure source of air, the pressure magnitude of the source being such that over the operating range of the bearing, the mass rate of air flow into the plenum chamber, and thus out of the bearing to support the tape, is substantially constant.
Abstract:
A wide magnetic tape is self-threaded about a helical path containing a rotating head by pushing a tape along the channelized helical path. Electronic control of the supply motor, take-up motor, channel pneumatics and tape edge guides optimizes the threading of the helical path for speed and reliability. The supply spool acts as the pushing force on the tape to push the tape through the channelized path. Motion of the tape, including speed and position, is controlled as a result of sensing the position of the end of tape as it proceeds through the thread path and attaches itself to the take-up hub. The take-up hub is a vacuum hub to assist the attachment of the tape to the hub. Motion control of the tape during thread includes selection of speeds for different portions of thread operation including stopping and reversing tape motion to assist attachment of tape to the take-up hub and straightening of tape along the helical path.
Abstract:
A wide magnetic tape is self-threaded about a helical path containing a rotating head by pushing the tape along the channelized helical path. The supply spool acts as the pushing force on the tape to push the tape through the channelized path. Air jets in the spool cavity provide a large flow of air to hold the tape against the spool. Thus, when the spool unwinds, it pushes the tape out of the spool cavity rather than unwinding in the spool cavity. To prevent excessive flutter of the tape in the channelized path caused by the large flow of air in the spool cavity, the throat of the cavity connecting to the tape path is constricted. Also, large vents are provided out of the spool cavity at the throat to bleed off the large air flow.
Abstract:
A protective reel cover assembly has a three-position, toggle action, unitary hinge interconnecting the split end portions of a closure ring for a magnetic tape reel cartridge of the type adapted to be mounted for rotation on a tape deck. The hinge body is comprised of three parts hingedly interconnected and being movable to positively lock the cover in a closed position for storage of the cartridge and either one of two open positions in which the cover is expanded to a sufficient extent either to permit independent rotation of the tape reel cartridge or to permit removal or replacement of the tape reel. The cover comprises inner and outer closure ring portions with the inner ring portion snap-fit within the outer ring portion to define an air chamber for the controlled delivery of air to release the leading end of the tape from the tape reel for removal through the cover.
Abstract:
A tubular tool simultaneously unlatches a tubular cover from a contained spool of tape and holds the spool for winding and reeling operations. The tool operates on an annular latch securing the tubular cover to the spool core. The tool has an annular cam plus a set of coaxial circularly disposed resilient fingers extending beyond the cam. The cam and fingers are constructed to interact with the annular latch and spool ring inducing unlatching forces.