EP0066352A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape transport system
Assignee: Lockheed Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1982-03-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A capstan driven web system having a take-up reel and a supply reel, the tape being drawn from the supply reel by a tape driven capstan arrangement. The drawn tape is collected on the take-up reel which is mechanically coupled to the supply reel by a mechanism having a variable transfer ratio. In one embodiment, the variable ratio transport system is formed of a belt drive system having variable diameter pulleys coupled to each of the tape reels. The transfer ratio of the variable diameter pulley system is controlled by a servo mechanism which selects an appropriate transfer ratio in response to the position of a servo arm which senses the tension of the tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Selmer L. Wiig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/46; G11B15/50; G11B15/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A tension control system for a tape transport arrangement of the type wherein a first reel having tape wound thereon supplies tape which is drawn therefrom by a tape drive mechanism, the drawn tape being collected on a second reel, the first and second reels being mechanically coupled to first and second shafts, respectively, the tension control system comprising: tension sensing means for detecting a tensile force in the tape as it is collected onto the second reel and providing a tape tension signal which corresponds to said tensile force, said tape tension signal being responsive to deviations in said tensile force from a predetermined tape tension force; variable ratio coupling means for rotatively coupling the first and second shafts to one another, whereby rotation of the first shaft is coupled to the second shaft to rotate the second shaft at a rate of rotation corresponding to the selected ratio with respect to a rate of rotation of the first shaft, said selected ratio of said rate of rotation of the first and second shafts being selectable within a predetermined range of ratios; and servo means responsive to said tape tension signal from said tension sensing means for selecting said selected ratio of said rate of rotation of the first and second shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A tension control system for a tape transport arrangement of the type wherein a first reel having tape wound thereon supplies tape which is drawn therefrom by a tape drive mechanism, the drawn tape being collected on a second reel, the first and second reels being mechanically coupled to first and second shafts, respectively, the tension control system comprising: tension sensing means for detecting a tensile force in the tape as it is collected onto the second reel and providing a tape tension signal which corresponds to said tensile force, said tape tension signal being responsive to deviations in said tensile force from a predetermined tape tension force; variable ratio coupling means for rotatively coupling the first and second shafts to one another, whereby rotation of the first shaft is coupled to the second shaft to rotate the second shaft at a rate of rotation corresponding to the selected ratio with respect to a rate of rotation of the first shaft, said selected ratio of said rate of rotation of the first and second shafts being selectable within a predetermined range of ratios; and servo means responsive to said tape tension signal from said tension sensing means for selecting said selected ratio of said rate of rotation of the first and second shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The tension control system of claim 1 wherein said tension sensing means comprises: tension displacement means for producing a displacement in response to said tensile force, said displacement occurring in a first direction when said tensile force exceeds said predetermined tape tension force, in a second direction when said tensile force is less than said predetermined tape tension force, said tension displacement means having predetermined null position corresponding to said predetermined tape tension force; and tension signal means for producing said tape tension signal in response to said displacement and predetermined null position of said tension displacement means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The tension control system of claim 1, wherein said variable ratio coupling means comprises: a first variable coupling memeber affixed to the first shaft for producing said predetermined range of ratios; a second variable coupling member affixed to the said second shaft, said second variable coupling member functioning inversely with respect to said first variable coupling member for producing said predetermined range of ratios; and flexible drive transmission means for mechanically interconnecting said first and second coupling members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
The tension control system of claim 3 wherein said first and second variable coupling members each comprise first and second pulley halves, each said pulley half having a central axis of rotation and a respective friction surface for engaging said flexible drive transmission means, said first and second pulley halves being coaxially movably arranged with respect to one another along said central axis of rotation, said flexible drive transmission means engaging said friction surfaces of said first and second pulley halves simultaneously at a radius with respect to said central axis of rotation which varies in response to variations in a coaxial separation between said first and second pulley halves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The tension control system of claim 4 wherein said friction surfaces of said first and second pulley halves are arranged each substantially in the form of truncated cones so as to form therebetween a predetermined friction surface engagement angle for engaging said flexible drive transmission means; said predetermined friction surface engagement angle having an apex disposed between said first and second pulley halves at a radius with respect to said central axis of rotation which varies in response to variations in said coaxial separation between said first and second pulley halves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tension control system of claim 5 wherein said flexible drive transmission means comprises a drive transmission belt having first and second belt drive surfaces arranged at an angle with respect to one another which corresponds to said predetermined friction surface engagement surface angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The tension control system of claim 4 wherein said servo means comprises: servo motor means for producing rotational displacement in response to said tape tension signal; and a spiral;threaded coupling member for coupling said servo motor means to a selectable one of said first and second variable coupling members for producing said coaxial-separation between said first and second pulley halves.
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