US3870934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Web tension controller
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-14
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-12-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for controlling the tension in a web transported between first and second reels, first and second drive motors being mechanically coupled to the first and second reels, respectively, to effect a direct reel-to-reel drive whereby the web is transported therebetween. The current drawn by the armature of the first motor, proportional to the torque generated thereby, is monitored and applied to the armature of the second motor as a biasing current, the polarity of which is determined by the direction in which the web is unwound from the second reel. The biasing current provides a reverse torque to the second motor whereby the rotation of the second motor is in a first direction when the web is unwound from the second reel in a second direction and provides a torque to the second motor whereby the rotation of the second motor is in a second direction when the web from the second reel is unwound in a first direction whereby web tension is controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H Blood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:04
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In an apparatus for controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, and wherein a signal is generated to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control web tension, the improvement comprising: means for controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an apparatus for controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, and wherein a signal is generated to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control web tension, the improvement comprising: means for controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an apparatus for controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, and wherein a signal is generated to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control web tension, the improvement comprising: means for controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an apparatus for controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, and wherein a signal is generated to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control the torque produced by said first drive motor to control web tension, the improvement comprising: means for controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including movable means located adjacent said first reel having first and second operative positions, said movable means being in said first operative position when said web is unwound from said first reel in said first direction and being in said second operative position when said web is unwound from said first reel in said second direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said web is inhibited from being operatively coupled to said second reel if said web is unwound from said first reel in said first direction and said movable means is in said second operative position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said web is inhibited from being operatively coupled to said second reel If said web is unwound from said first reel in said second direction and said movable means is in said first operative position.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, comprising the steps of: generating a signal to control the torque generated by said first motor to control web tension, and controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, comprising the steps of: generating a signal to control the torque generated by said first motor to control web tension, and controlling the polarity of said signal whereby said signal is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said signal is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, comprising the steps of: deriving a current proportional to the current drawn by said second drive motor, applying said derived current as a biasing current to said first motor to thereby provide a torque to said first motor whereby tension is exerted on said web to maintain the torque output of said second motor substantially constant, and controlling the polarity of said biasing current whereby said biasing current is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said biasing current is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of controlling the tension in a web being transported from a first reel to a second reel, first and second drive motors being coupled to said first and second reels, respectively, comprising the steps of: deriving a current proportional to the current drawn by said second drive motor, applying said derived current as a biasing current to said first motor to thereby provide a torque to said first motor whereby tension is exerted on said web to maintain the torque output of said second motor substantially constant, and controlling the polarity of said biasing current whereby said biasing current is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said biasing current is of a second polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said step of deriving a current comprises the steps of: generating a voltage signal directly proportional to the current drawn by said second motor, comparing said voltage signal with a reference voltage and generating a signal representing the difference therebetween, said reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined torque output produced by said second motor, and converting said difference signal to said biasing current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for controlling the tension in a web transported from a first reel to a second reel comprising: a first motor operatively coupled to said first reel, a second motor operatively coupled to said second reel, means for deriving a current proportional to the current drawn by said second motor, means for applying said derived current as a biasing current to said first motor to thereby provide a torque to said first motor whereby tension is exerted on said web to maintain the torque output of said second motor at a substantially constant value, and means for controlling the polarity of said biasing current whereby said biasing current is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said biasing current is of a second polarity if said reel is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for controlling the tension in a web transported from a first reel to a second reel comprising: a first motor operatively coupled to said first reel, a second motor operatively coupled to said second reel, means for deriving a current proportional to the current drawn by said second motor, means for applying said derived current as a biasing current to said first motor to thereby provide a torque to said first motor whereby tension is exerted on said web to maintain the torque output of said second motor at a substantially constant value, and means for controlling the polarity of said biasing current whereby said biasing current is of a first polarity if said web is unwound from said first reel in a first direction and said biasing current is of a second polarity if said reel is unwound from said first reel in a second direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 further including movable means located adjacent said first reel and having first and second operative positions, said movable means being in said first operative position when said web is unwound from said first reel in said first direction and being in said second operative position when said web is unwound from said first reel in said second direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said web is inhibited from being operatively coupled to said second reel if said web is unwound from said first reel in said first direction and said movable means is in said second operative position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said web is inhibited from being operatively coupled to said second reel if said web is unwound from said first reel in said second direction and said movable member is in said first operative position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said deriving means comprises: means for generating a voltage signal which is directly proportional to the current drawn by said second motor, means for comparing said voltage signal with a reference voltage and generating a signal representing the difference therebetween, said reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined torque output produced by said second motor, and means for converting said difference signal to said biasing current.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said web comprises microfilm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3079538A
Cited
US3606201A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |