Abstract A helical wrap tape transport system having a plurality of components cooperating to provide a low friction and highly accurate transport of magnetic tape for video broadcasting. The transport system has a helical scanner assembly with a rotating scanning drum having helical surface V-grooves which create an air bearing for magnetic tape wrapped across the drum and oppositely mounted recording transducers which permit continuous recording on a 180° tape wrap around the drum, and a stationary drum on a common axis with the rotating drum having a fixed control track transducer for synchronizing tape transport at the scanning assembly. The transport system has further, air bearing guide posts and a pair of vacuum columns which continuously monitor a tape supply loop which in combination with the guide posts provide a section of low inertia recording tape, the transport of which can be controlled by a single high friction drive capstan.
Inventors
👤 Frank S. C. Mo
👤 Vernon R. Natwick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-26 19:05
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/60; G11B15/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A tape transport system for transporting magnetic tape comprising: A scanner assembly having a rotating cylindrical drum with a plurality of grooves on the cylindrical surface of the drum for floating a magnetic tape across a portion of the surface of the drum on an air bearing when the drum is rotated, said grooves oriented helically on the surface of said drum, said grooves having a leading face and a trailing face, the trailing face of said grooves being substantially chordal to the circumference of the drum, said trailing face defining a V-notch relative to the circumference of said drum, means for rotating the cylindrical drum, transport means for moving a magnetic tape across the rotating drum, and a vacuum collar which partially encircles but is displaced from said rotating drum having air evacuation means for displacing a magnetic tape from the surface of the rotating drum when said transport means is stopped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A tape transport system for transporting magnetic tape comprising: A scanner assembly having a rotating cylindrical drum with a plurality of grooves on the cylindrical surface of the drum for floating a magnetic tape across a portion of the surface of the drum on an air bearing when the drum is rotated, said grooves oriented helically on the surface of said drum, said grooves having a leading face and a trailing face, the trailing face of said grooves being substantially chordal to the circumference of the drum, said trailing face defining a V-notch relative to the circumference of said drum, means for rotating the cylindrical drum, transport means for moving a magnetic tape across the rotating drum, and a vacuum collar which partially encircles but is displaced from said rotating drum having air evacuation means for displacing a magnetic tape from the surface of the rotating drum when said transport means is stopped.