US5012989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for tape velocity and tension control in a capstanless magnetic tape transport
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-11-24
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Granted: 1991-05-07
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Expires: 2009-11-24
Abstract
Abstract In a capstanless tape transport, practice of the invention provides substantially constant tape tension when tape is spooled from a supply reel to a take up reel over the tape's entire length, for either direction of tape travel. The tape velocity is maintained constant by a closed loop velocity servo controlling the current applied to one of the reeling motors, and the tape tension is maintained substantially uniform by applying a current derived in an open loop manner to the other motor, such that the sum of the currents to the two reeling motors equals a constant. The invention may be implemented either utilizing analog control or digital control of the reeling apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Whyte, Jr.
- 👤 Ezra R. Alcudia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:28
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/18; G11B15/46; G11B15/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A capstanless transport apparatus for spooling a web of magnetic tape from a first reel to a second reel, said web having a span of said tape extending between said reels, said apparatus further comprising: a. a first reeling motor responsive to the flow of a first current therein for rotatably driving said first reel, b. a second reeling motor responsive to the flow of a second current flow therein for rotatably driving said second reel, c. first servo means operated in a closed loop configuration for controlling said first reeling motor to cause the span of tape to be transported at a controlled speed, and d. second servo means, operated in an open loop configuration and responsive to the magnitude of the first current supplied to said first reeling motor, for controlling said second reeling motor with the aforementioned second current to regulate tape tension, the sum of the first current and the second current being substantially constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A capstanless transport apparatus for spooling a web of magnetic tape from a first reel to a second reel, said web having a span of said tape extending between said reels, said apparatus further comprising: a. a first reeling motor responsive to the flow of a first current therein for rotatably driving said first reel, b. a second reeling motor responsive to the flow of a second current flow therein for rotatably driving said second reel, c. first servo means operated in a closed loop configuration for controlling said first reeling motor to cause the span of tape to be transported at a controlled speed, and d. second servo means, operated in an open loop configuration and responsive to the magnitude of the first current supplied to said first reeling motor, for controlling said second reeling motor with the aforementioned second current to regulate tape tension, the sum of the first current and the second current being substantially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first servo means includes integrator means for integrating tape speed error.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first reeling motor is a take up motor of said apparatus when the tape is transported in a first forward direction, and said first reeling motor is a supply motor when the tape is transported in a second reverse direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first current and the second current are d.c. currents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first reel and the second reel are rotatably mounted in a tape cartridge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-06 | 1994-11-05 | 1995-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-06 | 1998-11-05 | 1999-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-06 | 2002-11-05 | 2003-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |