MEANS FOR EQUALIZING THE LOADING CHARACTERISTICS OF VACUUM COLUMNS

摘要

A magnetic tape unit having two vacuum column tape loop buffers, with a machine reel and a removable file reel disposed to selectively supply tape to or receive tape from one of the columns, and a single capstan located between the columns to control the tape movement. A tape processing station is mounted at a fixed position adjacent the upper portion of a narrow wall of the machine column. The lower portion of each column defines an operational zone and includes a capacitance-type loop position sensor whose output signal servo-controls the reel motors in accordance with the position of the tape loop bight within the zone. The upper portion of at least one of the columns includes air flow leakage means constructed and arranged to compensate for air leakage which occurs as the tape loop passes the processing station during loading of the tape loops into the columns, this controlled air leakage producing concurrent loading of the columns.