MAGNETIC TAPE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

摘要

A tape transport system having a freely slidable carriage assembly to isolate the movement of a loop of tape under capstan control from the movement of the remainder of the tape under control of the reel motors. Sensing means are disposed adjacent the carriage assembly to continuously generate a signal in accordance with the position thereof. In normal forward mode or normal reverse mode, a capstan motor drives the tape within the loop past a magnetic head assembly in accordance with read or write speed requirements. A servocontrol system responsive to the carriage position signal regulates the speed of the reel motors so that the carriage tends to recenter. A fast rewind mode is also provided wherein the tape is rewound by the reel motors at a very high speed. In this mode a servocontrol system responsive to the carriage position signal regulates the speed of the capstan motor so that the carriage again tends to recenter. Additionally, means are provided to sense variations in the length of tape between the tape reels and the tape loop with the generated signal controlling the reel motor torques.