Magnetic tape drives

摘要

An automatically threading magnetic tape drive includes a small-flanged take-up reel and a removeable large-flanged supply reel whose diameter is greater than the center-to-center spacing of the reels. During threading, a hinged shutter is closed to provide an air-tight barrier between the reels, the supply reel lies in a region of relatively high air pressure H and the take-up reel lies in a region of relatively low air pressure L. An air-tight channel links the region H and L and tape is threaded through the channel by air flow. Tape is drawn towards the take-up hub by air flow along slots in one or both take-up flanges, and the hub surface is elastomer-coated. During normal running the shutter is opened and tape spooled on to the take-up reel may overlap the supply reel flanges.