Abstract: A tape guide in which the corner geometry between the flanges and the hub prevents the tape from abruptly bumping the flange and in which the corner is coated with a very hard wear resistant material such as zirconium nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, chromium nitride or diamond like carbon.

Abstract: A tape guide in which the corner geometry between the flanges and the hub prevents the tape from abruptly bumping the flange and in which the corner is coated with a very hard wear resistant material such as titanium aluminum nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon nitride, chromium nitride or diamond like carbon.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods for forming a tape pack on a drum or the like in aligned formation. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention can include at least one alignment member. The tape pack, as it is formed, can be periodically passed by the alignment member to facilitate substantially aligned formation thereof. A method in accordance with the present invention includes rotating a tape pack, winding a length of tape around the tape pack, and periodically passing the tape pack past a localized, stationary contact point where outermost windings of the tape pack are urged into aligned formation.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use with an operatively compatible tape drive having a tape reeling mechanism, the cartridge including a housing having an opening therein, a tape-supply reel within the housing, with magnetic tape wound on the reel and having a free end proximate the housing opening, and a tape reel braking and protection mechanism which includes a band substantially surrounding a marginal edge of the tape reel; and the band being anchored with respect to the reel at a fulcrum point for the band to allow variation of an effective radius of the band and configured to interact with a radius controller mechanism for varying the effective radius of the band.

Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for use with an operatively compatible tape drive having a tape reeling mechanism, the cartridge comprising a housing having an opening therein, a tape-supply reel within the housing, with magnetic tape wound on the reel and having a free end proximate the housing opening, and a leader block having a first end attached to the free end of the magnetic tape, a second end dimensioned to be operatively compatible with a tape drive leader block retriever, and a reel-locking surface, wherein the reel-locking surface of the leader block is located facing the reel when the leader block is in the housing. The leader block functions to lock the supply reel in a stationary position in the cartridge housing, when the leader block is resident in the housing with the supply reel.

Abstract: An improved method for transmitting fluid pressure signals through a conduit is disclosed wherein time delay is minimized. In the practice of this invention, a pressure pulse is applied to a conduit for a predetermined time interval and thereafter reduced to a maintenance level. The invention is particularly useful in sequentially controlling subsea oil well valves from a remote surface station.