Abstract: An automatic library system for providing computer access to data carriers therein includes a store for the data carriers, and at least one read/write station for the data carriers having an in/out opening. An intermediate store is arranged adjacent the in/out opening for an intermediate storage of the data carders in at least one intermediate storage position. A controller is provided which is capable of initiating transportation of one of the data carders directly from said store to the in/out opening or from the store to the intermediate store. The controller is also capable of initiating transportation of one of the data carriers stored in the intermediate store to the in/out opening of the read/write station upon a request for the one of the data carders by the computer. In such a manner, operational delays for the automatic library system are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: Computer tape cassette storage units store a number or computer tape cassettes during periods of nonuse and are particularly adapted for use in an automated tape cassette archiving and retrieval system. The storage units include at least one shelf unit having a substantially horizontally disposed shelf for supporting a row of computer tape cassettes on edge. Structures are provided so as to minimize (if not eliminate) the possibility that the tape cassettes will become dislodged from the shelf units in the event of mechanical shocks and/or vibrations (e.g., which may occur in an automated system do to a robotic manipulator coming into physical contact with the storage unit). Such structure may take the form of a forward lip against which a portion of the tape cassettes abuts and/or structures which shift the centers of gravity of the tape cassettes rearwardly toward the rear wall of the shelf units upon which they are supported.

Abstract: A process is useful for operating an automatic data carrier archive associated as a memory with a computer. The data carriers are transported to and fro between various stations of the data carrier archive by a control device of the data carrier archive. The stations of the data carrier archive comprise at least one data carrier store and on write/read station for the data carriers. In order to improve the availability of the data carriers, each transport operation corresponds to at least one transport function, a priority is assigned to each transport function, transport functions with high priority are executed with low priority transport functions, and when the computer requests a data carrier in the write/read station, at least the immediate transport between the write/read station and another station is executed with a transport of highest priority.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: Computer tape cassette storage units store a number of computer tape cassette during periods of nonuse and are particularly adapted for use in an automated tape cassette archiving and retrieval system. The storage units include at least one shelf unit having a substantially horizontally disposed shelf for supporting a row of computer tape cassettes on edge. Structures are provided so as to minimize (if not eliminate) the possibility that the tape cassettes will become dislodged from the shelf units in the event of mechanical shocks and/or vibrations (e.g., which may occur in an automated system due to a robotic manipulator coming into physical contact with the storage unit). Such structure may take the form of a forward lip against which a portion of the tape cassettes abuts, and/or structures which shift the centers of gravity of the tape cassettes rearwardly toward the rear wall of the shelf units upon which they are supported.

Abstract: An automated archiving and retrieval system for computer tape cassettes includes at least one tape storage facility for storing a number of computer cassettes during periods of non-use, and at least one pair of tape drive sections. Each of the tape drive sections is positioned on a respective lateral side of the tape storage facility in spaced relationship therewith. A pair of robot transports is therefore capable of operating in a respective one of these defined spaces so as to transport tape cassettes between the tape storage facility and its respective tape drive sections.

Abstract: In order to improve a revolving storage facility for tape cassettes comprising a base and a rotary frame rotatable thereon about an axis of rotation and carrying shelf units with cassette compartments for tape cassettes such that the number of cassette compartments is increased while the space requirements is kept as small as possible, it is proposed that the rotary frame comprises a supporting frame which is rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the base and on which subframes carrying the shelf units are mounted for rotation about subframe axes of rotation arranged sidewardly of the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: A rotary disc filter element having a large surface area for tank filters, such rotary disc filter element being composed of a hub, a circular bottom plate mounted thereon, a filter mesh clamped above it, and a supporting mesh arranged between the bottom plate and the filter mesh. The bottom plate is stiffened by corrugations which extend substantially radially and coaxially of the hub.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a tiltably mounted container having a liquid permeable filter bottom, a wall opposite such bottom, and an inverted neck extending inwardly from that opposite wall. A power shaft extends through the inverted neck into the container and carries a mixing implement in the container. A guide bearing for the power shaft is located in the inverted neck. A drive for the mixing implement is supported on the container wall opposite the filter bottom for driving the power shaft. A lifting mechanism connected to said power shaft is also supported by that opposite wall for axially displacing the power shaft and mixing implement in said container. A support bearing at one side of the container and the frame has an apertured part rotatable with the tiltable container. Conduits are conducted through the apertured part for angular movement with the container, thereby avoiding a tangling of lines.

Abstract: A method of and device for filtering liquids according to which the liquid to be filtered together with an auxiliary filter substance, e.g. Kieselguhr, is introduced into a filter tank including filter elements arranged in spaced superimposed relationship to each other and located on a filter shaft. The auxiliary filter substance, e.g. Kieselguhr, which has a flow and sedimentation speed settles on the filter elements while forming deposits which form filtering layers for the liquid to be filtered. The filtered liquid is withdrawn from the lower region of the filter tank. A transverse flow extending transverse to the sedimentation speed of the liquid to be filtered is superimposed upon the sedimentation speed including the auxiliary filter substance.

Abstract: An intake distributor for a settling tank filter with horizontally arranged filter elements which are located one above the other on a vertical hollow shaft arranged centrally in the tank while at the upper end of the inner tank chamber there is provided an annular chamber which is coaxial with the axis of the tank. This annular chamber on one hand communicates with the inlet and, on the other hand, through a coaxial annular slot or gap communicates with the interior of the tank. A suspension comprising a carrier liquid and a filter substance or an auxiliary filter means is passed through the annular chamber or annular slot in the interior of the tank, and the filter substance or auxiliary filter means while being circulated is settled on the filter elements. The inlet to the annular chamber is divided into at least two branches which lead at equal angular distances into the annular chamber. The flow cross section of the annular slot is considerably less than the flow cross section of the inlet.