Abstract: A relatively simple and easily installed transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly which travels horizontally between two or more cabinets of respective tape cartridge library systems, to enable the expansion of individual library systems thereby increasing overall mass storage system capacity. The bin assembly is presented to a typical cartridge handling robot of respective library systems as if it were part of the stationary bin array housed within the cabinet, which allows the cartridge to be accessed and loaded in a constant orientation. A drive means provides the translation of the bin assembly and cartridge, and depots at preset stop locations include sensor means for indicating the location of the bin assembly and the presence of a cartridge in the bin assembly.

Abstract: A rack-mounted drawer for functioning electrical equipment has cables extending from the back thereof and downwardly behind the rack framework. When the drawer is opened or closed the extending cables are dragged abrasively over the rack back, and may additionally be folded, pinched and crimped between the drawer and rack when the drawer is closed. The invention comprises an apron of resilient coiled sheet material attached to the back of the drawer with the coiled portions draped downwardly and behind the rack, so that upon opening of the drawer, the sheet uncoils over the rack edge and takes the abrasion in place of the cables. The sheet resiliently recoils when the drawer is closed to prevent pinching of the cables.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape transport, a pivoting tape tension arm has a shaft mounted in bearings in a housing that is pre-formed to be mountable on the transport in only one indexed relationship of transport and housing, and the orientation of the arm with respect to the housing is secured by means within the housing that is fully indexed during the manufacture and assemby of the arm and housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the elimination of any net DC component from the transmission of binary data sequentially in successive clocked bit cells of a transmission channel wherein logical first bit states, e.g., 0's, are normally transmitted as signal transitions relatively early in respective bit cells, preferably at cell edge, and logical second bit states, e.g., 1's, are normally transmitted as signal transitions relatively late in respective bit cells, preferably at mid-cell, and any transition relatively early in a bit cell following a transition relatively late in the next preceding bit cell is suppressed.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape transport, a tape tension arm is loaded by three different springs to exert three different tension forces laterally against the tape segment anchored between the supply reel and capstan (or supply reel and takeup reel), and the arm has three correspondingly different positions for "play," "fast-forward" and "rewind" modes of operation. The play position of the arm is sensed to provide a play tension at substantially the full value thereof throughout a wide range including the play position, and each pair of tensioning force transmitting elements is arranged to move conjointly and in substantially the same direction so as to avoid frictional shearing motion therebetween.

Abstract: To adjust the relative positions of two elements mounted for guided sliding relative motion in a first direction and in a contact plane thereof, a cylindrical adjusting tool is fitted into a reference bore in one element and rotationally and non-slippably engaging an edge of the other element. A manually operable button on the tool may be depressed to remove a cam permitting adjustment rotation of the tool, or released to secure the tool in the bore while clamping means are operated integral with the two elements, and the tool can then be removed. Substantially one-handed adjustment is thus possible leaving an operator's other hand free to operate other apparatus.

Abstract: A high rate sputtering device and method provide an extended life moveable cathode/target allowing increased current density. The cathode/target may be provided as a moving ribbon or rotating drum or disk, passing through the active plasma while the cooling of the cathode/target is improved. Alternatively, the cathode/target may be formed as a rod fed into the active plasma.

Abstract: A system is described for determining the position of a magnetic read head relative to the center of a selected data track on a magnetic recording medium moving with respect to the read head. Tracking signals of equal frequency, but out of phase a predetermined fixed amount, are recorded on adjacent data tracks. The tracking signal frequency is selected to be a long enough wavelength such that a single read head positioned over a selected data track also detects the tracking signal recorded on adjacent data tracks. A phase comparator compares the phase of the tracking signal detected by the read head with respect to the phase of a reference signal of equal frequency, and a resultant signal is generated which is indicative of any deviation of the read head from the center of the selected track.

Abstract: An electronic switching circuit coupled between a magnetic head driving circuit and transducing windings utilizing an electronic switch whose internal resistance changes substantially linearly in response to an increasing or decreasing control signal. Particularly useful in magnetic bias recording or erase circuits to eliminate erase of useful information and recording of disturbing noise spikes due to induced high frequency noise signal when the switch is activated.