Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing torsional fluid dampening in the kHz region with an inertial mass located in a rotary fluid container, and with a viscous fluid friction boundary layer located between that mass and a circumferential wall of the container. A supply of viscous liquid having a volume equal to the combined volumes of the boundary layer and inertial mass is provided. Both the inertial mass and the boundary layer are formed with that supply of viscous liquid in the fluid container which may then be rotated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transducing information relative to an information carrier tape employ a cylindrical tape drive capstan rotatable about a line of intersection of two relatively stationary planes extending through the cylindrical capstan at right angles to each other. The tape is placed in a loop about the capstan and a first unsupported tape portion is formed at one side of one of the planes and at one side of the other of the planes, while a second unsupported tape portion is formed at the other side of that one plane and at the one side of that other plane. The tape is further formed into a first leg adjacent the loop at the other side of the other plane and into a second leg adjacent the loop at the other side of the other plane.