Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the length of anchor rode comprises a winch, a sensor assembly associated with the winch and a control circuit connected to the sensor and the winch. The winch is mounted on a vessel and has a rotatable element about which a length of anchor rode is at least partially wrapped. The sensor assembly is mounted adjacent the rotatable element for generating signals representative of the amount and direction of rotation of the rotatable element. The winch is controllable to rotate the rotatable element in a first direction, either in a powered fashion or through free fall, for letting out the anchor rode from the vessel to lower the anchor. The winch is also controllable to rotate the rotatable element in a second direction for pulling the anchor rode into the vessel to raise the anchor.

Abstract: A digital magnetic recording tape cartridge has a housing that permits use of up to 1/4-inch wide tape which, in turn, increases data recording packing density over standard 0.150-inch tape cartridges. The tape cartridge is the belt-driven type having a flexible elastic endless belt that applies tension to tape on the supply and take-up reels to move the tape. Rotation of a driving roller causes the belt to drive the tape reels and move the tape between the reels. A magnetic head of the tape transport engages an exposed portion of the tape in the cartridge for reading or writing data on the tape. In a preferred embodiment, the tape is 1/4-inch wide. The number of data tracks is substantially increased by the wider 1/4-inch tape. The cartridge housing has a base plate with a stepped down recess that accommodates the wider 1/4-inch tape and the wider supply and take-up reels, tape guide rollers, and tape guide pins.

Abstract: A digital magnetic recording tape cartridge has a housing that permits use of greater than 1/4-inch wide tape which, in turn, increases data recording packing density over standard 1/4-inch tape cartridges. The tape cartridge is the belt-driven type having a flexible elastic endless belt that applies tension to tape on the supply and take-up reels to move the tape. Rotation of a driving roller causes the belt to drive the tape reels and move the tape between the reels. A magnetic head of the tape transport engages an exposed portion of the tape in the cartridge for reading or writing data on the tape. In a preferred embodiment, the tape is 1/2-inch wide. The number of data tracks is substantially increased by the wider 1/2-inch tape. The cartridge housing has a base plate with a stepped on recesses that accommodates the wider 1/2-inch tape and the wider supply and take-up reels, tape guide rollers, and tape guide pins.

Abstract: A receptacle for a tape cartridge includes cartridge guide rails for engaging opposite sides of the cartridge housing to guide insertion and removal of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a magnetic tape and a door on the cartridge housing for opening to expose a portion of the tape prior to moving the cartridge into a locked position for engaging the tape with the head. The door is normally spring-biased to a closed position, and one of the guide rails has a door control rail that trips the door open against the bias of the return spring as the cartridge passes along the guide rail. The control rail also includes a ramped recessed portion which engages the door tripping arm and reduces the force applied against the bias of the return spring to permit the door to move inwardly through an angle to a partially open position during the latter portion of its travel into the receptacle.