Abstract: Intermittent stabilization of a load table supported by pneumatic vibration isolators is provided by determining a load shift condition, increasing passage of gas to the pneumatic vibration isolators and imposing external or internal damping on the load table in response to that load shift condition. For internal damping, the pneumatic vibration isolator is provided with damping fluid in one of its pneumatic chambers and a damping fluid friction passage is provided between that damping fluid in that one pneumatic chamber and the other pneumatic chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolating a load structure from vertical, horizontal and rotational vibrations of a supporting structure operate with the aid of displacement of a pneumatic fluid from and to a fluid chamber of a pneumatic vibration isolation system. A fluid-tight diaphragm extends from a circumferential edge of the fluid chamber into that fluid chamber, and has a circumferential compliance section inside that edge of the fluid chamber. The diaphragm is structured inside of that compliance section with alternate stiffened and reinforced diaphragm portions in the fluid chamber. The diaphragm and the fluid chamber are coupled between the supporting structure and the load structure. Vertical vibrations are damped by displacing pneumatic fluid from and to the fluid chamber with the fluid-tight diaphragm and horizontal and rotational vibrations are damped with the reinforced diaphragm portion in the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, including a flat platter and a drive for rotating the platter, the coil lying edgewise on the platter and the strip including an incoming strip portion leading to the coil periphery and an outgoing strip portion leading from the coil center, an arrangement for applying the incoming strip portion to the periphery of the coil of the strip on the platter as it rotates, in an even number of substantially straight strip sections joined at curved corners providing alternating even and odd strip sections and applying an inward pressure to the even strip sections to form the even strip sections into concave strip sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to produce or eliminate tension in the strip, a fixed roller is positioned at the arcuate outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the arcuate periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to reduce or eliminate tension in the strip, a roller is positioned at the outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to produce or eliminate tension in the strip, a fixed roller is positioned at the arcuate outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the arcuate periphery.

Abstract: The image formed by a laser flying spot scanner on a photosensitive medium is subject to error in size and/or position because of deviation of the photosensitive surface from a nominal position. The deviation will occur if the substrate carrying the photosensitive surface does not have a uniform thickness. In a scanning system having a code mask that produces reference signals for controlling timing of writing beam modulation, compensation for the error is provided by maintaining a fixed distance between the code mask and the surface of the medium. The code mask floats freely upon the medium surface to move up and down with height variations of the surface as the medium passes under the code member and under the writing beam. Alternatively, the platen that supports the photosensitive medium is allowed to float and is continuously urged upwardly against spacing or position sensing devices to maintain the medium surface at a fixed distance from the mask.

Abstract: The precision rotatable polygonal mirror of a laser scanning system is fixed to one of a pair of spaced flanges of a rotatable shaft, and has one surface supported upon a fixed air bearing. A floating air bearing is formed to define a differential piston which is pressurized to load the bearing and provide the desired air film bearing thicknesses. The two part thrust bearing has a net effective axial dimension that varies to significantly decrease required tolerances, to minimize moments introduced into the shaft and polygonal mirror, and to provide a more constant air bearing clearance over a larger range of air pressures.

Abstract: This invention provides an air bearing system for guiding along one of two opposed walls by a piston-mounted air bearing. A second piston-mounted air bearing is adjacent the other of the opposed walls, having a larger piston to exert a greater force and cause the first piston to bottom against a stop. The bearings receive air pressure along their inner surfaces for balancing the load on them and avoiding distortion.

Abstract: This invention provides for the edgewise storage of a filmstrip in the cavity between two concentric drums. The filmstrip is wound into the cavity between the two drums by a feed roller and pressure rollers as the drums rotate synchronously. The feed roller, in conjunction with the pressure rollers, serve to advance the filmstrip through the cavity, thereby providing storage for a considerable length of film. Since the film is pushed through the cavity to the opposite end, and made available there for use, the invention is especially appropriate for applications requiring endless loop filmstrips. The cavity formed by the drums may be of constant diameter (if the drums are cylindrical), arcuate, tapered, etc., depending upon the shapes of the corresponding surfaces of the concentric drums.

Abstract: A film tensioning device for maintaining tension in the film in a film transport system such as a motion picture projector. A tension roller mounted between pressure rollers with the film running over the tension roller, with a spring urging the pressure rollers against the film to prevent slippage of the film on the tension roller. A curved spring carried within the tension roller and engageable with a stop providing sliding friction with the tension roller. The spring is readily removable for substitution of a different spring to provide a different magnitude of tension in the device.