Self-centering air guide for tape transports

A self-centering air guide apparatus adapted to guide a span of recording tape as it is transported, said apparatus comprising:

• a curved support surface;
• a means for centering the recording tape and impeding the airflow about the lateral edges of said tape as it is transported over said support surface comprising a pair of beveled flanges spaced apart at their base a distance less than the minimum width of said recording tape and located on opposite sides of the path followed by said tape over said support surface between the tangent points where said tape enters and exits from the guide in close proximity to said support surface;
• and
• a means for providing air under pressure along a portion of said support surface whereby an air film of substantially constant pressure may be generated along the air chamber formed by said tape, support surface, beveled flanges and tangent points to support said tape.

A self-centering air guide apparatus adapted to guide a span of recording tape as it is transported, said apparatus comprising:

• a curved support surface;
• a means for centering the recording tape and impeding the airflow about the lateral edges of said tape as it is transported over said support surface comprising a pair of beveled flanges spaced apart at their base a distance less than the minimum width of said recording tape and located on opposite sides of the path followed by said tape over said support surface between the tangent points where said tape enters and exits from the guide in close proximity to said support surface;
• a means for providing air under pressure along a portion of said support surface whereby an air film of substantially constant pressure may be generated along the air chamber formed by said tape, support surface, beveled flanges and tangent points to support said tape;
• and
• a compressed air supply connected to said air providing means whereby as said recording tape travels over said support surface said film of pressurized air will lift said tape off said support surface to a point where its width substantially equals the horizontal distance between said beveled flanges, thereby maintaining said tape in a centered relationship with respect to the center line of said support surface.

A method of guiding a span of recording tape in a self-centering relation to the center line of a curved support surface having a pair of beveled flanges formed along its longitudinal sides which are spaced apart at their base a distance less than the minimum width of the recording tape and a pair of tangent points where said tape enters and exits from the guide in close proximity to said support surface, said method comprising:

• transporting the recording tape along the support surface;
• tensioning the recording tape so as to maintain it in close proximity to said support surface;
• and
• providing air under pressure along a portion of said support surface so that an air film of substantially constant pressure is generated along the air chamber formed by said tape, support surface, beveled flanges and tangent points sufficient to lift said tape off said support surface to a point where its width substantially equals the horizontal distance between said beveled flanges, thereby maintaining said tape in a centered relationship with respect to the centerline of said support surface.