Abstract:
A tape wrapping machine is provided for wrapping a moving length of tape onto a moving length of hose that is moving relative to the machine and the length of tape with controlled tape tension, and lay angle during wrapping. An adjustable guide arm supporting a moving length of tape is mounted on a rotating shuttle plate, and is adapted to pivot toward and away from a length of hose between a first position and at least one second position so as to provide a plurality of angular relationships between the guide arm and the moving length of hose. A first tension transducer is arranged so as to support the length of tape and a second, reference transducer is positioned in spaced diametric relation to the first transducer. A reference signal from the second transducer is subtracted from a signal from the first representing the centrifugal force plus the tape tension applied to the first transducer. The result of this subtraction yields a signal that represents the tension in the tape. This signal is communicated to a computing and control device where the speed of the tension controlling motor is dynamically altered to maintain a specified tension.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to winding machines, and more particularly to winding machines used in the fabrication of reinforced flexible hoses and the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Flexible hoses having core tubes made of elastomeric or flexible plastic materials require reinforcement by one or more layers of wire, nylon, fiberglass or the like when the hoses are to be used for conveying fluids under high pressure. Each layer may comprise one or more sets of helically wound strands that may be either interwoven to form a braid or knit. In some cases, a second set of strands is wound over a first set to form what is sometimes referred to as a spiral wrap. In hydraulic service the pressure within the hose may be over 1000 psi. For example, in small diameter hoses having about a 0.250 inch inner diameter, one layer of reinforcement may be sufficient to give the hose a burst strength of more than 10,000 psi, depending upon the particular reinforcement material used and the amount of coverage provided by the reinforcement for the core tube. The strands may be of multiple filament or mono filament form.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a typical manufacturing process for a flexible reinforced tubular conduit  5 , a flexible polymeric or fabric tape  6  is spirally wrapped completely about a reinforcement layer  7 , e.g., a weave or braid of reinforcing filaments that have been previously wound onto an elastomeric length of hose  8 . Tape  6  comprises an overlap seam that extends helically along length of hose  8 . Tape  6  also preferably has a thickness of from about 1 to about 10 mils, but can often be as little as about 1 to 2 mils. The width of tape  6  depends upon the outer diameter of inner reinforcement layer  7  which, in turn is determined largely by the bore diameter of length of hose  8 . Once wrapped, the assembly is processed, e.g., by heating and curing, so as to force inner reinforcement layer  7  to become embedded in and chemically fixed to a portion of length of hose  8 . At the end of the heating/curing step, tape  6  is unwound from length of hose  8  and reused.  
         [0004]     For the foregoing process to be successful, it is critically important that tape  6  be wound onto reinforcement layer  7  with an even and flat lay, without appreciable camber (i.e., without an appreciable curvature or arch) and with a known tension. Heretofore, known tape wrapping machines have been less than adequate for accomplishing this process in a uniform, repeatable, and satisfactory manner. As a consequence, there has been a long felt need for a tape wrapping machine that is capable of reliably and repeatedly wrapping a flexible tape completely about a core tube covered with a reinforcement layer of woven or braided reinforcing filaments, with an even and flat lay, and with a known tension.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a machine for wrapping a moving length of tape onto a moving length of hose where the hose is moving relative to the machine and the length of tape. The machine includes a frame supporting a shuttle plate and a tension plate in parallel spaced relation to one another. The shuttle plate and the tension plate each have a central bore for receiving the moving length of hose, and the tension plate supports a supply of the tape. A first motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the shuttle plate so as to rotate the shuttle plate relative to the frame. A second motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the tension plate so as to rotate the tension plate relative to the shuttle plate. A spindle head is mounted adjacent to the shuttle plate. It includes a tube positioned in coaxial relation to the central bore so as to receive the length of hose, and a guide arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the tube so that the guide arm pivots relative to the tube between a first position and at least one second position. The moving length of tape continuously engages the guide arm prior to wrappingly engaging the length of hose so as to be guided at a preselected angular relation to the hose during the wrapping of the moving length of hose. A sensor may be positioned on the spindle head and adjacent to an edge of the moving length of tape and arranged to sense the position of the tape edge at the sensor.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment of the invention, a machine for wrapping a moving length of tape onto a moving length of hose is provided that includes a frame supporting a shuttle plate and a tension plate in parallel spaced relation to one another. The shuttle plate and the tension plate each include a central bore for receiving the moving length of hose, and the tension plate supports a supply of the tape. A first motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the shuttle plate so as to rotate the shuttle plate relative to the frame. A second motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the tension plate so as to rotate the tension plate relative to the shuttle plate. A spindle head is mounted to the shuttle plate, and includes a tube positioned in coaxial relation to the central bore so as to receive the moving length of hose. A tension measuring assembly is mounted on the shuttle plate and positioned so as to support and direct the moving length of tape from the supply of tape into engagement with the moving length of hose. The tension measuring assembly includes a first tension transducer arranged so as to support the length of tape and a second transducer positioned in spaced diametric relation to the first transducer.  
         [0007]     In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a machine for wrapping a moving length of tape onto a moving length of hose is provided where the hose is moving relative to the machine and the moving length of tape. The machine includes a frame supporting a shuttle plate and a tension plate in parallel spaced relation to one another. The shuttle plate and the tension plate each include a central bore for receiving the moving length of hose, and the tension plate supports a supply of the tape. A first motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the shuttle plate so as to rotate the shuttle plate relative to the frame. A second motor is supported by the frame and is operatively engaged with the tension plate so as to rotate the tension plate relative to the shuttle plate. A spindle head is mounted to the shuttle plate, and includes a tube positioned in coaxial relation to the central bore so as to receive the moving length of hose. A guide arm having a first end is pivotally mounted on the tube so that the guide arm pivots relative to the tube between a first position and at least one second position. A tension measuring assembly is mounted on the shuttle plate and positioned so as to support and direct the moving length of tape from the supply to engagement with the moving length of hose. The moving length of tape continuously engages a portion of the guide arm. A sensor may be positioned on the spindle head and adjacent to an edge of the moving length of tape and arranged to sense the position of the tape edge at the sensor. The tension measuring assembly includes a first tension transducer arranged so as to support the moving length of tape and a second transducer positioned in spaced diametric relation to the first transducer. Means for computing a difference signal from respective output signals from the first and second transducers are provided such that the difference signal comprises a measure of tension in the moving length of tape. The measure of tension is communicated to the second motor by the computing and communicating means, and the second motor speed is continuously adjusted based on the measure of tension in the moving length of tape.  
         [0008]     A method is provided for adjusting the lay angle of a length of tape as it is wrapped onto a length of hose. A movable guide arm is arranged so as to support a length of tape. The guide arm is pivotable toward and away from the length of hose between a first position and at least one second position so as to provide a plurality of angular relationships between the guide arm and the moving length of hose. The length of tape continuously engages a portion of the guide arm so that a lay angle of the tape on the moving length of hose may be adjusted by movement of the guide arm between the first position and the at least one second position.  
         [0009]     A method is also provided for determining the tension in a length of tape as it is wrapped onto a moving length of hose. A first tension transducer is arranged so as to support a length of moving tape on a rotating plate. A second, reference transducer is positioned in spaced diametric relation to the first transducer on the rotating plate. A reference signal is transmitted by the second transducer that represents the centrifugal force generated by the second transducer as the shuttle plate rotates. A tension signal is transmitted by the first transducer that represents the centrifugal force plus the tape tension applied to the first transducer. The reference signal is subtracted from the tension signal to yield a resultant signal which, in the centrifugal environment of the rotating shuttle plate, represents the effect of the tape traversing the first transducer alone, i.e., the tension in the tape as it moves from its supply to the moving length of hose.  
         [0010]     Of course the foregoing methods may be combined so as to be performed either in serial or parallel, as required by a particular application. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a section of prior art hose used in connection with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention including a frame, cabinet, electronics control module, and reels of hose;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a broken-away, perspective view of a pair of opposed loop belt drives of the type used in one preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a broken-away, side elevational view of the present invention showing a shuttle plate, nose assembly and spindle head assembly;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the spindle assembly, as taken along lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a shuttle plate;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view a nose assembly formed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a nose and nose hub formed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of an adjustable guide arm;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an angle indicator;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an angle gauge;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of a nose assembly, including a tape edge sensor, and showing a portion of tape being wrapped onto a section of hose;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a broken-away, perspective view of a spindle head assembly, a shuttle plate, and tension monitor assembly applying tape to a hose;  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a transducer guide cage having a transducer shown in phantom mounted within it;  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a tape shift guide;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a second guide;  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a third guide and  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  is a front elevational view of a tension control assembly and nose assembly in position within the wrapping machine, with a tape threaded through the assemblies according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]     This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a tape wrapping machine  20  is adapted for wrapping a flexible polymeric or fabric tape  6  in a spiral completely about a reinforcement layer of braided filaments  7  that surround a flexible reinforced length of hose  8 . Tape wrapping machine  20  selectively, but continuously controls tape tension and lay angle during wrapping. In a preferred embodiment, tape wrapping machine  20  comprises a support frame  22 , a spindle head assembly  24 , a shuttle plate  26 , and a tension monitor assembly  28 .  
         [0032]     More particularly, support frame  22  comprises a cabinet  30 , a sliding panel door  32 , a first end  34  and a second end  36 . Cabinet  30  defines an interior space sized to contain spindle head assembly  24 , shuttle plate  26 , and tension monitor assembly  28 , all of which may be accessed via sliding panel door  32 . First end  34  is bounded by a main plate  38  having fixtures that are adapted for mounting drive means  51 ,  53  and electronic control and operation means  55  of the type known for use in the operation of high speed equipment. An opening  42  is defined through main plate  38 , and is sized and shaped to receive a continuous moving length of hose  8 . A second opening  44  is located in spaced relation to opening  42 , and is sized and shaped to receive the continuous moving length of tubular conduit  5  after it has been wrapped with tape  6 .  
         [0033]     Tubular conduit  5  may be moved through tape wrapping machine  20  by various methods and apparatus that are well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., tubular conduit  5  may be pulled through tape wrapping machine  20  from one reel  47  located adjacent to first end  34  to another reel  49  located adjacent to second end  36 , via a pair of opposed loop belt drives  48 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Belt drives  48  are spaced apart sufficiently to allow wrapped tubular conduit  5  to be evenly gripped between the opposed belts so that when the belts are driven, clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectively, wrapped tubular conduit  5  is pulled through wrapping machine  20  at a constant, known velocity.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , spindle head assembly  24  comprises a shuttle drive hub  50  and a nose assembly  52 . More particularly, shuttle drive hub  50  is mounted to main plate  38  so as to project into the interior chamber of cabinet  30  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Shuttle drive hub  50  comprises an open ended cylindrical support structure within which nose assembly  52  is mounted. A main stationary spindle  54  is arranged in coaxially aligned relation within the interior of shuttle drive  50 , and is fixedly secured to main plate  38 . A plurality of bearings  56  provide an interface between the interior surfaces of shuttle drive  50  and the exterior surfaces of main stationary spindle  50 , such that shuttle drive  50  may rotate relative to main stationary spindle  54 . A shuttle plate driver sprocket  58  is positioned in a rear portion of shuttle drive hub  50  and adapted for engagement with a motor (shown generally at  51  in  FIG. 2 ) which provides rotational motive force to shuttle drive hub  50  via shuttle driver sprocket  58 .  
         [0035]     Referring also to  FIG. 6 , shuttle plate  26  projects radially outwardly from an outer surface of shuttle drive hub  50 . A tension plate  60  also projects radially outwardly from the outer surface of shuttle drive hub  50 , and in substantially parallel relation to shuttle drive plate  26 . Tension plate  60  supports a supply  67  of tape  6  that is arranged in coaxial relation to spindle head assembly  24 . Preferably, shuttle plate  26  has a larger diameter than tension plate  60 . Tension plate sprocket  62  is interconnected with tension plate  60 , and provides for an operative interconnection between tension plate  60  and a motor (shown generally at  53  in  FIG. 2 ). Tension plate  60  is arranged in operative cooperation with tension plate sprocket  62  and motor  53  so as to be caused to rotate at a controlled and selected rate that is normally less than the rotation rate of shuttle plate  26 , during operation of wrapping machine  20 . In this way, tape  6  is paid-out from supply  67  as both shuttle plate  26  and tension plate  60  rotate. The rate of pay-out of tape  6  is directly proportional to the differential in rotational speed of tension plate  60  relative to shuttle plate  26 . A nose hub  64  covers an inner front end of shuttle drive hub  50 , and provides a support for a portion of nose assembly  52 . A slip ring assembly  63  is located adjacent to nose hub  64  and provides for electrical interconnection between tension monitor assembly  28  and operation means  54 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , shuttle plate  26  comprises a plurality of through bores  61  that are sized and arranged to support portions of tension monitor assembly  28 . A spindle head mounting bore  66  is centrally located in shuttle plate  26  with a jack shaft bore  68  positioned adjacent to it. A disk brake system  65  comprises two discs  71  mounted to the drive pulleys of motors  51  and  53 . Disk brake system  65  is provided adjacent to a rear side of shuttle plate  26 , for controllably reducing the rotation of shuttle plate  26  and tension plate  60 , respectively. Disk brake system  65  includes a pair of calipers  69  that are each arranged so as to controllably grip a disk  71  in order to separately slow shuttle plate  26  and tension plate  60 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 7 - 12 , nose assembly  52  projects outwardly from nose hub  64 , and in coaxially aligned relation to openings  42  and  44 . Nose assembly  52  comprises a nose  70 , an adjustable guide arm  72 , and an actuator subassembly  74 . More particularly, nose  70  projects outwardly from nose hub  64 , and comprises a semi-cylindrical tube having an upwardly opening longitudinal slot  77  extending along a portion of its length which provide access for tape  6  to be wrapped onto length of hose  8  as it moves through nose  70 . A pivot yoke  79  is formed on a top portion of nose  70 , adjacent to the end of slot  77  and to nose hub  64 . A pivot shaft  80  is positioned through pivot yoke  79 . Adjustable guide arm  72  comprises a hollow cylindrical rod having a central passageway  83  opening at one end  84 , and a pivot lug  87  positioned at a second end  89 . ( FIG. 9 ) Pivot lug  87  includes a through-bore  88  that is sized so as to accept the end of pivot shaft  80  when guide arm  72  is mounted on nose  70 .  
         [0037]     Actuator assembly  74  comprises a DC motor  110 , a clevis  100 , a lever arm  102 , and an angle pointer  105 . More particularly, DC motor  110  is mounted on nose  70  via support mounts  105 ,  106  ( FIG. 8 ). A motor gear reduction unit  98 , of the type well known in the art, is mounted adjacent to motor  110 . Motor  110  may be operatively controlled via electrical connection through slip ring  63  to electronic control and operation means  55  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ). Clevis  100  is coupled to DC motor  110  and engages a pivot pin  107  positioned in a lower portion of lever arm  102 . The upper portion of lever arm  102  comprises a through-bore that is mounted on pivot shaft  80  in spaced relation to pivot lug  87  of adjustable guide arm  72 . Angle pointer  105  ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ) comprises a through-bore  111  that accepts pivot shaft  80  and is held in place by a fastener  112 . Angle scale  115  ( FIGS. 7 and 11 ) is mounted to support mount  106  so as to be adjacent to angle pointer  105 , and includes graduation lines  117  that are related to the angular orientation of adjustable guide arm  72 . Of course, actuator assembly  74  may comprise various other known means for selectively pivoting adjustable guide arm  72 .  
         [0038]     As a result of this construction, adjustable guide arm  72  is pivotable toward and away from nose  70  and length of hose  8 , between a first position and at least one second position so as to provide a plurality of angular relationships between adjustable guide arm  72  and length of hose  8 . Tape  6  continuously engages a portion of adjustable guide arm  72  so that a lay angle ∝ ( FIG. 12 ) on moving length of hose  8  may be adjusted by movement of adjustable guide arm  72  between its first position and a plurality of other angularly spaced positions from moving length of hose  8 . During set-up and adjustment of wrapping machine  20 , adjustable guide arm  72  may be caused to move toward or away from nose  70 , via actuator assembly  74  so as to change lay angle ∝ based upon several parameters including the width of tape  6 , the outer diameter of tubular conduit  5 , and the percentage of overlap required for a particular application. For example, lay angle ∝ may be approximately 56° for a tape width of two and a half inches, a tubular conduit outer diameter of one inch, and a desired overlap of about fifty percent. The angular relationship of adjustable guide arm  72  to nose  70  and therethrough length of hose  8  is displayed at the intersection between the tip of angle pointer  105  and graduation lines  117  on angle scale  115 . In order to adjust the degree and overlap of tape  6  upon itself as it is wound upon length of hose  8 , the operator of wrapping machine  20  merely adjusts the angular relationship of adjustable guide arm  72  relative to length of hose  8 .  
         [0039]     Lay angle ∝ may increase or decrease during operation of wrapping machine  20  due to slippage of tape  6  along the outer surface of adjustable guide arm  72 . This slippage of tape  6  along guide arm  72  may be caused by changes in surface finish of guide arm  72  and/or changes in the moisture content or surface texture of tape  6 . In order to alert the operator of wrapping machine  20  to an undesirable movement of tape  6  along adjustable guide arm  72 , a sensor  118  is positioned adjacent to an inner edge  119  of tape  6 . Sensor  118  may comprise an optical, acoustic, or sonic sensor that is capable of detecting the position, presence, or absence of tape  6  as it proceeds from supply  67  over adjustable guide arm  72  and on to conduit  5 . Sensor  118  may be mounted on to nose  70  by a suitable bracket  120  ( FIG. 12 ). Thus, when angle ∝ has been established through adjustment of guide arm  72 , and wrapping machine  20  has begun to operate, sensor  118  will monitor the position of edge  119  of tape  6  so as to sense translational movement of said edge of said tape, i.e., movement along the length of nose  70 . If tape  6  begins to move along adjustable guide arm  72 , that movement is identified by sensor  118 , an alarm or other suitable notification will be presented to the operator so that wrapping machine  20  may be stopped. The operator can then reposition adjustable guide arm  72  and tape  6  in a proper orientation to maintain angle ∝ at a desired value.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 13-18 , tension control assembly  28  includes a transducer guide cage  120 , a shift guide  121 , a second guide  122 , a third guide  124 , and a pair of transducers  126 ,  127 . Guides  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  124  and transducers  126 ,  127  are positioned on the circumferential edge of shuttle plate  26 . Transducers  126 ,  127 , are positioned in diametric opposition to one another, i.e., spaced at about 180 degrees apart on the peripheral edge of shuttle plate  26 , with transducer  126  providing a reference signal and transducer  127  having a portion of tape  6  engaged around a portion of its outer surface ( FIG. 18 ). Transducers  126 ,  127 , are preferably Dover Flexo-FLRA-0-100-R6-6-SPR ribbon filament tension transducers connected to a Dover Flexo differential amplifier  129 .  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17 , transducer guide cage  120  comprises three columns  131 ,  132 , and  133 , held together between a base plate  136  and a cover plate  138 . Tension transducer  127  is mounted to base plate  136 . Shift guide  121  comprises a push bar  137  mounted in a channel bracket  135 . Channel bracket  135  is rotationally supported upon a plate stand  139  that is mounted to the outer surface of shuttle plate  26 . Channel bracket  135  may be rotated so that push bar  137  may be oriented at a plurality of angles relative to shuttle plate  26  and tape  6 . In this way, tape  6  may be pushed outwardly and away from tension plate  60 .  
         [0042]     Second guide  122  comprises a base plate  140  and an angled column  142  that projects outwardly from base plate  140 . Column  142  is angled to aid in directing tape  6  outwardly toward nose assembly  52  and to orient tape  6  so as to engage nose assembly  52  at a proper angle. Third guide  124  comprises a base plate  146  having an angled column  148  projecting outwardly from base plate  146 . A plurality of support members  149  are positioned adjacent to angled columns  142  and  148 , so as to provide support for and resistance to the forces imposed on them by rotation of shuttle plate  26  and the passing of tape  6  during operation of tape wrapping machine  20 .  
         [0043]     Tape wrapping machine  20  operates to wrap tape  6  around braided filament  7  and length of hose  8  with a controlled tension in the following manner. Length of hose  8  is pulled through nose assembly  52  by belt drive  48 , as tape  6  from tape supply  67  is paid-out from tension plate  60  due to the differential in rotational speed between shuttle plate  26  and tension plate  60 . As tape  6  is paid-out from supply  67 , its inner edge  119  is substantially parallel with the surface of tension plate  60 . Tape  6  is then wound through transducer guide cage  120  so as to loop around transducer  127 . Tape  6  then engages push bar  137  of shift guide  121 . Push bar  137  is oriented relative to plate stand  139  so as to shift or push tape  6  outwardly, away from tension plate  60 . Tape  6  then engages second guide  122  and third guide  124 . Second guide  122  and third guide  124  further adjust the outward movement of tape  6  so as to control the approach of tape  6  toward adjustable guide arm  72 . From third guide  124 , tape  6  is wrapped over a top surface of adjustable guide arm  72  and into engagement with length of hose  8  at a preselected lay angle ∝. It should be noted, however, that adjustable guide arm  72  is not a necessary element of tension monitor assembly  28 .  
         [0044]     As shuttle plate  26  rotates at approximately 1200 rpm, the signal generated by reference transducer  126  represents the centrifugal force exerted upon it as a result of rotation with shuttle plate  26 . Transducer  127  is arranged so as to support a length of moving tape  6  and is positioned in spaced diametric relation to transducer  126 . A tension signal is generated by transducer  127  that represents the centrifugal force plus the force exerted by tape  6  on transducer  127 . The signal from reference transducer  126  is subtracted from the tension signal from transducer  127  to yield a resultant signal which, in the centrifugal environment of spinning shuttle plate  26 , represents the force exerted by tape  6  as it traverses transducer  127  alone, i.e., the magnitude of the tension in tape  6  as it moves from tape supply  67  to the outer surface of length of hose  8 .  
         [0045]     The system is calibrated when shuttle plate  26  is at rest such that the output of differential amplifier  129  is about 10.0 VDC for a tape tension of 50 pounds, where the output signal is linear with tape tension. The output signal is utilized as a control signal which, when compared with a set point, instructs motor  53  to increase or decrease in speed to maintain the output at set point. Thus, a measure, feedback, and responsive control technique is implemented as a means for maintaining a known and constant tape tension during both wrap and unwrap modes of operation. Power and signal communications between transducers  126 ,  127  and differential amplifier  129  are accomplished via a slip-ring assembly  63 , or alternatively by a battery and an RF transmitter. Thus, both the lay angle and tension of tape  6  may be adjusted and controlled by the present invention.  
         [0046]     It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.