High Performance Airborne 16 mm Laser Beam Film Recorder for TV-Type Sensors.

A previous study directed toward the development of a high performance laser recorder for television type sensors, had established as practical, the most critical item of the system design. The item, an electromechanically deflected large mirrow, was designed, constructed and evaluated. This study explored the next most critical items of the system, the scan motor and the optical subsystem. Actual raster recordings on 16 mm film were made to establish the feasibility of the items in cooperative operation. Operation of the system for 525 and 875 line data was required with the capability of extension to 1029 line data. Scan motor operation at speeds for the 525 and 875 line rates were obtained, but satisfactory operation at the speed of over 150,000 rpm for the 1029 line rate was not attained. However, a modification of the optical system to permit extension to 1029 line operation at a lower scan motor speed was explored. The scan motor design included a highly efficient externally-commutated DC driver operating on air lubricated bearings. This design combines excellent servo performance with extremely long life. To ensure long bearing life, the design included a totally enclosed recirculating air supply system with separate compressor and heat exchanger.