GB2236769A

GB2236769A - A spooling device

Info

Publication number: GB2236769A
Application number: GB9021573A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Urquhart Strachan
Original assignee: MULTIFLEX UK Inc
Current assignee: MULTIFLEX UK Inc
Priority date: 1989-10-12
Filing date: 1990-10-04
Publication date: 1991-04-17
Also published as: GB9021573D0; GB8923017D0

Abstract

Shaft 9 of cable reel 3 is located in clamps 10 on arms 1 which are then pivoted upwards by hydraulic jacks 2. Pneumatic jacks 8 pivot arms 5 to urge drive wheels 6, slidable along shaft 4, into driving engagement with the reel flanges. During cable winding, a cable guiding dancer arm adjusts a potentiometer to control spool rotation. A cable positioning arm (not shown) is movable along the length of the reel. <IMAGE>

Description

"A Spoolina Device" This invention relates to a spooling device for cable.

The term "cable" is used herein to denote any flexible elongate member.

One of the main difficulties in the production of cables such as electrical cables, hydraulic hose/cables and umbilical cables is the winding of cables onto reels during the manufacturing process.

This problem is further increased due to the dimensions of the cable reels many of which are three metres or more in diameter, which makes them difficult to manipulate during the spooling process.

According to the present invention there is provided a spooling device for spooling cable onto a cable reel, the device comprising a framework, a pair of spaced lifting arms mounted on the framework for movement between a lowered position for receiving a cable reel and an upper position in which the cable reel is supported clear of the ground, drive wheel means mounted on the framework for movement into and out of operative contact with the cable reel, and drive means for rotationally driving the drive wheel means when in said operative contact to produce rotation of the cable reel.

Preferably, the lifting arms are actuated by hydraulic cylinders which lift and lower the lifting arms.

Most preferably, the hydraulic cylinders are actuated by an electric power supply.

Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinders are actuated by a hydraulic handpump.

Preferably, the lifting arms are locked in position with removable locking pins.

Preferably, there is a shaft clamp arrangement located at the end of each lifting arm.

Preferably, there is a flange located in each shaft clamp to allow use of the device with various widths of cable reel.

Preferably, the drive wheels are mounted on a drive shaft using friction grip mountings enabling the wheels to be positioned at any point along the drive shaft.

Preferably, the drive shaft is supported on arms which are pivotally mounted on the framework.

Preferably, one of the drive shaft support arms incorporates a drive motor and gear box.

Preferably, the drive shaft support arms are actuated by a pneumatic cylinder.

Preferably, when in use the drive wheels are urged against respective flanges of the reel by a pneumatic cylinder.

Preferably, the driving pressure is adjusted by regulating the air pressure supplied to the pneumatic cylinders thus enabling the device to allow for inconsistency in flange construction.

Preferably, the motor speed and consequently the speed of rotation of a reel is adjusted manually.

Alternatively, the motor speed and consequent speed of rotation of the reel can be adjusted automatically, most preferably in response to a signal from a potentiometer and dancing arm device.

Preferably, the spooling device incorporates a traversing mechanism which ensures that a cable is spooled along the length of the reel.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a spooling device in accordance with the present invention.

The spooling device incorporates a pair of longitudinally spaced lifting arms 1 which are actuated by hydraulic cylinders 2, thus enabling the lifting arms 1 to lift and lower a cable reel 3. A drive shaft 4 is supported by two pivotally mounted support arms 5.

The drive shaft 4 has two drive wheels 6 which are mounted on the drive shaft 4 using friction grip mountings so as to enable the wheels 6 to be positioned at any point along the shaft 4. Thus, the spooling device can accommodate any length of reel 3 less than the length of the drive shaft 4.

The drive shaft 4 is pivoted forward so as to releasably contact the drive wheel 6 on the edge of reel flange 31.

The drive shaft 4 is moved by pneumatic cylinders 8 attached to the support arms 5.

In use, the spooling device is employed to wind cable onto a cable reel 3 which has previously been centrally mounted on a shaft 9.

The lifting arms 1 are located in the lowered position and the reel 3 is rolled in between the arms 1 until the shaft 9 is located in a shaft clamp 10 at the end of each arm 3. The shaft clamps 10 are then locked, securing the shaft 9 in position.

A flange (not shown) may be placed in the shaft clamps 10 to enable the use of the device with shafts of shorter length, thus enabling the use of the device with cable reels of various widths.

The reel 3 is then raised by the lifting arms 1, which are actuated by the hydraulic cylinders 2 which are actuated in turn by an electric power unit (not shown) or a hydraulic handpump 11.

When the reel 3 is raised from the ground the drive shaft 4 is moved forward until the drive wheels 6 contact the edge of the reel flange 31. The wheels 6 are urged against the edge of the reel flange 31 by the force exerted by the pneumatic cylinders 8. The reel 3 is then rotated, and thus the cable or other elongate flexible member is wound onto the reel 3, by the rotation of the drive wheels 6. Varying the speed of the drive wheel 6 will vary the speed of rotation of the reel 3 and thus ensure that the cable is maintained at the required tension during the spooling process.

The speed of rotation of the drive wheels 6 and consequently the speed of rotation of the reel 3 can be controlled by a potentiometer and dancing arm arrangement, not shown. The dancing arm is a rigid arm which is hinged at one end and has a hook or ring at the opposite end through which the cable passes on route to the reel. The arm is hinged above the cable so that if the tension in the cable reduces and the cable slackens the arm will pivot in one direction and, if the tension increases and the cable rises, the arm will pivot in the opposite direction. The pivoting end of the arm is attached to a potentiometer which produces an electrical signal dependent on the arm position, which is used to control the speed of the motor in order to maintain the cable tension at the required value.

A cable positioning device (not shown) is included in the form of an arm which moves along the length of the reel positioning the cable, as it is coiled onto the reel preventing the cable from coiling at one end only.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A spooling device for spooling cable onto a cable reel, the device comprising a framework, a pair of spaced lifting arms mounted on the framework for movement between a lowered position for receiving a cable reel and an upper position in which the cable reel is supported clear of the ground, drive wheel means mounted on the framework for movement into and out of operative contact with the cable reel, and drive means for rotationally driving the drive wheel means when in said operative contact to produce rotation of the cable reel.

2. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lifting armsaare actuated by hydraulic cylinders.

3. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are actuated by an electrical power supply.

4. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are actuated by a hydraulic handpump.

5. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the lifting arms are locked in position with removable locking pins.

6. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein there is a shaft clamp arrangement is located at the end of each lifting arm.

7. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein there is a flange located in each shaft clamp allowing use of the device with various widths of cable reel.

8. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the drive wheels are mounted on a drive shaft using friction grip mountings enabling the wheels to be positioned at any point along the drive shaft.

9. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the drive shaft is supported on arms which are pivotally mounted on the framework.

10. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein one of the drive shaft supports incorporate the drive motor and gear box.

11. A spooling device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the drive shaft support arms are actuated by a pneumatic cylinder urging the support wheels towards and away from the cable reel.

12. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the driving pressure is adjusted by regulating the air pressure supplied to the pneumatic cylinders thus enabling the device to allow for inconsistency in flange construction.

13. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the motor speed and consequently the speed of rotation of a reel is adjusted manually.

14. A spooling device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the motor speed and consequent speed of rotation of the reel can be adjusted automatically, most preferably in response to a signal from a potentiometer and dancing arm device.

15. A spooling device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the spooling device incorporates a traversing mechanism which ensures that a cable is spooled along a length of the reel.

16. A spooling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the drawing.