GB912432A - Improvements relating to apparatus for use in producing wire strand - Google Patents

Abstract

912,432. Stranding cables. ENSOR, A. J., and BRADLEY, T. J. Sept. 13, 1961 [Sept. 26, 1960], No. 32946/60. Class 109. The wires for a stranding machine are drawn from a supply such as reels 14, Fig. 1, or static coils in supply cylinders, by a capstan wheel 63 having different sized diametrical surfaces such that the wires can be drawn from the supply at different rates according to their position in the different layers of the stranded rope or cable. In Fig. 4, the wires for a nineteen-wire strand are assembled by passing the centre wire 38 over the central and smallest diameter of the metering wheel. The six intermediate wires 38a are guided, three on each side, of the centre wire, on to the intermediate steps of the metering wheel. The outer twelve wires 38b are guided, six on each side of the centre wires, on the outer and largest flanks of the metering wheel, these flanks being of greater diameter than the intermediate steps. The wheel 63 may be smooth and polished or may be roughened as by knurling or impregnating it with, or securing to the surface thereof, friction material such as carborundum or other grit. Alternatively, for use with ferrous wires, the wheel 63 may be magnetized. Braking the supply reels 14.-Each reel 14 is carried by a shaft in a cradle 13, the shaft being rigidly coupled to a brake drum, not shown. Pivoted to each cradle 13 are a pair of spaced levers 19 carrying a wheel 22 over which the wire is drawn from the reel 14. A brake belt, not shown, extends between the cradle 13 and the levers 19 such that as the levers 19 swing forwardly under the pull on the wires, as extended by the capstan wheel 63, the brake belt acts on the brake drum to restrict the motion of the reel. The forward motion of the levers 19 is opposed by spring means. Stop motion.-The wires passing from the wheel 63 pass over pulley wheels 68 and thence between wire failure device arms 58 and 59. These arms are used in a well-known manner to connect a relay circuit to cut off the driving motor if a wire breaks and comes into contact with one of them. Before the wires reach the wheel 63 they pass over a number of sheaves 52 and then through a guide plate 60.