GB920770A - Manufacture of composite conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

920,770. Making electrical conductors; drawing; skelping. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. Inc., and SIMPLEX WIRE & CABLE CO. Aug. 25, 1959 [Aug. 29, 1958], No. 29044/59. Classes 83 (2) and 83 (4). A method of forming a composite electrical conductor in one continuous operation comprises the steps of stranding together a plurality of bare wires to form a core of substantially uniform diameter, at the conclusion of the stranding operation folding longitudinally over said core a tape of material of high electrical conductivity to form a sheath, securing the abutting edges of the tape together to form a hermetic seal and then forcing the sealed sheath into intimate contact with the core, the sheathing step being carried out sufficiently closely to the stranding step to substantially prevent basketing of the stranded core. A stranded core SC of steel wires about a central core wire of slightly heavier gauge than the others formed in a stranding machine ST passes through a forming die D into roller skelping means, comprising six sets of forming rolls, Figs. 5-9A (not shown) which fold a copper tape CT up around the core SC to form a longitudinally seamed sheath. The seam is then welded, preferably at a distance of about one metre from the stranding machine. The sheath is then reduced in diameter to fit closely on to the core SC by passage through a succession of sets of reducing rollers, Figs. 10, 11 (not shown) and the finished conductor passes through a sizing die D2 and is stored on a reel RL. Endless belt means TM may pull the conductor assembly through the various forming machines. U.S.A. Specifications 2,690,642 and 2,270,093 are referred to.