US1653894A - Machine for taping joints of electric cables - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27, 1927 1,653,894

| EMANUEL! MACHINE FOR TAPING JOINTS 0F ELECTRIC QABLES Filed Nov. 19. 1926 3 Fig. I. F g-Z.

Inventor": Luigi Emomueh,

His Attovneg.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES- 1,653,894 PATENT OFFICE.-

LUIGI EHANUELI, OF MILAN, ITALY, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETA ITALIANA PIBELLI, OF MILAN, ITALY, A CORPORATION OF ITALY.

MACHINE FOR TAPING JOINTS OF ELECTRIC CABLES.

Applicatlon filed November 19, 1926, Serial 1T0. 149,446, and in Italy August 10, 1926.

Cables designed to be located underground, either in conduits or buried in the earth to carry electricity, are of necessity made in lengths or sections which after heing laid in place have to be united ne to the other to form a continuous con uctor. In the simplest form such cables for high tension purposes comprise a conductor either stranded or solid, a covering of insulation W therefor such as impregnated paper tape, and a lead sheath. In joining the ends of two adjacent sections the, lead sheath is cut back for a certain distance and the'insulation, commonly referred to as factory insulation,

is also cut away, usually on a taper, to expose the ends of the conductors. Theends ofthe conductors are then united by a sleeve which is soldered to both. after which tape is applied to the desired thickness and the whole enclosed by a casing which is soldered to the lead sheath. The space between the taped joint and the metal casing is then filled with an insulating compound.

The joints are the most delicate parts of a cable and therefore must be very carefully and accurately made. The tape used in making the joint must be uniformly and tightly wound on the connector and over the cutaway factory insulation which latter usually w is tapered from about the full diameter at the outer ends of the joint to the connector. In handling'the tape care must be exercised by the jointer to have clean hands so as to avoid leaving any traces of moisture or acidity on the tape as itis well known that both of these noticeably reduce the breakdown voltage of; the joint. As a general thing, this taping of the joint has been done by hand which consumes a great deal of time. An attempt has been made to tape these joints with a machine but such machine is relatively slow in operation because it applies only a single tape at a time. and necessitates considerable handling of the tape by the jointer.

It is not uncommon in high tension cables to have the taped ptirtion of the joint 36 inches long with a maximum diameter at the center of 6 inches. Such a joint'may require as much as 4500 feet .of one inch paper tape involving about 6000 turns to complete it, from which will readily be appreciated the large amount of work involved and the high cost thereof.

M y invention has for its object the provision of a joint-taping machine of improved construction which will rapidly and a plurality of tapes being simultaneously wound on a conductor joint; Fig. 2 is an end view of the same; F1g. 3 1s a similar view showing how the friction on the tape can be increased: Fig. 4 is a viewof the template employed to give the proper outline to the joint and which also serves as a tape-cutting means; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine without the rolls of tape- Fig. 6 is an end view of said machine and i s. 7 and 8 illustrate-forms of joints adapts to be taped by my improved machine.

In Figs. 1, 7 and 8, 10 and 11 indicate sections of a conductor which are to be united and insulated. 12 indicates a connector for uniting the conductor ends and through which current flows. The factory wound or applied insulation 13 may be cut away on a curve as indicated at 14 or it may be cut away on a long taper as indicated at 15 in Fig. 8. Around the connector and covering the adjacent ends of the factory insulation is wound insulation which advantageously but not necessarily may be a roll of impregnated paper sheeting 16, said paper being wider at the inner end and gradually decreasing in width to the outer end. The paper is first loosely wrapped around the connector and then tightened by winding from the outer turn. The spaces between the edges of the roll and the factory insulation are then filled with'treated tape 17 which may be wound by hand or by a small machine, as desired. The object is to make the parts thus far assembled as nearly as possible into a true cylinder and prevent voids.

Referring now to the taping machine, a carrieris provided which comprises a pair of end heads 18 and 19 which are connected by axially-extending rods or tubes 20 and as spacers.

which maintain them in spaced relation. As shown both rods and tubes are employed, the rods uniting the heads and the tubes acting freely on bearings 21 which are made in halves and clamped by bolts on thelead covered ends of the cable. The bearings have flanges 21 to prevent relative endwise movement of the machine and conductor. Each head is made in two parts whlch are united by a hinge 22, Fig. 6, on one side of the axis ofthe cable, and by a removable pin 23 on the other. Splitting the heads 1n this manner facilitates mounting the machine in place on the cable. Since this IS customarily done in a manhole where space is at a premium the advantage of theconstruction will be apparent. One or both of the heads are provided with handles 24 for turning the carrier to apply the tapes to the 'oint.

1 Instead of applying only a single tape at a time which is a slow process whether done by hand or otherwise, I simultaneously apply a large number of impregnated tapes and so arrange them that the tape from one roll partly overlaps the tapesfrom two other rolls. This is accomplished by a very slmple but eifective arrangement. Two sets of rolls 25 and 26 are provided, one set being mounted on one side of thejoint and the other set on the other side. By preference the axes of the two sets of rolls are in the same diametrical plane but this exact arrangement is not essential. The real point involved is that the tape from one roll is laid on first and this is followed by the tape from another roll and in such manner that one overlaps the other. In other words, the axis of one set of rolls is singularly displaced with respect to the axis of another set of rolls, and the rolls of one set are axially displaced or staggered with respectto those of the second set in an axial plane whereby the tapes are caused to overlap. As an illustration but not as a limitation of my invention, I have constructed a machine utilizing 36 rolls of one inch tape in each set so that a total of 72 rolls of tape are simultaneously applied to the joint.

The rolls may be mounted about the rods or tubes which connect the end heads as shown in Fig. 1 but a better way is to mount them on separate supports such as thinwalled tubes 27 shown in Fig. 5. The rolls of each set are in frictional contact with each other at the sides so as to put tension on each tape 28. At the end of each set is an adjustable means to increase the friction. The rolls may turn in the same direction but a better way is tohave alternate rolls in each set turn in opposite directions since the friction effect is then distributed uniformly over the entire assemblage rather than being limited to end friction only. This reversal of The heads are mounted to turnmotion is indicated in Fig. 2 where the small full line arrows indicate the direction of rotation of one-half of the rolls in one set and stead of passing the tapes directly to thev joint from the rolls they may be first passed over two of the head connecting rods 20 as shown in Fi 3. This further increases the tension on tie tapes.

In order that the jointer may determine the correct amount of tape to be wound on the joint and obtain the correct shape to properly insulate the joint to distribute the electrical stresses, a template 29 is provided which is removably attached to the end heads. The template is also used as a cutting edge by means of which the jointer can tear off the unused portion of each roll when the desired amount of tape from each roll has been wound on the joint.

Referring more specifically to Figs. 5 and 6, 18 and 19 indicate the divided or hinged end heads and 21 the supporting bearings therefor. The heads are slotted at 30 to per- .mit of the rolls and their supports being mounted in place by an inward movement of the supports toward the conductor. Each support comprises a tube 27 into-the ends of which extend hollow members 31. Each member has a screw stud 32 with square base, on the threaded end of which is seated a nut that is moved by the small hand-wheel 33. The member 31 has a shoulder which engages the head and forms a seat. 34 at the right hand end indicates an adjusting nut and 35 a lock nut. Between the nut 35 and the last' roll of the set are two washers splined on the member 31 and between which are spring fingers 36, the purpose of which is to equalize the pressure over the side of the roll instead of localizing it at one point as might otherwise be the case. By changmg the position of the nuts the rolls can be adjusted endwise to obtain the proper overlap of the sets of rolls on both sides of the carrier.

Referring to the left hand end, 37 indicates a collar which is splined on the member 31, said. collar exerting endwise pressure on theseries or set of rolls. Outside of it is a coiled compression spring 38 which exerts pressure on the collar at all times. The member 31 is held in the left hand head in the1 same manner as the one at the opposite en The template 29 comprises a rather thin piece of sheet metal the inner edge of which defines the finished shape of the jo nt. It 15. shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4 and as constructed in Fig. 5. The corners of the said inner edge serve as cutting'edges on which the tapes can be torn. These tapes are usually made of tough paper impregnated with a suitable insulating compound although tapes of other material may be used. ,The template is held at its ends by slotted clamps 39 which engage the heads, screw studs and wing nuts 40.

The joints having been prepared as indicated in Figs. 7 or 8, the machine is mounted in place on the conductor with .a full set of rolls on each support 27. Thejoint may be given a partial or complete coat of sticky compound and the ends of all the tapes are pressed thereon, or the tapes themselves may be sufiiciently sticky to adhere to the joint. The machine is then turned b hand thus winding on the joint layers of ape, a part from one set of rolls and the balance from the other, the tape on one set overlapping that from the other as clearly shown in Fi 1. This offsetting of one set of rolls wit respect to the other is attained by positioning the spring pressed washers 36 on one support 27 a little in advance of those on the other support. As the work proceeds and the end layers or turns of tape reach the template the jointer tears the tape at these points. The successive tapes are torn in the same manner, one after the other, until the whole joint assumes the shape shown in the lower half of Fig. 4. The last tape is stuck down either by reason of its impregnating compound or by other adhesive. The

fact that the tape from each roll except the last is overlapped by another tape-results in binding them all firmly in place. The fact that the machine winds many tapes and over the full length of the jointatthe start gradually decreasing in number as the final contour is approached, results in a very great saving of time over winding a single ta e back and forth. It saves much handhng of tape, thereby avoiding the danger of moistureand acidity due to contact of the jointcrs hands therewith.

It is to be noted that with this machine the tape from each roll is builtup layer by layer, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the conductor instead of progressing from one end of the joint to the other as 'is' tion of voids which are highly injurious in joints of this character. Moreover, the tapes are uniformly tens oned which is conducive to good results: This is chiefly due to the. fact that the rolls are in frictional contact on each side so that one roll acts as a brake or friction device for the others.

After the joint is properly taped as described it is encased as usual in a closed metallic covering the ends of which are soldered to the lead sheath. These coverings have one or more normally closed openings through which insulat ng compound may be forced to fill all spaces between the taping and the walls of the covering.

Another and important feature of the invention resides in the fact that all of the tape for a given joint is mounted in the machine before the taping operation is started,

-and where the total amount of tape used is the jointer which is objectionable for the reasons previously stated and also because it consumes a considerable amount of time.-

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a taping machine, the combination of a carrier adapted to be rotated about a stationary body which is to be taped, means for preventing relative axial movements of the carrier and work, and rolls of tape mounted on the carrier and arranged in different distinct sets, the axes of which extend arallel to the axis of the body, said sets 0? rolls being angularly and axially displaced one set with respect to the other so that as the tapes are wound on the body the turns from each roll of either set partially overlap those of two rolls of the other set.

2. In a taping machine, the combination of a carrier adapted for relative rotation with respect to the work, means for holding the carrier and work against relative axial movement, and a plurality of distinct sets of rolls of tape pivotally mounted on the carrier and which are angularly and axially displaced one set with respect to the other on the carrier so that as the tapes are wound on the work by rotating the carrier the successive turns partially overlap, and tension-creating means for each of said tapes.

3. In a taping machine, the combinationof a carrier mounted to rotate about the work, an axially-extending supporting member carried thereby, a row of contacting rolls of tape mounted to turn on the member, some in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction as the carrier is rotated about the work, and friction-creating means which exert'endwise pressure on the rolls to maintain them in contact and thereby impart tension to the tapes.

4. In a taping machine, the combination of a rotatable carrier which surrounds the work, an axially-extending supporting member mounted thereon, a set of rolls of relatively narrow tape arranged side by side in frictional engagement and mounted to turn on the member, alternate rolls turning in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction during the winding operation, and means for exerting endwise friction on the rolls to ii'nparttension to the tapes.

5. In a machine for taping electric conductor joints, the combination of bearing membersadapted to be supported by the conductor 'on opposite ends of the joint, a carrier mounted to turn on the bearing members, and sets of rolls of tape pivotally mounted on the carrier to turn independently thereof, said sets being angularly and axially displaced one with respect to the other so that as the carrier is rotated the tapes, as they are unwound from one set of rolls and wound on the conductor, will be partly overlapped by the tapes from another set.

6. In a machine for taping electric conductor joints, the combination of a carrier mounted to be revolved around the axis of the conductor, sets of pivotally-mounte-d rolls mounted on the carrier, the rolls of one set being axially-displaced with respect to those of the other set by an amount less than the width of the tape, and a template mounted on the carrier which determines the amount of tape that can be wound on the joint from any one of the rolls.

7. In a machine for taping electric conductor joints, the combination of a carrier which bridges the joint and is supported at its ends so as to be rotatable about the axis ofthe joint, sets of rolls of tape pivotally mounted on the carrier so as to wind ta e on the conductor as the carrier is rotate the tapes from one setof rolls overlapping those from another set, and an axially-extending template mounted on the carrier heads which determines the amount of tape that can be wound on the joint from said sets of rolls.

8. In a machine for taping electric conductor joints, the combination of a carrier which bridges the joint and is supported at its ends so as to be rotatable about the axis of the joint, a set of contacting rolls of tape pivotally mounted on the carrier so as to wind tape on the conductor as the carrier is rotated, the tape being fed from one side of a part of the rolls and from the other side of the remainder so as to cause relative rotation of the rolls in opposite directions, means for exerting endwise pressure on the rolls so that the mutual friction thereby induced between them produces tension on the tapes, and a means which determines the amount of tape that can be wound on the joint from each of the successive rolls of tape.

9. In a machine for winding tape on intermediate portions of longitudinally extending objects, the combination of a pair of end heads each of which includes a pair of hinged elements to permit of its being mounted on and removed from the object, means which hold the heads in spaced rela tion, axially extending members which form angularly displaced supports, rolls of tape mounted in sets on the supports, said rolls being so positioned that the tape from one set when wound on the object will overlap the joints between turns of tape from the other set, and a template supported at its ends by the heads which determines the amount of tape that can be wound on the object from each of said rolls.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of end heads, each of-which is made in two principal elements and united by a hinge so as to permit it to be closed and opened, members adapted to be clamped on the object to be taped and which form bearings for the heads, means which hold the heads in spaced relation and which also form tension means and guides for the tape as it is wound on the work, members which form pivotal supports, rolls of tape mounted on the supports, and additional means for imparting tension to the tape as it is being unwound from the rolls.

11. In a taping machine, the combination of a rotatable carrier which surrounds the work, sets of rolls of tape arranged to turn on parallel pivots on the carrier as the latter is rotated about the work, and means arranged to guide the tapes from the tops of alternate rolls and from the bottoms of the others, one set of rolls being displaced axially from the other set by an amount suflicient to cause one set of tapes to overlap the joints between adjacent turns of the other set of tapes when applied to the work.

12. In a taping machine, the combination of a carrier which surrounds the work. the two being relatively rotatable, sets of rolls of tape mounted on the carrier one set behind the other, the rolls of each set being in sidewise contact, and a pivot for each set of rolls which is mounted on the carrier, the rolls being positioned thereon in such manner that as the tapes from one set of rolls are wound on the work the tapes from a second set of rolls are wound on top of the first tapes, and in such manner that each second-named tape partially covers the two adjacent turns under it.

13. In a taping-machine, the combination of a pair of end heads, means for supporting the heads in spaced relation, supports carried by the heads, rolls of tape mounted thereon in sidewise contact, a collar mounted Ill) at one end of each support to form a seat for the end roll, and a spring ressed collar located at the opposite end each support to exert endwise pressure on the rolls.

14. In a taping machine, the combination of a pair of end heads, each of which has a slot, means for supporting the heads in spaced relation, supports having end portions which enter said slots, means for clamping said portions in the head, rolls of tape mounted on said supports in sidewise contact, and means for exerting axial pres sure on the rolls carried by the supports to maintain such contact.

15. In a taping machine, the combination of a pair of end heads adapted to be rotated about the work, means for supporting the heads in spaced relation and also carrying sets of rolls of tape, the latter being applied to the work as the heads and rolls are rotated, a template, the inner edge of which defines the contour of the structure built 11 on the work by unwinding of the tapes, an means for detachably securing the template on said rotatable structure.

16. In a taping machine, the combination of a rotatable structure, rolls of tape arranged in sets and mountedon the structure, the axes of the rolls extending parallel to the work, the rolls in one set being axially displaced with respect to those of a second set so that as the tape is wound on the object the tape from one set of rolls overlaps the joints between adjacent tapes of a second set, and means for adjusting one set of rolls with respect to another set in 'an axial direction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16 da of November, 1926.

lKUIGI EMANUELI.

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