US1792979A

US1792979A - Detector for insulated-wire machines

Info

Publication number: US1792979A
Application number: US575356A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Greenleaf; Edward A Mau
Original assignee: Rockbestos Products Corp
Current assignee: Rockbestos Products Corp
Priority date: 1922-07-15
Filing date: 1922-07-15
Publication date: 1931-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 1948-02-17

Description

Feb. 17, 1931. .1. w GREENLEAF ET AL 1,792,979

DETECTOR FOR INSULATED WIRE] MACHINES Original Filed July 15, 1,922

Patented F eb. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN W. GREENLEAF AND EDWARD A. MAU, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, AS-

SIGNORS TO ROCKBESTOS PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE DETECTOR FOR INSULATED-WIRE MACHINES Application filed July 15, 1922, Serial No. 575,356. Renewed November 24, 1926.

This invention relates to circuit cont-rolling devices for use with detector circuits in insulated wire machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit controlling device that will indicate a defect or failure in the application of an additional layer of insulating material to a conductor that has been previously supplied with one or more covering or coating layers.

Devices have been heretofore known and used for detecting failures in insulation by electrically controlled means, but such devices, so far as we are aware, have depended for their operation upon the defect in the insulation exposing the wire core to thereby effeet the closing of a circuit through the wire.

VVe have found that a defect in an outer layer of insulation can be detected although inner underlying layers are intact by utilizing the difference in thickness of the outer insulation after the same is applied. We achieve this by providing a circuit controller including a pair of jaw-like members normally tending to close against each other and between which the insulated wire passes and holds the jaw members apart by a fixed distance represented by the diameter of the wire with its insulating covering. It will be clear that a break in the insulatingmaterial will produce a corresponding decrease in the diameter of the wire and permit the jaw members to approach each other. Means are pro vided for utilizing the relative movement of the jaw members involved in their nearer approach to each other for changing the condition of an electrical circuit to control the operation of a signal.

Preferably a circuit controller is made use of which includes contact makers carried directly by the jaw members at a location relatively remote from the wire and at the opposite sides of a pivotal connection between the members. Means are also provided for moving the circuit controller out of engagement with the wire and for separating the j aw member to place the members in operatmg en agement with the wire.

In t e drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention in lhown, Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in diagrammatic form of a portion of a wire insulating machine equipped with a circuit controlling device and embodying the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the circuit controlling device on an enlar ed scale and taken along the line 2-2 of figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a view from underneath of the device shown in Figure 2 taken along the line 3-3.

Referring to the drawings, an insulated wire machine is shown in part in Figure 1 which includes a framework 5 and a supply reel 6 from which the wire 7 which is to be insulated is drawn and ,covered with a strip of insulating material 8 as it passes through the insulating head 9. The wire 7 may .have been previously coated with a layer of insulation in some previous operative step and for the purpose of this invention is not necessarily uncoated wire although the invention is useful with wire that has not been previously coated or covered.

In order to detect a break in the layer of insulating material which is applied to the previously coated wire as it passes through the insulating head 9, a circuit controlling device 10 is mounted in hinged relation on the framework 5 and extends forwardly into a position in which the frame piece 11 oocupies an inclined position and carries a second member 12 which is hinged and pivoted to the first member 11 at the point 13. The

parts

11 and 12 are respectively provided with forwardly extending

jaw members

14 and 15 between which the insulated wire passes as it leaves the insulating head 9. The

jaw members

14 and 15 of the circuit controlling device are urged by the action of a leaf spring 16 toward a closing or clamping position against the intervening section of insulated wire 7. In other words, the jaw members are held apart a certain fixed distance equivalent to the diameter of the wire passing therebetween. Upon failure of or a break in the insulating layer intended to be applied by the insulating head 9 a decrease in diameter will occur as will be clear in the section of wire passing through the jaws and permit the jaws to approach each other to an extent sufficient to bring about the operation of a circuit controller about to be described.

The rearward end of the member 12 is provided with a metallic extension 30 which serves as an electrical contact member and to which is attached the terminal of an electrical conductor 25. The remaining frame member 11 of the devicelO is provided at an intermediate portion of its length to the rear of the pivotal point 13 with a metallic clip 19 having a U-shaped formation, one leg of the U-shaped member being attached to the upper side of the frame piece 11 and the lower leg of the member extending downwardly and underneath the contact member 30 carried by the member 12. Each of the

members

11 and 12 are formed of insulating material such as fiber or the like. The U- shaped clip member 19 is provided with a screw contact member 20 which has threaded engagement with the lower leg of the clip 19 and can be adjusted and locked into a fixed position by means of the locking member 21 in a well known manner. This adjustment of the member 20 provides for the operation of the circuit controller in accordance with different diameters of different-sized wire which may be operated upon.

The upper leg of the clip member 19 has conducting engagement with a metallic strip 23 which extends from the clip 19 rearwardly to a hinge member 24, one leaf of which is attached to the metallic frame piece 5 of the machine.

The electrical conductor 25 which has already been referred to as having conducting engagement with the contact member 30 leads to a lamp 28 or other suitable signaling device and from the lamp 28 to a suitable source of current 26 and from the source of current 26 by way of the conductor 27 to ground on the metallic framework of the machine.

The operation of the device is as follows: Upon a break occurring in the insulating material 8 which is being applied to the wire the decrease in the diameter of the insulated wire section passing through the

jaw members

14 and 15 of the circuit controller permits the jaw members to approach each other and thereby to cause the contact member 30 to move into engagement with-the contact screw 20 which has metallic contact with the clip member 19. The engagement of the contact 30 with the contact screw 20 closes the circuit through the lamp or other signaling member 28 and thereby indicates to the operator of the machine that a break or defect has occurred in the insulation which must be Another feature of the invention, resides in the double pivotal connection between the member 12 and the member 13. By reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that the member 12 can be swung about a substantially vertical axis to the dotted line position shown in this figure. This provides for the removal of the lower jaw member 15 from position in order to bring about the engagement of the upper jaw 14 with the wire followed by the movement of the lower jaw 15 to place to bring about the clamping engagement of the pair of jaw members with the intervening conductor 7. The inner side of the U-shaped clip member 19 is preferably provided with insulating material as at 22 to prevent contact of the contact member 30 directly with the clip member 19 as will be seen. Thespring member 16 may have its pressure regulated by means of adjusting screw 17 with an accompanying lock nut 18. It will be seen that the hinge member 24 provides for the swinging of the circuit controller out of engagement with the wire 7 to permit of threading of the wire through the machine without interference therewith by the circuit controller. It will be seen that the location of the

contact members

20 and 30 at a point to the rear of the pivotal point 13 and spaced a relatively substantial distance from the wire 7 insures the maintaining of the contact free from particles of insulating material that would tend to gather thereon if the contact members were located adjacent the

jaw members

14 and 15.

In addition to the insulation breakdown detecting function of the device we provide also, in a preferred form of the invention, means for automatically calipering or gauging the insulated conductor as it passes through the machine. This gauging means may conveniently consist of an enlarged head member 31 on the screw 20, the periphery of the bead 31 being provided with a suitably calibrated scale for cooperation with a pointer or index member 32 carried by the member 11. It will be clear that the setting of a scale mark on the head 31 into alinement with the pointer 32 can be utilized to determine a predetermined minimum diameter of the insulated conductor below which the circuit will be closed to operate the signal. Thus a departure below the predetermined minimum diameter of the insulated, as well as defects therein, will be indicated by the device. It will be clear that the measuring device may be varied in any desired manner and may include a Vernier adjustment where circumstances require.

It will also be clear that an additional set of contacts and measuring devices can be employed when desired to provide an indication for a diameter of conductor exceeding a certain maximumas well as for indicating a diameter less than a fixed maximum.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we 'do not limit ourselves to the exact details shown, as the same is capable of modification and variation, which will lie within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a device for automatically testing insulated conductors, a pair of jaw-like members hinged together, spring means tending to cause the members to close together at one end, to thereby engage a conductor traveling between .the members at said end, contact points on the other side of the hinged connection, said contact members being operated to engage by a decrease in the amount of separation of the jaw members at the side of the hinge adjacent the conductor, whereby a break or abnormally thin spot in the conductor will operate said contacts.

2. In a device for automatically testing insulated conductors, a pair of jaw-like members hinged together at points intermediate their ends, spring means tending to cause the jaw members to close together at one end and to clasp an interposed moving conductor, contact members carried by said members at the side of the hinge remote from the conductor, said contact members being arranged to be brought into contact by a decrease in the amount of separation between the corresponding portions of the jaw members, and one of said contact members being adjustable to vary the extent of movement of the jaw members necessary to close the contact.

3. In a device for automatically testing insulated conductors, a pair of jaw-like members hinged together at points intermediate their ends, spring means tending to cause the jaw members to close together at one end and to clasp an interposed moving conductor, contact members carried by said members at the side of the hinge remote from the conductor, said contact members being arranged to be brought into contact by a decrease in the amount of separation between the corresponding portions of the jaw members and one of said contact members being adjustable with relation to the other contact member.

4. In a device for automatically testing insulated conductors, an elongated member hinged at one end to the frame work of a machine and adapted to rest upon a traveling conductor at its other end, a member hinged to said elongatedmember and having one end arranged to engage the under side of the conductor, spring means tending to move the conductor engaging portions of the jaw members into engagement, a contact member carried by the other end of the lower ing brought into contact by a decrease in the amount of separation of the corresponding ends of the members, and one of said contact members having a threaded engagement with its seat and an enlarged head provided with a scale on the periphery, and a stationary pointer cooperating with said scale.

6. In a device for testing the insulation of a conductor or the like, a pair of opposed members having opposed ends resiliently urged toward each other, one of said members having both of its endsswingable toward and away from the other member and having a contact member movable with one of its ends, and another contact member dis posed in the path of the movement of said first contact member, whereby said contacts will engage when the opposed ends of said opposed members are permitted to 'move toward each other.

7. A device for testing the insulation of a conductor or the like, comprising a pair of opposed members of insulating material, said members having opposed ends resiliently urged toward each other to engage a conductor therebetween, one of said members being pivoted for swinging movement of its ends toward and away from the other and having a contact member mounted thereon and disposed upon the end remote from the conductor engaging end thereof, and another contact member disposed in the path of the movement of said first contact member, whereby said contacts will engage when the conductor engaging ends of said opposed members move toward each other a predetermined amount and means to lungedly secure said device to a supporting memher.

8. In a device for testing the covering of when said conductor engaging end of said member moves toward the conductor.

9. In a device for testing the covering of a conductor or the like, a pair of op osed members, the ends of one member icing adapted to move alternately toward and away from the other member, one of said ends cooperating with a portion of the other member to engage opposite sides of the conductor. a contact upon the end opposite the conductor engaging end, and a cooperating contact upon the other member, said contacts being disposed relatively to each other to engage when said conductor engaging portions move toward each other.

10. In a controlling device for electrical circuit-s, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an elongated article to rest lightly thereon while the article is being fed lengthwise, the other end of said member having an electrical contact thereon, another electrical contact disposed in cooperating relation to engage and being normally spaced from the first mentioned electrical contact, said member being swingably mounted upon a support, and means to retain the article engaging end of said member against the surface of the article, whereby irregularities on the surface of the article will aflect the spaced relation between said contacts.

11. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article to rest lightly thereon while the article is being fed lengthwise, the other end of said member having an electrical contact thereon, another member having an electrical contact thereon in cooperating relation to the first mentioned electrical contact for engagement therewith, said members being pivotally secured together for relative lateral swinging movement to dispose srid contacts out of cooperating relationship.

12. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, 0. member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article to rest lightly thereon while the article is being fed lengthwise, the other end of said member having an electrical contact thereon, another member having an electrical contact thereon in cooperating relation to the first mentioned electrical contact for engagement therewith, said members being pivotally secured to gether for relative lateral swinging movement to dispose said contacts out of cooperating relationship, and means to hingedly secure said device to a support.

13. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article, and an electrical contact upon the other end, another member having an article engaging end and an electrical contact disposed thereon in cooperating relation with the first mentioned electrical contact to engage the same, said members being pivoted together intermediate their ends for swinging movement relatively to each other to simultaneously permit movement of said article en aging ends and said contacts toward each ot er.

14. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article, and an electrical contact upon the other end, another member having an article engaging end and an electrical contact disposed thereon in cooperating relation with the first mentioned electrical contact to engage the same, said members being pivoted together intermediate their ends for swinging movement relatively to each other to simultaneously permit movement of said article engaging ends and said contacts toward each other and to permit swinging movement of one member relatively to the other to cause the article engaging end thereof to be disposed out of article engaging position.

15. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article, and an'electrical contact upon the other end, another member having an article engaging end and an electrical contact disposed thereon in cooperating relation with the first mentioned electrical contact to engage the same, and common means connecting said members intermediate their respective ends to permit one of said members to swing laterally with respect to the other out of article engaging position, and to permit its article engaging ends and the contact thereon to move toward the respective end and contact of the other of said members.

16. In a controlling device for electrical circuits, a member having an end adapted to engage the surface of an article, and an electrical contact upon the other end, another member having an article engaging end and an electrical contact disposed thereon in cooperating relation with the first mentioned electrical contact to engage the same, said members being pivoted together intermediate their ends for swinging movement relatively to each other to simultaneously permit move ment of said article engaging ends and said contacts toward each other, and means to hingedly secure said device to a support.

JOHN W. GREENLEAF. EDWARD A. MAU.