US2929569A

US2929569A - Continuous wire winding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2929569A
Application number: US642508A
Authority: US
Inventors: Judson N Detrick; Carl R Hoffman; Lester W Malzahn
Original assignee: Western Electric Co Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1957-02-26
Filing date: 1957-02-26
Publication date: 1960-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 1977-03-22

Description

March 22, 1950 J. N. DETRICK ETA].

CONTINUOUS WIRE WINDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 22, 1960 J. N. DETRICK ET AL 2 commuous WIRE WINDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. '26, 1957 4 SheetsSheet 2 7%? w new 5 4770302 7 March 22, 1960 J. N. DETRICK ET AL 2,929,569

CONTINUOUS WIRE WINDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb 26, 1957 March 22, 1960 J. N. DETRICK ET AL 2, 2

commuous WIRE WINDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1957 WTTOPAZY United States Patent "CSNTINUGUS WIRE 'WINBENG APPARATUS Endscn N. Patrick, Oak Parlr, -Carl R. Hoffman, Riverside, and Lester W. Malzahn, Maywood, Ill., assignors toivestern Electric mpany, Incorporated, New York, NFL, a corporation of New York Application Fehrnary 26,1957, Serial "No. 642,508

14 Ciaims. (Cl. 242 2s This invention relates to continuous Wire winding apparatus, and more particularly to a'continuous winding apparatus having facilities for automatically switching the wire being wound from a full takeup reelto an empty takeup reel without interrupting the feed.

In installations for automatically fabricating wires, it is necessary for continuous operation to transfer wire from a full takeup reel or spool to an empty takeup reel or spool. In use of such installations, the full takeup reel is stopped and removed and then replaced by an empty reel. Prior to the transfer operation, it is necessary to bring the speed of the empty reel up to the speed of the full reel in order to eliminate any accumulation of slack wire. The wire is then transferred to an empty reel by use of so-called snagger plates having engageable elements rotatable with each reel. As the reels synchronously rotate and the wire is engaged by both snagger plates, the wire is advanced past the severing device. These snagger plates have a diameter which exceeds that of the diameter of the wire wound on the full reel; consequently, the linear speed of the wire during transfer exceeds the peripheral speed of the core of the empty reel. If the transfer is to be effectively'accomplished without laying loose convolutions of wire on the empty reel, it is necessary that some means be provided to increase the rotative speed of the empty reel at the time of transfer.

An object of the invention is'to provide new and improved electrical control facilities for automatic reeling installations wherein reels are successively wound with wire without interrupting the operations of any of the devices or machines employed to fabricate the wire.

Another object of this invention resides in a continuthe switching facilities to further speed up the reel to such an extent that the peripheral speed of theco're equals or exceeds that of the speed of the wire being wound. This feature eliminates any possibility of the wire not being properly picked up and wound on the empty reel.

Other objects and-advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. l is a side elevational view of an installation for continuously winding wire on reels embodying the principal features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view, looking in the directions indicated by the arrows -2-2 in Fig. l, of a wire distributor and a number of limit switches for controlling the operation of thedistributor;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, of an accumulator for taking up slack in wire together with a regulating means controlled thereby;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view-taken along lines 4-4 of Pi". of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows showing a pair of reds that may be successively wound with wire in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 when assembled in the manner illustrated in Fig. '8 depict a control circuit for eliectuating a uniform feed of the wire, a transfer of the wire from a full reel to an empty reel and a control of distribution of the wire'on the reels.

Referring to Fig. 1, wire or other strand material 10 that may be coated or uncoated is advanced around a pair of capstansil and 12 from a fabricating device (not shown) that may function to form, coat or vulcanize the wire. The capstans i1 and 12 are positively driven through suitable belts or gearing from a constantly rotating motor .13. Motor 13 is also effective to drive a tachometer generator 14 that functions to exercise control of the speed of operation of the other components included in the wire takeup-equipment.

ous wire takeup device having an electrical control circuit for automatically transferring wire from a full reel to an empty reel without any abrupt change in the speed of the wire advanced through the various component equipments.

A further object of the invention is the provision of magnetically controlled clutches for regulating the speed Within finite limits of various wire feed and distributing components in a wire winding installation.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates a Wire winding installation having facilities for transferring wire from a full reel to an empty reel. Wire is advanced by means of a positively driven capstan to an accumulator and from there to a distributor that functions to distribute the wire on a positively driven reel. A control circuit under theconjoint regulation of the capstan, the accumulator and the positively driven reel assures that the Wire is wound under uniform tension.

Switching facilities under the control of an electric counter are provided to transfer the wire from a full reel to an empty reel Without interrupting the advance of the wire. Selective drive means actuated by the counter in conjunction with the control circuit are provided to initially accelerene an empty reel to a speed equal to that of the full reel at the time of switching. Speed compensating means are rendered effective upon actuation of Wire 19 is advanced around a guide roller 16 to an accumulator consisting of a rotatably mounted sheave 1'7 and a dancer sheave 18 that is rotatably'mounted on a slide block 19. The wire is wrapped to provide several turns around the sheaves '17 and 18, and upon any slack existing in the wire, the dancer sheave 18 will move downwardly. In a likemanner, if excessive tension exists in the wire then the dancer sheave 18 will move upwardly. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the slide block 39 is connected to a chain driven device 20 that in turn is adapted to control a rheostat 21. This rheostat is designed to further control the funcioning of the wire takeup device to insure that the takeup device maintains a uniform tension in the'wire being reeled.

The wire 10 is next advanced around a spring-biased tensioning device generally depicted by the reference numeral 22 and over a guide roller 23 to a distributor device generally denoted by the reference numeral 24. The distributor comprises a guide sheave 26 that is rotatably mounted on a tubular member 27 mounted for slidable movement along a guide rod 28. Member 27 is connected to apiston rod 29 that in turn is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder 31 having intake lines 32 and 33 running thereto.

Looking at Fig. 4, there is shown a pair of

reels

34 and 36 mounted releasably on

shafts

37 and 38. Each of these

shafts

37 and 38 is connected to drive one of a pair of tachometer generators 39 and 41 that function to govern the speed of the drive mechanism .for the reels. This drive mechanism consists of belt drives 42 and 43 that are driven through a .pairofmagnetic clutches by a pair of constant speed motors, one of which is Patented Mar. 22, 1960 designated by the reference numeral 45 in Fig. 1 of thedrawings.

Mounted on

shafts

37 and 38 and positionedin frictional engagement with the side plates of the reels 34 'and'36 facing each other are a pair of snagger-

plates

44 and 46 that are adapted to engage the wire within hooklike projections 47 whenever the distributor sheave 26 moves to transfer the wire from afull reel to an empty reel. Positioned between the

respective snagger plates

44 and 46 is a severing-knife 49 adapted to sever the .wire whenever the snagger pla es engage and advance the wire during a transfer operation. I 7

Connected to the piston rod 29 is a switch actuator 51 having its upper extremity (see Fig. 2) positioned to actuate a pair of switches 52 and 53 that function to cont'rol'the application of air to the intake lines 32 and 33, and thereby control the reciprocation of the distributor -24 to uniformly lay the convolutions of wire on the reel 36. The lower extremity of the actuator is adapted to operate a limit switch 54 that functions together with a switch 55 to set up a control circuit to effectuate a switching of the distributor from a position to guide wire onto the reel 36 to a position wherein the distributor will guide wire onto the newlypositioned empty reel 34. Upon operation of the transfer control circuit, the actuator 51 is shifted toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, so that the upper extremity will reciprocate between a pair of limit switches 56 and 57. In this instance the limit switches 56 and 57 function to control the application of air to the lines 32 and 33 in such a manner that the distributor 24 is reciprocated to guide the wire ontothe positively driven takeup reel 34. With the distributor 24 in this position, a switch 58 is cyclically operated to condition, in conjunction with switch '55, the control circuit for effectuating a transfer of the distributor 24 toward the right and into position to guide wire onto an empty reel 36. The initiation of the transfer of the distributor from one winding position to another is under the control of an electric counter that functions to effectuate the operation of the switching circuit whenever a reel is fully loaded with wound wire. a i

Considering now the operation of the apparatus and the I particular means utilized to effectuate a transfer of wire from a full reel to anempty reel, attention is directed to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 wherein the relay circuits shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are utilized first to control.the reciprocation of the distributor 24 to guide wire onto a reel, and. secondly to control the transferof the distributor from a reel wound with a predetermined amount of wire to an empty reel. In Fig. 7, the circuit enclosed by the dash lines and generally referenced by the number 75 is utilized to control the transmission of rotativepower to the shaft 37 on which is mounted the reel34; whereas, the circuit enclosed with the dash line box designated by the reference numeral 76 is the control for the transmission'of motion to the shaft 38 and reel 36. Control of the pressure in the airlines 32 and 33 and'hence the' speed of reciprocation of the distributor24 is attained by use of the circuit enclosed within the dash line box generally depicted by the numeral 77.

These

circuits

75, 76 and 77 depend for the exercise of control upon the regulation of the amount of current supplied to coils 78, 79 and 81, respectively, that are included as control components in magnetic clutches. These clutches are respectively interposed between the lefthand takeup reel motor 45, a pump motor 83, a righthand takeup motor 84, and the means for applying power tothe shaft 37, the air pump (not shown) and the shaft 38.

To obtain control of the current flow through the coils 78, 79 and 81, thyratron tubes 86, 87 and 88 are pro- ,vided, and function to act as rectifier elements for controlling the application of current from the AC.

power sources

80, 85 and 90 to the coils. By varying the peri- (5d of conduction of the thyratrons, it is possible to vary the total amount-of current passed through the coils, and control the magnetic fields of the coils; and consequently, determine the amount of torque transmitted by the clutches. Control of the period of conduction of thyratron 86 is obtained by means of the energy supplied through a pair of transformers 91 and 92, whereas the periods of conduction of the thyratrons 87 and 88 is controlled respectively by a pair of transformers 93 and 94 and a pair of

transformers

96 and 97. The transformer 93 is controlled by a tachometer generator driven by the pump motor 83.

For purposes of iilustration, assume that the lefthand reel 34 is tobe wound with wire and that the distributor is positioned to close limit switch 56 (see Fig. 6). In this position, the switch 55 (Fig. 5) is moved into position to engage an upper contact 98. The depression of a start button 101 completes an obviousenergizing circuit for a relay 102 which draws up a series of contacts to energize the motor 13. It will be recalled that this motor,13 imparts rotation to the capstans 11 and 12; Simultaneously therewith contacts 103 are also closed to respectively'energize the motors 45, 83 and 84. Relay 102 also closes contacts 104 to supply battery to the relay circuits shown in Figs. 5 and 6. With the switch 55 energizing upper contact 98, an energizing circuit for a relay 106 is completed that draws up contacts 107 to complete a circuit running from the transformer 92 to the tachometer generator 14 driven by the capstan motor 13. Relay 106'also draws up contacts .108 to complete a circuit through normally closed contacts 109 to a relay 111 that locks through contacts 112. Closure of contacts 104 also energizes a time delay relay which after a delay closes contacts 110 to energize a relay 115. Energization of relay opens contacts 109 and 120. The opening of contacts 109 interrupts the initial energizing circuit for the relay 111 but relay 111 is now held energized through its contacts 112. 'Relay 111 closes contacts 113 '(Fig. 7) to complete an energizing circuit fora relay 114 that functions to close contacts 116 contained in the anode circuit of the thyratron 86. 'Energy is now permitted to be transmitted from the tachometer generator 14 as modified by the rheostat 21,controlled by the accumulator 20, through the transformer 92 to control'the actuation of the thyratron 86. During periods of-oonduction of the thyratron, current is passed through the clutch coil 78 and the shaft 37 is permitted to rotate. As the shaft 37 rotates, the tachometer generator 39 is operated to impress energy through contacts 117 drawn up by the energization of relay 106 to the transformer 94. 'Output from the transformer 94 is employed to control the period of operation of thyratron 87. When thyratron 87 operates, the coil 79' is energized to effectuate operation of a pump for controlling the air pressure running to the lines 32 and 33. It will be noted that as the lefthand reel speeds up, the tachometer generator 39 will supply an increased amount of energy to the transformer 94 thus increasing the period of energization of the coil 79, andthereby increases the air pressure supplied to the line 32 and 33 which in turn controls'the speed of operation of the distributor 24. '3

At the start of operation the distributor'24 was positioned to close the switch '56; consequently, an energizing circuit is completed through normally closed contacts 118 to a solenoid119; This solenoid 119 opens a valve contained in the air line 32.1 The admission of air in the line 32 causes piston rod 29 and the distributor 24 to move toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2. When the actuator 51 closes the switch 57, a circuit is completed through normally closed contacts 121 to energize a solenoid 122. This solenoid opens a yalve contained in the air line 33=thereby permitting the air in the cylinder 31 to move the piston, rod 29 and the distributor24 toward thel'eft, M

Wire is wound on the reel 34 and is measured by an electric counter generally designated by the reference nu meral 123 in Fig. 5. The eiectric counter is set so'tha't when a predetermined amonnt of wire is wound on the reel 34 contacts 124 are closed to complete an energizing circuit through normally closed contacts 126 for a relay 127. Relay 127 locks through contacts 128 and draws up contacts 129, 131 and 132. Closure of contacts 131 creates an energizing circuit through normally closed contacts 133 and 134 to a relay 136. Relay 136 draws up contacts 137 (see Fig. 7) to complete an energizing circuit for a relay 138. Energization of relay 138 closes contacts 139 to connect the thyratron 88 to the clutch coil 81. Energization of relay 136 also closes contacts 141 (see also Fig. 7) to connect the transformer 97 to the output from the tachometer generator 39. Energy is transferred from the

transformers

96 and 97 to cyclically control the operation of thyratron 88 and thereby supply energy to the coil 81. Energization of coil 81 permits the transmission of power from the motor 84 to the shaft 38 to thereby initiate rotation of the reel 36. The speed of the reel 36 is brought up to the speed of the reel 34 through the instrumentality of the control exercised by the tachometer generator 39 on .the transformer 97.

Upon the counter 123 metering a predetermined amount of wire indicative of a full reel, the counter functions to close contacts 143 to complete an obvious energizing circuit through now closed contacts 128 for a relay 144. As the distributor moves over the center portion of the reel 34, the switch 58 (Fig. 6) is closed to energize a relay 146 that functions to draw up contacts 147. Energization of relay 144 closes contacts 148 to complete an energizing circuit for a relay 149 that is locked in through contacts 158. Relay 149 draws up contacts 151 to initiate operation of a timer relay 152 and also closes contacts 153 (Fig. 6). CIosure of contacts 153 completes an energizing circuit through normally closed contacts 154 to a solenoid 156 that functions to open a high pressure valve (not shown) contained in the air line 32. The admission of high pressure air causes the distributor 24 to be moved rapidly toward the right and into register with the empty reel 36. This high pressure air overcomes the normal effect of the air admitted to cylinder 31 to control the reciprocation of the distributor during the winding of the wire on the reel. Closure of contacts 153 is also effective to complete an energizing circuit through normally closed contacts 154 and 158 to a relay 159. Energization of relay 159 draws up contacts 160 to complete a locking circuit for the solenoid 156. Relay 159 also opens

contacts

161 and 118 and closes contacts 162. Closure of contacts 162 completes an energizing circuit for the solenoid 122 which will be recalled as being the control solenoid for admitting air into the line 33; thus conditioning the distributor for movement toward the left.

As the distributor 24 moves toward the right, the switch 55 (Figs. 2 and 5) is operated to engage a .contact 164 thereby completing a circuit to a relay 166 that functions to open contacts 134 and to close contacts 167. Closure of contacts 167 completes a locking circuit through now drawn up contacts 168 for the relay 136 that was energized at the time the counter 123 closed the contacts 124. It will be recalled that the relay 136 controls the closure of the contacts 137, which in effect, through the action of relay 138 in closing contacts 139 permits the cyclic energization of the thyratron 88 to apply current to the clutch coil 81.

Upon closure of the contacts 153, by the energization of relay 149, a relay 171 (Fig. 6) is also energized to close contacts 172 (Fig. 7). inasmuch as the relay .166 (Fig. 5) is closed when the distributor 24 moves into position to apply wire to the reel 36, contacts 173 are drawn up to complete a shunt circuit around the thyratron 88. Full output from the AC. source 85 is now applied to the clutch coil 81, and as a result maximum 6 torque is transmitted to the shaft 38 and reel 36. This acceleration of the reel permits the core thereof to rotate at 'a speed approximately equal to or greater than the linear speed of the wire being advanced through the distributor.

Previously energized time delay relay 152 will now function to close contacts 174 causing energization of a relay 176. Relay 176 opens contact 126 to deenergize relay 127 whereupon contacts 128, 129, 131 and 132 are opened. The opening of contacts 128 interrupts the locking circuit for the relay 144 whereupon contacts 148 open to deenergize the relay 149 thereby permitting contacts 150, 151 and 153 to open. The switching circuit is now restored to the initial condition and conditioned for another switching operation to transfer the distributor back into position to guide wire onto an empty reel 34.

During the transfer of the distributor from the lefthand reel 34 to the righthand reel 36, the wire 10 will be first caught beneath a projection 47 on the snagger plate 44, then stretched across the space intervening between the two snagger plates and then finally caught beneath a projection 47 on the snagger plate 46. As the reels and snagger plates continue to rotate, the wire between the snagger plates will be brought into position to be severed by the stationary knife 49.

When the distributor moves the switch 55 to the con tact 98, the relay 106 is deenergized to effectuate an opening of contacts 108 whereupon the relay 111 is deenergized. It will be recalled that relay 111 controlled the contacts 113 (Fig. 7) thus eflectuating a deenergization of the relay 114 to open contacts 116. It is now impossible to actuate the thyratron 86, and as a result there is no transfer of energy to the magnetic coil 78 and as a result the lefthand reel comes to a stop. If desired, a magnetic brake (not shown) could be associated with the 'lefthand shaft 37 and controlled by the deenergization of the relay 111 to rapidly bring the lefthand reel to a stop.

When .the distributor 24 moved into position to guide wire onto the reel 36, the .switch 54 closed to energize a relay 183 that causes contacts 180 to open thereby interrupting a previously established locking circuit for the relays 159 and 171 and the solenoid 156. The solenoid 156 controlled the application of high pressure air to the line 32; manifestly, the distributor is brought to a stop in register with the mid-section of the reel 36. With the distributor 24 now positioned to lay wire on the righthand reel 36, and recalling that the contacts 162 had been closed to energize the solenoid 122 to open the air valve associated with the line 36, the distributor will now move toward the left distributing the wire back over the loose severed end of wire and thereby insuring that the wire is positively wrapped on the core of the reel 36. .As the distributor moves toward the left, the switch 52 is actuated to again energize the solenoid 119 to reverse the direction of movement of the distributor. When the actuator 51 operates the switch 53, a relay 186 is energized to draw up contacts 190 to energize the solenoid 122 which functions to admit air in line 33 to reverse the direction of movement of the distributor 24.

When a predetermined amount of wire has been wound on the righthand reel 36, the counter circuit 123 is again actuated to cause the contacts 124 to close thereby completing the energizing circuit for the relay 127. Relay 127 again draws up contacts 128, 129, 131 and'132. However, with the distributor distributing on the righthand reel, the switch 55 engages contact 164 to energize relay 166; thus causing contacts 167 to be drawn up, and contacts 1'34 open. Closure of contacts 131 therefore completes an energizing circuit through now closed

contacts

181 and 182 to-the relay 111. This relay also effectuates the closing of'the contacts 113 to again permit energy to be transferred to the magnetic clutch coil .78 whereupon the lefthand reel .34 is initiated into rotation. Energizationof relaylll closes contacts 185 (see Fig. 7)

to connect the output of the tachometer generator 41 to the control circuit'for the magnetic coil 78; as accuseof wire indicative of a fully loaded reel 36, thecontacts.

143 are closed to energize the relay 144. This relay draws up contacts 148. Inasmuch as the distributor is on the righthand section of the winding device, the switch 54 is cyclically closed to energize the relay 183 (Fig. 6) that cyclically closes contacts 184. It may be thus understood that the simultaneous closure of contacts 148 and 184 will again efiectuate an energization of relay 149 to draw up contacts 150, 151 and 153.

'As the distributor guideswire onto the reel 36, the switch 53 is closed to energize relay 186. This relay has timed contacts 187 that do not close upon the initial energization of the relay, however, after a short period of time, the relay 186 draws up contacts 187 to complete an energizing circuit for relay 188 that locks in through contacts 189. Energization of relay 188'opens contacts 154 to preclude the energization of the solenoid 156 which will be recalled as being the solenoid for transferring the distributor from the lefthand reel 34 to the righthand and with the closure of contacts 153, an energizing circuit is completed through contacts 191 to a solenoid 192. Solenoid 192 is associated with a valve in the intake line 33 and applies air under considerable pressure to cause the piston 29 and the distributor 24 to move toward the left and position the sheave 26 in position to guide wire on to the reel 34. Closure of contacts 153 is also effective to complete an energizing circuit through the now closed contacts 191 and 161 to a relay 193 that functions to draw up contacts 194 to complete a locking.circuit for the solenoid 192. Energization of relay 193 also draws up contacts 195 to energize the solenoid 119 that functions to move the distributor 24 back toward the right when the distributor .is positioned to guide wire onto the reel 34 and the solenoid 192 is subsequently deenergized. In this manner the wire taken up by the reel 34 is laid back over the severed length of wireto insure that the wire istightly gripped on the core of reel 34.

When thesolenoid 192 is energized a relay 197 connected in parallel therewith is also energized, and as a result contacts 198 (Fig. 7) are drawn up. As the distributor is moved into register with the lefthand reel 34, the switch 55 closes the contact 98 to again energize the relay 106. Relay 106 draws up contacts 199 to complete a by-pass circuit around the thyratron 86 and as a result the maximum amount of energy is transferred from the AC. source 80 to the magnetic clutch coil 78. The core of the lefthand reel 34 is now accelerated to a peripheral speed thatequals or'slightly exceeds that of the linear speed of the wire 10. I

As the distributor 24 moves toward the left, the switch 541 is opened to deenergize the relay 183 whereupon contacts 184 are opened to drop out the relay 149. Relay 149 opens contacts 150, 151 and 153 and as a result, the timer relay 152 and the relay 159 are deenergized. De-

energization of the timer relay 152 effectuates opening.

of the contacts 174 to deenergize the. relay 176, whereafter the contacts 126 are opened to deenergize the relay 127. Deenergization of relayf127 opens contacts 128,

129, 131and 132 to effectuate a restoration of the switchupon previously established locking circuits for relays 193 and 197 and solenoid 192 are interrupted. The solenoid 192thereupon releases the valve applying high pressure air to line 33 and thenow energized solenoid 119 7 is effective to permit the passage of air through line 32. The distributor moves toward the right to lay convolutions of wire over the severed end of the wire '10. The circuit is now restored to'a condition preparatory to a subse quent operation upon, occurrence of the reel 34 being fullywoundwith wire.

It is to be understood thatthe'above-described ar rangements of circuits and construction of elemental parts aresimply illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention and many other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is: i

1'. In a winding apparatus for strand material, a pair of rotating takeup devices, means for distributing strand material onto a first of said takeup devices, means for transferring the distributing means to distribute strand material onto the other of said takeup devices, and means operated by said transferring means during movement of distributing means todistribute strand material onto the other of said takeup devices for accelerating said other takeup device.

2. In a continuous takeup apparatus for wire, means for independently supporting a pair of reels in axial alignment, a pair of drive means for independently driving said reels at the same peripheral speed, a distributor for guiding wire onto a first of said reels, switching means for moving said distributor to guide wire onto the second of said reels, and means actuated by said switching means during movement of said distributor to guide wire onto the second of said reels for accelerating the drive means associated with the second reel. a

3. In a continuous takeup apparatus for strand material, a pair of reels, a distributor for guiding strand material onto said reels, switching rneans for transferring said distributor from one reel to the other, means for driving said reels at synchronous speeds,; means actuated by a predetermined amount of strand material being guided onto a reel foroperating said switching means to move the distributor to guide the strand material ontothe other reel, and means actuated by said switching means moving the distributor to guide the strand material onto the other reel for accelerating said other reel.

4. In a continuously operating reeling machine, means for supporting flanged reels having cores upon which wire 'is to be wound, means including a magnetic clutch for driving a first of said reels, means for distributing wire on the core of the driven reel, means actuated by a predetermined amount of wire being wound for transferring the distributing meansto a second of said reels, means including a magnetic clutch for initially driving said second reel at a speed equal to that of'the first during the transfer, meansfor periodically energizing said clutches to control the speeds of said reels, and means controlled by the distributing means being transferred to the second reel for increasing the periods of energization of the clutch associated with the second reel to accelerate said second reel. a .5. In an apparatus for continuously winding Wire, a

pair of supports for a pair of reels, means for driving a first of said supports, means for driving a second of said supports, means for rendering one of said drive means effective to impart rotation to the reel mounted on the associated support, a distributing means for guiding the wire on said rotating reel, counter means actuated by the winding of a predetermined amount of wire for operating the second driving means to rotate the second reel at the same rate of speed as the first, means actuated by thecounter means for shifting the distributing meansfrom the first reel to the second reel, and means actuated by said shifting means during the shifting of the distributing means from the first recite the second reel foraccelerating'said driving means for said second reel.

6.- An apparatus for'winding wire onto reels comprising a pair of support means for holding a pair of reels, a first drive means including a magnetic clutch for driving a first of said support means, a second drive means including a magnetic clutch for driving a second of said support means, a control circuit for periodically energizing said magnetic clutches to operate at the same speed, a distributor for guiding wire onto said reels, switching means for selectively positioning said distributor to guide Wire onto said reels, means actuated by a predetermined amount of wire guided onto a first reel for actuating said switching means to position the distributor to guide wire onto the second reel, and means actuated by the switching means for increasing the periods of energization of said magnetic clutch associated with the second reel.

7. In a continuous takeup apparatus for strand material, a pair of reels, a distributor means for guiding strand material onto a first of said reels, switching means for transferring said distributor from said first reel to the second reel, a drive means including a magnetic clutch for driving the first of said reels, a drive means including a magnetic clutch for driving the second of said reels, a control circuit for periodically energizing said magnetic clutches to drive both reels at the same speed, means actuated by a predetermined amount of strand material guided onto the first reel for operating said switching means, and means actuated by said switching means for increasing the periodic energization of said magnetic clutch associated with the second reel to accelerate said second reel.

8. A takeup apparatus for strand material which comprises a pair of supports for a pair of reels, a pair of.

drive means for said supports, magnetic clutch means interconnecting each of said drive means with one of said supports, a first control circuit including an electronic tube for energizing the magnetic clutch associated with a first of said reels, a second control circuit including an electronic tube for energizing the magnetic clutch associated with the second of said reels, means for periodically energizing said tubes to drive the reels at the same rate of speed, a distributor for guiding strand material onto said reels, switching means for moving said distributor to guide strand material onto one of said reels,

normally open shunt circuits connected around each tube, and means actuated by the switching means for closing the shunt circuit associated with the reel to which the distributor is moved to guide strand material onto.

9. A takeup apparatus for strand material as defined in claim 8 including means for opening the shunt circuit.

10. In a winding apparatus for strand material, a pair of takeup devices, a first drive means including a first magnetic clutch for driving a first of said takeup devices, a second drive means including a second magnetic clutch for driving the second of said takeup devices, means for periodically energizing said first magnetic clutch at a first predetermined rate, means for guiding strand material onto said first takeup device, means actuated by the takeup of a first predetermined amount of strand material for periodically energizing the second magnetic clutch at said predetermined rate, means actuated by the takeup of a second predetermined amount of strand material for transferring the guide means to guide the strand material onto the second takeup device, and means operated by the transfer means for increasing the periodic energization of the second magnetic clutch.

11. In a continuous Winding apparatus, a pair of takeup devices, means for distributing strand material onto a first of said takeup devices, a first magnetic clutch means for driving a first of said takeup devices, means for cyclically energizing said first magnetic clutch to drive the first takeup device, a second magnetic clutch means for driving a second of said takeup devices, means actuated by the takeup of a predetermined amount of strand material for cyclically energizing said second magnetic clutch to drive said second takeup device, means actuated by a further takeup of a predetermined amount of strand material for moving said distributing means to distribute material on the second takeup device, and means operated by the distributor moving means for increasing the cyclic rate to drive the second takeup device at a greater rate of speed than the first takeup device.

12. In a winding apparatus for strand material, a pair of takeup devices, a first drive means including a first magnetic clutch for driving a first of said takeup devices, a second drive means including a second magnetic clutch for driving the second of said takeup devices, means for energizing said first magnetic clutch to drive said first takeup device, normally unoperated means adapted to energize said second magnetic clutch, a distributor for guiding strand material onto said first takeup device, means actuated by the strand material guided onto the first takeup device for operating said normally unoperated means to energize said second magnetic clutch, control means interconnecting said both energizing means for maintaining the speed of said takeup devices constant, means for transferring said distributor to guide wire onto a second takeup device, means operated by said transferring means guiding wire onto the second takeup device for accelerating said second takeup device, and means actuated by said transferring means for deenergizing the first magnetic clutch.

13. A wire winding apparatus, comprising a pair of shafts for receiving reels to be wound with wire, first drive means for rotating the first of said shafts, a first control circuit including a tube for operating the first drive means, means for periodically operating said tube to regulate the speed of said first drive means, a second drive means for rotating the second of said shafts, a second control circuit including a tube for operating the second drive means, means for periodically operating said .tube to regulate the speed of said second drive means, a distributor for laying wire on the reels mounted on said shafts, means responsive to the laying of a predetermined length of wire on a reel for shifting the distributor from one reel to the other, and a control circuit operated by said shifting means for increasing the period of operation of the tube in the circuit associated with a reel to which the distributor transfers the laying of the wire.

14. An automatic wire takeup apparatus, comprising a pair of rotatably mounted takeup devices, a first drive means, means for connecting said first drive means to rotate a first of said takeup devices, a distributor for laying wire onto the rotating takeup device, means for reciprocating said distributor means, a second drive means, means normally unoperated for connecting the second drive means to rotate the second takeup device, means operated by the laying of a predetermined amount of wire on the first takeup device for operating said means to connect the second drive means to the second takeup device, means operated by the further laying of a predetermined amount of wire on the first takeup device for shifting the distributor toward the center of the second takeup device, means operated by the shifting means to accelerate the second takeup device to rotate faster than the first takeup device, and means rendered efiective by the distributor being advanced to the center of the second takeup device to reverse the direction of movement of the distributor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,255,935 Lewellen et al. Sept. 16, 1941 2,469,706 Winther May 10, 1949 2,508,150 Fennell May 16, 1950 2,733,869 Bunch Feb. 7, 1956 2,779,545 Hauck et a1. Jan. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 705,699 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1954