US3612412A

US3612412A - Process and apparatus for recovering metals from cables

Info

Publication number: US3612412A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred J Graveman
Original assignee: Aluminum Converter Sales and Research Inc
Current assignee: Aluminum Converter Sales and Research Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-18
Filing date: 1970-06-18
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

Cable comprising aluminum strands wound about a steel core is reduced to its separate metal components by cutting substantially through the aluminum strands at closely spaced intervals, but leaving the steel core intact. This frees small aluminum strand segments from the core and these segments may be reduced still further in a reduction mill. The core is wound into a roll after the segments are cut away from it. The aluminum strands are severed into the segments by blades having notches therein which are sized to fit around the core but not around the strands about the core. The blades may be mounted on revolving wheels or they may reciprocate.

Description

United States Patent I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor Fred J.Grave1nan St. Charles, Mo. 47,353

[21] Appl. No. [22] Filed June 18, 1970 1,800,917 4/1931 1,831,115 11/1931 Holmes [45 1 Patemed 1971 2 334 577 11 1943 Postlewaite [73] Asslgnee ihfllgmlnum Converter Sales & Research, 2,649,822 8/1953 Penn 6 al- SL CharleSlMm 3,364,801 1/1968 Johnston Primary Examiner-James M. Meister Attorney-Gravely, Lieder & Woodruff PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING ABSTRACT: Cable comprlslng aluminum strands wound about a steel core is reduced to its separate metal components 2 5 2: g M by cutting substantially through the aluminum strands at a rawmg closely spaced intervals, but leaving the steel core intact. This 241/25, frees small aluminum strand segments from the core and these segments may be reduced still further in a reduction mill. The core is wound into a roll after the segments are cut away from it. The aluminum strands are severed into the segments by 29/403, 83/37, 83/343, 83/923, 83/924, 241/101 [51] Int. B26d 1/56 FieldofSearch............................................ 83/924, 339, 343, 440;

923, 6, 7, 37, 38, 1042, 54, 331 blades having notches therein which are sized to fit around the 30/901, 90.2, 90.3, 90.6, 90.8, 90.9, 95, 97; core but not around the strands about the core The blades 81/951; 241/25, 101; 29/403 may be mounted on revolving wheels or they may reciprocate.

PATENIED 11m 1 2 I971 SHEEI 10F d INVENTOR FRED J. GRAVEMAN LWW ATTO RNEYS PATENTED nm 1 2 I971 SHEET 2 [IF 4 FIG. 3

FIGS

lll

FIG. 4

INVENTOR FRED J. GRAVEMAN ATTOR N EYS PATENTEU UN 1 2 I97! SHEET 30F 4 ATTORNEYS PATENTED um 1 2 Ian FIG. 7

SHEET Q [If 4 INVENTOR FRED J. GRAVEMAN ATTO R N EYS PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING METALS FROM CABLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the recovery of metal from cables, and more particularly to a process and apparatus for seperating and recovering the separate metal components of a cable comprising a core and strands disposed about the core.

Many high-voltage electrical cables currently in use consist of a core, formed either from a single strand of steel wire or multiple strands twisted into a spiral configuration, and a plur'ality of aluminum strands twisted spirally around the core. The steel core imparts strength to the cable so that it can traverse extended reaches between poles or other standards. The aluminum strands, of course, serve as excellent conductors of electricity. The foregoing type of cable, which is commonly referred to as ACSR cable (aluminum cable steel reinforced), is in some applications sheathed with a dielectric insulating material.

Utility companies continually replace their ASCR cable since it tends to stretch in use and will ultimately break. The used cable is sold in rolls as scrap.

Scrap ACSR cable contains considerable aluminum in the form of individual strands, and by reason of this fact, the recovery of the aluminum from such cable has proved profitable. Currently, the separation is achieved by introducing the cable into a shredding machine similar to a hammermill which reduces both aluminum and steel components to relatively small fragments. The steel and aluminum fragments are then segregated by means of conventional separating devices such as magnetic separators, gravity tables, air flotation systems, and the like.

Shredding devices capable of fragmentizing ACSR cable, however, consume considerable power and furthermore require continual maintenance and replacement of parts since they act not only on the soft aluminum, but also on the hard steel core. Moreover, complete separation of the steel and aluminum is not afforded since these machines pulverize some of the metal and particles of steel often adhere to the aluminum fragments. This detracts from the purity and value of the recovered aluminum. The purity of the aluminum recovered may be enhanced by a secondary separation process, but this increases the expense of the total operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for completely separating the aluminum strands from the steel core of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ASCR cable). Another object is to provide a process and apparatus which reduces the aluminum strands of ACSR cable to small fragments which are free of steel particles. A further object is to provide a process and apparatus of the type stated which consumes relatively little power to effect the separation and reduction. An additional object is to provide an apparatus of the type stated which only cuts into the aluminum and leaves the steel core intact. Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the type stated which is trouble free and requires little maintenance. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The present invention is embodied in a process for recovering metal disposed in strands about a core in a cable and includes cutting substantially through the strands at closely spaced intervals to reduce the strands to small segments. The invention further includes apparatus for performing the foregoing process. The invention also consists of the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for recovering metals from cables;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable upon which the apparatus works, the core of the cable being shown exposed beyond the outer strands;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a corresponding machine forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the core-exposing machine;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the blades of the coreexposing machine closed and the cable fitted between the blades;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cutting machine showing the cutter wheels thereof partially in section, the view being taken along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of a core stripper forming part of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, 2 designates an apparatus for recovering aluminum from electrical transmission cable 4 of reinforced aluminum variety and for reducing the aluminum so recovered to small fragments which are convenient to handle and store. The cable 4 (FIG. 2) is commonly referred to ACSR cable and is employed almost universally for high-voltage electrical transmission lines. It normally consists of a galvanized steel core 6 and a plurality of aluminum strands 8 wrapped spirally around it. The core 6 is either a single galvanized strand or a plurality of galvanized strands twisted together into a spiral configuration, the latter being preferred where increased flexibility is required. The aluminum strands 6 are solid in cross section since aluminum bends fairly easily anyway. Utility companies wind scrap ACSR cable 4 in rolls 10 weighing approximately and 2,000 pounds and containing up to 6,000 feet of cable 4. In many instances the rolls 10 include large wood spools of drums around which the cable 4 is wound.

Broadly speaking, the apparatus 2 comprises (FIG. I) a turntable 16 for supporting a roll 10, a core-exposing machine 18 for initially removing the strands 8 from the core 6 at the end of the cable 4, a cutting machine 20 for clipping the strands 8 along the remaining portion of the core 6 into small segments 21 which fall from the core 6, a winding machine 22 for winding the core 6 into another roll 24, and a reduction mill 26 for reducing the aluminum strand segments 21 into small fragments which are economically packed and acceptable for use by aluminum smelters, electrometallurgical firms, etc.

The turntable 16 (FIG. 1) revolves about a vertical axis and has a flat upper surface on which the roll 10 rests. As the cable 4 is withdrawn from the roll 10, the roll 10 and turntable l6 revolve. This enables the cable 4 to be played out toward the core-exposing machine 18. In lieu of the turntable 16 the roll 10 may be supported on a spindle or horizontal axle. This alternative lessens the possibility of having the cable 4 become lodged in the roll 10 as occasionally may occur on the turntable 16 when the cable 4 is played out from the lower end.

The core-exposing machine 18 is preferably positioned between the turntable 16 and cutting machine 20 and includes (FIGS. 3 and 4) a shoe 30 which is mounted on a rigid support such as a press bed 32. The shoe 30 has a cable guide 34 posi tioned above it as well as a fixed knife 36 provided with a notch 38 located at the end of and in alignment with the guide 34. The upper end of the knife 36 is beveled to form an upwardly presented cutting edge 40, and that cutting edge continues through the notch 38. Moreover, the configuration of the notch 38 conforms to the configuration of the core 6 in the cable 4. The guide 34 shifts vertically and is spring biased to an upper position wherein it aligns with the base of the notch The shoe 30 has guide pins 42 projecting upwardly from it, and these guide pins extend through and confine the movement of a knife holder 44 to a truly vertical direction. The knife holder 44 is secured to power-actuated device such as the ram 46 (FIG. 1) of a press and has a movable knife 48 mounted rigidly on it. The knife 48 has a beveled cutting edge 50 along its lower end and when the holder 42 descends that edge will align with and move toward the cutting edge 40 on the fixed knife 36. The knife 48 likewise has a notch 52, the margins of which form part of the cutting edge 50, and when the knife 48 is at its point of furthest descent (FIG. the notch 52 aligns with the notch 38 and forms a circular opening which corresponds in size and shape to the cross-sectional configuration of the core 6.

Cable 4 withdrawn from the roll is passed through the cable guide 34 until several feet of cable 4 project beyond the knives 36 and 48 (FIG. 4). Then the ram 46 is energized, causing the knife 48 to close upon the knife 36. As the knife 48 descends, the aluminum strands 8 of the cable 4 are caught between the closing

blades

36 and 48 and the cutting edges 40 and 50 cut through and sever the strands 8 at the point (FIG. 5). The core 6, however, remains intact within the

notches

38 and 52. Once the knife holder 44 returns to its original position the strands 8 are twisted in a direction opposite to their direction of spiral and are pulled axially along the core 4 until completely free thereof. Thus, several feet of the core 6 are exposed at the end of the cable 4.

The cutting machine includes (FIG. 1, 6 and 7) a base 60 having a pair of parallel upstanding plates 62 and 64 fastened securely thereto. Bolted against the outwardly presented faces of the plates 62 and 64 are two sets of aligned bearing blocks 66 having bearings in which upper and lower cross-shafts 68 and 70 are journaled. It is desirable to have no radial play in the journals for the

shafts

68 and 70.

Immediately inwardly from the upstanding plate 64, a gear 72 (FIG. 7) is mounted on each cross-shaft 68 and 70 and these gears 72 mesh with no play or backlash between them. Moreover, the gears 72 are equally sized so that a one-to-one gear ratio exists between the

shafts

68 and 70. The gears 72 are encased in a housing 74 which is affixed to the plate 64. Along one side of the housing 74, the lower gear 72 meshes with a drive pinion 76 (FIG. 7) on the drive shaft 78 of a speed reduction gearbox 80 (FIG. 1), the input shaft of which is powered by an electric motor 82.

Adjacent to the inwardly presented surface of the upstanding plate 62 the cross-shafts 68 and 70 are fitted with cutter wheels 84 (FIGS. 6 and 7) having peripheral rims 86 at each side thereof. The rims 86 engage each other, and each wheel 84 between its rims 86 has circumferentially extending groove 88 of arcuate cross sectional shape. At the line of contact or point of tangency of the rims 86 on the two wheels 84, the arcuate grooves 88 form a generally circular opening between the wheels 84 (FIG. 7) and this opening is large enough to accommodate the cable 4. Each wheel 84 is provided with a pair of circumferentially extending reliefs 90, one being located on each side of and opening into the groove 88. Thus, the grooves 88 are separated from the rims 86 by the reliefs 90.

The wheel 84 is provided with a plurality of radial slots 92 (FIG. 6) which are spaced circumferentially from one another at equal angles and open outwardly through the grooves 88, reliefs 90 and rims 86. Moreover, as the wheels 84 rotate in unison due to the meshing of the gears 72, corresponding slots 92 in each wheel 84 will come into alignment. In other words, the gears 72 and wheels 84 are fitted to the

shafts

68 and 70 such that slots 92 in each wheel 84 will come into alignment as they pass through the line of contact or position of closest proximity for the two wheels 84. This line or position of course falls in a plane extending between the two axes of the

parallel cross-shafts

68 and 70.

Each radial slot 92 contains a blade 94 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which projects outwardly through the groves 88 and relief 90 and terminates at a beveled cutting edge 96 which extends from one rim 86 to the other on each wheel 84. The cutting edges 96 moreover extend out to but not beyond the outer surfaces of the rims 86 (FIG. 7). Thus, the cutting edges 96 on corresponding blades 94 pass in close proximity to one another as the wheels 84 rotate the corresponding blades 94 through the position in which they align.

Each cutting blade 94 is furthermore provided with an arcuate notch 98 (FIG. 7) which is positioned radially outwardly from the base of the groove 88 and is centered between the two rims 86 and reliefs on each side of it. The notches 98 are semicircular and the radius of each substantially equals the radius of the cable core 6. Consequently, when corresponding blades 94 on the cutter wheels 84 come into alignment at the line of contact between the wheels 84, the arcuate notches 98 in the aligned blades 94 form a circular aperture between the wheels 84 (FIG. 7) and the apertures so formed possess the same size and shape as the cross-sectional configuration of the core 6 in the cable 4. The bevel which forms the cutting edge 96 on each blade 94 extends up to and along the arcuate margins of the notches 98 so that the cutting edges 96 extend completely across the blades 94 and are not interrupted at the notches 98.

To retain the blades 94 in the radial slots 92 opposed grooves 100 and 102 (FIG. 6) cut into the wheels 84 and blades 94, respectively, near the inner ends of the slots 92. These

grooves

100 and 102 extend transversely of the wheels 84 and are semicircular in cross section, so that each set of

opposed grooves

100 and 102 forms a circular pinhole in the wheels 84. The pinholes so formed receive roll pins 104 which fit tightly therein and prevent withdrawal of the blades 94 from the slots 92.

The wheels 84 are counterrotating and each revolves in a direction which causes the blades 94 presented toward the turntable 16 and core exposing machine 18 to approach the line of contact between the wheels 84 and of course meet the corresponding blades 94 on the opposite wheel at that line of contact (the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6). Offset from this line of contact on the side at which corresponding blades 94 on the counterrotating wheels 84 approach each other is a cable guide 106 (FIGS. 1 and 6) which is secured to the upstanding wall 62 and possesses a guide aperture 108 which aligns with the line of contact between the wheels 84. The guide aperture 108 is sized to loosely receive the cable 4.

The cable 4 is passed through the guide aperture 108 of the cable guide 106 and fed into the arcuate grooves 88 between the wheels 84. As the wheels 84 revolve the blades 94 thereon engage the aluminum strands 8 of the cable 4 and draw the entire cable 4 through the cutting machine 20. The cutting edges 96 on the blades 94 approach the line of contact between the wheels 84, and when corresponding blades 94 on the two wheels 84 are at the line of contact (FIGS. 6 and 7) the cutting edges 96 will have severed the aluminum strands 8 or else will have cut almost entirely through them. The cable core 6, however, will be disposed in the circular space created by the opposed notches 98 in the aligned blades 94 (FIG. 7), and accordingly the core 6 will remain intact. Continued rotation of the wheels 84 causes the subsequent set of blades 94 to engage the aluminum strands and cut into them with their cutting edges 96. The reliefs 90 provide sufficient clearance on each side of the grooves 88 to prevent any strands 8 or segments 21 which may be bent outwardly from becoming lodged between the rims 86 at the line of contact thereof. Thus, the strands 8 are cut into the short segments 21 which are equal in length to the circumferential spacing between the blades 94, while the steel core 6 remains intact. The segments 21 for the most part pull away from the core 6 and drop onto the base 60.

In addition to the cutter wheels 84, the cutting machine 20 also includes a core stripper 110 (FIG. 1) for dislodging any of the cut aluminum segments 21 which may cling to the core as it emerges from the grooves 88 of the cutter wheels 84. The stripper 110 consists of (FIGS. 8 and 9) a frame 112 which is mounted on the base 60 and at its upper end is provided with a bearing 114 having a sleeve 116 (FIG. 9) journaled in it. At one end the sleeve 116 is fitted with a pulley 118 over which a V-belt 120 is trained. The belt 120 also passes over a pulley 122 on a motor 124 which is likewise secured to the frame 112. At its opposite end the sleeve 116 is fitted with a collar 126 having an axial bore 128 which is slightly larger in diameter than the core 6 and is furthermore located in alignment with the line of contact between the cutter wheels 84 so that the cable core 6 passes through collar bore 128 as it is played out from between the wheels 84. On its front face, that is the face presented toward the wheels 84, the collar 124 is pro vided with a pair of generally radially extending stripper blades 130 (FIG. 8) having beveled knife edges 132 located adjacent to the end margins of the bore 126.

After the core 6 emerges from the cutter wheels 84 it enters the bore 128 of the collar 126 and extends completely through the sleeve 116 on which that collar 126 is mounted. Indeed, the core 6 is drawn through the sleeve 116 by the winding machine 22 as will presently be described in more detail, and accordingly it remains taut between the stripper 110 and the cutter wheels 84. As the sleeve 116 rotates, the beveled knife edges 132 on the stripper blades 130 revolve around the core 6 and engage any cut segments 21 of the aluminum strands 8 which may cling to the core 6 beyond the cutter wheels 84. Whenever one of the stripper blades 130 engages such a segment 21 it dislodges that segment and propels it away from the steel core 6 so that only the core 6 emerges from the opposite end of the rotating sleeve 116.

Between the stripper 110 and the cutter wheels 84 the cutting machine 20 is fitted with a sheet metal guard 134 (FIG. 1) to prevent the aluminum strand segments 21 dislodged by'the stripper blades 130 from being thrown randomly away from the machine 20. Also between the stripper 110 and the cutter wheels 84 the base 60 has a chute 136 (FIG. 1) into which the cut segments 21 of the aluminum strands 8 fall, and that chute deposits the segments 21 on an endless belt conveyor or another chute 138 which transfers the segments 21 to the reduction mill 26.

The reduction mill 26 possesses the standard shredder construction and includes a housing 140 provided with an inlet 142 into which the conveyor 138 discharges the cut segments 21. The housing 140 has a rotor 144 journaled in it and that rotor is provided with blades (not shown) which pass across a stationary cutter bar (not shown) and stationary grate (not shown) within the housing 140, The cut segments 21 which enter the inlet 142 are engaged by the blades of the rotor 144 and drawn across the cutter bar and grate where they are reduced to relatively small fragments or pellets which are collected in a bin or suitable container located beneath the housing 140.

The winding machine 22 includes a frame 150 on which a rotatable reel 152 is journaled, and that reel is rotated by an electric motor (not shown) which is also mounted on the frame 150 and is connected to the reel 152 through a belt drive.

The reel 152 (FIG. 1) has pairs of spaced radially extending retaining

arms

158 and 160 which are connected to axially extending hub members 162. The innennost arms 158 of each pair are permanently attached to their respective hub members 162, whereas the outermost arms 160 are detachable from those hub members.

The steel core 6 is wound around the axially extending hub members 162 to form the roll 24, and the sides of that roll are confined by the

radial arms

158 and 160. Once a full roll 24 is obtained, it is tied with wire while still on the reel 152 and then the outermost radial arms 160 are detached from their respective hub members 162, thus enabling the roll 24 to be withdrawn axially from the reel 152.

OPERATION The operation of the separating apparatus 2 may be summarized as follows: At the outset a roll of electric transmission cable 4 is set upon the turntable 16 (FIG. 1) and the end of the cable 4 is withdrawn and inserted into the cable guide 34 of the core-exposing machine 18 (FIG. 4). The cable 4 is drawn through the guide 34 until the amount of cable 4 extending beyond the

knives

36 and 48 exceeds the distance between the stripper and the cutter wheels 84 on the cutting machine 20 by approximately a foot. Then the ram 46 of the core-exposing machine 18 is energized, causing the knife 48 to close upon the knife 36 and sever the aluminum strands 8 at that point (FIG. 5). The steel core 6, however, fits into the

notches

38 and 52 of the

knives

36 and 48 and remains intact. Once the

knives

36 and 48 have parted the aluminum strands 8 beyond the cut so formed are twisted away from the core 6, leaving the core 6 exposed at the end of the cable 4 (FIG. 2).

Thereafter, the cutter wheels 84 on the cutting machine 211 are positioned so that only the opposed grooves 88 on those wheels 84, and not the cutting blades 94, are positioned at the line of contact between the wheels 84. This leaves a circular channel between the wheels 84 and the exposed core 6 is passed through this channel and guided into the axial bore 128 of the collar 126 on the stripper 110. The exposed core 6 is then drawn through the sleeve 116 until the aluminum strands enter the channel formed by the opposed arcuate grooves 88 on wheels 84.

With the lead end of the aluminum strands 8 positioned in the grooves 88 of the wheels 84 and the exposed core 6 extending through the sleeve 116 of the stripper 110, the motors 82 and 124 are energized. The motor 82 drives the gears 72 and rotates the wheels 84 in unison at exactly the same angular velocity. As the wheels 84 rotate, corresponding sets of cutting blades 94 on the two wheels 84 advance toward a position of alignment, and that position is of course where the rims of the two wheels 84 contact each other. As the blades 94 move toward the position of alignment their cutting edges 96 engage the aluminum strands 8 and bite into them. Continued rotation of the wheels 84 causes the blades 96 to cut into the strands 8 and also draw the cable 4 through the guide aperture 108 in the cable guide 106. When the corresponding blades 94 on the two-wheels 84 reach their point of alignment (FIGS. 6 and 7) the cutting edges 96 on each side of the notches 98 will be positioned extremely close, if not in contact with each other (FIG. 7), and since the opposed notches 98 in those corresponding blades 94 are only large enough to accommodate the core 6, the cutting edges 96, including the portions along the notches 98, will extend completely through or at least substantially through the aluminum strands 8. In other words, when corresponding blades 94 on the two wheels 84 come into alignment, the aluminum strands 8 will be severed from the core 6 and if the cut is complete the severed segments 21 of the strands 8 will drop downwardly into the chute 136 which in turn directs them onto the endless belt of the conveyor 138.

Since it is extremely difficult to mount the blades 94 in the wheels 84 such that the cutting edges 96 on corresponding blades 94 will come into contact without overriding, some of the corresponding blades 94 upon reaching alignment may have slight gaps between the positions of their opposed cutting edges 96 located on each side of their notches 98. Similarly, the diameter of the core 6 may vary slightly along the length of the cable 4 and this is particularly true where the core 4 is formed from multiple steel strands. In either case, the cutting edges 96 of the blades 94 will cut substantially through the strands 8, but the cut will not be complete. As a result some of the cut segments 21 may cling to the core 6, particularly when the core 6 contains multiple strands between which the cut segments 21 may lodge. Those segments 21 are dislodged by the revolving stripper blades as the core 6 enters the bore 128 on the collar 126 (FIGS. 1 and 8).

Initially the core 6 is drawn through the sleeve 116 of the stripper 110 by hand, but when a sufficient amount of core 6 is available its free end is attached to one of the hub members 162 on the reel 152 of the winding machine 22. Thereafter the winding machine 22 winds the core 6 upon the reel 152 (FIG. 1), and this maintains the core 6 taut between the cutter wheels 84 and the stripper 110 of the cutting machine 20. As the reel 152 turns, a roll 24 is formed between the

radial retaining arms

158 and 160, and this roll 24 when complete may be bound and withdrawn from the reel 152 by detaching the arms 160.

The aluminum strand segments 21 deposited on the conveyor 138 are transferred thereon to the reduction mill 26 (F l6. 1) where they are reduced to small fragments or pellets which are collected in a bin or other suitable container.

inasmuch as the blades 94 on the cutter wheels 84 only cut into the relatively soft aluminum strands 8 and not the hard steel core 6 they may be used for long periods of time without sharpening. Similarly, the reduction mill 26 only operates on the aluminum strand segments 21, and therefore its rotor blades require sharpening infrequently. This, of course, reduces the maintenance costs for the apparatus considerably below the cost of maintaining conventional apparatus which cut and reduce both the steel and aluminum of the cable 4.

The apparatus 2 also requires considerably less energy to recover an equivalent amount of aluminum from equally sized cable 4. For example, the various motors in the cutting machine 20, winding machine 22, and reduction mill 24 require a total of approximately horsepower when the inch-diameter ACSR cable 4 is fed at approximately 100 feet per minute. A conventional shredder operating on both the steel core 6 and strands 8 of the same 54-inch cable 4 fed at the same speed would require 250 horsepower. Thus, the saving in energy is considerable.

In lieu of the rotary cutting machine 20, a reciprocating cutting machine may be employed to sever the aluminum strands 8 into short segments 21. Such a cutting machine in terms of structure would be almost identical to the core-exposing machine 18 (FIGS. 3-5), only the cable guide 34 would be more confining. lnsofar as the operation of such a machine is concerned, its fixed and movable knives would open and close continuously, severing aluminum segments 21 from the strands 8 on each closure. The cable 4 would be advanced through the reciprocating cutting machine by a pair of closely spaced draw rolls which would engage the core 6 and pull it. The portion of the core 6 between such rollers and the reciprocating cutter blocks should pass over a spring-loaded idler roller which would maintain a limited amount of curvature or slack in that core portion so that when the blades engage and cut the aluminum strands 8 the slack will be taken up, thus enabling the cable 4 to assume a stationary position the instant the blades are closed.

ACSR cable having a dielectric insulation around its strands 8 should first be fed through a conventional stripping machine to remove the insulation therefrom.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for separating and recovering different metals from a cable which has a core formed from one metal and a plurality of strands wound spirally about the core and formed from a different metal; said process comprising cutting substantially through the spirally wound strands at closely spaced intervals along the cable to form strand segments but leaving the core intact, the intervals between cuts being short enough to enable the strand segments to fall free of the core when completely severed from adjoining strand segments, and collecting the segments.

2. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by reducing the strand segments.

3. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by winding the core into a roll beyond the location where the strands are cut into segments.

4. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by revolving a blade about the outer surface of the core and in close proximity thereto after the segments are cut from the strands, whereby any segments clinging to the core will be dislodged.

5. A process according to claim 4 and further characterized by maintaining the portion of the core about which the blade revolves taut.

6. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by drawing the core taut as the segments are cut from the strands.

7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the strands are cut by passing the cable between counter rotating wheels having knife blades thereon.

8. A process according to claim 7 and further characterized by exposing a limited segment of the core at the end of the cable before introducing the cable between the wheels.

9. An apparatus for seperating metals from a cable which has a core and strands positioned about the core, the core being formed from one metal and the strands from another; said apparatus comprising counterrotating wheels between which the cable is fed, blades on the wheels and having outwardly presented cutting edges, the wheels rotating at the same velocity and being synchronized so that the cutting edges of corresponding blades on the wheels are aligned and presented opposite each other in a closed position once during every revolution of the wheels, the blades having notches which accommodate the core when the blades are in the closed position so that the blades fit around but do not cut through the core, the cutting edges of the blades extending along the notches as well as to the sides of the notches, whereby as corresponding blades on the different wheels approach each other due to rotation of the wheels the cutting edges of those blades cut through the strands at closely spaced intervals, thereby reducing the strands to short segments, but leaving the core intact.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the wheels have circumferentially extending grooves which open radially outwardly and receive the cable; and wherein the blades project through the grooves.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the wheels have substantially abutting rims on each side of the grooves therein, and wherein circurnferentially extending reliefs are interposed between rims and the groove of each wheel.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9 and further characterized by at least one blade revolving about the core and in close proximity to its surface beyond the wheels, whereby any segments which cling to the core will be dislodged.

13. An apparatus for separating a plurality of strands from a core about which those strands are positioned; said apparatus comprising support members, a pair of wheels journaled on the support members for rotation in opposite directions about substantially parallel axes, the peripheries of the wheels passing in close proximity as the wheels rotate; blades carried by the wheels and having outwardly presented cutting edges which describe two substantially tangent circles as the wheels rotate; and means for synchronizing rotation of the wheels such that the cutting edges on the blades of the two wheels align at the point of tangency for the two circles described by the cutting edges; the blades further having notches and the opposed notches in aligned blades forming an aperture which will receive the core, but not the strands positioned about the core; the cutting edges on the blades extending along the notches therein and on each side of the notches; whereby when the cable is passed between the wheels, the cutting edges of the blades cut into the strands as those cutting edges move toward a position of alignment so that the strands are substantially severed at the point of alignment for the cutting edges, but the core is left intact.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by a rotatable sleevelike element through which the core passes after the strand segments have been cut away from it; and a stripper blade carried by the sleevelike element and having one end positioned close to the surface of the core whereby any strand segments clinging to the core will be dislodged.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by means for winding the core into a roll after the strand segments have been cut from the core.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by a reduction mill for reducing the strand segments to small fragments.

H7. An apparatus for separating and recovering components of a cable having a core and multiple strands positioned about the core; said apparatus comprising support means; a rotatable wheel joumaled on the support means and having a circumferential surface along which the cable is fed; at least one blade mounted on the wheel in a fixed position thereon and having an outwardly opening notch which is configured to receive he core, but not the strands positioned about the core, the blade further having an outwardly presented cutting edge which extends along the notch and to the side of the notch for cutting through strands engaged thereby, but not through the core; and backing means mounted on the support means such that the wheel rotates relative thereto, the backing means being positioned adjacent to the circle described by the cutting edge of the blade for engaging the cable and forcing strands thereof into the cutting edge of the blade, whereby strands are cut at closely spaced intervals to form strand segments which are freed from the core while the core remains intact.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cable is advanced at substantially the lineal velocity of the blade at its cutting edge.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 and further characterized by drive means connected to the wheel independently of the cable for rotating the wheel, whereby the cable is advanced through the apparatus by the rotating wheel and blade thereon.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the backing means is another rotatable wheel.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the other rotatable wheel has a blade which also has a notch and a cutting edge extending through the notch and on the side thereof for cutting the strands but not the core.

Claims

2. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by reducing the strand segments.
3. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by winding the core into a roll beyond the location where the strands are cut into segments.
4. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by revolving a blade about the outer surface of the core and in close proximity thereto after the segments are cut from the strands, whereby any segments clinging to the core will be dislodged.
5. A process according to claim 4 and further characterized by maintaining the portion of the core about which the blade revolves taut.
6. A process according to claim 1 and further characterized by drawing the core taut as the segments are cut from the strands.
7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the strands are cut by passing the cable between counter rotating wheels having knife blades thereon.
8. A process according to claim 7 and further characterized by exposing a limited segment of the core at the end of the cable before introducing the cable between the wheels.
9. An apparatus for seperating metals from a cable which has a core and strands positioned about the core, the core being formed from one metal and the strands from another; said apparatus comprising counterrotating wheels between which the cable is fed, blades on the wheels and having outwardly presented cutting edges, the wheels rotating at the same velocity and being synchronized so that the cutting edges of corresponding blades on the wheels are aligned and presented opposite each other in a closed position once during every revolution of the wheels, the blades having notches which accommodate the core when the blades are in the closed position so that the blades fit around but do not cut through the core, the cutting edges of the blades extending along the notches as well as to the sides of the notches, whereby as corresponding blades on the different wheels approach each other due to rotation of the wheels the cutting edges of those blades cut through the strands at closely spaced intervals, thereby reducing the strands to short segments, but leaving the core intact.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 whereiN the wheels have circumferentially extending grooves which open radially outwardly and receive the cable; and wherein the blades project through the grooves.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the wheels have substantially abutting rims on each side of the grooves therein, and wherein circumferentially extending reliefs are interposed between rims and the groove of each wheel.
12. An apparatus according to claim 9 and further characterized by at least one blade revolving about the core and in close proximity to its surface beyond the wheels, whereby any segments which cling to the core will be dislodged.
13. An apparatus for separating a plurality of strands from a core about which those strands are positioned; said apparatus comprising support members, a pair of wheels journaled on the support members for rotation in opposite directions about substantially parallel axes, the peripheries of the wheels passing in close proximity as the wheels rotate; blades carried by the wheels and having outwardly presented cutting edges which describe two substantially tangent circles as the wheels rotate; and means for synchronizing rotation of the wheels such that the cutting edges on the blades of the two wheels align at the point of tangency for the two circles described by the cutting edges; the blades further having notches and the opposed notches in aligned blades forming an aperture which will receive the core, but not the strands positioned about the core; the cutting edges on the blades extending along the notches therein and on each side of the notches; whereby when the cable is passed between the wheels, the cutting edges of the blades cut into the strands as those cutting edges move toward a position of alignment so that the strands are substantially severed at the point of alignment for the cutting edges, but the core is left intact.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by a rotatable sleevelike element through which the core passes after the strand segments have been cut away from it; and a stripper blade carried by the sleevelike element and having one end positioned close to the surface of the core whereby any strand segments clinging to the core will be dislodged.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by means for winding the core into a roll after the strand segments have been cut from the core.
16. An apparatus according to claim 13 and further characterized by a reduction mill for reducing the strand segments to small fragments.
17. An apparatus for separating and recovering components of a cable having a core and multiple strands positioned about the core; said apparatus comprising support means; a rotatable wheel journaled on the support means and having a circumferential surface along which the cable is fed; at least one blade mounted on the wheel in a fixed position thereon and having an outwardly opening notch which is configured to receive he core, but not the strands positioned about the core, the blade further having an outwardly presented cutting edge which extends along the notch and to the side of the notch for cutting through strands engaged thereby, but not through the core; and backing means mounted on the support means such that the wheel rotates relative thereto, the backing means being positioned adjacent to the circle described by the cutting edge of the blade for engaging the cable and forcing strands thereof into the cutting edge of the blade, whereby strands are cut at closely spaced intervals to form strand segments which are freed from the core while the core remains intact.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cable is advanced at substantially the lineal velocity of the blade at its cutting edge.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 and further characterized by drive means connected to the wheel independently of the cable for rotating the wheel, whereby the cable is advanced through the apparatus by the rotating wheel and blade thereon.
20. The appaRatus of claim 17 wherein the backing means is another rotatable wheel.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the other rotatable wheel has a blade which also has a notch and a cutting edge extending through the notch and on the side thereof for cutting the strands but not the core.