US3893287A

US3893287A - High-speed stranding machine with air cooling

Info

Publication number: US3893287A
Application number: US460974A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Jahne
Original assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK HERBORN KG
Current assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK HERBORN KG
Priority date: 1973-04-16
Filing date: 1974-04-15
Publication date: 1975-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-08
Also published as: ATA254774A; DE2319145A1; DD113045A5; AT332254B; IT1007924B

Abstract

High-speed stranding machine with means for air cooling of same. The stranding machine comprises a housing having rotatably mounted therein a hollow rotor which in turn contains a pivotally mounted spool for wire. Conventional means are provided for withdrawing wire from the spool and leading same to the exterior of the machine and conventional means are provided for providing high-speed rotation of the rotor. A window is provided through the rotor to permit access to the spool. Fan means are positioned at at least one end of such rotor for drawing air from within the rotor and expelling same externally of the machine. Sealing means, such as walls projecting inwardly toward the rotor from the housing to constitute a labyrinth seal, are provided for minimizing the entry of air into the window zone of the rotor. Thus, air pressure is reduced in such window zone which reduces the noise generation thereat. By the same reduction of air pressure within the rotor, ambient air is caused to enter thereinto through channels provided through or adjacent the roller bearings thereby effecting cooling thereof. Exiting air from said fan is conducted along at least one end of the rotor for cooling same and for drawing thereto heat generated adjacent said window. Air exiting from said fan may also be conducted through the brake provided for emergency stopping of the rotor.

Description

United States Patent Jahne HIGH-SPEED STRANDING MACHINE WITH AIR COOLING [75] Inventor: Walter Jahne, Marktoberdorf,

Allgaeu, Germany [73] Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Herborn Kommanditgesellschaft, Herborn/Dillkreis, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 460,974

[] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 16, 1973 Germany 2319145 [52] US. Cl 57/58.32; 57/5834 [51] Int. Cl t D071) 3/04 [58] Field of Search 57/583-5854, 57/5863, 58.65, 58.7, 5883, 58.34 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,162,131 6/1939 Somerville... 57/5832 2,4l6,l26 2/1947 Somerville... 57/5832 3,407,587 10/1968 Mitchell r. 57/5832 Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn l 5 7 1 ABSTRACT High-speed stranding machine with means for air cooling of same. The stranding machine comprises a housing having rotatably mounted therein a hollow rotor which in turn contains a pivotally mounted spool for wire. Conventional means are provided for withdrawing wire from the spool and leading same to the exterior of the machine and conventional means are provided for providing high-speed rotation of the rotor. A window is provided through the rotor to permit access to the spool. Fan means are positioned at at least one end of such rotor for drawing air from within the rotor and expelling same externally of the machine. Sealing means, such as walls projecting inwardly toward the rotor from the housing to constitute a labyrinth seal, are provided for minimizing the entry of air into the window zone of the rotor. Thus, air pressure is reduced in such window zone which reduces the noise generation thereat. By the same reduction of air pressure within the rotor, ambient air is caused to enter thereinto through channels provided through or adjacent the roller bearings thereby effecting cooling thereof. Exiting air from said fan is conducted along at least one end of the rotor for cooling same and for drawing thereto heat generated adjacent said window. Air exiting from said fan may also be conducted through the brake provided for emergency stopping of the rotor.

13 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures t 9 l 12 20 14\ a l A i 'T'-i T-T"7" "*"V 29 23 1a 21 24 25 21 7'1 1s 25 PATEHTEBJUL 8 ms SHEET N EM N 3 MN 1 HIGH-SPEED STRANDING MACHINE WITH AIR COOLING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a high-speed stranding machine for the manufacture of stranded wire from individual wires or from ropes of stranded wire, comprising a housing in which a windowed cylindrical rotor is supported rotatably and spaced from the inner wall of the housing, having at least one spool carrier which is pivotally suspended in the rotor and accessible through a window therein, and devices for venting the inside of the housing, wherein on the inside of the housing there are arranged housing partition walls which extend close to the rotor, and which divide the space between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the rotor into window zones and into cooling zones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION High-speed stranding machines are operated at very high rotational speeds and correspondingly high peripheral speeds, such as a rotational speed of 5,000 rotations per minute and a peripheral speed of 120 m/sec. At such high peripheral speeds a very strong air turbulence takes place which is substantially due to the edges of the windows. Such turbulence is not only noisy but also converts much mechanical energy into heat. Even if one would seal a high-speed rotor in a soundproof manner, the problem would not be solved because the heat which is produced by air circulation and bearing friction would lead to such high temperatures as to in hibit or prevent the successful operation of such a machine.

In the past, enclosed rotors have been vented by additional fans and the noise caused thereby was accepted. Another solution consists in arranging within the rotor housing an intermediate base which on one side thereof permits a circuitous venting of the rotor chamber, while the arrangement of partition walls, and plenum chambers defined by these partition walls, prevents the propagation of the sound transmitted by the air. However, the housing shape so provided which contrasts with a smooth cylindrical shape again causes an additional turbulence.

it is also known to provide a covering for the win dows, while the smooth zones of the rotor are contacted by the outside air. In zones of a relatively low speed this will achieve reasonably satisfactory results. However, at higher peripheral speeds, neither the contact of the smooth zones with ambient outside air is sufficient to achieve the desired cooling, nor is the only partial encasing of the rotor, which also transmits body sound, sufficient to effect the desired reduction of noise.

It is also known (Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,064,501) to use in machines which are driven by electric motors the cooling air jet of the electric motor for venting of noise limiting casings. There are here three possibilities. First, if the air flows through the motor, only a small amount of the cooling is obtained for the driven machine. Second, if the motor draws the heated air from the noise limiting casing, then the cooling for the motor may not be sufficient. Third, if the ejector effect of the air blown off by the motor is used to draw additional fresh air through the noise limiting casing, then the air which is blown out by the motor must expend energy to move the additional further air. It is hence slowed down which renders the motor cooling in turn less effective.

In none of the suggested solutions are the noise and heat problems met at the places where they originate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, the basic purpose of the invention is to further develop a high-speed stranding machine of the type mentioned above so that the air turbulence is reduced at the place where it originates, namely in the window zones.

This purpose is attained according to the invention by fixedly connecting with the rotor fan wheels which are arranged to convey air from the window zones into the cooling zones, and by providing that between window zones and cooling zones and between the inside of the rotor and the atmosphere only small flow cross sections exist.

Fan wheels which are fixedly connected to the rotor effect, because of the high rotational speed of the rotor, a very strong air jet and permit the production of a considerable pressure differential between suction side and pressure side of the fan wheels. Thus, the air pressure in the area of the window zones can be considerably reduced. The smaller air density in the window zones leads to a smaller turbulence and hence less noise and less heat generation. The low pressure effects also an entry of fresh air through the wire guides, which favors the cooling of the otherwise not attainable spool carrier bearings, and return flow occurs through the gap existing between rotor and housing partition walls. Propagation of the air noise which is created in the window zone is prevented by such gap while the heat is discharged effectively to the outside through the rotor which preferably consists of light metal thus a good heat-conducting material. Through the reduction of the air density in the window zones, the noise development and dissipation of mechanical energy is met at the place of their origin.

The fan wheels have advantageously substantially radially extending blades. This is on one hand advantageous for space reasons and on the other hand the radially extending blades achieve a specially large pressure drop. However, other fan wheels are also possible, for example axial flow fans. In a specially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fan wheels are provided in rotor end walls (inlet part and outlet part) and- /or in the rotor partition walls. This avoids the necessity of special structural parts for the fan wheels because walls for the supporting of the spool carriers are needed anyway on the rotor end walls and therebetween. However, constructions are also possible in which the fan wheels are formed by special parts which are fixedly connected to the rotor.

According to a further development of the invention air jets which act as blades exit from the fan wheels into the space between rotor and inner wall of the housing and in each cooling zone there is arranged at least one air inlet opening and one air outlet opening. Through this further development of the invention the fan wheels which are arranged in the rotor effect at the same time a pumping effect in the housing so that through this housing large amounts of air are moved from outside for cooling the rotor. In the subclaims there are defined embodiments for the construction of guides for the air which flows through the housing,

which are partly explained in the hereinafter following description in connection with the drawings of one exemplary embodiment.

According to a further development of the invention, at least some housing partition walls consist of two or more elemental walls. between which the plenum chambers are provided. The several elemental walls together form a sort ofa labyrinth gland which on the one hand inhibits the propagation of the noise which is created in the window zones and on the other hand prevents an excessive return flow between the cooling zones which are under high pressure and the window zones which are under low pressure. In this manner the desired relatively great pressure difference can be maintained.

According to a further development of the invention a fan wheel which is adjacent to a brake pulley is used for cooling same. Characteristics of this are defined more in detail in the subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view ofa high-speed stranding machine having two spool carriers within the rotor and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line IIII of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The stranding machine has a housing 1 and a rotor 2.

The rotor 2 has a cylindrical member 3 which is closed at one end by a rotor end wall 4 and at the other end by a further rotor end wall 5. The end wall 4 is at the inlet side and the end wall 5 is at the outlet side. The end wall 4 has a shaft 6, which is supported in ball bearing means 7, while the outlet side end wall 5 is supported by means of a shaft pin 8 in ball bearing means 9 in the housing 1.

A partition wall 10 is also provided in the rotor. Shafts ll, 12 are arranged on the partition wall 10. Similar shafts l3 and 14 are provided on the

end walls

4 and 5. The shafts 13 and [I serve to support a spool carrier 15 and the

shafts

12, 14 for supporting a further spool carrier 16. The spool carriers are supported on ball bearings 17 and each has a loading weight 18 which together with the form of the spool carrier tends to hold the spool carriers in the position illustrated in the drawing during rotation of the rotor 2.. Not illustrated mountings of any suitable type for

spools

19, 20 are provided on the spool carriers.

Windows 21 are arranged in the region of each spool carrier l5, 16 in the cylindrical member 3 of the rotor 5, which windows interrupt the smooth wall of the rotor. Through this window, the

spools

19, 20 are inserted or removed. Flaps. not illustrated, are provided in the wall of the housing 1, which flaps permit an operator to reach through the wall of the housing 1 through the window 21 into the inside of the rotor 2.

Wire guides as desired are provided in the rotor 2, namely a guide bore 22 in the end wall 4 and thereafter following are provided

eyelets

23, 24, 25, 26, a further guide bore 27 and an outlet eyelet 28 for a wire 29 which is introduced from outside into the rotor and is thereby guided over a guide roller 30 which is supported on the housing 1. For guiding a wire 31 which comes from the spool 19, there are provided a guide 4 bore 32 in the partition wall 10, two following

eyelets

33, 34, a guide bore 35 in the end wall 5 and an outlet eyelet 36. A wire 37 which comes from the spool 20 is guided in a guide bore 38 and a central outlet eyelet 39.

A brake pulley 40 is connected with the rotor end wall 4, the outer end of which serves at the same time as a V-belt pulley 41. An annular channel 43 is provided between the cylindrical brake pulley 40 and a bearing sleeve 42 of the housing 1.

The housing 1 is composed of three main sections 44, 45 and 46. The housing has a substantially larger diameter than the rotor so that between the rotor and the housing a relatively large space is provided.

Housing partition walls project from the inner wall of the housing 1, which housing partition walls reach close to the rotor. Each partition wall is formed in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of two elemental walls. Thus the elemental walls 48/49. 50/5l, 52/53 and 54/54 form each one partition wall. Between the elemental walls, plenum chambers 55 are provided. The walls 48/49 and one wall 56 on the housing define a first cooling zone 57. The walls 48/49 and 50/5l define a window zone 58. The walls 50/5l and 52/55 define a cooling zone 59, the walls 52/53 and 54/54 a window zone 60 and the walls 54/54 and a housing wall 61 a cooling zone 62.

Fan wheels which are identified by

reference numerals

64, and 66 are operated according to the invention in the rotor end wall 4 on the inlet side, the rotor partition wall 10 and the rotor end wall 5 on the outlet side. Said fan wheels convey air from inside of the rotor into the

cooling zones

57, 59 and 62 which causes a reduced pressure in the

window zones

58 and 60.

The

fan wheels

64, 65 and 66 have radial blades 67 (FIG. 2), thus are to be considered as radial fans which can create a particularly great pressure differential between the inlet and outlet sides thereof.

The channels in the fan wheel 64 are conducted between the blades alternately so that, considered in peripheral direction, the channels alternately enter the cooling zone 57 and the channel 43 between brake pulley 40 and bearing sleeve 42. All channels from the fan wheel 65 enter the cooling zone 59 and all channels from the fan wheel 66 enter the cooling zone 62.

FIG. 2 shows that the wall 68 of the housing 1 is arranged eccentrically to the rotor 2 in the region of the cooling zone, namely in such a manner that the radial distance a is a minimum at the highest point of the cooling zone and increases from there toward both sides.

FIG. 2 also shows that in cross section approximately

triangular channels

69, 70 are provided in the housing, which channels extend alongside the entire housing and open into the ambient atmosphere through windows 71 (see FIG. 1) either directly or indirectly through sound absorbers. In the region of each cooling zone there is also provided an upwardly extending housing projection 71 which comes close to the rotor and separates the cooling zone chamber 59 between the

channels

69 and 70. Connecting

openings

72 and 73 open from the

channels

69 and 70 into the cooling zone chamber 59.

The air jets which exit from the air channels 74 between the blades 67 flow in radial direction and rotate at the same speed as the fan wheel 65 and therefore act like blades.

The stranding machine operates as follows:

After inserting the

spools

19, 20 and threading in the

wires

31, 37, 29, the rotor 2 is rotated and accelerated to very high rotational speed, for example to 5,000 rotations per minute. The

fan wheels

64, 65, 66 thus develop a very strong pumping action and draw air from the inside of the rotor 20b, which causes the

window zones

58, 60 to be partially evacuated. This causes a re duced pressure to appear in these zones and a higher pressure in the

cooling zones

57, 59 and 62. Thus the edges of the windows 21 act in the inventive machine only with rarefied air, which substantially reduces the turbulence therein as compared with stranding machines in which the window zones are under atmospheric pressure. Due to the reduced pressure inside the rotor, air is strongly drawn in through the guide bores 22, 35, 38 and 27, through which heat is dissipated from the

shafts

13 and 14, which heat is produced by the bearing friction in the

ball bearings

17 and 7 and 9. During the rapid rotation of the rotor 2, the spool carries 15, 16 substantially remain standing still. They are, because of the bearing friction, slightly turned in direction of rotation but they will not rotate together with the rotor.

The

individual wires

29, 3i and 37 are joined together in a nozzle 76.

The air jets 75 (FIG. 2) produce a pumping action in the

cooling zones

57, 59 and 62, through which, depending on the direction of rotation of the rotor, air is either drawn from the channel 70 and conveyed into the channel 69 or air is drawn from the channel 69 and is conveyed into the channel 70. Through this air movement, the rotor is surrounded by a large amount of air, which discharges heat from the rotor. The heat which is largely created in the

window zones

58 and 60 moves through the solid cross section of the rotor into the cooling zones. This heat conduction is assisted if the rotor is made of a good heat conducting material. Aluminum is well suited as material for the rotor. The pumping action by the air jets 75 is assisted by the change of the cross section in the peripheral direction. This cross-sectional change acts similarly to a spiral housing of a fan.

The plenum chambers 55 prevent the propagation of the noise created in the

window zones

58, 60. The combination of the housing partition walls of two elemental walls (it would also be possible to provide more than two elemental walls) acts like a labyrinth gland which results in a good seal between the areas of low pressure (window zones) and the areas of high pressure (cooling zones).

The rotor must be stopped in as short a time as possible, for example in the case of a wire breakage to minimize waste. In present practice stopping times of S to 6 seconds are required. Within this short time a very great kinetic energy must be destoyed. This causes a therefore large amount of heat to be generated in the brake pulley for which reason its cooling by the cooling air which is conveyed by the fan wheel 64 is very useful.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a high-speed stranding machine for the manufacture of stranded wire from individual wires or from ropes of stranded wire, comprising a housing in which a windowed cylindrical rotor is supported rotatably and spaced from the inner wall of the housing, having at least one spool carrier which is pivotally suspended in the rotor and accessible through a window which is provided in the rotor, and devices for venting the inside of the housing, wherein on the inside of the housing there are arranged housing partition walls which extend to a point close to the rotor, and which divide the space between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the rotor into window zones and into cooling zones, the improvement comprisng fan wheels fixedly connected to the rotor to convey air from the window zones into the cooling zones and between said window zones and said cooling zones and between the inside of the rotor and the atmosphere only small flow cross sections exist.

2. The improved machine according to claim I, wherein the fan wheels have substantially radially extending blades.

3. The improved machine according to claim 2, wherein the fan wheels are parts of the rotor end walls and/or the rotor partition walls.

4. The improved machine according to claim I, wherein air jets exit from the fan wheels into the zone between said rotor and inner wall of the housing, which air jets act as blades and wherein in each cooling zone there is arranged an air intake opening and an air outlet opening.

5. The improved machine according to claim 4, wherein in that in the lower area of the housing lengthwise of the housing sides, air channels extend which are connected directly or indirectly with the surrounding air and wherein that connections are provided between these air channels and the cooling Zones.

6. The improved machine according to claim 5, wherein the air channels have a substantially triangular cross section, which is formed by bottom and sidewalls of the housing and an inner wall of the housing which is approximately concentrical to the rotor.

7. The improved machine according to claim 4, wherein between air inlet opening and air outlet opening there is arranged in each cooling zone a wall which extends to a point close to the rotor.

8. The improved machine according to claim 4, wherein at least in the cooling zones the housing wall extends relative to the rotor, so that, seen in peripheral direction of the rotor, the flow cross section in the cool ing zones is first reduced and then again enlarged.

9. The improved machine according to claim 8, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical, however, extends at least in the cooling zones eccentrically to the rotor.

10. The improved machine according to claim I, wherein at least some partition walls of the housing consist of two or more elemental walls, between which the plenum chambers are defined.

11. The improved machine according to claim 1, including a brake pulley which is fixedly connected to the rotor for stopping the rotor, and wherein the brake pulley jacket defines an annular channel to the outside and that an adjacent fan wheel conveys air into this channel.

12. The improved machine according to claim 11, wherein air channels which are provided between the blades of the adjacent fan wheel open alternatingly into the annular channel and into the adjacent cooling zone.

13. The improved machine according to claim I, wherein in that the rotor jacket consists of a good heatconducting material, preferably aluminum.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 893 287 Dated y 1975 lnvent0r(s) Walter Jahne It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 24; after "and" insert --said-.

line 29; delete "in that".

line 32; delete "that".

line 33; change "Zones" to -zones.

line 44 after "rotor" delete the comma line 53; after "walls" delete the comma line 66; delete "in that".

Signed and Scalcd this A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSH Arrestin ALL DANN ummissimwr ufParems and Trademarks FORM PC3-1050 l10-69l USCOMM-DC e0a1e-|=es U5 GOVEQNMENY PRINTING OFFICE 859 930

Claims

2. The improved machine according to claim 1, wherein the fan wheels have substantially radially extending blades.

4. The improved machine according to claim 1, wherein air jets exit from the fan wheels into the zone between said rotor and inner wall of the housing, which air jets act as blades and wherein in each cooling zone there is arranged an air intake opening and an air outlet opening.

8. The improved machine according to claim 4, wherein at least in the cooling zones the housing wall extends relative to the rotor, so that, seen in peripheral direction of the rotor, the flow cross section in the cooling zones is first reduced and then again enlarged.

10. The improved machine according to claim 1, wherein at least some partition walls of the housing consist of two or more elemental walls, between which the plenum chambers are defined.

13. The improved machine according to claim 1, wherein in that the rotor jacket consists of a good heat-conducting material, preferably aluminum.