Automatic tensioning control for winding stator coils

A device for winding loops for stator coils comprising:

• looper means for winding lengths of wire into loops of stator coil;
• dereeler means including a wire-storage reel for unreeling a length of wire to the looper means;
• tension-sensing means between the dereeler means and the looper means for measuring tension on the wire and for providing a voltage signal;
• the tension-sensing means comprising a pivotally-mounted lever on which a plurality of longitudinally and closely spaced wire-supporting pulleys are mounted, the pulleys being disposed on centers in an arcuate path having a radius on the side of the wire opposite the radius of the reel to effect reverse bending of a wire as it moves from the reel to the looper means along a plane of travel;
• tension-control means connected to the dereeler means and responsive to the tension-sensing means for controlling tension on the wire;
• means for receiving the voltage signal comparing it with a voltage for a predetermined tension load and transmitting a resulting voltage signal to the tension-control means;
• a lever-support frame mounted adjacent to the path of travel of the wire and being pivotally mounted on an axis that is in said plane of travel;
• and
• the lever being pivotally mounted on the frame and on an axis that is substantially normal to said plane of travel.