Wire and cable process control apparatus
AssigneeThe Okonite Company
InventorJohn L. Macchia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Cable processing control apparatus employs driven cable source and cable take up reels, or sheaves, and two variably spaced idling cable sheaves bearing multiple loops of cable as a fluctuating cable reservoir to accommodate pay off/take up reel discontinuities. A microprocessor, cable discontinuity and reservoir sheave spacing transducers and output driver circuitry are utilized to efficiently and flexibly control the spacing between the idler sheaves as required, for example, to permit continuous cable processing when cable pay off/take up reels are replaced.
Claims12
In combination, a cable-bearing pay off sheave, first and second cable storing sheaves having a variable spacing therebetween, cable passing from said pay off sheave to and about said first and second cable storing sheaves, and controller means for controlling the distance between said first and second cable storing sheaves for providing cable in the absence of cable available from said pay off sheave and for restoring the separation between said first and second sheave, said controller means including digital processing means, sensor means for providing to said digital processing means a signal representative of the distance between said first and second storage sheaves, drive means for driving said pay off sheave, and means responsive to an output from said digital processing means for controlling said drive means.
In combination, a cable-bearing terminal sheave, first and second cable storing sheaves having a variable spacing therebetween, cable passing between said terminal sheave and about said first and second cable storing sheaves, and controller means for controlling the distance between said first and second cable storing sheaves for providing or absorbing cable as appropriate when said terminal sheave ceases functioning and for restoring the separation between said first and second sheave, said controller means including digital processing means, sensor means for providing to said digital processing means a signal representative of the distance between said first and second storage sheaves, drive means for driving said terminal sheave, and means responsive to an output from said digital processing means for controlling said drive means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.