US 6,089,493 A · Wire wrapping machine

Abstract

A mobile wire wrapping machine adapted for wrapping wire under tension around a stationary, generally circular object of large size during substantially continuous travel of the machine around such object. This machine contains a supply of wire utilized in conjunction with a wire tensioning assembly through which the wire passes, with the wire tensioning assembly serving to create a substantial amount of tension in the wire as it passes therethrough, to thereafter be wrapped around the large object. My novel machine utilizes a tension indicating device, which advantageously involves a weight mounted for motion in a direction such that its position is influenced by gravity. The position of the movably mounted weight serves as a reflection of the amount of tension in the wire, and movement of the weight during operation of the machine, provides a conspicuous indication, on a substantially continuous basis, of any changes in tension in the wire. This tension indicating device may be utilized in connection with an arrangement operatively associated with the wire tensioning assembly, for modifying the tension in the wire, so that the wire being wrapped around the large stationary object will be automatically maintained at a consistent tension. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the movably mounted weight is suspended by a pulley arrangement, whereas in accordance with another arrangement, the weight is mounted in an adjustable manner on a balance beam, with motion of the balance beam during operation of the machine being about a balance point.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A mobile wire wrapping machine adapted for wrapping wire under tension around a stationary, generally circular object of large size during substantially continuous travel of said machine around such object,

said machine comprising means for providing a continuous supply of wire,
said supply utilized in conjunction with a wire tensioning assembly through which the wire passes,
said wire tensioning assembly serving to create a substantial amount of tension in the wire as it passes therethrough, and
tension indicating means involving a weight suspended for motion in a direction such that its position is influenced by gravity,
the position of said suspended, movably mounted weight serving as a reflection of the amount of tension in the wire and during operation of said machine, the motion of said weight provides a conspicuous indication, on a substantially continuous basis, of any changes in tension in the wire.

2 more elements

said machine comprising means for providing a continuous supply of wire capable of continuously unrolling,
said supply utilized in conjunction with a wire tensioning assembly through which the wire passes,
said wire tensioning assembly utilizing a brake powered by a compressed fluid, enabling a substantial amount of tension to be created in the wire as it passes through said assembly,
tension indicating means involving the use of a movably mounted weight suspended for motion in a direction such that its position is influenced by gravity,
said tension indicating means provided by the use of said suspended, movably mounted weight, a conspicuous, substantially continuous indication of the tension existing in the wire to be wrapped around the large stationary object,
said tension indicating means including an arrangement operatively interconnected with said brake, with the sensing of a change in tension in the wire causing a modification of the pressure applied by said brake, thus to bring about a consistent tension in the wire leaving the machine.

3 more elements

said machine comprising means for providing a continuous supply of wire,
said wire supply utilized in conjunction with a wire tensioning assembly,
said wire tensioning assembly serving to create a substantial amount of tension in the wire as it passes therethrough,
said wire tensioning assembly utilizing a brake arrangement powered by a pressurized fluid, capable of applying a selectively different amount of tension to the wire passing through said wire tensioning assembly,
means for controlling the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied to said brake,
and tension indicating means involving the use of a weight suspended for motion in a direction such that its position is influenced by gravity, the suspended position of said weight providing a conspicuous indication of tension in the wire, and the motion of said weight providing an indication of any change in tension of the wire,
the modification of the pressure of the pressurized fluid in said brake arrangement as a consequence of a change in wire tension serving to automatically increase or decrease the braking force applied to the wire by the wire tensioning assembly as may be necessary to maintain a constant tension in the wire.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wire wrapping machine

Life of this patent

Wire wrapping machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29