GB1466110A - Method of and a machine for manufacturing coaxial cables - Google Patents

Abstract

1466110 Coaxial cables LIGNES TELEGRAPHIQUES ET TELEPHONIQUES 29 March 1974 [4 April 1973] 14151/74 Heading H1A [Also in Division B3] A method of making a coaxial cable comprises moulding dielectric disc spacers on the inner conductor, wrapping a transversely corrugated dielectric tape with overlap around the inner conductor and the spacers on it, forming a metal strip around the dielectric tape and longitudinally welding the strip edges together and drawing down the cable so formed. Wire is drawn from a reel 11 by a pulling drum 15 through a die 12, which is provided with lubricating and cleaning means 13, 14. The disc spacers are moulded on the wire in a machine 21 and the mould halves are carried on two chains, which are driven by a chain and sprocket wheel assembly 22, 23. The spacing and shape of the discs is monitored by a device 27. The speed of the moulding machine drive motor 26 is controlled by a circuit 28 which receives signals from a generator 54 coupled to a motor 56 of a cable pulling station 7 and from a photo-electric device 29 for monitoring a supply loop of the wire and discs. Insulating tape is corrugated between rolls 32, 32<SP>1</SP> and passed over a guide roll 34 pivotally mounted on an arm 35. The arm is coupled to a potentiometer 36 by pinions (35<SP>1</SP>), (36<SP>1</SP>), Fig. 2 (not shown), to regulate the speed of a motor 37 which drives the roll 32<SP>1</SP>. The corrugated tape is shaped over the disc spacers in a gap between a guide 41 and a cylindrical member 61 concentric with the guide. The edges of the tape overlap but they are not secured together. The metal strip is formed around the corrugated tape and welded by conventional apparatus 43, 44. The welded cable is cooled in a cylindrical enclosure 45 connected to a water circulation system and dried by being passed through an apertured coil 46 which directs compressed air on the cable, Fig. 3 (not shown). The dried cable is drawn through a die 47 by a pulling chain 51 driven by the motor 56 and finally wound on to a drum 52.