US3154112A

US3154112A - Strand transposing mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3154112A
Application number: US152542A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacques Joseph A St
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1961-11-15
Filing date: 1961-11-15
Publication date: 1964-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1981-10-27

Description

oct. 27, 1964 J. A. sT. JACQUES 3,154,112V

STRAND TRASPOSING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 27, 1964 J. A. sT. JACQUES 3,154,112

STRAND TRANSPOSING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 93 2 54 Boff?? 91 l 84 9 93,

Oct. 27, 1964 J. A. sT. JACQUES 3,154,112-

STRAND TRANSPOSING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7gg fig/0.

I Will United States Patent 3,154,112 STRAND TRANSPOSING MECHANISM Joseph A. St. Jacques, New Ashford, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 152,542 Claims. (Cl. 140-71) This invention relates to mechanisms for transposing electrical cable conductors, and more particularly to machines for transposing the individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable about the lengthwise axis of the cable.

The expression transposed electrical cable conductor is intended to mean a generally constant width and thickness stranded cable made from rectangular or square cross-sectioned conductor strands which are continuously shifted about the lengthwise axis of the cable without twisting of the strands or cable so that each strand successively occupies the same position as is occupied by al1 other strands. Such stranded conductors are used extensively for making winding coils for electrical apparatus, such as power transformers, since the cable is not excessively diflicult to bend, has minimum eddy current losses, and other desirable mechanical and electrical characteristics.

Prior art apparatus for making this kind of conductor are of two general types. The iirst type is exemplified by United States Letters Patent 2,234,996, 2,249,509, and 3,000,406, all assigned to the same assignee as this invention, in which a transposing pusher acts in a lateral direction generally intersecting the direction of movement of the cable. The pushers perform the function of laterally transposing the strands of the cable. The second type of transposing mechanism is shown in United States Patent 2,986,176, assigned to the same assignee as this invention, in which non-circular curved cams driven about a central axis are employed to transpose the strands laterally. The iirst type of mechanisms employing laterally moving pushers greatly limit the speed at which the transposing machine can operate because they tend to scuf and scratch the cable at high speeds. The second type of mechanism employing driven, noncircular, curved cams scratch the cable to a much less degree than the irst type of mechanism and thus permit the transposing machine to operate at a much higher speed.

However, the second type of mechanism employing the driven, non-circular, curved cams as transposing pushers has a definite limit as to how fast it can be operated before the cable will be damaged. The reason is that at any speciiic predetermined speed only one point on the non-circular curved cam surface can travel at the same speed as the lengthwise moving cable, since every point on a non-circular surface rotating about a central axis travels at a different speed. The result is that some relative movement between the cable and the greatest part of the cam surface must take place at all speeds, with a consequent scratching and scufiing of the cable. Furthermore, mechanisms employing driven non-circular curved cams can be used for only one transposition length for each cam size and shape without damaging the cable. The reason is that the only way the transposition length can be changed with a given sized cam is to change the relative speed of the cable and the cam; this increases the relative movement between the cable and the cam surface and thus is not practical because it results in unacceptable scutling or scratching of the cable. Consequently, to change transposition length with the second type of mechanism, the transposing machine must be shut down and a new cam of dilierent shape must be substituted for the previously used cam.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide Fice a cable conductor transposing mechanism which can operate at high speeds without scuiiing or scratching the conductor.

Another object is to provide a high speed cable transposing mechanism Which permits the transposition length to be changed by altering the relative speed of the cable and the transposing mechanism while using a given transposing pusher, without damaging the cable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high speed cable transposing mechanism in which the transposition length can be changed without the need for changing the members of the transposing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a high speed transposing mechanism in which the transposing pusher is freely rotatable about its central axis so that it travels at the same speed as the cable during the transposing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide cable transposing mechanisms in which the surfaces that contact the moving cable are circular and free-spinning about their central axis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent from the speciiication, drawing, and claims, and the scope of the invention is pointed out in the claims.

Briey stated, according to one aspect of my invention, means for transposing the individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable may comprise a circular transposing pusher that is freely rotatable about the pushers central axis. The pusher is rotatable in a circular path about a first axis. A cooperating circular backup anvil is freely rotatable about its central axis. The backup anvil is rotatable in a circular path about a second axis. All of the axes are substantially parallel and separated.

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a portion of a transposed electrical cable conductor made with the apparatus of my invention.

FIGURES 2-5, inclusive, are cross-sectional diagrammatic illustrations of the sequence in which the strands of the cable in FIG. 1 are transposed about the lengthwise axis of the cable.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan schematic view of the mechanisms employed in a transposing machine in accord with my teachings.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a transposing mechanism in accord with my invention.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken generally along the line 8 8 in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a circular pusher roller or a backup anvil roller in accord with my invention.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a stack shifter in accord with my invention.

FIGURE 11 is an isometric view of a cam plate usable with the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10.

Referring to FIGS. l-S, the transposed electrical cable conductor 1 is illustrated as having seven strands, however, it is to be understood the conductor may have any desired odd number of strands arranged in a plurality of unequal stacks. Each of the strands is of rectangular or square transverse cross-section, and it is intended that the term rectangular, as used in the specification and claims, include square cross-sectioned strands and also substantially square and substantially rectangular strands that have their corners slightly rounded. The odd number of strands are stacked in two side-by-side stacks of four and three strands in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the sequence of transposition is to periodically transpose the strands in a counter clockwise direction about the lengthwise axis z of the cable 1.

Turning now to FIG. 6, therein is illustrated schematically the components of `a transposing machine 18 in accord with my teachings. At one end of the machine 18 a plurality of reels 19, each of which has one strand of the cable 1, are mounted in a support 17 which is rotatable about the lengthwise axis of the cable. The cable strands are fed from the reels 19 through la planetary Wire orienting device 2t), which is also mounted for rotation about the lengthwise axis of the cable. The strands then may pass through a guide 21, and through a transposing mechanism 30 in accord With the teachings of my invention. Next, the transposed cable passes through a taping head 23, and finally is coiled on a storage reel 24. The rotatable support 17 for the reels 19, planetary orienting device 20, guide 21, taping head 23, and storage reel 24 may be of any conventional construction known to the prior art as, for example, that described in United States Letters Patent 2,249,509; the structure of these devices has been illustrated schematically, rather than in detail, because the specific structure of such devices forms no part of the present invention. Likewise, a synchronized variable speed driving mechanism, by which each of the elements of the Iapparatus are rotated in a predetermined sequence and speed with relation to each other, has not been illustrated because such drives are conventional and rtheir details form no part of this invention.

The transposing mechanism 30 in accord with my teachings includes 'a rst circular tuansposing pusher roller 31 that is mounted on a shaft 32 passing through its center so that the pusher is freely rotatable about its central axis. The shaft 32 is mounted in an arm 33 keyed to a drive shaft 34, which is rotated on one side of the cable 1 about a first axis passing through its center. A first circular backup anvil roller 41 identical in structure to the pusher 31 is mounted on a shaft 42 passing through its center so as to be freely rotatable about its central axis. The shaft 42 is mounted in an arm 43 which is keyed to a drive shaft 44, Which is rotated on the opposite side of the cable 1 about a second axis passing through its center. The rst pusher 31 and iirst backup anvil 41 are coplanar and form a first pair `of cooperating circular rollers that bend the top strand of the conductor cable 1 `from a first strand stack 38 to a second strand stack 39 in a first plane on the top side of the cable.

A second circular transposing pusher roller 31', identical lto the rst pusher 31, is mounted on a shaft 32' passing through its center so that the pusher 31' is freely rotatable about its central axis. The shaft 32' is mounted in an arm 33 keyed to a drive shaft 34'. A second circular backup anvil roller 41, identical to fthe first backup anvil 41, is mounted on -a shaft 42' passing through its center so that the -anvil 41 is freely rotatable about its central axis. The shaft 42 is mounted on an arm 43 keyed to a drive shaft 44'. The arm 33 is below the arm 43, and the arm 43' is below the arm 33. The second pusher 31' and second backup anvil 41' are coplanar and form a second pair of cooperating circular rollers that bend the bottom strand of the conductor cable 1 from the second stack 39 to the rst stack 38 in a second plane on the bottom side of the cable. The rst and second pairs of rollers are identical in structure, and their operation is the same except for differences in location and direction of movement.

The shafts 34, 34' are aligned transversely of the cable 1, as are the shafts 44 and 44'. The shafts 44 and 34' are aligned longitudinally of the cable 1, as are the shafts 34 and 44', and all ofthe drive shafts are substantially parallel. Thus, aline joining the axes of rotation of the pusher rollers 31 and 31', and a line joining the axes of rotation of the

backup rollers

41 and 41 are both perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the cable 1; and a line joining the axes of rotation of the backup rollers 41 and 41' is spaced a distance x ahead of a line joining the axes of rotation o-f the pusher rollers 31 and 31' in the direction of cable movement. As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second pairs of cooperating rollers are 180 out of phase.

In FIG. 6 the arrows 35, 35', 45, and 45 indicate, respectively, the direction of rotation of the

shafts

34, 34', 44, and 44' when the cable 1 is traveling in the direction of the arrow 2. The

shafts

44 and 34 on one side of the cable rotate counter clockwise, while the shafts 34 and 44' on the other side of the cable rotate clockwise, so that all rollers are moving in the same direction as the cable when they contact a strand. The

shafts

44, 44', 34, and 34' rotate at the same speed. Since the shafts 44 and 44' are spaced ahead of the

shafts

34 and 34 in the direction of cable travel, the backup anvils 41 and 41' are always ahead of or beyond the transposing pushers 31 and 31 in the direction of cable travel. Thus, when a pusher roller contacts a strand and begins to form a crossover bend, its cooperating backup roller is in position ahead of it and provides a supporting surface over which the strand is bent.

The planetary wire orienting device 20 may be employed toshift the cable strands vertically when special strand shifting means (described hereafter with reference to FiGS. 7-11 are not employed. This is accomplished by phasing the wire orienting device 20 slightly ahead of the transposing mechanism 30 so that the device 20 exerts upward and downward pulls on the stacks of strands as they pass through the transposing mechanism 30.

The

shafts

34, 34', 44, and 44' may be powered by any conventional variable speed drive arrangement. Also, the

shafts

34, 34', 44, and 44' are mounted by any conventional arrangement so that they can be moved longitudinally or transversely of the cable 1. This permits the distance x between each pusher roller and its cooperating backup roller to be varied for various strand widths or angles of cross-over bend. This also permits the transposing mechanism 30 to be adjusted for over-bending or under-bending the strands, depending on its resilience, for reasons Well known in the art. The

arms

33, 33', 43, and 43 are vertically adjustable on their respective drive shafts so that the vertical positioning of the pusher and backup rollers can be adjusted for different strand thickness.

In a preferred arrangement, when a pusher, such as 31, and a backup anvil, such as 41, are closest to each other, `as illustrated in FIG. 6, the point on the pusher roller and the point on the backup roller farthest from their respective axes of rotation will each be tangent to the center line of the cable 1. To yobtain overbend Crossovers, the transverse distance y between the axes of rotation of the rollers 31 and 41 would be decreased by moving the

shafts

34 and 44 closer together, as would the corresponding distance between the axes of rotation of the rollers 31' and 41', so that the respective cooperating pairs of pushers and anvils overlap the center line 3 of the cable. To obtain under-bend crossovers, the distance y would be increased by moving the shafts farther apart, so that the previously mentioned farthest points on the pusher and backup rollers fall short of the cable center line.

To change the distance along the cable 1 betwen transposi-tions, hereinafter referred to as transposition length, the only adjustment necessary is the change in the relative rotational speeds of the

shafts

34, 34', 44, and 44 with respect to the speed of the cable. For example, in one typical arrangement, the speeds of the drive shafts would be predetermined so that the speed of the cable contacting exterior surface of the

rollers

31, 31', 41, and 41 is the same as the speed of the cable. This would result in a predetermined transposition length. To change the transposition length, it would be necessary merely to change the speed Iat which the drive shafts rotate. Thus, to increase the transposition length, the drive shafts would be rotated at a slower speed, and to decrease the transposition length, the drive shafts would be rotated at increased speed. This would obviously produce a difference between the speed of the cable contacting exterior surface of the rollers 31, 31', 41, and 41' and the speed of the cable. However, the fact that all cable contacting rollers are freely rotatable about their central axes eliminates scratching or scuiiing caused by differences in speed because as soon as a roller contacts a strand, it is spun by friction until it is moving at the same speed as the strand surface. This gives my transposing mechanism a significant advantage over prior art mechanisms because the transposing mechanism elements need not be changed to increase or decrease the transposition length.

When the cooperating pairs of bending rollers are oriented as shown in FIG. 6, sharp crossover bends are obtained. The reason is that the cooperating pusher and backup rollers are separated only by fthe width of a strand when they are closest to each other. This relationship is obtained when a first line 36, joining -the central axis of pusher 31 and the first axis passing through the shaft 34, and a second line 46, joining the central axis of anvil 41 and the second axis passing through the shaft 44, both form right angles with the center line 3 of the cable when the pusher and anvil exterior surfaces are closest to each other. This same relationship exists between the second pair cooperating rollers. As the respective pusher and anvil pairs continue lto rotate about the iirst and second axes, the lirst `and second lines always maintain the same angle with respect to the cable center line 3; or, in other words, the first and second lines 36 and 46 are always parallel. To decrease the sharpness of the crossover bend, the pusher roller could be phased to lag the backup anvil roller by a predetermined number of degrees, in which case the first and second lines would not intersect the center line of the cable at the same angle; however, in this situation, the same phase relationship would exist between the angles formed by the first and second lines with the cable center line 3 for all rotational positions of the pusher and backup rollers. The sharpness of the crossover bend can also be decreased by increasing the distance x so that the members of each pair of cooperating pusher and backup rollers are separated by more than the strand width when they are closest to each other.

FIGS. 7-11 show the preferred embodiment of the invention in which a transposing mechanism 50 employs a first pusher head 51 having three freely rotatable, circular transposing pusher rollers 52 mounted therein, Cooperating with the iirst pusher head 51 is a iirst backup anvil head 53 having three freely rotatable circular backup anvil rollers 54. A second pusher head 51 having three freely rotatable circular transposing rollers 52 is disposed beneath the first anvil head 53. A second backup anvil head 53' having three freely rotatable circular backup anvil rollers 54 is mounted beneath the first transposing head 51. The yanvil heads y53 and 53 each have three of free spinning shifter rollers 58 and 58', respectively thereon immediately preceding the backup rollers for vertically shifting the stacks of strands forming the cable 1. In the illustrated embodiment having three pairs of upper cooperating bending rollers and three pairs of lower cooperating bending rollers, the upper rollers are 60 out of phase with the lower rollers, as shown in FIG. 8. When a different number of rollers is used, the phase angle between the upper and lower rollers must be changed accordingly in order for the transpositions intervals to be uniform.

The transposing

pushers

52 and 52 and the backup anvils 54 and S4 all may be identical in structure. As shown in FIG. 9, each comprises a roller shaft 60 having a circular strand contacting surface 61 at one end thereof. An enlarged shoulder 62 may be provided adjacent the strand contacting surface 61 for maintaining the strands in position as they are being bent. Each shaft 60 isfreely rotatably mounted in its supporting head by means of

bushings

63 and 64 having internal openings slightly larger than the exterier diameter of the shaft. A nut 65 may threadedly engage an end portion of the shaft 60 for preventing the shaft from slipping through 6 the bushings. The end of the shaft 60 opposite the circular roller has a hemispherical surface 66 thereon for contacting a cam surface, described hereafter, without interfering with the free rotation of the strand contacting surface 61.

As shown in FIG. 10, the vertical shifting rollers (58 and 58') are mounted for free-spinning motion on an axis 70, which is journaled in shoulders 71 on a supporting shaft 72. The shaft 72 is urged @away from the cable in a iirst direction by means' of a spring 73 -acting between a shoulder 75 on the shaft and a shoulder 74 on the head, The end of the shaft 72 opposite the shifting roller has a similarly mounted roller 76 for contacting a cam surface 80 that moves the roller in a second direction opposite to the rst direction against the action of the spring 73, for causing the shifting roller toy move the stack of strands 38 in the second direction. This provides means for shifting the stacks so that an endmost strand -on a stack can be moved out of the plane in which a strand in the other stack is to be bent.

Suitable cam surfaces are provided adjacent each head for ensuring that the roller strand contacting surfaces 61 and the shifting

rollers

58 and 58 are in proper vertical locations when they contact the strands. The rollers 76 on the support shafts 72 contact outer cam surf-aces 80 on plates 31 in order to force the shafts against the action of the springs 73 and thus cause the shifter rollers to push the stacks of strands upwardly and downwardly. The hemispherical surfaces 66 on the pusher and anvil roller shafts 60 contact cam surfaces 82 in order to ensure that the cooperating rollers are coplanar and positioned in the proper vertical plane for bending a strand. AS shown in FIGS. 7 and l1, the cam surfaces 80 and 82 may be machined on the same plate 81 for positioning the backup rollers and the shifting rollers on the same backup anvil heads. The plates 83 for positioning the pusher rollers are identical to the plates 81, except that the shifter positioning cam surfaces 80 have been omitted.

Assuming that the transposing mechanism 50 is employed in a machine having the components shown in FIG. 6 the operation of the machine is as follows. After the conductor strands have been brought through a planetary orienting device 20, through guide 21, through the transposing mechanism 50, through a taping head 23, and attached to a storage reel 24, the machine is started up with all components rotating at predetermined speeds. This is accomplished by the use of any suitable drive mechanism, which has not been illustrated because it forms no part of the present invention. Rotation of the storage reel 24 pulls the strands through the other mechanisms, and thus provides means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis. Assuming that the sequence of transpositions is to be that illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, a roller 76 will hit one of the cam surfaces 80 causing a shifting roller 58 on the iirst backup anvil head 53 to contact strand 11 to shift strand 11 in a irst direction, assuring that it is below the plane of the strand 5 while strand 5 is being bent. Then a backup anvil roller 54 on the head 53 will pass above strand 11 to be in position to support the strand 5 as it is being bent, and at the sarne time a transposing pusher roller 52 on the iirst pusher head 51 will begin pushing the strand 5 over the strand 11, at which time the parts of the transposing mechanism will occupy roughly the positions indicated in FIG. 8. As the

heads

53 and 51 continue to rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows, the strand 5 will be bent and crossed over above the strand 11 until the strands have the positions indicated in FIG. 3. Then, a roller 76 on the lower anvil head 53 will engage cam surface 80 and cause a roller 58 to push the stack of strands 6, 7, and 8 upwardly until it occupies the position indicated in FIG. 4 above the plane in which the strand 9 is to be bent. Then one of the backup rollers 54' on head 53 will contact the strand 9, and at the same time a pusher roller 52 on the head 51 will bend the strand 9 across under the strand 8 until it occupies the position shown in FIG. 5. These operations are continued sequentially during further rotation of the heads, with the rollers on the

first heads

51 and 53 cooperating to bend strands in a first plane from a first stack to a second stack, and with the rollers on the

second heads

51 and 53 cooperating to bend strands in a second plane from the second stack to the first stack; the first and second planes are on opposite sides of the cable and are parallel.

The

heads

53, 53', 51, and 51' are keyed respectively to drive

shafts

55, 55', 56, and 56', about which the pusher and anvil rollers are rotated. The drive shafts are adjustable both longitudinally and transversely of the cable 1 for the purposes previously described, with reference to FIG. 6. The shafts 55 and 55', for the anvil heads 53 and 53' are aligned transversely of the cable, as are the

shafts

56 and 56 for the pusher heads 51 and 51. The

shafts

55 and 55 are spaced ahead of the

shafts

56 and 56 in the direction of movement of the cable to ensure that the

backup rollers

54 and 54 are properly positioned ahead of their cooperating

pusher rollers

52 and 52. The

shafts

55 and 56', and 56 and 55 on the same sides of the cable are aligned longitudinally of the cable, and the relationships lines joining the roller central axes and the axes of rotation described previously with reference to FIG. 6 also exist.

In the embodiment of FIGS 7-11, adjustment of the positions of the

drive shafts

55, 55', 56, and 56 is accomplished by adjustably attaching the plates 84 in which the shafts are hushed to mounting

brackets

90 and 95 on the transposing machine. The plates 84 are provided with over-sized bolt holes 91, through which pass bolts 92 that are secured in place by nuts 93. Thus, to change the position of the drive shafts either longitudinally or transversely of the cable 1, all that is necessary is to loosen the nuts 93 and slide the plates 84 until the proper positions are obtained. Then, by tightening the nuts 93, the

heads

51, 51', 53, and 53' Will be secured in the proper positions for rotation about selected axes.

The

shafts

55, 55', 56, and 56 are all driven at the same speed by a variable speed drive. The drive for the shafts, as well as that for the other elements employed in the transposing machine, may be of any conventional type, as for example, a belt and pulley drive for each component deriving power from a common drive shaft. Other drive arrangements may employ sprocket and chain drives or gear drives, all of which are easily adaptable to a common drive shaft power supply. To compensate for adjustments in the length of drive belts or chains caused by changing the positions of the

shafts

55, 55', 56, and 56', take-up rolls may be provided in accord with conventional practice. If a gear drive is employed, a universal joint of any conventional structure may be employed on the

shafts

55, 55', 56 and S6 between gear boxes (not illustrated) and the plates 84.

It will thus be apparent that with the above-described transposing head structure, the transposition length can be varied merely by changing the relative speed of the

rollers

52, 52', 54, and 54 with respect to the cable 1. To increase the transposition length, the speed of the rollers with respect to the cable is decreased, and to decrease the transposition length the speed of the rollers is increased with respect to the cable. To change the amount of overbend or underbend to compensate for the resiliency of the strand material, the distance separating the

shafts

55 and 56 transversely of the cable 1, and that separating the

shafts

55 and 56 is changed. To change the sharpness of the crossover bend, the distance longitudinally of the stranded cable separating the

shafts

55 and 56, and that separating the shafts 55 and 56', is changed. To accommodate different sizes or thicknesses of wire, the

heads

51, 51', 53, and 53 are movable ver- S tically on the shafts, as for example, by means of collars 96 threaded on the drive shafts above and below each head.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7-11 is preferred because the use of a plurality of rollers on the cooperating pusher and anvil hea/ds permits the heads to be rotated at a slower speed to perform a given number of transpositions. In other Words, shafts such as 34 and 44 in FIG. 6 having only one roller thereon must rotate three times to perform the same number of transpositions as the

shafts

55 and 56 in FIGS. 7 and 8. Since there is an upper limit on the speed at which a shaft can be rotated before the vibrations and impact forces begin to damage the apparatus or the cable surface, the plural roller embodiment of FIGS. 7-11 permits a great increase in the overall speed of the machine before this limit is reached. In fact, in prior art machines, it was found that the speed at which the transposing pushers could be operated was the limiting factor on the speed of the overall machine, whereas in a machine constructed as the embodiment of FIGS. 7-11, the speed at which reel support (such as 17 in FIG. 6) can be rotated was found to be the limiting factor.

It has thus been shown that by the practice of my invention variations in ythe speed of the cable with respect to the rollers does not cause scuffing or scratching of the cable because the strand contacting surfaces are free spinning. This means that as soon as contact is made between any rollers and the strands, the strand contacting surface of the rollers immediately moves at the same speed as the strands. Thus, a large number of variations in transposition length, angle of bend, and wire size may be obtained with my transposing mechanism without the necessity for changing the size or shape of the transposing pushers and backup anvils, and Without damaging the cable.

It will be understood, of course, that while the forms of the invention herein shown and described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not intended herein to illustrate all of the equivalent forms or ramifications thereof. It will also be understood that the words used are Words of description rather than of limitation, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention herein disclosed, and it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for transposing about its lengthwise axis the individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable, comprising:

(a) a circular transposing pusher freely rotatable about its central axis,

(a) said transposing pusher being rotated in a circular path about a iirst axis, (a") a rst line being defined by the central axis of said pusher and said first axis,

(b) a cooperating circular backup anvil freely rotatable about its central axis,

(b) said backup anvil being rotated in a circular path about a second axis,

(b") a second line being defined by the central axis of said backup anvil and said second axis,

(c) all of the axes being substantially parallel and separated,

(d) said transposing pusher and said backup anvil each rotating at the same speed respectively about said first axis and said second axis,

(e) and said first line and said second line both intersecting said cable lengthwise axis at the same angle for any given rotational position of said transposing pusher and backup anvil.

2. Apparatus for transposing about its lengthwise axis the individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable, comprising:

(a) a circular transposing pusher freely rotatable about its central axis,

(a) said transposing pusher being rotated in a circular path about a first axis,

(a") a first line being defined by the central axis of said pusher and said first axis,

(b') said backup anvil being rotated in a circular path about a second axis,

(b) a second line being defined by the central axis of said backup anvil and said second axis,

(c) all of the axes being substantially parallel and separated,

(e) said first line and said second line both intersecting said cable lengthwise axis at the same angle for any given rotational position of said transposing pusher and backup anvil,

(f) and said first and second lines each being perpendicular to said cable lengthwise axis when the outer surfaces of said transposing pusher and backup anvil are closest to each other.

3. Apparatus for transposing about its lengthwise axis the individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable, comprising:

(a) a circular transposing pusher freely rotatable about its central axis,

(a) said transposing pusher being rotating in a circular path about a first axis,

(b) said backup anvil being rotated in a circular path about a second axis,

(b) a second line being defined by the central axis of said backup anvil and said second axes,

(c) all of the axes being substantially parallel and separated,

(d) said transposing push and said backup anvil each rotating at the same speed respectively about said first axis and said second axis,

(e) said transposing pusher-being phased to lag said backup anvil by a predetermined number of degrees,

(e) whereby said first line and said second line each intersect said cable lengthwise axis at a different angle for any given rotational position of said transposing pusher and backup anvil,

(e) but the phase relationship between the angles formed by said first and second lines with said cable lengthwise axisrbeing the same for all rotational positions of said transposing pusher and backup anvil.

4. A machine for transporting individual rectangular strands of a stranded cable about the lengthwise axis of the cable, comprising:

(A) means for moving the cable lengthwise of said axis; and

(B) means for producing crossover bends in the cable strands comprising:

(a) a first pair of cooperating coplanar circular rollers freely rotatable about their central axes for producing crossover bends on one side of said cable, and

(b) a second pair of cooperating coplanar circu-` lar rollers freely rotatable about their central axes for producing crossover bends on the other side of said cable,

- (c) the rollers in said first pair being rotated in a first plane about different axes,

(d) the rollers in said second pair being rotated in a second plane about different axes,

(e) all of said rollers being rotated at the same speed; and

(C) means for shifting said strands in the direction between said first and second planes.

5. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of a cable, comprising:

(A) means for moving the cable in the direction of -its lengthwise axis; (B) means for bending said strands from one stack to another in a pair of parallel planes comprising:

(a) a first pair of spaced coplanar circular bending rollers freely rotatable about their central axes yfor bending said strands from a first stack to a second stack in a first plane,

(b) a second pair of spaced coplanar circular bending rollers freely rotatable about their central axes for bending said strands from said second stack to said first stack in a second plane,

(c) the bending rollers in said first pair being rotated in said second plane about different axes,

(d) the bending roller in said second pair being rotated in said second plane about different axes,

(e) saidbending rollers being rotated at the same speed, and

(f) the central axes of said bending rollers being parallel; and

(C) means for shifting said stacks so that an endmost strand is moved out of one of said planes, comprising:

(a) Ia freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a first direction for shifting said first stack in said first direction,

(b') a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a second direction opposite to said first direction for shifting said second stack in said second direction, and

(c') the central axes of said shifting rollers being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of said bending rollers.

6. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions of rectangular strands in a plurality of unequal stacks forming a cable, comprising:

(A) means for moving the stacks of strands in the direction of the cable lengthwise axis;

(B) means for bending said strands from one stack to another in a pair of paralel planes on opposite sides of said cable, comprising:

(a) a first pair of spaced coplanar circular bending rollers freely rotatable about their central axes for bending said strands from a first stack to a second stack in a first plane on one side of said cable,

(b) a second pair of spaced coplanar circular bending rollers freely rotatable about their central axes for bending said strands from said seccond stack to said first stack in a second plane on the opposite side of said cable,

(c) the bending rollers in said first pair being rotated in said first plane about different axes,

(d) the bending rollers in said second pair being rotated in said second plane about different axes,

(e) said bending rollers being rotated at the same speed,

(f) the central axes of said bending rollers being parallel; and

(C) means for shifting said stacks so that an endmost strand in each stack is shifted out of one of said planes, comprising:

(a') a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a first direction for shifting said first stack in said first direction,

(b) a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a second direction opposite to said first direction for shifting said second stack in said second direction,

(c') said first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of said shifting rollers, and

(d) the central axes of said shifting rollers being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of said bending rollers.

7. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of cable comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(II) means for bending said strands from one stack to another in a pair of parallel planes comprising:

(A) a plurality of coplanar circular first pusher rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(a) said first pusher rollers being mounted on a first pusher head rotatable about an axis on a first side of said cable,

(B) a plurality of coplanar circular first backup anvil rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(b) said first backup anvil rollers being mounted on a first anvil head rotatable about an axis on a second side of said cable,

(C) said first pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(D) the axes of rotation of said first pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated,

(E) whereby, said first pusher and anvil rollers 4form cooperating first pairs of rollers that bend said strands from a first stack to a second stack in a first plane,

(F) a plurality of coplanar circular second pusher rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(f) said second pusher rollers being mounted on a second pusher head rotatable about an axis on said second side of said cable,

(G) a plurality of coplanar circular second backup anvil rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(g) said second backup anvil rollers being mounted on a second anvil head rotatable about an axis on said first side of said cable,

(H) said second pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(I) the axes of rotation of said second pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated.

(I) whereby, said second pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating second pairs of rollers that bend said strands from said second Stack to said first stack in a second plane, and

(K) all of said heads being rotated at the same speed;

(III) means for shifting said stacks so that an endmost strand on each stack is shifted out of one of said planes, comprising:

(A) a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a first direction for shifting said first stack in said first direction, and

(B) a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a second direction opposite to said first direction for shifting said second stack in said second direction.

8. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(Il) means for bending said strands from one stack to another in a pair of parallel planes comprising: (A) a plurality o-f coplanar circular first pusher rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(C) said first pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(E) whereby, said first pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating rst pairs of rollers that bend said strands from a first stack to a second stack in a first plane,

(H) said second pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar and (I) the axes of rotation of said second pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated (I) whereby, said second pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating second pairs of rollers that bend said strands from said second stack to said first stack in a plane, and

(K) each of said heads being independently mounted on a separate drive shaft,

(k) each head being vertically adjustable on its drive shaft,

(k') each drive shaft being independently adjustable both longitudinally and transversely of said cable lengthwise axis, and

(k) each drive shaft being rotated at the same speed, and

(L) a line joining the drive shafts for said first and second pusher heads, and a line joining the drive shafts for said first and second anvil heads each being perpendicular to said cable lengthwise axis, and

(l') said line joining the drive shafts of said anvil heads being spaced ahead of said line joining the drive shafts of said pusher heads in the direction of movement of said cable; and

(III) means for shifting said stacks so that an endmost strand on each stack is shifted out of one of said Iplanes, comprising:

(A) a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a first direction for shifting said first first stack in said first direction, and

9. A `strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(l) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(C) said first pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(E) whereby, said first pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating first pairs of rollers that bend said strands from a first stack to a second stack in a first plane,

(f) said second pusher rollers being mounted on a second pusher rotatable about an axis on said second side of said cable,

(G) a plurality of coplanar circular second backup anvil rollers freely vrotatable about their central axes,

(H) said second pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(I) the axes of rotation of said second pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated,

(I) whereby, said second pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating second pairs of rollers that bend said strands from said second stack to said first stack in a second plane,

(K) all of said heads being rotated at the same speed, and

(L) a line joining the axis of rotation of said first and second pusher heads, and a line joining the axes of rotation of said first and second anvil heads each being perpendicular to said cable lengthwise axis,

(l') -said line joining the axes of rotation of said anvil heads being spaced ahead of said line joining the axes of rotation of said pusher heads in the direction of movement of said cable; and

(A) a freely rotatable circular shifting roller movable in a first direction for shifting said first stack in said first direction,

(C) said first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of said shifting rollers, and

(D) the central axes of said shifting rollers being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of the pusher and anvil rollers.

10. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(C) said first pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(f) second second pusher rollers being mounted on a second pusher head rotatable an axis on said second side of said cable,

(GQ a plurality of coplanar circular second backup anvil rollers freely rotatable about their central axes,

(H) said second pusher and anvil rollers being coplanar, and

(K) all of said heads being rotated at the same speed;

(A) a plurality of shafts slidably mounted in said first anvil head,

(a) a circular shifting roller freely rotatably mounted on an end of each shaft,

(a) a spring resiliently urging each shaft in a first direction away from said second stack, and

(a) a cam sequentially urging the shafts in said first anvil head in a second direction against the action of the springs until the rollers shift said second stack in said second direction,

(B) a plurality of shafts slidably mounted in said second anvil head,

(b) a circular shifting roller freely rotatably mounted on an end of each shaft,

(b) a spring resiliently urging each shaft in said second direction away from said first stack, and

(b) a c am sequentially urging the shafts in said second anvil head in said first direction against the action of the springs until the rollers shift said first stack in said rst direction.

11. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(A) a first pusher head rotatable about an axis on a first side of said cable,

(a) a plurality of shafts rotatably journaled in said first pusher head,

(fz') a plurality of coplanar first pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(a") each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(B) a first backup anvil head rotatable about an axis on a second side of said cable,

(b) a plurality of shafts rotatably journaled in said second pusher head,

(b) a plurality of coplanar first backup anvil rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(b) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(C) cam surfaces contacting said hemispherical end portions for causing said first pusher and anvil rollers to be coplanar when they contact a strand, and

(F) a second pusher head rotatable about an axis on `said second side of said cable,

(f) a plurality of shafts rotatably journaled in said second pusher head,

(f') a plurality of coplanar second pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(f) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(G) a second backup anvil head rotatable about an axis on said first side of said cable,

(g) a plurality of shafts rotatably journaled in said second backup anvil head,

(g) a plurality of coplanar second backup anvil rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(g) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(H) cam surfaces contacting said hemispherical end portions for causing said second pusher and anvil rollers to be coplanar when they contact a strand, and

(I) whereby, said second pusher and anvil rollers form cooperating second pairs of rollers that bend said strands from said second stack to said rSt Stack. in a second plane, and

(K) all of said heads being rotated at the same speed;

l2. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of unequal stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(A) a first pusher head rotatable about an axis on a first side of said cable,

(a) a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said first pusher head,

(a) a plurality of coplanar first pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes, v

(51) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(b) a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said second pusher head,

(b) a plurality of coplanar rst backup anvil rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(F) a second pusher head rotatable about an axis on said second side of said cable,

() a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said second pusher head,

(f) a plurality of coplanar second pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(g) a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said second backup anvil head,

(g) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam 17 surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto, (H) cam surfaces contacting said hemispherical end portions for causing said second pusher and anvil rollers to be coplanar when they contact a strand, and (I) the axes of rotation of said second pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated, (J whereby, said second pusher and anvil rollers for cooperating second pairs of rollers that bend said strands from said second stack to said first stack in a second plane, and (K) all of said heads being rotated at the same speed;

(A) a plurality of supporting shafts slidably mounted in said first anvil head,

(11) a cam sequentially urging the shafts in said first anvil head in a second direction against the action of the springs until the rollers shift said second stack in said second direction,

(B) a plurality of supporting shafts slidably mounted in said second anvil head,

(b) a cam sequentially urging the shafts in said second anvil head in said first direction against the action of the springs until the rollers shift said first stack in said first direction.

13. A strand transposing machine for sequentially changing the positions in a plurality of unequal stacks of the rectangular strands of cable, comprising:

(I) means for moving the cable in the direction of its lengthwise axis;

(II) means for bending said strands from one stack t another in a pair of parallel planes comprising:

(A) a first pusher head rotatable about an axis on a first side of said cable,

(a) a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said first pusher head,

(cz) a plurality of coplanar first pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts so as be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(a) each shaft having a hemispherical 0pposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(13) each shaft having a hemispherical opposite end portion for contacting a cam surface without interfering with the free rotation of the roller attached thereto,

(C) cam surfaces contacting said hemispherical end portions for causing said first pusher and 18 anvil rollers to be coplanar when they contact a strand, and

(D) the axes of rotation of said first pusher and -anvil heads being parallel but separated,

(f) a plurality of roller shafts rotatably journaled in said second pusher head,

(f) a plurality of coplanar second pusher rollers attached to ends of said shafts,l so as to be freely rotatable about the roller central axes,

(H) cam surfaces contacting said hemispherical end portions for causing said second pusher and anvil rollers to be coplanar when they contact a strand, `and (I) the axes of rotation of said second pusher and anvil heads being parallel but separated,

(K) each pusher roller and each backup anvil roller having an enlarged shoulder adjacent the strand contacting surface thereof for maintaining the strands in position as they are being bent,

(L) each of said heads being independently mounted on a separate drive shaft,

(l) each head being vertically adjustable on its drive shaft,

(l) each drive shaft being independently adjustable both longitudinally and transversely of said cable lengthwise axis, and

(1) each drive shaft being rotated at the same speed, and

(M) a line joining the drive shafts for said first and second pusher heads, and a line joining the drive shafts for said first and second anvil heads each being perpendicular to said cable lengthwise axis, and

(m) said line joining the drive shafts of said anvil heads being spaced ahead of said line joining the drive shafts of said pusher heads in the direction of movement of said cable; and

(A) a plurality of supporting shafts slidably mountin said first anvil head,

(a) a cam sequentially urging the shafts in said irst anvil head in a second direction against the action of the springs until the rollers shift said-second stack in said second direction,

(B) a plurality of supporting shafts slidably mounted in said second ranvil head,

(b) a spring resiliently urgingeach shaft in said second direction away from said iirst stack, and

(b") a cam sequentially urging the shafts in said second anvil head in said rst direction against the action of the springs until the shifting rollers shift said first stack in said rst direction, and

(C) the central axis of said shifting rollers being substantially perpendicular to the central axes of said pusher and anvil rollers.

14. Apparatus for lengthwise transposition without twisting of substantially rectangular individual strands ot a stranded cable comprising: means for moving said cable axially along a predetermined path, a backup arm pivotally mounted on one side of said cable about a first axis perpendicular to the path of cable movement and having at its outer end a free-spinning backup roller, means for rotating said .backup arm to bring said backup roller momentarily into tangential engagement with one side of an outer cable strand in a predetermined first strand position without displacing said strand, a pusher arm pivotally mounted upon the opposite side of said cable about an axis parallel to said rst axis and having at its outer end a free-spinning pusher roller, and means for rotating said pusher arm to bring said pusher roller substantially simultaneously into striking engagement with the other side of said outer cable strand to displace said strand to a second strand position, said backup roller engaging said strand beyond said pusher roller in the direction of cable movement whereby said cable strand is deformed between said rollers in passing between said strand positions at a point of transposition.

l5. Apparatus for lengthwise transposition without twisting of substantially rectangular individual strands of a stranded cable comprising: means for moving said cable axially along a predetermined path, a backup arm pivotally mounted on one side ot said cable about a rst axis perpendicular to the path of cable movement and having at its outer end a free-spinning backup roller, means for continuously rotating said backup arm about said rst axis to bring said backup roller periodically into tangential rolling engagement with one side of an outer cable strand in a predetermined first strand position Without displacing said strand, a pusher arm pivotally mounted on the opposite side of said cable about a second axis parallel to said rst axis and having at its outer end a free-spinning pusher roller, and means for continuously rotating said pusher arm to bring said pusher roller periodically and substantially simultaneously into stiking engagement with the other side of said outer cable strand to displace said strand toward said backup roller to a second strand position, said backup and pusher arms being rotatable oppositely about said rst and second axes and in directions to move both said rollers along the direction ot' cable movement when in engagement with said cable strand, said backup roller engaging said strand beyond said pusher roller in the direction of cable movement and said rollers being both substantially tangential to an axial line dividing said strand positions when said rotatable arms are mutually parallel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,249,509 Welch et al July 15, 1941 2,986,176 west May 30, 1961 3,000,406 west sept. 19, 1961 3,018,802 Hinds Jan. 30, 1962

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR TRANSPOSING ABOUT ITS LENGTHWISE AXIS THE INDIVIDUAL RECTANGULAR STRANDS OF A STRANDED CABLE, COMPRISING: (A) A CIRCULAR TRANSPOSING PUSHER FREELY ROTATABLE ABOUT ITS CENTRAL AXIS, (A'') SAID TRANSPOSING PUSHER BEING ROTATED IN A CIRCULAR PATH ABOUT A FIRST AXIS, (A") A FIRST LINE BEING DEFINED BY THE CENTRAL AXIS OF SAID PUSHER AND SAID FIRST AXIS, (B) A COOPERATING CIRCULAR BACKUP ANVIL FREELY ROTATABLE ABOUT ITS CENTRAL AXIS, (B'') SAID BACKUP ANVIL BEING ROTATED IN A CIRCULAR PATH ABOUT A SECOND AXIS, (B") A SECOND LINE BEING DEFINED BY THE CENTRAL AXIS OF SAID BACKUP ANVIL AND SAID SECOND AXIS, (C) ALL OF THE AXES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL AND SEPARATED, (D) SAID TRANSPOSING PUSHER AND SAID BACKUP ANVIL EACH ROTATING AT THE SAME SPEED RESPECTIVELY ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS AND SAID SECOND AXIS, (E) AND SAID FIRST LINE AND SAID SECOND LINE BOTH INTERSECTING SAID CABLE LENGTHWISE AXIS AT THE SAME ANGLE FOR ANY GIVEN ROTATIONAL POSITION OF SAID TRANSPOSING PUSHER AND BACKUP ANVIL.