Patent US3572024A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3572024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Manufacture of electric cables
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
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Filing: 1968-10-31
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1988-10-31
Abstract
Abstract In the manufacture of an electric cable, a layer of wires is applied to an advancing core by a method comprising drawing the wires through a fixed lay plate, at least two intermediate lay plates and a final lay plate, and then bringing them into engagement with the core. The final lay plate is caused to oscillate about the core through an angle greater than 720* , each half-cycle of its oscillation comprising a major part during which the angular velocity of the lay plate has a substantially uniform value and a minor part during which its angular velocity is greater than that uniform value. The intermediate lay plates are caused or permitted to oscillate at the same frequency as and in phase with the final lay plate, the amplitude of each oscillating lay plate exceeding that of the preceeding lay plate by less than 360*. In the resulting layer each of the wires extends about the core in a helical path which reverses its circumferential direction at intervals spaced apart along the length of the core by a distance which is at least twice the length of lay of the wires about the core.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00; H01B13/02; H01B13/0235; H01B13/0257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In the manufacture of an electric cable, the method of applying a layer of wires to an advancing core which comprises: A. drawing the wires: i. through a fixed lay plate; ii. through at least two intermediate angularly oscillatorily mounted lay plates; and iii. through a final lay plate which is caused to oscillate about the core through an angle greater than 720*, each halfcycle of the oscillAtion comprising a major part during which the angular velocity of the lay plate has a substantially uniform value and a minor part during which its angular velocity is greater than that uniform value; and then B. bringing the wires into engagement with the core to form a layer of wires which extend about the core in a helical path which reverses its circumferential direction at intervals spaced apart along the length of the core by a distance which is at least twice the length of lay of the wires about the core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In the manufacture of an electric cable, the method of applying a layer of wires to an advancing core which comprises: A. drawing the wires: i. through a fixed lay plate; ii. through at least two intermediate angularly oscillatorily mounted lay plates; and iii. through a final lay plate which is caused to oscillate about the core through an angle greater than 720*, each halfcycle of the oscillAtion comprising a major part during which the angular velocity of the lay plate has a substantially uniform value and a minor part during which its angular velocity is greater than that uniform value; and then B. bringing the wires into engagement with the core to form a layer of wires which extend about the core in a helical path which reverses its circumferential direction at intervals spaced apart along the length of the core by a distance which is at least twice the length of lay of the wires about the core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the said minor part of each half-cycle precedes the major part thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the said uniform value of the angular velocity is the same, apart from its direction, for all half-cycles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising driving the said intermediate lay plates to oscillate at the same frequency as and in phase with the final lay plate, the amplitude of oscillation of each oscillating lay plate exceeding that of the preceding lay plate by less than 360*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising bringing the wires into engagement with the core under the control of a flexible binder which is being helically applied to the core and which also serves to secure the wires to the core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for applying a layer of wires to a core in the manufacture of an electric cable comprising: A. a fixed lay plate, at least two intermediate angularly oscillatorily mounted lay plates and a final lay plate; B. means for oscillating the final lay plate about the core through an angle greater than 720* in a succession of half-cycles, each half-cycle comprising a major part during which the angular velocity of the final lay plate has a substantially uniform value and a minor part during which the angular velocity is greater than that uniform value; and C. means for passing the wires successively through the fixed, intermediate and final lay plates and then bringing them into engagement with the core to form a layer of wires which extend about the core in a helical path which reverses its circumferential direction at intervals spaced apart along the length of the core by a distance which is at least twice the length of lay of the wires about the core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for applying a layer of wires to a core in the manufacture of an electric cable comprising: A. a fixed lay plate, at least two intermediate angularly oscillatorily mounted lay plates and a final lay plate; B. means for oscillating the final lay plate about the core through an angle greater than 720* in a succession of half-cycles, each half-cycle comprising a major part during which the angular velocity of the final lay plate has a substantially uniform value and a minor part during which the angular velocity is greater than that uniform value; and C. means for passing the wires successively through the fixed, intermediate and final lay plates and then bringing them into engagement with the core to form a layer of wires which extend about the core in a helical path which reverses its circumferential direction at intervals spaced apart along the length of the core by a distance which is at least twice the length of lay of the wires about the core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising means for oscillating each intermediate lay plate at the same frequency as and in phase with the final lay plate, the amplitude of oscillation of each oscillating lay plate, including the final lay plate, exceeding that of the preceding lay plate by less than 360*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as claim in claim 7 wherein the said means for oscillating the final lay plate and the said means for oscillating the intermediate lay plate comprise a single reversible hydraulic motor regulated by an electronically controlled valve and limit switches mounted with their movable parts on the first intermediate lay plate which initiate operation of the valve to reverse the motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claim in claim 6 wherein the said means for oscillating the final lay plate comprises a reversible hydraulic motor regulated by an electronically controlled valve and limit switches geared to the final lay plate which initiate operation of the valve to reverse the motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the said means for bringing the wires into engagement with the core comprises a lapping head arranged to apply a flexible binder to the core over the layer of wires after it has passed through the final lay plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |