U.S. patent number 3,696,599 [Application Number 05/163,185] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-10 for cable fairing system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. Invention is credited to Charles C. Cotton, Willmer F. Hodges, Donald M. Palmer.
United States Patent |
3,696,599 |
Palmer , et al. |
October 10, 1972 |
CABLE FAIRING SYSTEM
Abstract
A cable fairing system is disclosed which contains a rotatable
cable strand pening die connected to a rotatable cable strand
closing die by means of a hollow, slotted tube. Bearings
respectively connected to brackets attached to a bench support said
dies for rotation therein. A feed reel supplies multi-strand cable
for threading through said dies and hollow tube, and a take-up reel
receives the reconstructed cable after thrums have been inserted
between the opened strands thereof by a human or other operator. A
controlled motor drives said take-up reel at such speed as to pull
the multi-strand cable through the aforesaid dies and tube and
still allow the aforementioned thrums to be installed therein
immediately prior to the reconstruction thereof.
Inventors: |
Palmer; Donald M. (Lynn Haven,
FL), Cotton; Charles C. (Lynn Haven, FL), Hodges; Willmer
F. (Panama City, FL) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the Navy (N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
22588847 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/163,185 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
57/1R;
57/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D07B
5/00 (20130101); D07B 7/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D07B
7/00 (20060101); D07B 7/18 (20060101); D07B
1/00 (20060101); D07B 1/14 (20060101); D07b
003/00 (); D07b 001/14 (); D07b 007/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;57/1R,1UN,2.3,2.5,34R,143,145,156,160,161,166 ;116/114 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Watkins; Donald E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for installing fairing thrums in a multi-strand cable,
comprising in combination:
rotatable means for containing a multi-strand cable in which said
fairing thrums are to be installed;
means spatially disposed from said rotatable multi-strand cable
containing means for receiving, opening, separating, and closing
the strands of said multi-strand cable as a result of said cable
being pulled therethrough; and
means connected to said cable for the pulling thereof through said
multi-strand cable receiving, opening, separating, and closing
means.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rotatable means for
containing the multi-strand cable in which said fairing thrums are
to be installed comprise a rotatable feed reel.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the means spatially disposed from
said rotatable multi-strand cable containing means for receiving,
opening, separating, and closing the strands of said multi-strand
cable as a result of said cable being pulled therethrough
comprises:
a first rotatable die having an axis of revolution, a journal
disposed equidistantly around said axis of revolution, a core hole
disposed through said first die along said axis of revolution, and
a plurality of strand holes disposed through said first die in such
manner as to be substantially equidistant from said axis of
revolution;
a first bearing disposed around the journal of said first die in
such manner as to effectively allow relative rotation
therebetween;
a second rotatable die having an axis of revolution substantially
in alignment with the axis of revolution of said first rotatable
die, a journal disposed equidistantly around said axis of
revolution, a core hole disposed through said second die along the
axis of revolution thereof, and a plurality of strand holes
disposed through said second die in such manner as to be
equidistant from the axis of revolution thereof;
a second bearing disposed around the journal of said second die in
such manner as to effectively allow relative rotation
therebetween;
a slotted hollow pipe connected between said first and second
rotatable dies along extensions of the axes of revolution thereof
in such manner as to effect rotation thereof as a unit; and
means connected to said first and second bearings for the support
thereof at a predetermined location.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said means connected to said
first and second bearing for the support thereof at a predetermined
location comprises:
a pair of brackets respectively connected to said first and second
bearings; and
a bench connected to said pair of brackets in such manner as to
effect the rigid holding thereof at said predetermined
location.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means connected to said
cable for the pulling thereof through said multi-strand cable
receiving, opening, separating, and closing means comprises:
a rotatable take-up reel; and
a motor connected to said rotatable take-up reel for the rotational
driving thereof.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said means connected to said
cable for the pulling thereof through said multi-strand cable
receiving, opening, separating, and closing means comprises:
a rotatable take-up reel;
a motor connected to said rotatable take-up reel for the rotational
driving thereof; and
an adjustable motor control connected to said motor for starting,
stopping, and regulating the speed thereof.
7. The invention of claim 1, further characterized by means
disposed adjacent to said multi-strand cable receiving, opening,
separating, and closing means for inserting fairing thrums between
the strands of said cable immediately prior to the closing
thereof.
8. The device of claim 1, further characterized by adjustable brake
means connected to said rotatable multi-strand cable containing
means for regulating the speed and tension at which the cable
contained thereby is received by the aforesaid cable strand
receiving, opening, separating, and closing means.
9. A system for installing fairing thrums in a multi-strand cable,
comprising in combination:
a rotatable feed reel upon which is wound the multi-strand cable in
which fairing thrums are to be installed;
a first rotatable die having an axis of revolution, a journal
disposed equidistantly around said axis of revolution, a center
core hole disposed through said first die along said axis of
revolution, and a plurality of outer strand holes disposed through
said first die in such manner as to be substantially equidistant
from said axis of revolution;
a second rotatable die having an axis of revolution substantially
in alignment with the axis of revolution of said first rotatable
die, a journal disposed equidistantly around said axis of
revolution, a center core hole disposed through said second die
along the axis of revolution thereof, and a plurality of outer
strand holes disposed through said second die in such manner as to
be equidistant from the axis of revolution thereof;
a hollow pipe connected between said first and second rotatable
dies along extensions of the axes of revolution thereof in such
manner as to be in alignment with the center core holes thereof and
to effect rotation thereof as a unit;
an elongated slot located in the wall of the aforesaid hollow
pipe;
a first bearing disposed around the journal of said first die in
such manner as to effectively allow relative rotation
therebetween;
a second bearing disposed around the journal of said second die in
such manner as to effectively allow relative rotation
therebetween;
a pair of mounting brackets respectively attached to said first and
second bearings;
a bench connected to said pair of mounting brackets for support
thereof;
a clamp attached to said multi-strand cable after the center core
strand and the outer strands thereof have been threaded through the
aforesaid core and outer plurality of holes in said first die, said
hollow pipe, and said second die, respectively, for effecting the
urging thereof toward a closed multi-strand cable condition as it
is pulled along;
a rotatable take-up reel connected to the clamped end of said
closed multi-strand cable for the pulling and storing thereof
thereon;
a motor connected to said take-up reel for the rotational driving
thereof, so as to effect the pulling and storing of said closed
multi-strand cable thereon; and
a motor control connected to the aforesaid motor for starting,
stopping, and speed regulation thereof.
10. The invention of claim 9 further characterized by a thrum
inserter disposed adjacent to said multi-strand cable at a position
where the multi-strands thereof are closed for the timely insertion
of fairing thrums between the strands of said cable immediately
prior to the closing thereof; and
means effectively connected to said thrum inserter for supplying
fairing thrums thereto.
Description
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or
for the Government of the United States of America for governmental
purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or
therefor.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to multi-strand cable
and rope making machinery and, in particular, is a unique system
for inserting ribbon fairing in previously constructed multi-strand
wire cable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Heretofore, numerous methods and means have been employed to insert
various and sundry types of fairing along the length of stranded
cables and ropes.
For example, simple methods such as opening the strands with a
marlin spike or other knife-like devices and inserting ribbons or
other filaments under the strands were used. Of course, such method
was slow, cumbersome, and usually resulted in an inferior product,
due to the manual strength, dexterity, and skill required.
Another method used to insert fairing in cables was to use a single
die to open the strands as a result of forcing the respective
strands to pass through suitably disposed passageways therein.
Unfortunately, this method does not allow for the expansion of the
center core of the cable, especially when long segments of faired
cable are being fabricated, thereby effecting a non-uniform,
deformed, rough, unwieldy, product.
Although satisfactory for some purposes, all of the known prior art
cable fairing machinery leaves a great deal to be desired,
particularly from the construction and use standpoints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes most of the disadvantages
heretofore encountered with the prior art. It incorporates a pair
of spatially disposed rotatable dies that are connected together by
means of a tube that forces both dies to rotate at the same time
and at the same speed. Part of said tube is cut away to allow the
center core of the cable being faired to protrude therethrough
during the fairing operation. The dies are mounted in bearings in
such manner as to allow them to rotate freely therein, and the
bearings are, in turn, preferably mounted on brackets having
sufficient height to prevent hindrance thereof with ambient
objects. Said brackets are, of course, mounted on a table or bench,
or on any other suitable support means, as desired.
The cable strands are opened by the first die and stay open through
the second die. Ribbon or other type fairing is placed under the
outer layer of strands after they pass through the second die
(while they are still unlayed) and just before they are again
reassembled (or re-layed) as a stranded cable. The cable is
automatically unlayed and re-layed by simply pulling it through the
dies and at the same time, the fairing is inserted therein, either
manually by a human operator automatically by any suitable shuttle
type inserter means. Thus, it may readily be seen that ordinary
commercially available stranded cable or rope may be converted to
faired cable or rope in an expeditious manner without damaging
either thereof, and that it may be easily accomplished in situ,
wherever the need therefor arises. Accordingly, the subject
invention constitutes a new and useful system which, for most
practical purposes, is a vast improvement over those of the prior
art.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an
improved method and means for installing fairing in stranded
cables, lines, or ropes, etc.
Another object of this invention is to provide a unique system
which facilitates the conversion of conventional and other stranded
cables, lines, or ropes that have fairing installed therein;
regardless of whether said fairing is one or more thrums,
filaments, hair-like fibers, ribbon, or the like.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an expeditious
method and means for constructing faired cables, lines, ropes, and
other stranded objects in such manner that no deformation or
weakening condition of consequence exists therein.
A further object of this invention is to provide a system for
installing fairing in stranded cables and the like that is portable
and, thus, easily transported and used in the field or anywhere
else faired cables are needed or constructed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method and means
for installing fairing in a stranded cable at a greater rate than
heretofore possible.
Another object of this invention is to install fairing in stranded
cables having cores without deforming the core, even through
considerable lengths thereof are involved, regardless of the type
and size of fairing employed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method and means
for installing fairing in a stranded cable, either automatically or
by a single, relatively unskilled, human operator.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved system
for fairing a cable, rope, line, etc., that is easily and
economically constructed, operated, maintained, transported, and
stored.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readily
appreciated as the subject invention becomes better understood by
reference to the following detailed description, when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting the system constituting the
subject invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cable strand spreader mechanism of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the cable opening die of FIGS.
1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a right end view of the cable opening die of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the cable closing die of FIGS.
1 and 2;
FIG. 6 is a right end view of the cable closing die of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary manual thrum inserter that
may be used in the system of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 8 is a right end view of the thrum inserter of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the system of FIG. 1, there is shown a feed reel
11 which contains a cable, line, or rope 12 through which fairing
is to be inserted.
For the purpose of keeping this disclosure as simple as possible,
reel 11 will be considered to contain a conventional twisted strand
wire cable of whatever length is necessary to convert it to
whatever length of faired cable is desired. In addition, the cable
involved may have any number of strands and a core, the latter of
which may be either another single wire strand, or it may include
one or more internally disposed insulated electrical conductors, as
desired.
In this particular embodiment of the subject invention, an
adjustable brake 13 is connected to feel reel 11 in such
conventional manner as to control the rotation thereof, as the
stranded cable is pulled therefrom.
The strands of the front end of cable 12 are manually opened and
supplied as a plurality thereof 14 to a cable strand spreader
mechanism 15. Said cable spreader mechanism 15 is generally shown
in FIG. 1 and more specifically shown in FIG. 2; hence, as
appropriate, both of said figures will contain like reference
numerals for like parts, and both will now be described
concomitantly.
After being opened, cable strands 14 are respectively threaded
through die holes 16 in rotatable opening die 17, with the central
core, of course, being threaded through a center core hole 18.
A hollow tube 19 is connected between the exit side of rotatable
opening die 17 and the entrance side of a rotatable closing die 20
in such manner that said opening and closing dies are rigidly
connected together for simultaneous rotation thereof as a unit.
Located along practically the entire length of tube 19 is an
elongated slot 21 which extends through the wall thereof, thereby
effecting an elongated passageway through which the slack portion
of the cable core may hang, so as to prevent the deformation
thereof and the entire cable upon the subsequent re-laying thereof,
as will be described in more detail during the discussion of the
operation of the invention presented below. Consequently, it should
be understood that the aforesaid tube 19 and especially elongated
slot 21 are key elements in the construction of cable strand
spreader mechanism, and that the ultimate success of cable
reconstruction with the thrums installed therein is contingent upon
said key elements being incorporated in the unique combination of
elements constituting this invention.
While the core of the cable passes through the center core hole 22,
the remaining outer strands of cable 12 pass along the outside of
tube 19 and are threaded through die holes 23 of rotatable closing
die 20 which are essentially in line with the comparable die holes
16 and 18 of rotatable closing die 17, respectively.
For the purpose of allowing dies 17 and 20 to freely rotate, they
are respectively mounted in a pair of bearings 24 and 25 which are,
in turn, effectively mounted on a bench stand 26, or on any other
suitable support means.
As best seen in FIG. 2, the aforesaid tube 19 is secured within the
inside diameter of an exit end pipe portion 27 of die 17 and
entrance end pipe portion 28 of die 20, respectively, by means of a
pair of set screws 29 and 30 that are screwed tightly into
compatibly threaded holes 31 and 32. In addition, it may also be
seen that bearings 24 and 25 are, in the instant preferred
embodiment of the invention, depicted as being ball bearings with
inner and outer races, the former of which holds dies 17 and 20,
the latter of which is optionally connected to flanged brackets 33
and 34, respectively, which, in turn, are mounted on the top of
bench 26, as by bolts 35 and 36, respectively, or by any other
suitable means. However, it should be understood that any other
bearing means may be so employed, as bearings 24 and 25, as long as
they allow dies 17 and 20 to rotate freely. Dies 17 and 20 will
also be described in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3
through 6 subsequently.
Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a thrum inserted 38 is employed
to install ribbon or other fairing 39 between the strands of cable
12 prior to closure or re-laying thereof. Said thrum inserter 38
may be a human being who manually inserts sections of ribbons in
the cable and then breaks or cuts them off at predetermined lengths
from a roll thereof obtained from any suitable thrum supply 41. To
facilitate the cutting of said ribbon thrums at some desired
length, the supply ribbon preferably has precuts or perforations
42, so that it may be easily broken or cut at such locations. On
the other hand, thrum inserter 38 may be a machine that
automatically inserts the ribbon in the cable and cuts it off at
the lengths that are optimum for any give purpose. The ribbon
thrums, of course, may be inserted at any desired angle or angles
and in such quantities as to provide any predetermined densities
thereof, either partially or entirely around the circumference of
the cable. Hence, they may be spaced so as to be a single line of
thrums, so as to be several lines of thrums, so as to constitute
fairing around the entire circumference of the cable, or so as to
effect any other desired geometrical configuration.
After cable strands 14 are again brought together (re-layed), in
the beginning they are preferably held in their normal twisted
position by a cable clamp 43. Of course, the subsequent pulling of
the cable causes the plurality of open strands to be drawn together
or re-layed after they leave rotatable closing die 20, and so doing
causes each thrum to be firmly held in place by the strands
adjacent thereto.
For the purpose of pulling the cable through the strand spreader
mechanism and storing the faired cable, a take-up reel 44 is used.
It is driven by motor 45, the stopping, starting, and speed of
which is regulated by a variable motor control 46. Obviously, many
combinations of arrangements may be used; but, for example, if
thrum inserter 38 is a human being, motor control 46 may be merely
a foot or other operated switch. On the other hand, in the event
thrum inserter 38 is an automatic machine, motor control 46 might
be a computer which is programmed to cause motor 45 to drive
take-up reel 44 at whatever speed is necessary for the optimum
operation of thrum inserter 38. Obviously, it would be well within
the purview of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the
teachings presented herewith to design the thrum inserter - take-up
reel-motor-motor control combination to be whatever is necessary
for any given operational circumstances.
All of the foregoing elements represented in block form, with the
exception of cable strand spreader mechanism 15, are well known and
conventional per se. Hence, it should be understood that it is
their unique interconnections and interactions with said unique
cable strand spreader mechanism that effects the system
constituting the subject invention and causes it to produce the
improved results herein indicated.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown side and front
views of the preferred embodiment of rotatable opening die 17 of
FIGS. 1 and 2, and especially of FIG. 2. Again, to effect
simplicity of disclosure, as appropriate, like parts thereof will
be referenced by like reference numerals.
Die 17, in this particular instance, has a cone-like protrusion 51
with a rounded front end 52. Extending through the entire die 17 is
the aforementioned core hole 18, which is disposed at the center
thereof in such manner that it parallels strand holes 16 that
surround it. Protrusion 51, of course, may have any desired
configuration, as long as it facilitates the opening of the cable
strands as the cable is pulled from right to left. Said protrusion
51 connected to a journal 53, which is that portion of die 17 that
is secured by friction or any other suitable means within the
inside diameter of the aforementioned bearing 24. A flange 54 is
integrally attached to journal portion 53, and the aforesaid pipe
27 is attached thereto for the purpose of holding tube 19 in place
therein.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate side and front views of the preferred
embodiment of rotatable closing die 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Again, as
appropriate, like parts thereof will be referenced by like
reference numerals.
Entrance end pipe 28 has an inside diameter with threaded hole 32
in the wall thereof, as previously explained. Pipe 28 is integrally
connected to a stop flange 55 which is, in turn, integrally
connected to bearing journal portion 56, that portion thereof which
is supported by the aforementioned bearing 25.
Again, as best seen in FIG. 2, the bearing 25 that holds journal 56
is disclosed as being a ball bearing assembly having inner and
outer races; however, it should be understood that any other
bearing that is appropriately designed to allow free rotation of
closing die 20 as a unit may be substituted therefor without
violating the spirit and scope of this invention.
The exit end of die 20 has a base 57 attached to journal 56. Of
course, the aforesaid strand holes 23, as well as a core hole 22
extends through the entire die, with the latter mentioned core hole
22 being in alignment with the hollow in tube 19 and the aforesaid
core hole 18 of opening die 17.
Because, in its simpliest form, the subject invention is operated
by manually inserting ribbon fairing 39 through strands 14 of cable
12 as said strands are being re-layed after passing through closing
die 20, an exemplary embodiment of an inserted 38 that may be
employed for such purpose is depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. Said
inserter 38 has a hollow blade 61 through which ribbon fairing is
threaded. In one wall of blade 61 is a thumbhole or aperture 62
which allows a human thumb to press ribbon 39 against the inside
surface of the opposite wall at such times as no relative movement
between inserter and ribbon is desired, such as at the time when
the ribbon fairing is being thrust through the re-laying strands of
cable 12.
MODE OF OPERATION
The operation of the invention will now be discussed briefly in
conjunction with all of the figures of the drawing.
The operation, of course, is exceedingly simple, which is one of
the advantages of the invention, since it allows unskilled labor to
be trained to use it in just a few minutes.
Multiple strand cable 12 is partially unrolled from feed reel 11,
the forward strands separated and threaded through a like plurality
of holes in open die 17. The center strand or core of cable 12 is
threaded through hole 18. The outer strands are pulled along the
outside of hollow tube 19 and assume representative positions 63
and 64, say, for an exemplary twisted two strand cable, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. Obviously, the more strands the cable has,
the more strand positions that occur.
The pulling of the outer cable strands along tube 19 causes the
core to be pulled through the hollow thereof; and as such pulling
occurs during actual faired cable construction, said core will
usually hang out of slot 21 and acquire a position 65 -- as,
likewise, best seen in FIG. 2 -- in order to take up the slack
therein caused by the relative shortening of the outer strands,
when the thrums are inserted therebetween.
The open strands and core of cable 12 are, of course, threaded
through holes 23 and 22, respectively, of closing die 20, after
which the pulling force thereon as a clamped strand cable causes
the strands and core to automatically close. But just before strand
closure or re-laying occurs, the ribbon thrums segments are
inserted therebetween, and after strand closure occurs, said thrum
segments are cut or broken off by the human or other thrum
inserter. The normal cable interstrand squeezing force, of course,
holds the thrums in their respective places in the finished faired
cable.
The aforementioned pulling force is effected by take-up reel 44,
once actual construction commences. Motor 45 drives take-up reel 44
at whatever speed is optimum for proper thrum insertion. Of course,
it may be started and stopped and/or speed controlled by manually
or computer operated motor control 46, as the case may be.
The taughtness of the cable at any predetermined stage within the
subject system may also be regulated by properly braking feed reel
11 with brake 13 in conjunction with start-stop speed control 46.
Hence, considerable operational versatility within the system can
be effected.
Take-up reel 44 may be used as a storage means for the constructed
faired cable, and when ready for use, said faired cable may be
unreeled therefrom.
From the foregoing, it may readily be seen that the subject
invention constitutes a very simple but effective means for
installing fairing in any preconstructed multi-strand cable, rope,
line, or the like, and, in addition, could be incorporated in the
initial production thereof merely by making those design choices
which would be necessary to add it as an accessory to presently
used systems for the construction thereof.
Obviously, other embodiments and modifications of the subject
invention will readily come to the mind of one skilled in the art
having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing
description and the drawings. It is, therefore, to be understood
that this invention is not to be limited thereto and that said
modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *