General Electric Company

Albert J Wesseldyk

Richard D Burns

Alan L Kindig

Methods and apparatus for making electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric machines are disclosed wherein a phase insulator includes two spaced apart planar portions formed of an insulating material interconnected by at least one connector made of an insulating material. First and second strips of planar insulating material are supplied and positioned at spaced apart locations at a securing station. At least one strip of connector material is supplied to a conditioning station and stretched for elongating and assuring straightness of the at least one connector strip. The stretching of the connector material is accomplished by gripping a second section of the connector strip at a location longitudinally spaced apart from a gripped first section and relatively moving the first and second sections thereby elongating a confined portion of the connector material located between the first and second sections. Elongation of the connector material strip removes curvature or 'set' existing in the connector material and assures that the phase insulators being fabricated are provided with straight connectors. Straight connectors facilitate automatic or machine insertion of the phase insulators into dynamoelectric machine cores. A stretched portion of the at least one connector strip is advanced to the securing station and severed thereby establishing at least one elongated segment of connector material. The at least one elongated segment is positioned relative to the two strips of spaced apart planar insulating material at the securing station so that respective ends of the elongated segment overlap the first and second strips of planar material. The ends of the elongated segment are then fused or ultrasonically welded to the respective strips of planar insulating material thereby interconnecting the planar strips with the elongated segment or connector portion for establishing a phase insulator having a straight connector portion so as to facilitate machine insertion into a dynamoelectric machine magnetic core.

Methods for fabricating electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric

Crimp connection equipment includes means for positioning a crimp height controlling eccentric shaft in virtually an infinite number of different predetermined angular positions and virtually continuously monitoring the actual instantaneous position of such shaft. In addition, a universal wheelfeed for feeding a connector strip and selectively replaceable means for guiding such strip are disclosed.

Apparatus for use in making electrical interconnections

Methods and apparatus for fabricating electrical phase insulators for

Methods and apparatus for making electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric machines are disclosed wherein a phase insulator includes two spaced apart planar portions formed of an insulating material interconnected by at least one connector made of an insulating material. First and second strips of planar insulating material are supplied and positioned at spaced apart locations at a securing station. At least one strip of connector material is supplied to a conditioning station and stretched for elongating and assuring straightness of the at least one connector strip. The stretching of the connector material is accomplished by gripping a second section of the connector strip at a location longitudinally spaced apart from a gripped first section and relatively moving the first and second sections thereby elongating a confined portion of the connector material located between the first and second sections. Elongation of the connector material strip removes curvature or 'set' existing in the connector material and assures that the phase insulators being fabricated are provided with straight connectors. Straight connectors facilitate automatic or machine insertion of the phase insulators into dynamoelectric machine cores. A stretched portion of the at least one connector strip is advanced to the securing station and severed thereby establishing at least one elongated segment of connector material. The at least one elongated segment is positioned relative to the two strips of space apart planar insulating material at the securing station so that respective ends of the elongated segment overlap the first and second strips of planar material. The ends of the elongated segment are then fused or ultrasonically welded to the respective strips of planar insulating material thereby interconnecting the planar strips with the elongated segment or connector portion for establishing a phase insulator having a straight connector portion so as to facilitate machine insertion into a dynamoelectric machine magnetic core.

Method involves programming crimp connection equipment to automatically and sequentially establish a plurality of desired different connection configurations. Information representing a series of desired connection configurations is transferred to a control means. Such information is carried by a card that also illustrates a desired final stator assembly configuration. An operator sets thumb wheel switches so that digital information on the card is entered into a control panel. The control means automatically sequences and conditions the apparatus to establish different connections. The card both directly controls machine operation and also is used as a process control card. Also disclosed is a means for positioning a crimp height controlling eccentric shaft in virtually an infinite number of different predetermined angular positions and virtually continuously monitoring the actual instantaneous position of such shaft. In addition, a universal wheelfeed for feeding a connector strip and selectively replaceable means for guiding such strip are disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for use in making electrical interconnections

Take-up apparatus for phase insulator fabrication equipment. A take-up reel is mounted at the exit end of the equipment in properly aligned and squared relationship to the fabricated phase insulator belt and is driven in a continuously rotating mode alternately at high and slow speeds. The fabricated belt forms a downwardly depending loop into the trough of which is laid a constant mass adjustable width shaped somewhat like a dumbbell in form. The tension roll has two cylindrical end weights adjustably positioned onto a grooved connecting rod. The positioning of the end weights is adjustable to accommodate fabricated phase insulator belts of different widths without changing the weight of the tension roll thus assuring proper tensioning of the accumulated belt roll on the reel irrespective of the width of the belt being accumulated.

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Albert J Wesseldyk