Clipper Machines, Inc.

Gilbert G Grimm

David C Hoddinott

A wire payoff apparatus includes first and second wire spools, having first and second rotatable payoff caps thereon, respectively, first and second enclosure drums around the spools, respectively, first and second drive mechanisms for rotating the payoff caps, respectively, and a brake assembly. The apparatus further includes first and second diameter sensors for sensing the wound diameters of the spools, respectively, first and second line sensors for sensing the payoff of line from the first and second spools, respectively, a line speed sensor and a control. During operation of the apparatus, wire is alternatively payed off from the first spool or the second spool by passing over the respective payoff cap thereof as the payoff cap is rotated and the wire is passed outwardly through the respective enclosure drum to the brake assembly. The control is responsive to the diameter sensors, the line sensors and the line speed sensor for automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the payoff cap on the spool from which line is being payed off as the wound diameter of the spool is reduced. The control is further operative for automatically adjusting the amount of tension applied to the wire by the brake assembly as the wound diameter of the spool from which line is being payed off is reduced in order to maintain substantially uniform tension in wire payed off from the apparatus.

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Voluntown, CT, United States of America

Gilbert G Grimm