General Electric Company

Advanced Machine and Tool Corporation

Richard B Arnold

Eugene Richard Barrett

Larry W Straley

Dallas F Smith

Leo M Schlaudroff

A wire positioning mechanism and method for positioning a start wire of a coil bundle from the bottom of the coil bundle to the top of the coil bundle during winding of the coil. The mechanism includes a pivotable and retractable arm with a clamp assembly, a contacting finger, and a wire hook on one end thereof. The start wire is first deflected into the space between the two separated sections of a coil form by the contacting finger. The wire is then lightly clamped. The coil is then wound on the coil form so that the start wire will be positioned inside the coil. The wire hook is then activated to reposition the start wire through the coil bundle and out over the top of the coil bundle. The start wire positioning mechanism is then moved out of the way of the coil and the winding operation is completed.

Start wire positioning method and apparatus

Method and apparatus for stripping the insulation off wire being drawn from a wire supply along a feed path by means of the coil winding machine. The wire is drawn through a wire stripper device, which is preferably of the type which comprises a plurality of rotating blades that rotate about and engage the surface of the wire so as to cut the insulation therefrom. The stripper device is actuated by the turns counter of the winding machine at a very accurately predetermined point in the winding cycle so that the segment of wire which is stripped will be positioned within the wire cutter following completion of the coil winding cycle, at which point the wire is severed. This produces stripped wire ends for one of the leads of the coil just wound and for one of the leads of the coil which is to be next wound. The wire can be pulled through the stripper by the coil winding machine. Alternatively, the winding head or spindle of the winding machine is stopped during stripping and the wire is pulled through the stripper device either manually or by a mechanical puller or the stripper device is moved along the wire.

Method and apparatus for stripping insulation off wire in coil winding

A releasable clamp holds a stator with a closed end turn while a resilient plug, covered with a rigid smooth walled sleeve, is inserted through the central opening of the stator to spread the winding at the closed end turn. The sleeve is then withindrawn, the stator is unclamped, and the plug is compressed to further speed the windings at the closed end, after which the plug is removed.

Method and apparatus for spreading stator windings

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing dynamoelectric machine coil groups or winding poles. A clamp device, relatively axially movable coil form and turn receiver, and relatively rotatable flyer are used, and interpole wire segments are established by intercepting, at a fixed location, a segment of wire extending between the form and flyer prior to complete cessation of relative rotation between the same. Intercoil winding segments are also accurately established. For example, an intercoil winding segment is deflected out of the winding plane and in a direction toward a subsequent winding form stage during the development of the last turn of a coil developed on the previous winding stage. Deflection of the intercoil winding segment is preferably accomplished substantially concurrently with advancement of the winding form relative to the turn receiver. In one form, a inclined ramp is moved into the winding plane and into interfering relation with an intercoil winding segment as the winding segment is being developed and as a subsequent winding stage is being moved into the winding plane.

Apparatus and method for making dynamoelectric machine windings

Monitor position of winding flyer in relation to a machine frame, substantially continuously generate signals indicative of flyer position, and control relative jump of coil forms and flyer in response to signals. Jump is initiated during predetermined portion of a flyer revolution while flyer is in 'jump window' relative to turn receiver. Energy stored in lost motion mechanism contributes to acceleration of jump mechanism; and same mechanism absorbs and stores energy as moving structure stops. Parts of coil forms are adjusted substantially equal distances relative to a geometric center and turn receiver and winding head undergo relative movement to maintain mutually aligned relationships. Fast and consistently responsive latch mechanisms insure jump during fraction of flyer revolution in different machine cycles. Jump mechanism urged against latches by pre-loaded spring mechanism for increased acceleration and to absorb prime mover force at end of jump stroke. Fast response diaphragm piston operated latch mechanisms perit initiation of jump stroke. Means adjust coil form parts in opposite directions while form parts remain centered relative to flyer axis. Device maintains desired alignment of at least one coil form part and winding turn receiver. Screw with spaced apart right-hand and left-hand threads move coil form parts relative to one another.

Apparatus and method for use in developing wound coils

One disclosed method includes positioning an end of a wire strand adjacent to a propelling mechanism and near a contorted guide tube entry and then propelling the lead end of the wire through the contorted tube. An air passage block and air supply means may be used to establish a venturi type effect at the end of the tube. With the wire end positioned adjacent the tube entry, with or without wadding, air injected into the air passage propels the wire. Also disclosed is a method of damping oscillations of wire segments that are being dispensed in a winding plane and the disclosed apparatus includes an oscillation damping plate mounted substantially along winding plane. Another method includes moving a wire clamp adjacent to, and then into the plane; clamping a wire segment; concurrently moving the clamp and a developed coil predetermined amounts, and pulling an extra segment of wire from a wire supply. This is followed by holding the clamp closely adjacent to the winding plane until initial turns for a next coil have been generated. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly characterized by at least six, and preferably eight, distinct movements (or increments of travel) which may be initiated independently, or selectively in combination with each other. In one illustrated form, a clamp jaw moves in forward and reverse modes to open or closed positions; is carried on a first member movable into and out of the winding plane; and the first member is carried by a swing mechanism that is movable in forward and reverse modes or directions in at least two different substantially mutually perpendicular planes.

Apparatus and method for use in winding coils

Mechanism for use in high speed winding machines used for developing coil groups each comprising one or more coils each having one or more turns of winding material. The apparatus may be advantageously utilized in the manufacture of wound inductive devices, e.g., dynamoelectric machines such as motors. Mechanism prevents rotation of a coil form while a flyer rotates and generates winding turns about the coil form. Mechanism may be a migrating linkage having a carriage which supports a wobble face gear having teeth on opposite faces thereof. Teeth on one face of the wobble gear mesh with the stationary gear teeth on the frame while teeth on the other face of the wobble gear engage the gear on the coil form support. As a carriage rotates with the flyer, wobble gear executes a rotationless wobble motion synchronized with the flyer. This motion results in a moving shutter, synchronized with the flyer, through which wire is fed to the flyer. In preferred forms, the mechanism includes a first meshing surface carried by the machine frame; a second meshing surface fastened to or forming a part of a winding form mechanism; and a locking structure supported to accomplish a meshing engagement with the first and second meshing surfaces. The locking structure may be a deformable spline that meshes with the first and second gear surfaces. In another form, the above mentioned carriage may rotate about a first given axis and may support at least one pair of gear surfaces for rotation about a second axis of rotation generally parallel to the first given axis. For example, a pair of gears locked or keyed on a common shaft parallel to but removed from the flyer axis of rotation may be used. The at least one pair of gears would be supported by and rotate with the flyer structure. The gears of such pair would then mesh, respectively, with a gear structure fastened to the machine frame, and with a gear interconnected with a coil form or coil form support. In one of the other forms, strain wave gearing means may be used so as to provide an exit path, preferably generally radially extending for wire that is fed generally axially to mechanisms embodying the invention.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Richard B Arnold