System, method and apparatus for spray-on application of a wire pulling lubricant

• US 10,056,742 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
• Original Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
• Inventors: Bennett, Mark Douglas, Bigbee, Jr., William Thomas, Hernandez, Ramon Valenzuela
• Primary Examiner(s): Leong, Nathan T
• Application Number:
  US14/211,540
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/44 vinyl resins; acrylic resins silicones H01B3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus lubricating a wire or cable during manufacturing, wherein the wire is aligned with an entry to a spraying enclosure and passes through a first seal of the spraying enclosure. Lubricant is sprayed onto the wire inside of the spraying enclosure while the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant is collected at the bottom of the spraying enclosure. The wire passes through a second seal of the spraying enclosure, is aligned, and exits from the spraying enclosure.

Claims

1. A process for the application of a lubricant to a wire during manufacturing, comprising:

aligning the wire with an entry opening to a spraying enclosure, wherein the entry opening further comprises grommets;

passing the wire through the grommets of the spraying enclosure, wherein the grommets form a seal around the wire as it is passed into the spraying enclosure;

spraying the lubricant on the wire while in the spraying enclosure, wherein the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant collects at the bottom of the spraying enclosure;

passing the wire through an exit opening of the spraying enclosure, wherein the exit opening further comprises grommets;

drying the wire with a drying device; and

after application of lubricant to the wire, collecting the unused, but sprayed, lubricant.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of spraying the lubricant includes spraying the lubricant on the wire through at least one adjustable spray nozzle contained within the spraying enclosure.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of spraying the lubricant includes spraying the lubricant on the wire through an air system and a lubricant pump system.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the air system includes aerosolizing the lubricant into a mist.

5. The process of claim 3, wherein the lubricant pump system includes filters and pumps transferring the lubricant to at least one adjustable spray nozzle.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the grommets of the spraying enclosure impede the lubricant from escaping the spraying enclosure.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the grommets of the spraying enclosure impede outside contaminants from entering the spraying enclosure.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the spraying enclosure includes a gasket to separate the bottom portion of the spraying enclosure from the top portion of the spraying enclosure, the bottom portion collecting the unused, but sprayed, lubricant for reuse.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the gasket impedes the lubricant from escaping the spraying enclosure.

10. The process of claim 8, wherein the gasket impedes outside contaminants from entering the spraying enclosure.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the drying device includes an air knife to disperse excess lubricant from the wire as the wire exits the spraying enclosure.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the grommets include slit grommets.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the slit grommets include rubber slit grommets.