Torsionless multiple connector reel device

• US 4,436,190 A
• Filed: 07/29/1981
• Issued: 03/13/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Combustion Engineering Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Combustion Engineering Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Wentzell, Timothy H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schacher, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US06/287,679
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 191/12.2 R, 191/12.2 A, 191/12.4
• US Class Current: 191/12.20R
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4449 Arrangements or adaptations to avoid movable contacts or rotary couplings, e.g. by the use of an expansion chamber for a lenght of the cord or hose
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/00 Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A drum-type apparatus for feeding and retrieving electrical signal cable, having an intermediary reel and cable arrangement for preventing torsional cable stresses anywhere between the drum and the output circuitry. The reel is coaxially mounted with the drum, and rotates simultaneously therewith. A ribbon cable is coiled in layers around the reel, and has one end connected to the tail end of the signal cable such that the connection rotates in unison with the drum and reel. Preferably, a housing is provided around the reel to maintain the concentricity of the ribbon cable layers. As the drum rotates, the average effective diameter of the ribbon cable coil changes without causing torsional stresses.

Claims

1. An apparatus to be electrically connected to a stationary output circuit, for advancing and retrieving an electrical input cable, comprising:

a stationary frame;

PG,11

a drum carried by the frame and adapted to advance and retrieve the input cable by rotating about an axis;

a reel carried by the frame adjacent to and coaxial with said drum;

a flexible ribbon cable circumferentially coiled about said reel, the ribbon cable having its inner end adapted to connect to the tail end of the input cable and to rotate with the reel about said axis;

a housing enclosing the ribbon cable for maintaining the ribbon cable substantially concentric;

socket means carried by the frame and wired to the tail end of the ribbon cable, adapted to electrically connect the ribbon cable to the output circuit; and

means for rotating the drum and reel simultaneously.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drum includes an axle and said reel includes a hub connected to said axle for rotation therewith.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing is supported by said frame and includes a generally cylindrical portion detached from and coaxially surrounding said hub.