Apparatus and methods for winding and transferring dynamoelectric machine stators

• US 6,732,971 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axis Usa, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Axis Usa, Inc.
• Inventors: Stratico, Gianfranco, Mugelli, Maurizio, Lumini, Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Matecki, Kathy
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, SANG K
• Application Number:
  US09/887,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20020020778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 242/432.4, 242/432.6
• US Class Current: 242/432.6
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/095 by laying conductors around salient poles

Abstract

In systems for winding wire on electrodynamic machine stators, stators may be transferred between stator conveyance apparatus, winding shroud installation and removal apparatus, wire winding apparatus, wire lead termination apparatus, or other apparatus. Some transfer devices may secure stators in housings fixed to arms that may be rotated around an axis to move stators between stations. Some transfer devices may have stator grasping devices that may be rotated and translated to move stators between stations. Wire winding shrouds may be secured to a stator to facilitate winding and released from stator after wire is wound on the stator. A device for securing shrouds to the stator may be fixed to the stator and may remain fixed to the stator during transfer between different apparatus. Some devices for securing shrouds and stators may be integrated into housings. Some housings may be fixed to transfer devices along one side of the housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for winding a wire coil at least one dynamoelectric machine component and anchoring at least one end of said coil, said apparatus comprising:

a machine component winder;

a wire lead anchoring device;

a transfer device configured to transfer said machine component from said winder to a position wherein said anchoring device is operatively adjacent a first end of said machine component and therefore able to operate on said first end; and

a load/unload device configured to exchange said machine component with said transfer device;

wherein;

said load/unload device is operatively adjacent a second end of said machine component, and therefore able to approach said machine component for engagement via said second end, when said machine component is in said position; and

said first end is opposite said second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transfer device comprises a rotating transfer table.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said transfer table is of a type selected from the group consisting of:

a. a horizontal rotating transfer table; and

b. a vertical rotating transfer table.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said transfer device is configured to transfer a stator core; and

said load/unload device is configured to exchange stator cores.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said machine component winder is configured to wind said coil on a stator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device configured to temporarily secure said coil end to said machine component.

8. A method for winding a wire coil onto a dynamoelectric machine component and anchoring at least one end of said coil, said machine component having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said method comprising:

delivering said component to a position adjacent a wire lead anchoring device, said first end facing said wire lead anchoring device;

anchoring said coil end while said component is at said position;

grasping said component, while said component is at said position, using a load/unload device positioned adjacent said second end; and

transferring said component to a component conveyance device.

2. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said load/unload device is opposite said anchoring device; and

a portion of said transfer device is between said load/unload device and said anchoring device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said delivering comprises rotating a transfer table in a plane selected from the group consisting of:

a. a substantially horizontal plane; and

b. a substantially vertical plane.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said delivering comprises delivering a stator.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising winding said wire coil onto said component.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising temporarily securing said coil end.