Linear media handling system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A winding machine for use with delicate linear media, comprising:
- a wind-from spool configured to store delicate linear media;
a first motor configured to move the delicate linear media from the wind-from spool;
a wind-to spool, said wind-to spool being the spool onto which at least a portion of the delicate linear media removed from the wind-from spool is to be wound;
a second motor for rotating the wind-to spool to wind the delicate linear media onto the wind-to spool;
at least one support interconnected to the wind-from spool that allows the wind-from spool to at least one of move laterally and angulate to selectively control the angle of the delicate linear media with respect to the wind-to spool;
a wire tensioning system for sensing the axial tension in the delicate linear media during operation of the winding machine, said wire tensioning system comprising a tensiometer and only a single tension sensor wheel;
a system controller to receive the sensed axial tension and to control the first and second motors to maintain a desired axial tension in the delicate linear media; and
wherein during operation the delicate linear media is not exposed to a bend having a diameter less than 22 inches.
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Abstract
An improved system for handling delicate linear media and in particular to a method and apparatus for winding delicate linear media such as superconducting wire or optical fibers onto a spool. A combination of direct closed loop control and media routing design facilitates the handling of the delicate media without causing damage. The axial tension in the linear media may be closely controlled during winding by means of feedback control loop using tension measurements to control the rotation speeds of the wind-from and wind-to spools. Further, during winding, the delicate linear media is only exposed to large radius bends with no reverse bending.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A winding machine for use with delicate linear media, comprising:
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a wind-from spool configured to store delicate linear media; a first motor configured to move the delicate linear media from the wind-from spool; a wind-to spool, said wind-to spool being the spool onto which at least a portion of the delicate linear media removed from the wind-from spool is to be wound; a second motor for rotating the wind-to spool to wind the delicate linear media onto the wind-to spool; at least one support interconnected to the wind-from spool that allows the wind-from spool to at least one of move laterally and angulate to selectively control the angle of the delicate linear media with respect to the wind-to spool; a wire tensioning system for sensing the axial tension in the delicate linear media during operation of the winding machine, said wire tensioning system comprising a tensiometer and only a single tension sensor wheel; a system controller to receive the sensed axial tension and to control the first and second motors to maintain a desired axial tension in the delicate linear media; and wherein during operation the delicate linear media is not exposed to a bend having a diameter less than 22 inches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for winding a delicate linear media comprising the steps of:
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providing a winding machine with; a wind-from spool used to store the delicate linear media and from which the delicate linear media is removed; a first motor for rotating the wind-from spool; a wind-to spool, said wind-to spool being the spool onto which at least a portion of the delicate linear media removed from the wind-from is to be wound; a second motor for rotating the wind-to spool; at least one support interconnected to the wind-from spool that allows the wind-from spool to at least one of move laterally and angulate to selectively control the angle of the delicate linear media with respect to the wind-to spool; a wire tensioning system, said tensioning system comprising a tensiometer and a single tension sensor wheel; and a system controller, said system controller being configured to receive the sensed axial tension and to control the first and second motors; rotating the wind-from spool using the first motor; rotating the wind-to spool using the second motor; sensing the axial tension on the delicate linear media during operation of the winding machine using the wire tensioning system; sending the sensed axial tension on the delicate linear media to the system controller; controlling the first and second motors to maintain the sensed axial tension to maintain a desired axial tension on the delicate linear media; and wherein during operation the delicate linear media is not exposed to a bend having a diameter less than 22 inches. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification