Wire defect detector for a wire handling machine
First Claim
1. In a machine utilizing a length of wire in a sequence of manufacturing operations, wherein said wire is moved along a first path,an apparatus coupled to said machine adjacent said first path having a frame and a wire defect detector coupled to said frame, said wire defect detector arranged to undergo motion upon detection of a discontinuity comprising a geometric anomaly in said wire, and a motion detector attached to and carried by said wire defect detector arranged to detect said motion of said wire defect detector, so that upon detection of said motion said motion detector will generate an electrical signal to alter said sequence of operations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wire defect detection apparatus (70) is disclosed for use in a machine (10) that process wire (48) during the course of a sequence of manufacturing operations. The defect detector (70) includes a pair of rollers (80, 86), one being a follower roller (86), between which the wire is passed. The follower roller (86) is journaled for rotation on one end (88) of a pivoting arm (72), the other end (104) of the arm having an accelerometer (100) attached thereto. During operation of the machine (10), the accelerometer (100) produces a signal (118) that is received by a detection circuit (108). If the signal (118) is above or below predefined limits, indicating a defect in the wire (48), another signal (120) is sent to the controller (114) of the machine to either stop the machine or to execute some other change in the sequence of operations of the machine. Otherwise the machine (10) is permitted to continue operating uninterrupted. Additionally, a continuity test is performed between the pair of rollers (80, 86) so that wire run out or a bare wire splice (134) will result in electrical continuity between the two rollers (80, 86) which causes the detector circuit (108) to send a signal (120) to the controller (114) of the machine to either stop the machine or to execute some other change in the sequence of operations of the machine.
12 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a machine utilizing a length of wire in a sequence of manufacturing operations, wherein said wire is moved along a first path,
an apparatus coupled to said machine adjacent said first path having a frame and a wire defect detector coupled to said frame, said wire defect detector arranged to undergo motion upon detection of a discontinuity comprising a geometric anomaly in said wire, and a motion detector attached to and carried by said wire defect detector arranged to detect said motion of said wire defect detector, so that upon detection of said motion said motion detector will generate an electrical signal to alter said sequence of operations.
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16. In a machine utilizing a length of wire in a sequence of manufacturing operations, wherein said wire is moved along a first path, first and second surfaces of said wire defining a thickness of said wire along said first path,
an apparatus coupled to said machine adjacent said first path having a frame and a wire defect detector coupled to said frame, said wire defect detector in engagement with said first surface of said wire and arranged to undergo motion upon detection of a deviation from said thickness having a predetermined magnitude, said wire defect detector including a motion detector attached thereto and carried thereby and arranged so that upon detection of said motion of said wire defect detector said motion detector will generate an electrical signal to alter said sequence of operations.
Specification