Patent ID: 6230478
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H01B

Abstract:
Apparatus for manufacturing helically wound insulated conductors with fillers comprising:(a) first payoff means for paying off a plurality of elongate insulated conductors;(b) second payoff means for paying off a plurality of elongate filaments of filler materials;(c) closing means for closing said insulated conductor and filaments of filler material downstream from said payoff means;(d) guide means for guiding said insulated conductors and filaments of filler material from said payoff means to said closing means and for arranging said insulated conductors and filaments of filler material in positions for twisting into a cable;(e) a double twist machine downstream of said closing means for helically twisting said plurality of insulated conductors and filaments of filler material into a cable formed of said twisted helical conductors and defining an axis and radially outwardly facing helical interstices each substantially filled with another one of said filaments of filler material; and(f) differential length metering means arranged between said payoff means and said double twist machine for paying off an incrementally greater length of filler materials relative to the length of insulated conductor to substantially compensate for the differences in the radial distances of said insulated conductors and filaments of filler material from said cable axis, whereby said helical interstices are more fully filled and the resulting cable has an exterior surface with minimal voids so that covering of the resulting cable with an outer elastomeric jacket or coating results in a substantially smoother and aesthetically pleasing cable with minimal surface irregularities.