Abstract:
A movable fixture onto which core laminates may be stacked in a manner such that the laminates are secure and easily accessible, and the fixture may be used to transport the laminates. The fixture consists of, among other things, a stacking table that has at least one pivot arm extending therefrom and a base plate that has at least one appendage extending therefrom. The pivot arm is movably and removably attached to the appendage in order to permit the stacking table to move between a transporting position and an assembling position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a fixture for accomplishing a manufacturing process. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for assembling laminated reactor cores.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is known in laminate reactor core manufacturing to use a mounted fixture when stacking individual laminates. The fixture is horizontally arranged such that the individual laminates are stacked vertically, one on top of another, within the fixture. A disadvantage of the horizontally mounted fixture is that once the laminates are stacked, a core clamping assembly must be assembled to the laminate reactor core before it can be safely removed from the mounted fixture and then transported to the next assembly position. Often times, the clamping assembly has to be disassembled upon the laminate reactor core&#39;s arrival at the next assembly position. Assembling and then disassembling the clamping assembly is time consuming and, therefore, results in added costs to the laminate reactor core manufacturing process.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, there has been a long standing need for a movable fixture apparatus and method onto which individual laminates may be stacked in a manner such that the laminates are easily accessible, and the fixture apparatus may be used to transport the laminates.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments a movable fixture onto which individual laminates may be stacked in a manner such that the laminates are easily accessible, and the fixture apparatus may be used to transport the laminates.  
         [0005]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for handling laminates is provided. The fixture consists of, among other things, a main support member that has at least one pivot arm extending therefrom and a base plate that has at least one appendage extending therefrom. Where the pivot arm has a first end and a second end, and the first end is movably and removably attached to the appendage in order to permit the stacking table to move relative to the base plate.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for handling laminates is provided. The method comprises providing a fixture, locating the fixture in an assembling position, stacking laminates onto the fixture, and transporting at least a portion of the fixture, wherein the laminates are contained within the portion of the fixture during transport.  
         [0007]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for handling laminates is provided. The apparatus includes means for supporting the laminates and means for securing the means for supporting. Wherein, the means for supporting is movably and removably attached to the means for securing.  
         [0008]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0009]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0010]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary fixture for handling laminates according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a another perspective view of the exemplary fixture of  FIG. 1   
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the exemplary fixture of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the exemplary fixture of  FIG. 1  in a transporting position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures in which like references numerals refer to like parts throughout. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a movable fixture and method of use thereof is provided for assembling and transporting core laminates. In various exemplary embodiments, a portion of the fixture is tilted slightly from vertical, such that gravity utilizes the laminates&#39; weight to create securing forces in both the horizontal and vertical directions. These horizontal and vertical forces, secure the laminates in the fixture without additional support from securing devices, such as straps, tie-downs, or clamping assemblies, during stacking. Since the fixture is slightly tilted, rather than completely horizontal, the fixture presents the laminates in a position from which they are easily handled, arranged, and stacked.  
         [0016]     Once the core laminates are properly stacked, the tilted portion which contains the stacked laminates, is shifted to a vertical position, and therefrom detached from the overall fixture. The tilted stacking portion is now transformed to an upright transporting portion. Because the laminates remain stacked in this portion during transport, no clamping assembly needs to be assembled to the laminates in order to prevent displacement of the individual laminates. However, for safety purposes, an easy to fasten strap or tie-down may be applied to secure the laminates in the fixture in the event an accident or sudden jolt occurs during transport.  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary fixture  10  for handling core laminates according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fixture  10  is made of steel or structural steel and includes a base plate  12  and a stacking table  14 . The stacking table  14  is also referred to as the main support member  14 .  
         [0018]     The stacking table  14  has two pivot arms  16  attached thereto, and the base plate  12  has two appendages  18  attached thereto. The appendages  18  have pins  20  disposed therein generally parallel to the horizontal axis of rotation A. The pivot arms  16  each have first ends  17  (see  FIG. 4 ) configured to rotatably and removably attach to the hitch pins  20 .  
         [0019]     The stacking table  14  has a middle member  22  disposed generally perpendicular to the pivot arms  16 . Support members  24  are integrally connected to the middle member  22 . The support members  24  are disposed generally parallel to the horizontal axis of rotation A and generally perpendicular to the middle member  22 . The support members  24  are disposed in a manner such that they combine to create a plane, against which the core laminates are stacked, that is generally perpendicular to the pivot arms  16  such that a right angle  23  is formed. The pivot arms  16  provide a static reactant force in a generally vertical direction. The support members  24  combine to provide a static reactant force in a generally horizontal direction. Together, these forces secure the laminates during stacking.  
         [0020]     In an exemplary embodiment, the middle member  22  is a structural steel tube, and the support members  24  are structural steel channels. It should be appreciated that the above-described elements may be made of a material that is functionally equivalent to steel or structural steel, such as a composite. It should also be appreciated that various aspects of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the support members  24  may be arranged parallel or diagonal to the middle member  22 . The support members  24  may consist of varying shapes and sizes, and the number of support members  24  may also vary. Further, the support member  24  may be one solid piece that covers all or almost all of the stacking table  14 .  
         [0021]     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , an upper middle member  26  is shown as being removably attached to the middle member  22 . The upper middle member  26  is a structural steel tube having a slightly larger cross-section than the middle member  22 , whereas the upper middle member  26  slides over the middle member  22 . The upper middle member  26  and the middle member  22  each have a hole  25  formed therein such that a hitch pin is placed therein and secured by a clip. Thus, fastening the upper middle member  26  onto the middle member  22 . A transporting arm  28  is integrally connected to the upper middle member  26 . For example, the transporting arm  28  may be welded to a location on the upper middle member  26 . In an exemplary embodiment, openings  27  (see  FIG. 2 ) are formed in the upper middle member  26 , in which a portion of the transporting arm  28  located and secured therein. Transporting slots or holes  30  are formed in the transporting arm  28  to facilitate transportation of the core by a crane or lifting device (not shown). While  FIG. 1  illustrates the slots or holes  30  as being formed in the transporting arm  28 , it should be appreciated that the slots or holes  30  may be formed directly in the middle member  22  or directly in the upper middle member  26 . It should also be appreciated that the transporting arm  28  may be connected directly to the middle member  22  or that the transporting arm  28  and the middle member  22  may be integrally formed from one piece of material that is functionally equivalent to steel or structural steel. Additionally, while  FIG. 1  illustrates the transporting arm  28  as being substantially perpendicular to the middle member  22 , the transporting arm  28  may be placed at an angle therein, according to design preferences.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective rear view of fixture  10  is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stacking table  14  is supported, in large part, by two vertical members  32 , two horizontal members  34 , and two load distribution assemblies  36 , all of which are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . It should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art, having understood the inventive concepts described herein, may infinitely vary the combination of support members without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the stacking table  14  may be supported by only one member or the stacking table  14  can be self-supporting.  
         [0023]     In the exemplary embodiments described herein, the vertical members  32  are made of structural steel and are fixedly attached to the support members  24 , the load distribution assemblies  36 , and the pivot arms  16 . For example, each support member  24  is welded to locations on the vertical members  32 . Also welded to the vertical members  32 , are the pivot arms  16  and the load distribution assemblies  36 . It should be appreciated that fastening means other than welding can be used to connect the members  24 ,  32  and the assemblies  36 . For example, they may be bolted to one another.  
         [0024]     The horizontal members  34  are preferably made of structural steel and are fixedly attached to the middle member  22 . In addition to the middle member  22 , the horizontal members  34  are attached to either the vertical members  32  or the angled load distribution assemblies  36 . For example, each horizontal member  34  is welded to locations on either the vertical members  32  or the angled load distribution assemblies  36 . The horizontal members  34  may be welded to locations on the middle member  22  or may pass through openings correspondingly formed in the middle member  22 . It should be appreciated that the horizontal members  34  may be attached to the vertical members  32  and the angled load distribution assemblies  36  in varying combinations and by varying means.  
         [0025]     The fixture  10  has two angled load distribution assemblies  36 . The load distribution assemblies  36  function to distribute the weight of the stacking table  14  throughout the distribution assemblies  36  themselves and the base plate  12 . These angled load distribution assemblies  36  are located at the base of each vertical member  32 . More specifically, the assemblies  36  are fixedly attached to the vertical members  32  at a location proximate to the location at which the vertical members  32  contact the pivot arms  16 . The respective load distribution assemblies&#39;  36  side plates  38  are fastened on opposite sides of the vertical members  32 . The side plates  38  are fastened, for example, by bolting or welding them to the vertical members  32 .  
         [0026]     A lower spacer plate  40  is provided proximate to where the right angle  23  (see  FIG. 1 ) is formed. For example, the lower spacer plate  40  may be attached to the fixture  10  at a location proximately above the pivot arms  16  and proximately in front of the vertical members  32 . The lower plate  40  provides a flush surface against which laminates rest while stacking is effectuated. Because the fixture  10  accommodates varying sizes, shapes, and types of laminates, magnetic spacers (not shown) may be arranged on the spacer plate  40  and the support members  24  to ensure that the laminates remain level and so the weight of the laminates is evenly distributed.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the exemplary fixture  10  in a preferred stacking position. Because the pivot arms  16  are rotatably attached to the hitch pins  20 , there exists an infinite number of positions in which the pivot arms  16  may be located relative to the base plate  12 . The preferred stacking position is where the pivot arms  16  extend at an angle Φ relative to the base plate  12 . The pivot arms  16  are beveled such that when Φ is achieved, they rest flush on the base plate  12 . Also, the load distribution assemblies  36  are designed such that they rest flush with the base plate  12  when Φ is achieved. Preferably, Φ is approximately 15°.  
         [0028]     Because the pivot arms  16  are integral members of the stacking table  14 , when the arms  16  are rotated, the entire stacking table  14  is thereby rotated accordingly. Furthermore, because support members  24  are fixedly attached and arranged one above the other along the vertical members  32 , such that they provide support for the laminates along a plane that is generally perpendicular to the pivot arms  16 , when the pivot arms  16  are rotated by an angle Φ relative to the base plate  12 , which is generally parallel to the horizon, the vertical members  32  and support members  24  are thereby rotated by an angle Φ relative to the plane that is generally perpendicular to the horizon. Resting the stacking table  14  at an angle Φ, enables gravity to secure the laminates against the support members  24  and the pivot arms  16 , and thereby, the laminates can be stacked without additional support from securing devices, such as tie-downs, straps, and ropes.  
         [0029]     The load distribution assemblies  36 , each have two side plates  38 , wherein the side plates  38  each have a bottom edge that has two portions  42 ,  44 . Portions  42  are located proximate to the pivot arms  16 . These portions  42  are generally parallel to, and overlap, the pivot arms  16 . The other portions  44  generally are at an angle Φ from the bottom portions  42 , and therefore, when the fixture  10  is in the preferred stacking position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , these portions  44  rest flush with the base plate  12 . Portions  44  operate to help secure the stacking table  14  and distribute the stacking table&#39;s  14  weight throughout the base plate  12 .  
         [0030]     While the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3  is described as having a preferred angle Φ of 15°, it should be appreciated that Φ is adjustable. For example, the distribution assemblies  36  and/or the pivot arms  16  may have adjustable feet attached thereto such that they vary the position of the stacking table  14  relative to the base plate  12  and thereby adjust Φ. It should also be appreciated that fixture  10  does not have fixed, non-adjustable, plates  38  that are manufactured to a specific Φ. Instead, the fixture has adjustable distribution assemblies  36 . For example, portions  42  and  44  may be hinged together, wherein they are moveable relative to each other. This mobility enables users to alter Φ according to the type of laminates being stacked and based on other variables that may give rise to adjusting Φ. Furthermore, adjustments to Φ may be accomplished by other means. For example, lifting the stacking table  14  by means of an overhead crane or a hydraulic lift until the desired Φ is accomplished. Once the desired Φ is accomplished, it can be maintained by placing a spacer block between the stacking table  14  and the base plate  12 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side view of fixture  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates the stacking table  14  detached from the base plate  12 . In order to achieve the detachment shown in  FIG. 4 , a transporting force  46  is attached and applied to one of the transporting slots or holes  30 . When the force  46  is applied, the pivot arms  16  rotate about the horizontal axis of rotation A and eventually detach from the hitch pins  20 , thereby completely detaching the stacking table  14  from the base plate  12 .  
         [0032]     The pivot arms  16  will remain approximately parallel to the horizon after the stacking table  14  detaches from the base plate  12 , if the transporting force  46  is applied at the transporting slot  30  that corresponds with the stacking table&#39;s  14  center of gravity. Because the stacking table  14  is used to transport laminates and because the shape and weight of laminates vary, multiple slots or holes  30  are provided. Thus, making it possible to adjust the location of the transporting force  46  according to the varying center of gravity of the stacking table  14  having laminates stacked therein. An advantage to this arrangement is the stacked laminates can be transported without having a clamping assembly assembled to the stacked laminates in order to prevent the individual laminates from displacing during transport. For safety purposes, an easy to fasten strap or tie-down can be utilized to secure the laminates in the stacking table  14 . The capability of transporting the laminates without first having to assemble a clamping assembly and then disassemble the clamping assembly after transport, provides for a more efficient manufacturing process.  
         [0033]     It should be appreciated that the transporting force  46  is attached and applied at a transporting slot  30  located just beyond the stacking table&#39;s  14  center of gravity. Thus, when the table  14  detaches from the plate  12 , the pivot arms  16  approach a position parallel to the horizon. However, the pivot arms  16  never become parallel to the horizon, and the stacking table  14  maintains a tilt from vertical similar to when it is attached to the base plate  12  and in the preferred stacking position. Because of this tilt from vertical, gravity utilizes the laminates&#39; weight to create securing forces in both the horizontal and vertical directions. These horizontal and vertical forces secure the laminates in the fixture  10  despite opposing forces incurred during transporting, and therefore, no securing devices, such as straps, tie-downs or clamping assemblies of any kind are required during transporting.  
         [0034]     Although an example of the fixture  10  is exemplified as a fixture for stacking and transporting laminates, it should be appreciated that the fixture can be used to accomplish other tasks. For example, the fixture is useful for handling materials other than reactor core laminates.  
         [0035]     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.