Patent Publication Number: US-3875658-A

Title: Method of interweaving memory matrices with an unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores and a device for carrying same into effect

Description:
United States Patent 1191 Burkin et al.  
 [ METHOD OF INTERWEAVING MEMORY MATRICES WITH AN UNIDIRECTIONALLY OBLIQUE ARRANGEMENT OF FERRITE CORES AND A DEVICE FOR CARRYING SAME INTO EFFECT [76] Inventors: Jury Alexandrovieh Burkin.  
 Tsvetnoi proezd, 29, kv. 24; Jury Emelyanovich Seleznev. Vesenny proezd, 4-a, kv. 16, both of Novosibirsk, U.S.S.R.  
  22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1973 211 App]. No: 422.139  
 [58] Field of Search 29/604, 203 MM. 241, 240.5, 29/433, 456, 203 .1; 340/174 MU; 140/923, 92.4, 92.7, 92.8  
 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3.310.865 3/1967 Schelling 29/604 3.529.341 9/1970 Bardo 29/203 MM 3.584.362 6/1971 Hazel et 29/203 MM [451 Apr. 8, 1975 Primary E.raminer-Carl E. Hall Attorney, Agent, or FirmHolman &amp; Stern [57] ABSTRACT A method of interweaving memory matrices having a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores, consisting in that the line of the oriented ferrite cores is positioned at an angle to the Y eo-ordinate wires on a matrix frame and arranged in a direction corresponding to the oblique setting of the ferrite cores. the ferrite cores are arranged in the line and interwoven with an X co-ordinate wire on the frame to form a matrix line, whereupon the thus-interwoven line of ferrite cores is displaced along the Y wires and set at an angle to a position corresponding to the line in the matrix under construction, subsequent lines of the matrix are then interwoven and set into position in a similar way, the resultant oblique or skew matrix is stitched with sense windings, straightened and strengthened. The device for carrying the method into effect incorporates a matrix frame having the Y wires, the attachment and tensioning member for these wires and a contrivance for interweaving magnetic cores with X co-ordinate wires to form the matrix, the frame being oblique-angled having swivel joints at the corner thereof. The method and device keeps the wire insulation intact, avoiding damage to the ferrite cores, providing the possibility of using coordinate and digital windings of maximum possible cross-sectional area, and ensuring high quality and durability of ferrite matrices and memory cubes.  
 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures METHOD OF INTERWEAVING MEMORY MATRICES WITH AN UNIDIRECTIONALLY OBLIQUE ARRANGEMENT OF FERRITE CORES AND A DEVICE FOR CARRYING SAME INTO EFFECT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the production techniques of ferrite-core memory devices for electric computers, automatic logical machines, control and monitoring circuits. coupling networks and has particular reference to a method of interweaving memory matrices having a unilaterally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores and to a device for carrying the method into effect.  
  The invention finds application in forming ferrite ma trices having any arrangement of sense windings parallel to both coordinate directions, ferrite memory cubes shaped as carpets, bundles, frameless memory registers of practically unlimited capacity from ferrite cores of any size including ultraminiaturized.  
  Various methods of forming ferrite matrices are known in the art, one of which consists in that ferrite cores are preliminarily strung onto wires of one coordinate direction, the Y axis, the wires being arranged parallel to one another in a row on a frame. The number of wires and cores strung there on define respectively the number of rows and lines in the ferrite matrix under construction. One core is then separated on each Y wire, and the separated cores are oriented unidirectionally, i.e., each core makes an angle of 45 to the Y wires and all the cores are arranged in the same direction. The thus-oriented cores are set in line and interwoven with the wire of the other coordinate direction the X axis. which carries a needle at its end, thus forming a line of the ferrite matrix. Subsequently, all the remaining ferrite cores are interwoven in a similar way line after line, and when the coordinate grid has been completed, it is stitched with sense windings. This method is used in a widely extended up-to-date manual process of making ferrite matrices.  
  The afore-discussed method suffers from the following disadvantages: considerably reduced clear area of the core hole due to its being turned at 45to the interweaving wires, whereby the interweaving process becomes difficult; danger of inflicting damage to the cores or the insulation of the hookup wire by the steel needle and especially by its tip and the soldered joint; constrained reducing of the diameter of the winding wire with respect to the clear area of the core hole to define a positive clearance for the interweaving wire to freely pass through. All the disadvantages mentioned above stem from the fact that the wires of the Y coordinate direction make up a right angle with the wires of the X coordinate direction.  
  Based upon the afore-discussed method for rather large-sized cores is a device which mechanizes the process of interweaving the coordinate windings of ferrite matrices featuring a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of the cores. This device comprises a rectangular base carrying the wires arranged in rows. the cores being strung on the wires. A core separator is set at right angles to the wires and is made as shaped combs one of which restricts the core strung on the wires, while the other is spaced at an interval corresponding to the core height, and separates, with its sharp edge,  
 the cores one-by-one from the pile strung on each wire. The former comb core separator is then withdrawn from the separated cores and the latter are allowed to drop along the wires. Additionally, a core orienter is provided, disposed in parallel to the core separator and formed as two shaped serrated bars to turn the cores on each wire in the same direction and fixed at 45 to the wire. The shaped bars have a longitudinal slot located in the parting plane thereof and serve as a guide chan&#39; nel for the needle with the interweaving wire within the zone of the core holes.  
  The interwoven line of cores is displaced along the wires in a transverse position with respect thereto and is fixed in its position according to a matrix pattern. on the rectangular base.  
  The afore-considered device is too complicated and requires precise quality of manufacture of the numerous elements thereof. At present, use is made of ferrite matrix interweaving devices for matrices having cores with an outside diameter of 1 mm and over. Attempts to provide a similar device for cores having an outside diameter of0.8 rnm have heretofore been unsuccessful, whereas there is a practical need to interweave up-todate ultraminiature cores having an outside diameter of 0.6, 0.3 and even 0.2 mm.  
  Another method of making ferrite matrices with a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of the ferrite cores, consists in that the ferrite cores are preliminarily strung in piles onto the X coordinate wires, the piles are arranged in a row, the cores are separated one-by-one from each pile, the separated cores are set in a line perpendicular to the Y wires and are interwoven with the wire in the direction of the X coordinate, the latter wire being so wound into a coil that when the coil is rotated and at the same time given an advancing feed motion, its end pierces in succession all the cores of the line, whereupon the X wire is straightened, and the cores are positioned at the points of intersection of the Y and X wires, and all the cores are set obliquely with respect to the points of wire intersection and turned in the same direction. The matrix line made in such a manner is displaced lengthwise of the Y wires and is ruggedly formed without affecting the mutually perpendicular arrangement of the intersecting wires in the ferrite matrix.  
  A disadvantage inherent in this method resides in a reduced clear area of the core holes due to the cores being turned at 45 to the interweaving wire when the interwoven lines are displaced to assume their proper place in the matrix.  
  This restricts the diameter of the interweaving wires and impairs the quality of the formed matrices.  
  The device for making ferrite matrices with a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of cores which utilizes the aforesaid method, incorporates a core feeder located on a bed and provided with a guideway for catching the cores one-by-one and arranging them in a line. The feeder is enveloped on one side with wires carrying the ferrite cores strung in piles thereon, which piles are equally spaced apart along the feeder at an interval equal to the lead of the interweaving wire coil. The wires are held under slight tension to the bed strips and form a right angle therewith.  
  Located at the feeder butt end is a wire coiling mechanism for the wire adapted to interweave the cores in the direction of the other coordinate axis, to be wound into a coil with a lead corresponding to the core centreto-centre distance in the core feeder.  
  A disadvantage inherent in this device lies in the orthogonal construction of the matrix frame, established by the wire attaching strips which involves the necessity to displace the interwoven lines to the points of the right-angular intersection of the coordinate wires in the matrix.  
  This imposes limitations upon the wire diameter and affects the quality of the matrices being made.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an essential object of the present invention to provide a method of interweaving ferrite matrices and a device for carrying the method into effect which simplifies the interweaving technique. improves the quality of the matrices made and employs winding wires of maximum diameter. as well as eliminates the danger of damaging the cores or the wire insulation.  
  The essence of the invention resides in in a method of interweaving ferrite memory matrices with a midi rectionally oblique arrangement of cores. consisting in that the ferrite cores are strung onto Y coordinate wires. which are arranged in parallel rows. Ferrite cores are then separated one-by-one from the piles on each Y wire and are oriented in a preset direction. The thusoriented ferrite cores are then arranged in a line crosswise the Y wires, and according to the invention the line of the oriented ferrite cores are arranged at an angle to the Y wires in a direction corresponding to the oblique setting of the ferrite cores. The thus formed line of ferrite cores is interwoven with an X coordinate wire. thus forming a line of the matrix. Further interweaving of the ferrite cores is performed in a similar way line-after-line. whereupon the interwoven line of ferrite cores is displaced along the Y wires and set at an angle into a position corresponding to the line in the matrix under construction, then all the following lines of the matrix are interwoven in a similar way and set at an angle to the Y wires into their appropriate position. The thus-formed skew matrix is stitched with sense windings parallel to the X and Y wires, straightened to obtain the right-angular intersection ofthe wires X with the wires Y. and the thus-made orthogonal matrix becomes rigid in construction.  
  The device for realization of the method of interweaving memory martices with a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores comprises a matrix frame, over which are spread wires of the Y coordinate direction, carrying the ferrite cores strung thereon. the attachment and tensioning member for the Y coordinate wires and a contrivance for interweaving ferrite cores with wires in the X direction of the coordinate across the Y wires on the frame, wherein. according to the invention the matrix frame is oblique-angled with swivel joints at the corners thereof. The swivel joints have hinge pins located at the points of intersection of the lines tangent to the fixing points of the wires of the X and Y coordinate lines to the matrix frame.  
  The invention facilitates the interweaving process of coordinate and digital windings, leaving the wire insulation intact, avoiding core damage, rendering practicable the use of coordinate and digital wires having maximum possible cross-sectional area, ensuring high quality ferrite matrices and cubes and long service life thereof, improving labour conditions in the interweaving process and reducing the cost of the finished product.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS The invention will now be described in a detailed disclosure ofa number of exemplary embodiments thereof with due reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
  FIG. 1 schematically represents a device with a skew ferrite matrix made in a frame having hinge joints, according to the invention; and  
  HG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of matrix interweaving, according to the invention.  
 DETAlLED DESCRlPTlON OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of interweaving memory matrices according to the invention featuring a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores and the device for carrying the method into effect will now be discussed.  
  The device for forming ferrite matrices comprises a frame I (FIG. 1) of a matrix 2 with wires 3 strung on the frame in the Y direction of the coordinate axis. each Y wire carrying cores 4 strung thereon beforehand in an amount corresponding to the number of lines 5 in the matrix 2 under construction. The Y wires 3 are arranged in rows the number of which correspond to the number of wires in the Y coordinate direction of the matrix being made, and secured at one end to contact strips 6 of the frame 1, while the other ends are held to a member 7 for attachement and tensioning of the Y wires 3.  
  The device incorporates a contrivance 8 for interweaving the cores 4 with a wire 9 of the X coordinate direction. For this purpose, use may be made of any suitable conventional interweaving mechanism. The essential feature of the contrivance 8 is that it makes an angle with the Y wires 3.  
  The frame 1 of the matrix 2 oblique-angled and has swivel joints 10 located at the corners thereof. The hinge pins of the joints 10 are located at the points of intersection oflines 11 passing through the attachment points of the wires 3 and 9 of both coordinate directions to the contact strips 6 of the frame 1.  
  An illustration the operation of the device will now be given with a simultaneous reference to the method of the invention performed thereon.  
  It will be appreciated from FIG. 2 illustrating the schematic diagram and essence of the method of the invention of memory matrix interweaving, that the cores 4 are preliminarily strung onto the Y coordinate wires 3 and are arranged parallel to one another in a row. whereupon one core 4 is separated on each of the Y wires 3. The separated cores are oriented in a preset direction and the oriented cores 4 are arranged in a line 12 at an angle 13 to the Y wires 3 and turned in the direction corresponding to the oblique setting of the cores. As a result, the opening to the core holes becomes more exposed and wire may be passed more easily therethrough. An optimum angle at which the ori ented cores 4 are positioned, corresponds to the critical angle of incline of the core 4 to the wire that has pierced it. In this case the opening to the hole in the core 4 exposed towards the interweaving wire, equals the inside diameter of the core 4. However any angle smaller than the optimum one, makes the opening to the hole in the core 4 more exposed as compared to the perpendicular position of the line 12 with respect to the Y wires 3.  
  The thus-prepared line 12 of the cores 4 is interweaven with the X wire 9 and then the interwoven line 5 is displaced at the angle 13 along the Y wires 3.  
  The angle 13 of the line displacement is selected as smalll. with respect to the Y wires 3, as the construc tion allows. With the opening to the hole in the core 4 completely exposed. the smaller the angle 13 the smaller the position occupied in the hole of the core. by the intersecting Y and X wires. this occurring being due since they are brought more closely together.  
  Subsequently the interwoven line 5 of the cores 4 is set an angle to its appropriate place in the matrix 2 under construction. In a similar way all subsequent lines 5 of the cores 4 are interwoven and set at the angle 13 to the Y wires 3 Y and then to their appropriate place in the matrix 2. Next. the skew matrix 2 is stitched with sense winding wire M, the latter being arranged in the directions parallel to the Y and X wires 3 and 9 respectively.  
  The skew matrix is then straightened to obtain the right-angular intersection of the X and Y wires and the digital winding 14 inside the cores 4. with the result that the cores 4, without being moved along the wires 9 and 3 or the digital winding 14, assume a predetermined oblique position. each in its appropriate place.  
  The invention enables the interweaving process of large-capacity ferrite matrices formed from ultraminiature cores to be mechanized with a considerably decreased number of soldered joints. The invention also ensures less stress upon the operators vision. improved technical characteristics of the ferrite matrices and reduced cost thereof.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A method of interweaving memory matrices with sense winding wire and a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores using a matrix of wires ar ranged on a frame in the X and Y direction of the coordinate axis. said method comprising the steps of: (l) arranging the Y wires in parallel rows on the frame; (2) stringing a plurality of ferrite cores on each of the Y wires to form piles of cores thereon; (3) separating a ferrite core from each respective pile on each of the rows to form a line of cores in the X coordinate direction of the frame; (4) orienting the line of cores in a predetermined direction across the Y wires so that the line of cores is positioned in an oblique angle thereto and are arranged in a direction corresponding to an oblique setting of the ferrite cores on the frame; (5) then interweaving the line of ferrite cores with an X wire to form a line of the memory matrix; (6) displacing the line of the memory matrix at said angle along the Y wires to a final position in the completed memory matrix; (7) repeating steps (3) through (6) to form a completed oblique or skew memory matrix on the frame; (8) stitching the completed skew matrix with sense windings parallel to the positioned X and Y wires; (9) straightening the skew matrix to form a ruggedly constructed orthogonal memory matrix.  
  2. A device for carrying into effect a method of interweaving memory matrices with a unidirectionally oblique arrangement of ferrite cores comprising: an oblique angled matrix frame for forming a memotry matrix having wires strung thereon in the X and Y direction of the coordinate axis; means for attaching the X and Y wires to said matrix frame; a tensioning member tensioning the Y coordinate wires on the frame; a device for interweaving a series of lines of ferrite cores with the X coordinate wires; a hinge joint provided at each corner of said oblique-angled matrix frame; hinge pins of said hinge joints. said hinge joints being located at the points of inter-section of lines which pass through said attachment points of the X and Y wires to said matrix frame.