Improvements in the Manufacture of India-rubber-covered Wire, Wire Strand, or Wire Rope.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of India-rubber-covered Wire,
Wire Strand, or Wire Rope.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH Hardingham, of 191, Fleet Street, in the
City of London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from the firm of Felten & Guilleaune, of
Mulheim-on-the-Rhine, Telegraphic Engineers and Wire Manufacturers,) to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to covering wires, strands of wire or wire ropes with india-
rubber or compounds thereof, and consists in applying the covering material in
successive layers or coatings; such successive coatings being, however, applied at
different parts of the wire simultaneously and in such a manner that the complete
covering process is preferably effected at a single operation.
In covering wires or strands of wire with several thicknesses of rubber or rubber
compounds, it has been the practice to apply the several thicknesses in the form of
tape; each tape being coiled spirally round the wire or strand, or being applied
longitudinally. The tape whereof the insulating material is composed is usually
produced from sheets of india-rubber or india-rubber composition cut with rotary
shears.
Another mode consists in applying the covering material whilst in a plastic state
by means of a machine comprising a steam-jacketed chamber charged with the said
material under pressure; the wire or strand to be coated being drawn through the
covering material and issuing through a dic attached to the chamber. The
thickness of the covering so applied is determined by the size of the annular space
intervening between the wire or strand and the die.
In covering wires or strands of wire according to this invention with several
thicknesses or coatings of india-rubber or india-rubber compounds, the wire or
strand is drawn through two or more machines of the kind above referred to
arranged in line one behind another. Each machine is fitted with a die of
appropriate size. The dies are preferably made conical to the extreme point in
order to minimise friction and to prevent injury to or disturbance of the coating or
coatings already applied. Between the successive dies, the partially-coated wire or
strand passes through a tube or tubes surrounded by a refrigerating mixture in
order that the covering material already applied may be hardened to the requisito
extent. With certain qualities of rubber or rubber composition, special means for
cooling may be dispensed with.
. According to a modification of the method hereinbefore described, the wire or
strand may be passed through the same machine once for each thickness; the die
being changed accordingly. In this manner, a similar result is attained, but at
greatly increased cost.
In india-rubber-covered wires coated according to this invention, the covering
material, although applied in successive layers, becomes, upon the completion of the
covering process, solid and free from joins both in a longitudinal and a radia
direction.
Dated the 18th day of June 1890.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of India-rubber-covered Wire,
Wire Strand, or Wire Rope.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELIUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the
City of London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from the firm of Felten & Guilleaume, of
Mulheim-on-the-Rhine, Telegraphic Engineers and Wire Manufacturers,) and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to covering wires, strands of wire or wire ropes with india-
rubber or compounds thereof, and consists in applying the covering material in
successive layers or coatings; such successive layers being, however, applied at
different parts of the wire simultaneously and in such a manner that the complete
covering process is preferably effected at a single operation.
In covering wires or strands of wire with several thicknesses of rubber or rubber.
compounds, it has been the practice to apply the several thicknesses in the form of
tape each tape being coiled spirally round the wire or strand, or being applied
longitudinally. The tape whereof the insulating material is composed is usually
produced from sheets of india-rubber or india-rubber composition cut with rotary
shears.
Another mode consists in applying the covering material whilst in a plastic state
by means of a machine comprising a steam-jacketed chamber charged with the said
material under pressure; the wire or strand to be coated being drawn through the
covering material and issuing from a die attached to the chamber. The thickness
of the covering so applied is determined by the size of the annular space intervening
between the wire or strand and the die.
Apparatus suitable for use in covering wires, strands of wire or wire ropes
according to this invention with several thicknesses or layers of india-rubber or
india-rubber compound is illustrated in the accompanying diagrams, whereof Fig. 1
is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section and Fig. 2 a plan. Fig. 3 is
a longitudinal section, drawn to a larger scale, of the improved die.
.
The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is given by way of example only and
is constructed to cover two wires, strands of wire or wire ropes a, a independently:
but it is obvious that by increasing or decreasing the number of dies, it may be
elaborated or modified so as to cover more than two wires, strands of wire or wire
ropes simultaneously or only one wire, strand of wire or wire rope at a time.
Each wire, strand or rope a to be coated is coiled on a drum b. Its free end
is then drawn, by a device g hereinafter described, through a dic in a coating
machine c, which is of the usual construction. In passing through this machine,
it receives one layer of india-rubber or india-rubber compound. The part of the wire
thus partially coated is marked a'. This layer is hardened to the requisite extent by
reason of the part a' being encircled by a tube d, which is surrounded by a
refrigerating mixture contained in a receptacle d. The part al then passes
through a die, such as shewn in Fig. 3, in the machine c'. This die comprises
an inner nozzle e, having a conical point e', and an outer cone-shaped nozzle e²,
having a conical outlet e³. A die so constructed does not cause sufficient friction
to injure or disturb the layer or layers of covering material already applied.
The melted india-rubber or india-rubber compound for forming the layer is
forced in the ordinary manner through the die from the space marked. In
passing through the machine. c, the already-partially-coated wire a receives a
second layer of india-rubber or india-rubber compound; that part of the wire
having a coating comprising two layers being marked a². The outer layer of
this coating is hardened to the requisite extent while the part a² is passing
through a second tube d, which is also, like the first, surrounded by a
1

page_text: refrigerating mixture in a receptacle d'. Thence the part a² is led to the
device by which the wire is drawn through the apparatus. This device consists
of a drum g around which the coated wire a is coiled the requisite number of
times. The drum is driven by a rigger g' and driving belt g. On leaving the
device 9: the coated wire, being then completely manufactured, is wound on a drum
or reel 6. If the coating be required to comprise three layers instead of two,
another machine similar to c is employed; the wire passing through this machine
and through another refrigerating tube before reaching the drum g; and so on
for any required number of layers. That is, a separate machine and refrigerating
tube are employed in respect of each layer.
With certain qualities of rubber or rubber composition, special means for cooling
may be dispensed with.
According to a modification of the method herein before described, the wire or
strand may be passed through the same machine once for each thickness or layer;
the die being changed accordingly. In this manner, a similar result is attained,
but with less expedition and economy.
In india-rubber-covered wires coated according to this invention, the covering
material is free from joins both in a longitudinal and a radial direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
:-―
1. The improved method of coating wire, wire strand or wire rope, with successive
seamless layers of india-rubber or india-rubber compound substantially as herein
described; the same consisting in passing the wire, strand or rope, after the first
layer of covering material has been applied with an ordinary coating machine,
through another coating machine or other coating machines provided with conical
dies whereby injury to or disturbance of the layer or layers already applied is
prevented.
2. The improved method of coating wire, wire strand or wire rope, with successive
seamless layers of india-rubber or india-rubber compound substartially as herein
described; the same consisting in passing the wire, strand or rope after the first
layer of covering material has been applied with an ordinary coating machine
through another coating machine or other coating machines provided with conical
dies and thereupon hardening each layer by means of refrigerating appliances.
3. In coating wire, wire strand or wire rope, with successive seamless layers of
india-rubber or india-rubber compound, the employment of apparatus constructed or
operating substantially as herein described; the same comprising two or more
coating machines arranged one behind another, the second machine or each machine
after the first being provided with a die such as described with reference to Fig. 3
of the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus for coating wire, wire strand or wire rope, with successive
seamless layers of india-rubber or india-rubber compound in the manner herein
referred to, the employment of a die constructed or formed substantially as described
with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of April 1891
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM.