Improvements in Machines for Weaving Insulating Coverings on Electrical Conductors.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
UDI DELE DI ECIFICATION
[Communicated from abroad by AUGUSTUS TAYLOR CLARK, of Atlantic Street,
Winthrop, Suffolk Co., Mass., the United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Machines for Weaving Insulating Coverings on
Electrical Conductors.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention 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 machines for weaving insulating coverings on
electrical conductors and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a machine embodying the principles of my
invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional plan, partly broken away, on the line x, x,.
Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the parts shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan view of part of the machine.
Figure 4 is a perspective view, and Figure 4B a plan of a portion of the tension
devices.
Figures 5 and 6 show in elevation and plan, respectively, the shuttle-frame and.
the adjacent parts of the machine.
Figure 7 is a detail sectional view showing how the inner end of the shuttle-frame
is prevented from rising from the track.
Figure 8 shows the action of part of the wire-feeding mechanism.
Figure 9 shows in section, on an enlarged scale, the connection of the connecting-
bars with the wheel of the friction-feed.
Figure 10 shows the action of the shuttle-driving frame in propelling the
shuttle-frame.
Figures 11 and 12 are front and sectional side views, respectively, of the friction-
feed, the latter being shown partly in section.
Figure 13 is a plan view of the shuttle-driving frame.
My invention consists of an improved machine for covering wire with a woven.
coating of insulating material in a manuer hereinafter described.
The frame of the machine consists of the legs, A2, bolted to the lower horizontal
plate H', the pillars A', secured to the plate H' and supporting the upper
horizontal plate H, and, finally, the part A, resting upon and secured to the said
plate H.
B and B are revoluble vertical hollow shafts in line with each other, the shaft B
turning in an elongated bearing in the part A of the frame, while the shaft B' is
supported in bearings in the plates H and H.
Power is transmitted to the machine through the main shaft M 2, Fig. 1, and by
means of the bevelled gears 1, 1 mounted on the shafts M2 and B', respectively,
the said hollow shalt B gets its motion.
Through the bevel gears m, m' the vertical shaft S, bevel-gears s, s', horizontal
shaft S', and the bevel-gears & 2, s 3 motion is communicated to the hollow shaft B.

page_text: From these two shafts B and B' motion is conveyed indirectly to various parts of
the machine, as will presently be explained.
The spools C, containing the warp threads for the insulating covering to the
wire, are mounted on spindles c, fixed at regular intervals in the shelf O, running
around the machine, the said shelf being supported by brackets O', Fig. 4, secured
to the plate H. Passing from the spool, each warp thread runs through suitable
guiding-eyes and tension devices that is to say the thread passes from the spool C
Figures 4 and 4", through an eye p, thence down through an opening in a tension
plate P and passes under one end of said plate and through an eye p (formed upon
one end of a wire, po, secured to the support O, by a screw p³) thence through
an eye p, formed upon the outer or free end of a spring p' which is coiled
around a stud, po secured to O; thence through an eye formed upon the opposite
end of the wire spring p, it is then threaded through an eye n Figure à in the top
of a beddle-rod N, and thence passes to the centre of the machine, where the
weaving is done.
The machine herewith shown contains thirty-two warp-spools, and of course an
equal number of heddle-rods N. These heddle-rods move up and down, guided in
holes in the upper and lower horizontal plates H, H', being actuated by a crank
and connecting-rud motion derived from a series of wheels F. eight of which are
shown in the present machine. These wheels F are fixed on shafts F", mounted
in suitable bearings, four of the shafts being here shown as having bearings in the
legs A 2 of the machine, while the other four are journalled in intermediate
hangers A 3, bolted to the plate H'. On the inner end of each shaft F, bearing
a wheel F, is fixed a bevel-genr/, which.ineshes with a bevel-gear-wheel L, fixed
on the revoluble shaft B', thereby conveying a continuous rotary motion from the
said shaft B' to the wheels F. The motion of the heddle-rods will be best under-
stood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. These rods N are connected in pairs by
couplings n, n. Each wheel F operates four heddle-rods N, or two pairs. The
inner pairs of heddle-rods are connected by couplings n', and each of these
couplings is pivoted to the upper end of a connecting-rod N 2, the lower end
of which is pivotally connected at to one of the wheels F near the rim thereof.
The connecting-rods N 2 pars through slots n 2 in the lower horizontal plate H.
F is a bar rigidly fixed to each of the wheels F at ', (the pivot on which
turns the connecting-rod N 2,) so that the said bar Fturus with the wheel F.
At the outer end of each bar F is pivoted the lower end of a connecting-rud N,
the upper end of which is pivoted to the coupling a, the couplings connecting
the cuter pairs of heddles, and the connecting-rods N' passing outside the rim
of the horizontal plate H. The bars F are set cut from the surface of the
wheels F, as shown, the construction being such as to enable the two connecting-
rods N1, N2 to pass each other without interference as the wheel F revolves,
the effect being otherwise the same as if each were directly pivoted to the said
wheel F.
"
Between the bottom of the hollow vertical shaft R and the top of the shaft B
a space is left in which the weaving is accomplished, the wire to be covered
being fed down through the hollow shafts B, 'B' by means to be hereinafter
described.
I may employ one or several shuttles, according as may be desired. In the
machine here shown four shuttles are used, this being a convenient number.
Each shuttle consists of a bobbin or weft-spool I, journalled in bearings in the
shurtle-frame 1, the said frame heing provided with guide-wheels, whereby it
may move in a circular path. The shuttle-frame resta directly on three wheels,
two of which are journalled at the outer end of the frame to roll over the circular
track e 2, while the third wheel i7 is near the inner end of the bobbin and moves
over the inner circular track e 3. The shuttle-frame is controlled horizontally by
means of the wheel i 3, which rolls horizontally in a circular groove in the piece E,
the said groove being formed by the track e2, and a corresponding inner circular
ridge e 4, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The outer end of the shuttle-frame is prevented

page_text: from rising from the track by means of the flanged circular guard E', which passes
completely around and is secured to the track, and the top or flange of which forms
a rim over the wheels i.
The shuttles are propelled by means of the shuttle-driving frame D; which is
secured to the revoluble shaft B, as shown in Fig. 1, to turn therewith, and which
has a number of radial arms,-one for each of the shuttles. Each arm has
journalled therein a spindle, on which is fixed the shuttle-driving wheel d at the
outer end of the arm, and the bevel-gear at the inner enl thereof, the gears d¹
meshing with the stationary bevel-gear D₁, fixed to the frame A, so that as the
shuttle-driving frame revolves with the shaft B each of the driving-wheels d is
given a rotary motion. Each arm of the shuttle driver is furthermore provided
with a bracket d5, ou, which is journalled a wheel d4 in such a position that
both the wheel d4 and the driving-wheel d are in rolling contact with the
wheel 2, journalled to the shuttle-frame 1', so that as the driving-frame D
revolves the shuttles are propelled by it in a manner readily understood by
reference to Fig. 10.
In a vertical plane with each of the warp threads as they radiate from the
center of the machine to the spools C is made a slit e through the guard E
and through both the circular tracks, these slits being made for the warp threads
to pass through as the heddle-rods carry them up and down, and being of sufficient
depth to enable the wheel i7 to pass safely over the under threads forming
the shed.
Around the guard E and above the slits e are arranged the loop-shaped
pieces to form upward extensions of said slits, the particular use of which
extensions will preseptly be explained. From each shuttle-spool the weft thread
passes through the eye i in the side of the shuttle-frame, thence through and under
the tension-plate i 4, and through the inner eye i5 to the point of weaving. The
shed through which the shuttles pass is formed by the raising and lowering of the
warp-threads by the heddle-rods N, which rise and fall in the manner previously
described, the said rods being clamped to the couplings n, n' at such positions as
to operate the warps properly with reference to the revolving shuttles. It is
necessary that as each warp thread reaches its extreme upper or lower position in
the shed it remains for a short time in this position while the shuttle is passing,
instead of at once beginning to descend or ascend. It is evident that by reason
of the continuous crank and connecting-rod motion, by which the heddle-rods are
actuated, the said rods on reaching their highest point will begin almost immediately
to descend, and vice versa.
It is for the purpose of securing a still spot when the warp threads are at their
highest position during the passage of the shuttle that I employ the loop-shaped
elongations e to the slits e, for when, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, the warp-thread
has reached the top of the loop el it can go no higher, but remains in this position,
while the heddle-rod N, through which it is threaded, keeps on to the end of its
upward stroke and for some little distance on its descent. In a similar manner,
I gain a still spot at the lowest position of the warp-thread in the shed. When
in this lowest position, the said warp-thread is preferably horizontal and is at the
bottom of the slit e, remaining still in this position while the heddle-rod N descends
to the end of its downward stroke and for a short distance upon its ascent.
It is
while adjacent threads are at their respective still spots at the top and bottom of
the shed that the shuttle passes through between them. The slack in each warp-
thread is taken up by the coiled spring p₁, at the end of an arm of which is the eye p2,
through which the said warp-thread is passed after passing through and under the
tension-plate P. The outer end of the shuttle is prevented from flying up from
the track, as was previously explained, by the rimmed guard E. As an additional
safety device, I employ a guard-wheel i 6, journalled in a piece I 2, secured to the
shuttle-frame. Above this is the shoe-shaped piece d 2, which projects downward
from the shuttle-driving frame over the said wheel i 6, and thus prevents the inner
end of the shuttle-frame from leaving the track.

page_text: In machines ordinarily used for circular weaving the heddles are usually operated
more or less indirectly by a cam. It is very difficult in such machines to employ
successfully more than two shuttles, on account of the great complication required
in the heddle-operating eam in order to move the heddles up and down with sufficient
speed to be adapted for several shuttles.
By my improved heddle-operating mechanism, in which no cam motion is used,
I am enabled easily to employ four shuttles, and even more, if desired. By using
four shuttles I double the production of a two-shuttle machine working at the same
speed. Hence the great importance of this form of heddle-motion is readily
apparent.
The wire to be covered is fed down from above through the revoluble shafts B, B',
the feeding mechanism being adjustable both in respect, to speed and as regards
adaptability to feed wire of various sizes.
At the outer end of the shaft S', which derives its motion through the gears 8, 81
from the vertical shaft S, as already explained, is fixed the wheel R, through the
face of which runs diametrically the groove r, which has tapering sides, being wider
at the bottom than at the top.
K is a hollow cylindrical casing secured at k5 to the shaft K 2 and containing a
double friction-feed of any desired construction. The one here shown consists of a
number of wedge-shaped blocks k, k arranged in two rows separated by a washer K 3,
the inner pointed ends of which blocks are loosely seated in notches in the hubs of
two arms T 2, T 3, which hubs loosely fit the end of the spindle K 2, being retained
thereon by a nut at the end of the shaft. The outer faces of the blocks k, k¹
frictionally bear against the inner surface of the flange of the casing K when the
arms T2, T3 move in one direction; but under the influence of the springs k3
attached to pins 2, when the said arms move in an opposite direction the said
blocks slip back along the flange without bearing against it, the parts being so
arranged that as the arms T2, T3 vibrate on the shaft K 2 is a center, the cylindrical
casing K is moved in one direction and with it the shaft K 2.
The outer end of the arms T 2, T 3, are pivoted to the connecting bars T, 'T,
respectively, the inner ends of both of which bars are pivotally connected at r,
one above the other, in the manner shown in Fig. 9, to a block R', which slides
within the groover, the parts being so connected that by loosening the single nutr 2
the distance of the block from the center of the wheel R may be varied and the
block clamped in any desired position by tightening the said nut, while still
allowing the connecting bars T, T¹ to move pivotally. As the wheel R revolves,
a vibratory motion is given to the arms, T2, T3, which thus turns the shaft K2
intermittingly in one direction.
On the inner end of the shaft K 2 is the screw g 7, Fig. 8, which engages with.
the worm wheel G 2, on the same spindle g5 with one of the feed pulleys G.
G3, G4 are corresponding gear-wheels meshing together, oue fixed on the
same spindle g 5 with the feed pulley G, the other on the spindle g 6 with the feed
pulley G. By this construction the wire is fed downward between the two
pulleys G, G¹ the speed varying with the distance of the sliding block R¹ from the
center of the wheel R, being greatest when the block is at the outer rim of the
wheel.
The feed is adjustable to different sized wire by varying the distance between
the two pulleys G, G¹ in a manner understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 8. The
spindle 6, bearing the feed pulley G', is journalled in movable-bearing blocks, one
of which g' slides on the support g 2, while the other g 3 turns on a pivot g 4. By
means of the thumb-screw g acting on the block g' the distance between the feed-
pulleys may be sufficiently varied to feed wire of different sizes. A thick insulating
adhesive fluid of any desired composition is preferably fed down through the shaft B
along the wire Q, and over this fluid substance the woven covering is directly
laid, thus causing the said covering to firmly adhere to the wire, aud at the same
time insuring much more perfect insulation. The fluid material is preferably
contained in a receptacle J at the top of the machine, and by turning a cock j in

page_text: a faucet ; near the bottom of the receptacle, the said faucet communicating with.
the interior of the hollow shaft B, the supply of the insulating fluid fed down the
wire may be regulated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me.
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, provided with a heddle
mechanism consisting of independent vertically-reciprocating continuously movable
beddle-rods actuated by a continuous rotary crank and connecting-rod motion,
substantially as described.
2. In a machine for weaving insulated wire covering, a heddle-mechanism
consisting of independent vertically-guided heddle-rods coupled in pairs, connecting-
rods pivoted to the couplings of each pair of heddle-rods, and continuously
revoluble shafts arranged whereby each shaft actuates by a continuous rotary
crank-motion a pair of said connecting-rods, substantially as described.
3. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, the combination, with
vertically-movable reciprocating heddle-rods having eyes for receiving warp-threads,.
of stationary arrests above and below each warp-thread to stop the motion of the
said warp-thread before the heddle reaches the end of its stroke, thereby forming a
still spot, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In a machine for weaving insulated wire covering, the combination, with.
reciprocating heddle-rods, provided with eyes, of shuttle-tracks and a guard
provided with slits for guiding the warp-threads, whereby the ends of the slits
arrest the motion of the said threads before the end of the stroke of the heddle-rods,.
thereby forming a still spot at each end of the stroke, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
5. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, a shuttle-frame provided
with wheels, in combination with a circular track provided with the circular
flanged guard É, secured to the outer circumference of said track, whereby the
said shuttle-frame is prevented from rising, substantially as described.
6. In a machine for weaving insulated-wire covering, a shuttle-frame provided
with a guard-wheel i 6, in combination with a shuttle-driving frame provided with
the piece d 2, whereby the inner end of the shuttle-frame is prevented from leaving
the track, substantially as described.
7. In a machine for weaving insulated wire covering, wheels F, each of which is
provided with a pair of connecting-rods N', N 2, pivotally connected therewith, in
combination with couplings n, n', pivoted to said connecting-rods, and heddle-rods N,
arranged in pairs and connected by said couplings, substantially as described.
8 Å machine for weaving insulated wire covering, substantially shown and.
described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.