US3788575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic and semi-automatic reel tenders
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-14
•
Granted: 1974-01-29
•
Expires: 1992-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An automatic reel tender especially adapted for use in underground cable laying operations employs a positive cable reel drive whose operation is modulated as a function of varying cable tension to match mean cable pay-out with advancement of the cable laying equipment. A hydraulic motor is in positive driving engagement with the cable supply reel and modulation of the same may be effected either by varying motor speed as a substantially instantaneous function of cable tension or by intermittant driving of the same. In either event, a unit-handled mechanical tensiometer is relied upon to sense cable tension. A tensiometer feedback, which may be either mechanical or electrical, controls modulation of the cable reel drive. The automatic reel tender also includes an overload relief mechanism to ameliorate cable damage in the event of an uncontrolled increase in cable tension as well as a hydraulic, dynamic braking capability for dissipating inertial reel rotation upon termination of the positive drive. The semi-automatic reel tenders herein disclosed rely upon a manual control to effect the positive cable reel drive while retaining one or more of the automatic safety features associated with the fully automatic reel tender.
Inventors
- 👤 D Creasman
- 👤 F Creasman
- 👤 C Boettcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:16
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/06; B; B65; B65H; B65H59/00; B65H59/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
In combination with a vehicle mounted cable layer including a cable supply reel and a cable laying guide, the improvement comprising; a rotary hydraulic motor for rotating said reel; geared drive means comprising a sprocket chain and a sprocket gear intercoupling said rotary hydraulic motor and cable supply reel; a fluid circuit having supply and exhaust lines and a source of fluid pressure for operating said motor; control means for controlling rotation of said reel by said motor; said control means including valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust lines; said fluid circuit including first and second cross-over fluid lines interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines at positions intermediate said valve means and motor; said first cross-over line including pressure relief means for short circuiting said motor to relieve excessive pressure on one side of said motor when said source of fluid pressure is in fluid communication with said motor; and said second cross-over line including pressure relief means for short circuiting said valve means to effect dynamic braking of the motor connected reel when fluid communication between said source of fluid pressure and motor is blocked at said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
In combination with a vehicle mounted cable layer including a cable supply reel and a cable laying guide, the improvement comprising; a rotary hydraulic motor for rotating said reel; geared drive means comprising a sprocket chain and a sprocket gear intercoupling said rotary hydraulic motor and cable supply reel; a fluid circuit having supply and exhaust lines and a source of fluid pressure for operating said motor; control means for controlling rotation of said reel by said motor; said control means including valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust lines; said fluid circuit including first and second cross-over fluid lines interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines at positions intermediate said valve means and motor; said first cross-over line including pressure relief means for short circuiting said motor to relieve excessive pressure on one side of said motor when said source of fluid pressure is in fluid communication with said motor; and said second cross-over line including pressure relief means for short circuiting said valve means to effect dynamic braking of the motor connected reel when fluid communication between said source of fluid pressure and motor is blocked at said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 1 including a third fluid line interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines for short circuiting said motor; said control means including a tensiometer for sensing cable tension; and cable over-tension control means responsive to a first cable tension range for blocking short circuit flow through said third fluid line and to a higher cable tension range for establishing short circuit flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 2 including fluid flow control means in fluid circuit between said pressure source and motor; and first feedback means interconnecting said tensiometer and fluid flow control means for proportioning fluid flow to said motor as a function of cable tension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 3 including second feedback means intermediate said tensiometer and valve means for blocking and establishing fluid flow through said supply and exhaust lines as a function of cable tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said first feedback comprises a mechanical feedback and said second feedback comprises an electrical feedback.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1 including means for manually operating said valve means; a tHird fluid line interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines; and cable over-tension control means for controlling flow through said third line as a function of cable tension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
An automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle supporting a cable supply reel; cable guide means mounted on said vehicle defining at least one variable cable run between said supply reel and a point of cable use; power means in positive driving engagement with said reel for concomitantly varying cable tension and the path length of said cable run; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing cable tension as an inverse function of cable run path length; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said power means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
An automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle supporting a cable supply reel; cable guide means mounted on said vehicle defining at least one variable cable run between said supply reel and a point of cable use; power means in positive driving engagement with said reel for concomitantly varying cable tension and the path length of said cable run; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing cable tension as an inverse function of cable run path length; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling said power means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
An automatic reel tending cable layer, comprising; a cable laying vehicle including subterranean cable laying equipment; a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one variable cable run between said supply reel and a subterranean location; power means in positive driving engagement with said supply reel; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing variations in said path length; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling operation of said power means in response to variations in said path length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
An automatic reel tending cable layer, comprising; a cable laying vehicle including subterranean cable laying equipment; a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one variable cable run between said supply reel and a subterranean location; power means in positive driving engagement with said supply reel; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing variations in said path length; and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling operation of said power means in response to variations in said path length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The cable layer of claim 8 wherein said sensing means comprises a tensiometer mounted adjacent said cable run for deflecting movement thereby in response to a decrease in said path length; and said tensiometer being biased for movement in a direction opposite to said deflecting movement whereby increases in said path length are reflected by movement of the tensiometer in said opposite direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cable layer of claim 9 wherein said power means comprises a rotary hydraulic motor; said control means including first hydraulic and electric control circuits; and said first electric control circuit including switch means responsive to movement of said tensiometer for controlling said first hydraulic circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
The cable layer of claim 10 wherein said first hydraulic control circuit includes a source of hydraulic pressure, supply and exhaust lines interconnecting said source of pressure with said motor, and a valve for blocking and establishing flow through said supply and exhaust lines; a second hydraulic control circuit interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines for short circuiting said motor in response to uncontrolled increases in cable tension; a valve in said second hydraulic control circuit for selectively blocking and establishing short circuit fluid flow therethrough; and a second electrical control circuit responsive to movement of said tensiometer for operating said last named valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cable layer of claim 9 wherein said tensiometer comprises a leaf spring assembly supporting a cable guide; and said cable run engaging said cable guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cable layer of claim 9 wherein said tensiometer comprises a cable guide mounted for pivotal deflecting movement about a fixed pivot axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
A reel tending cable layer comprising; a cable laying vehicle including subterranean cable laying equipment; a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle; a cable extending from said supply reel to a subterranean location; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one variable cable run between the supply reel and subterranean location; a rotary hydraulic motor in positive drive transmitting engagement with said supply reel; a source of hydraulic pressure; supply and exhaust lines interconnecting said source of pressure and said motor; a valve controlling said supply and exhaust lines for controlling the operation of said motor; and at least one valved fluid conduit interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
A reel tending cable layer comprising; a cable laying vehicle including subterranean cable laying equipment; a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle; a cable extending from said supply reel to a subterranean location; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one variable cable run between the supply reel and subterranean location; a rotary hydraulic motor in positive drive transmitting engagement with said supply reel; a source of hydraulic pressure; supply and exhaust lines interconnecting said source of pressure and said motor; a valve controlling said supply and exhaust lines for controlling the operation of said motor; and at least one valved fluid conduit interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cable layer of claim 14 wherein said rotary hydraulic motor is geared to said supply reel; and at least two valved fluid conduits interconnect said supply and exhaust lines.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
The cable layer of claim 15 including three valved fluid lines interconnecting said supply and exhaust lines; one valve in one of said fluid lines being biased to open communication between the supply and exhaust lines; sensing means mounted on said cable layer for sensing a range of normal operating variations in the path length of said variable cable run; and circuit means responsive to said range of normal operating variations for overriding said bias to maintain said one valve closed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle, a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one unsupported cable run between said supply reel and a subterranean location; power means for varying the path length of said unsupported run; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing a decrease in said path length; means responsive to said sensing means for activating said power means to increase said path length and reduce cable tension; and said sensing means including a cable engaging arm biased to a position intersecting a vertical plane containing said run.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle, a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; said cable laying equipment including cable guide means defining at least one unsupported cable run between said supply reel and a subterranean location; power means for varying the path length of said unsupported run; sensing means mounted on said vehicle for sensing a decrease in said path length; means responsive to said sensing means for activating said power means to increase said path length and reduce cable tension; and said sensing means including a cable engaging arm biased to a position intersecting a vertical plane containing said run.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cable layer of claim 17 wherein said power means includes a prime mover; and a geared connection between said prime mover and said supply reel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
201 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle, a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; cable guide means for guiding a cable from said supply reel to a subterranean location; said guide means defining at least two spaced cable guides between said reel and said subterranean location; a cable wound on said reel and engaging said spaced cable guides defining therebetween an unsupported cable run; power means for varying the path length of said unsupported cable run between a minimal run defined by a straight line between the cable engaging portions of said guides and a longer run as defined by a catenary suspension of said run between said guides; sensing means including a rigid support bracket mounted on said vehicle between said guides; said sensing means further including a cable engaging arm mounted for compound pivotal movement relative to said support bracket between a first cable tension sensing position overlying the longer catenary suspension of said cable and a second overload relief position pivotally displaced therefrom; and control means responsive to said sensing means for activating said power means to increase the path length of said run.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
201 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle, a cable supply reel carried by said vehicle, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; cable guide means for guiding a cable from said supply reel to a subterranean location; said guide means defining at least two spaced cable guides between said reel and said subterranean location; a cable wound on said reel and engaging said spaced cable guides defining therebetween an unsupported cable run; power means for varying the path length of said unsupported cable run between a minimal run defined by a straight line between the cable engaging portions of said guides and a longer run as defined by a catenary suspension of said run between said guides; sensing means including a rigid support bracket mounted on said vehicle between said guides; said sensing means further including a cable engaging arm mounted for compound pivotal movement relative to said support bracket between a first cable tension sensing position overlying the longer catenary suspension of said cable and a second overload relief position pivotally displaced therefrom; and control means responsive to said sensing means for activating said power means to increase the path length of said run.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
84 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle; a cable supply reel, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; cable guide means carried by said vehicle for guiding a cable from said supply reel to a subterranean location; a fluid motor; a positive driving connection between said motor and said reel; tension sensing means carried by said vehicle for sensing cable tension; and control means responsive to said sensing means for driving said motor in the reel pay-out direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
84 words
A cable layer incorporating an automatic reel tender, comprising; a portable vehicle; a cable supply reel, subterranean cable laying equipment carried by said vehicle; cable guide means carried by said vehicle for guiding a cable from said supply reel to a subterranean location; a fluid motor; a positive driving connection between said motor and said reel; tension sensing means carried by said vehicle for sensing cable tension; and control means responsive to said sensing means for driving said motor in the reel pay-out direction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cable layer of claim 20 wherein said guide means include spaced cable guides for supporting an unsupported cable run therebetween between the supply reel and said underground location; and said sensing means including means for detecting a decrease in cable slack between said spaced cable guides.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
The cable layer of claim 21 wherein said fluid motor includes pressure and exhaust lines; a fluid pump; said control means including valve means for selectively communicating pump pressure to said pressure line and blocking said pressure and exhaust lines; and cross line relief means for intercommunicating said pressure and exhaust lines between said valve means and motor whereby said motor may act as a pump to recycle fluid under the influence of inertial reel rotation when said pressure and Exhaust lines are blocked at said valve means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |