Powder filling of electric cables, with cable vibrating means

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1, including supplying powder to the fluidized bed at a rate to maintain a substantially constant bed thickness.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1, including wrapping the cable unit with a tape an exit from the fluidized bed.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable is vibrated at a frequency above about 1600 rpm.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amplitude of the vibration is up to about 1/4".

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amplitude of the vibration is about 1/8".

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amplitude of the vibration is about 0.030".

Claim 9

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of the vibration is in the range of from about 4,000 to about 10,000 rpm.

Claim 10

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of the vibration is in the range of from about 1600 to about 2000 rpm.

Claim 11

Apparatus for powder filling electric cables, comprising:- a housing having a bottom and inlet and outlet ends; at least one inlet at said inlet end and at least one outlet at said outlet end, said inlet and outlet of a size to pass a cable unit in a substantially closed condition; a porous member at the bottom of said housing and means for feeding air through said porous member for producing a fluidized bed of powder in the housing, a cable unit passing through said inlet and outlet being immersed in said fluidized bed when formed; at least one member mounted in said housing for contact with said cable unit; and means for causing the member to vibrate the cable unit as the cable unit passes through the fluidized bed, whereby the powder is caused to flow into the cable unit between conductors.

Claim 12

Apparatus for powder filling electric cables, comprising:- a housing having a bottom and inlet and outlet ends; at least one inlet at said inlet end and at least one outlet at said outlet end, said inlet and outlet of a size to pass a cable unit in a substantially closed condition; a porous member at the bottom of said housing and means for feeding air through said porous member for producing a fluidized bed of powder in the housing, a cable unit passing through said inlet and outlet being immersed in said fluidized bed when formed; at least one member mounted in said housing for contact with said cable unit; and means for causing the member to vibrate the cable unit as the cable unit passes through the fluidized bed, whereby the powder is caused to flow into the cable unit between conductors.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said means for causing the member to vibrate the cable unit comprising a vibrator acting on said member.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said member pivotally supported on one end and said vibrator mounted on said member adjacent to the other end of said member.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said member cantilevered from one end, said vibrator mounted on said member adjacent to the other end of said member.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said means for causing the member to vibrate the cable unit comprising a reciprocating member connected at one end to said member and means for reciprocating said lever attached to the other end of said lever.

Claim 17

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said member pivotally supported at one end, said reciprocating member pivotally attached to the other end of said member.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, said member pivotally supported at one end, a lever pivotably supported at a position intermediate its ends, said lever pivotally attached at one end to the other end of said member, said reciprocating member pivotally attached to the other end of said lever.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said member comprising a bar mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bar, the longitudinal axis of the bar being transverse to the direction of movement of the cable unit through the housing, said means for causing the member to vibrate the cable unit comprising at least one lobe on the bar and means for rotating the bar.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including tape wrapping means adjacent to said outlet for wrapping a tape around said cable unit on exit through said outlet.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including a preforming member in front of said entry for preforming of conductors forming said cable unit prior to entry into said housing.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said member comprising a flat bar.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said member including a box-shaped portion intermediate the ends of the member and a bore in the box-shaped portion, the axis of the bore parallel to the axis of the path of the cable unit, whereby the cable unit passes through said bore, when in operation.