US4402784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Roll winding apparatus and method
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1981-03-06
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2001-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus and method are disclosed for winding into a spiral roll the positive (186) and negative (241) plates of small cylindrical batteries. The originally flat positive and negative pasted plates are conveyed through stations at which they are automatically wrapped with strips of separator material (24, 84). Then the wrapped plates are stacked in a staggered pattern and conveyed to a winding station (78). There the stack of plates is wound into a spiral roll around an arbor (332) surrounded by three driven rolls (322, 324, 326) over which a guide belt (366) is run. As the spiral roll is formed, the driven rolls move radially outwardly from the arbor under the control of a mechanism (362, 402-430) which ensures that the final roll diameter will be within desired tolerances. The outermost layer of plate wrapping material is thermally sealed (104, 105) to the roll to prevent its unwinding; and then a further mechanism (432-478) automatically ejects the completed roll from the arbor.
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio L. Romero-Medrano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/04; H01M10/0404; H01M10/0409; B; B31; B31C; B31C1/00; B65; B65H; B65H18/00; B65H18/08; B65H18/14; B65H18/16; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent to said outfeed end; three winding rollers positioned about said arbor, said first winding roller being positioned to be passed first by the leading edge of said element and being spaced a first distance from said arbor as winding begins, said second winding roller being positioned to be passed second by the leading edge of said element and being spaced a second, smaller distance from said arbor as winding begins, and said third winding roller being positioned to be passed third by leading edge of said element and being spaced a third, still smaller distance from said arbor as winding begins; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent to said outfeed end; three winding rollers positioned about said arbor, said first winding roller being positioned to be passed first by the leading edge of said element and being spaced a first distance from said arbor as winding begins, said second winding roller being positioned to be passed second by the leading edge of said element and being spaced a second, smaller distance from said arbor as winding begins, and said third winding roller being positioned to be passed third by leading edge of said element and being spaced a third, still smaller distance from said arbor as winding begins; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
192 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent said outfeed end; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers, said means for guiding comprising at least one guide belt threaded at least partially around the side of said arbor opposite said outfeed end and means for maintaining tension on said guide belt; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll; and means responsive to changes in the tension of said guide belt for actuating said means for constraining.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
192 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent said outfeed end; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers, said means for guiding comprising at least one guide belt threaded at least partially around the side of said arbor opposite said outfeed end and means for maintaining tension on said guide belt; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll; and means responsive to changes in the tension of said guide belt for actuating said means for constraining.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said guide belt is a closed loop driven at the same speed as that of said winding rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said arbor is laterally spaced from said outfeed end and said guide belt extends across the path of elements leaving said outfeed end, said belt being at an angle of 20° to 30° relative to said path so as to facilitate insertion of said flat element between said arbor and said guide belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for maintaining tension on said guide belt comprises an idler pulley around which said belt is wrapped and means for moving said idler pulley to apply tension to said belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means responsive to an increase in the tension in said belt for releasing said means for maintaining tension on said guide belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
222 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: a freely rotatable winding arbor; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end situated adjacent said rotatable winding arbor, said means for conveying comprising a first conveyor provided with a first belt extending around a first roller at the output end of said first conveyor, a second conveyor positioned adjacent said first conveyor and provided with a second belt extending around a second roller at the output end of said second conveyor, said first and second belts and rollers being positioned adjacent each other so as to convey said element between said arbor and one of said winding rollers; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
222 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: a freely rotatable winding arbor; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end situated adjacent said rotatable winding arbor, said means for conveying comprising a first conveyor provided with a first belt extending around a first roller at the output end of said first conveyor, a second conveyor positioned adjacent said first conveyor and provided with a second belt extending around a second roller at the output end of said second conveyor, said first and second belts and rollers being positioned adjacent each other so as to convey said element between said arbor and one of said winding rollers; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first conveyor comprises means for moving said first belt and said first roller away from said second conveyor to permit relative movement of the elements of said stack during winding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
221 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent to said outfeed end; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll, said winding rollers adapted for rotation at a constant velocity on shafts supported by said means for permitting radial movements, said means for constraining comprising an elongated flexible element extending from a fixed anchor at one end thereof, at least partially around at least one of said shafts, to a means at the other end thereof for releasing said flexible element at a predetermined velocity to permit said at least one shaft to remove radially away from said arbor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
221 words
An improved apparatus for winding an elongated element into a spiral roll, said apparatus comprising: means for conveying said element, said means having an outfeed end; a freely rotatable winding arbor situated adjacent to said outfeed end; a plurality of winding rollers positioned about said arbor; means for rotating at least one of said winding rollers; means for permitting radial movement of said winding rollers away from said arbor as a spiral roll is formed between said winding rollers and said arbor; means for guiding the leading edge of said element at least partially around said arbor between said arbor and said winding rollers; means for constraining said winding rollers to radial movement at a predetermined rate and for stopping radial movement of said winding rollers at a predetermined distance from said arbor, thereby fixing the final diameter of the spiral roll, said winding rollers adapted for rotation at a constant velocity on shafts supported by said means for permitting radial movements, said means for constraining comprising an elongated flexible element extending from a fixed anchor at one end thereof, at least partially around at least one of said shafts, to a means at the other end thereof for releasing said flexible element at a predetermined velocity to permit said at least one shaft to remove radially away from said arbor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said means for releasing comprises a drum for winding and unwinding said flexible element, and means for rotating said drum to unwind said flexible element at said predetermined velocity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said constraining means further comprises means for sensing the degree of rotation of said drum and for stopping said drum upon sensing a degree of rotation corresponding to the desired final diameter of the spiral roll.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said flexible elements extends at least partially around each of said shafts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said elongated flexible element comprises a length of cable, further comprising a bearing on each of said shafts over which said cable is wrapped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said elongated flexible element comprises a length of cable, further comprising on said at least one shaft a bearing over which said cable is wrapped.
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) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |