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US4445353A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for manufacturing helical cores

Assignee: AO Smith Corp
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Filing: 1981-09-17
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Granted: 1984-05-01
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Expires: 2001-09-17
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus and method for manufacturing helically wound coils is disclosed which is capable of constantly producing dimensionally accurate edge-wound stator cores for dynamoelectric machines. The device uses a rotating ring of pins to pull a prepunched continuous strip of material between two components which operate cooperatively to deform the strip by thinning one of its edges. The deforming force is held constant to avoid aberrational deformations due to variations in strip thickness. A braking means provides tension on the strip as it progresses through its deformation and a suitable dereeler provides a continuous supply of straight, pre-punched strip material. The apparatus provides for either two power driven deforming members or one power driven member and one idler.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alexander Taleff
  • 👤 Robert M. Brady
  • 👤 Thaddeus E. Blaszczak

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 21:27
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D11/00; B21D11/06; H; H02; H02K; H02K15/00; H02K15/02; H02K15/021; H02K15/026; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/4902; Y10T29/49071

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 283 words
An apparatus for manufacturing magnetic cores for electrical machines by bending a continuous strip of material edgewise into a coil, said strip having a plurality of recesses therein, said apparatus comprising: a rotatable mandrel having an axial surface, said axial surface having a plurality of holes therethrough; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being slidably disposed in a preselected one of said plurality of holes, each of said pins being shaped to fit into one of said plurality of recesses in said continuous strip of material; a raised portion of said axial surface, said raised portion being located at the radially outermost section of said rotatable mandrel, said raised portion extending axially outward from said axial surface; means for pressing said continuous strip of material against said axial face of said rotatable mandrel, said pressing means being shaped to cooperate with said raised portion to shape continuous strip of material into a predetermined cross section, said pressing means being associated with said raised portion of said mandrel to reduce the cross section of one edge of said continuous strip of material said predetermined cross section being generally uniform in shape along the length of said continuous strip of material; means for rotating said rotatable mandrel; means for forcing said pressing means toward said rotatable mandrel; means for permitting movement of said pressing means relative to said axial face of said rotatable mandrel during deformation of said continuous strip therebetween to maintain a generally constant force on said continuous strip despite variations in strip thickness; means for causing said pins to axially extend beyond said axial surface of said rotatable mandrel; and means for retracting said pins from said axially extended position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 283 words
An apparatus for manufacturing magnetic cores for electrical machines by bending a continuous strip of material edgewise into a coil, said strip having a plurality of recesses therein, said apparatus comprising: a rotatable mandrel having an axial surface, said axial surface having a plurality of holes therethrough; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being slidably disposed in a preselected one of said plurality of holes, each of said pins being shaped to fit into one of said plurality of recesses in said continuous strip of material; a raised portion of said axial surface, said raised portion being located at the radially outermost section of said rotatable mandrel, said raised portion extending axially outward from said axial surface; means for pressing said continuous strip of material against said axial face of said rotatable mandrel, said pressing means being shaped to cooperate with said raised portion to shape continuous strip of material into a predetermined cross section, said pressing means being associated with said raised portion of said mandrel to reduce the cross section of one edge of said continuous strip of material said predetermined cross section being generally uniform in shape along the length of said continuous strip of material; means for rotating said rotatable mandrel; means for forcing said pressing means toward said rotatable mandrel; means for permitting movement of said pressing means relative to said axial face of said rotatable mandrel during deformation of said continuous strip therebetween to maintain a generally constant force on said continuous strip despite variations in strip thickness; means for causing said pins to axially extend beyond said axial surface of said rotatable mandrel; and means for retracting said pins from said axially extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for rotating said pressing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for exerting a force on said continuous strip of material in a direction away from said pressing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for severing said continuous strip of material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for guiding said continuous strip of material toward said pressing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for supplying said continuous strip of material from a reel of said material toward said pressing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: means for causing said means for rotating said pressing means to operate at a speed which is a preselected percentage of the speed of said means for rotating said rotatable mandrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for tilting said pressing means to a preselected angle relative to said axial surface of said rotatable mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the cross-sectional shape of said pins is pre-selected to affect the shape of said slots in cooperation with said pressing means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 221 words
An apparatus for helically winding a core element consisting of a strip of material having a solid portion with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom with slots between said teeth, said apparatus comprising: a first rotatable member having an axial surface generally perpendicular to its axis of rotation, said first rotatable member having a plurality of holes therethrough, said holes being generally perpendicular to said axial surface, said holes being associated in an annular configuration with said center of rotation being generally equidistant from each of said holes; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being slidably disposed in a preselected one of said plurality of holes, each of said pins being shaped to fit into said slots in said strip of material; an annular boss on said axial surface displaced radially outward from and generally concentric with said plurality of holes; a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member being disposed proximate said boss; means for rotating said first rotatable member; means for forcing said second rotatable member toward said axial face of said first rotatable member; and means for permitting movement of said second rotatable member relative to said axial face of said first rotatable member during deformation of said strip material therebetween to maintain a generally constant force on said strip material despite variations in strip thickness.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 221 words
An apparatus for helically winding a core element consisting of a strip of material having a solid portion with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom with slots between said teeth, said apparatus comprising: a first rotatable member having an axial surface generally perpendicular to its axis of rotation, said first rotatable member having a plurality of holes therethrough, said holes being generally perpendicular to said axial surface, said holes being associated in an annular configuration with said center of rotation being generally equidistant from each of said holes; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being slidably disposed in a preselected one of said plurality of holes, each of said pins being shaped to fit into said slots in said strip of material; an annular boss on said axial surface displaced radially outward from and generally concentric with said plurality of holes; a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member being disposed proximate said boss; means for rotating said first rotatable member; means for forcing said second rotatable member toward said axial face of said first rotatable member; and means for permitting movement of said second rotatable member relative to said axial face of said first rotatable member during deformation of said strip material therebetween to maintain a generally constant force on said strip material despite variations in strip thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a means for extending said pins axially outward from said axial face; and a means for retracting said pins within said first rotatable member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: said extending means is a cam plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said second rotatable member is an idler roll.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for rotating said second rotatable member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means, proximate said first rotatable member, for severing said strip of material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: means for preselecting the rotational speed of said second rotatable member as a percentage of the rotational speed of said first rotatable member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for tilting said second rotatable member in relationship to said axial surface of said first rotatable member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said boss and said second rotatable member are cooperatively associated to produce a preselected deformation of said strip of material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: said strip of material is deformed to make its solid edge thinner than its toothed portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: means for accurately preselecting the angle of said tiltable second rotatable member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for guiding said strip of material toward a point between said boss and said second rotatable member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for exerting a force on said strip of material in a direction away from said second rotatable member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: means for dereeling a reel of said strip of material toward said second rotatable member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: said force exerting means is a tractor brake.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the cross-sectional shape of said pins is preselected to affect the shape of said slots in cooperation with said pressing means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim 138 words
An apparatus for helically winding a core element consisting of a strip of material having a solid portion with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom with slots between said teeth, said apparatus comprising: a first rotatable member having an axial surface generally perpendicular to its axis of rotation; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being disposed about said axial surface, said pins being generally perpendicular to said axial surface, said pins being associated in a generally annular configuration with said center of rotation being generally equidistant from each of said pins; means for compressing one edge portion of said strip; means for rotating said rotatable member; and means for permitting movement of said compressing means during deformation of said strip material thereby to maintain a constant force on said strip material despite variations in strip thickness.
Claim 29
Independent Claim 138 words
An apparatus for helically winding a core element consisting of a strip of material having a solid portion with a plurality of teeth extending therefrom with slots between said teeth, said apparatus comprising: a first rotatable member having an axial surface generally perpendicular to its axis of rotation; a plurality of pins, each of said pins being disposed about said axial surface, said pins being generally perpendicular to said axial surface, said pins being associated in a generally annular configuration with said center of rotation being generally equidistant from each of said pins; means for compressing one edge portion of said strip; means for rotating said rotatable member; and means for permitting movement of said compressing means during deformation of said strip material thereby to maintain a constant force on said strip material despite variations in strip thickness.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: said pins are sized to fit into said slots with a minimal clearance.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: means for severing said strip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: said strip is deformed to make its solid edge thinner than its toothed edge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: means for guiding said strip toward said compressing means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: means for exerting a force on said strip in a direction away from said compressing means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: means for dereeling a reel of said strip toward said compressing means.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 10 or 26, further comprising: means for flexing said strip of material in a direction perpendicular to its planar surface, said flexing means being rigidly mounted.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: said flexing means comprises a support structure with three rotatable pins extending therefrom.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: said rotatable pins extend from said support structure in a direction perpendicular to the edges of said strip and generally parallel to the planar surfaces of said strip.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: the cross-sectional shape of said pins is pre-selected to affect the shape of said slots in cooperation with said pressing means.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-05-01 1987-10-31 1988-05-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-05-01 1991-10-31 1992-05-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-05-01 1995-10-31 1996-05-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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