Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Loop forming – By orbital guide
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-08
2001-01-30
Jillions, John M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Loop forming
By orbital guide
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179237
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coiling device for wire rod. More particularly this invention concerns an apparatus which receives wire rod in a straight line and forms it into a succession of turns.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wire or rod (hereinafter termed “wire” only) is formed at high speed in a rolling or drawing mill and is delivered in straight condition to a coiler that forms it into a succession of large-diameter turns that it deposits on a surface, normally a conveyor of some type. Thence the coiled wire is moved through subsequent treatment steps such as heat treatment, descaling, pickling, or simply cooling. It is critical that the wire be deposited in uniformly shaped and spaced coils so that the subsequent treatment stage is effective.
The typical coiling system comprises a guide tube twisted in three dimensions and having an upstream end opening axially in line with an axis about which the tube is rotated and a downstream end which opens at a location radially offset from the axis and directed generally tangentially. The straight wire is fed into the upstream end of the guide tube as it is rotated about its axis so that as the wire passes through the tube it is bent into an arcuate shape and will fall in a coil when leaving the downstream end of the tube.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,065 issued May 17, 1994 to Shore et al such a device is shown that basically comprises a rotor head or body carrying the spiral guide tube and that is secured via a flange to a basic support that is rotated about the axis and to whose center the incoming wire is fed. The tube extends freely upstream along the axis from the rotor body to a position with its upstream end aligned axially with the outlet of the infeed tube.
Since such a system is subject to considerable wear, as a steel wire is being pulled through the guide tube and simultaneously deformed, it is necessary to periodically service and/or replace the head structure. This is an onerous job entailing considerable down time while the rotor body is disconnected, and the way the guide tube is mounted leaves it open to damage as the rotor body is moved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved wire rod coiling apparatus.
Another object is the provision of such an improved wire rod coiling apparatus which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which is simple to service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for coiling a continuously arriving wire has according to the invention a main support rotatable about an axis and having mounting formations and a head carried on the support and having mounting formations engaging the support mounting formations. A guide tube is fixed on the head and has an intake end aligned with the axis and closely juxtaposed with the main support and an outlet end axially spaced from the intake end and opening tangentially offset from the axis. A releasable fastener engaged between the support and the head presses the head mounting formations against the support mounting formations.
This system has the advantage that the entire head structure, including the guide tube, can be balanced before it is mounted on the support. Thus as it rotates there will be no throw or vibration. Furthermore release of the single fastener allows the head to be changed, minimizing down time for servicing.
According to the invention the fastener is a bolt which is elastically deformable. Thus the bolt holds the head on the support under prestress and can compensate for thermal expansion and contraction. In addition the bolt has a protective end cap. The support in accordance with the invention is formed centered on the axis with a spindle having axially offset inner and outer ends constituting the support mounting formations and the head is formed centered on the axis with a sleeve having axially offset inner and outer ends complementarily engaging the respective inner and outer ends of the support and constituting the head formations. More particularly the spindle is formed with a longitudinally throughgoing passage and the fastener is a bolt centered on the axis, extending axially through the passage, and bearing axially in one direction on the support and axially in the opposite direction on the head.
The outer ends according to the invention are of cylindrical shape and relatively small diameter and the inner ends are of cylindrical shape and relatively large diameter. Furthermore the sleeve and spindle are out of engagement with each other between the inner and outer ends. This ensures excellent centering of the head on the support.
The spindle has a hardened outer surface to protect it from corrosion and wear. It can be chromium-plated or nitrided so that it will have a long service life.
The spindle extends generally a full length of the head. In addition axially interfitting coupling formations rotationally couple the head to the support. Furthermore in accordance with the invention the head is provided with a helical extension tube having a tangentially open inlet end aligned with the outlet end of the guide tube and a tangentially oppositely open outlet end.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4242892 (1981-01-01), Wykes et al.
patent: 5312065 (1994-05-01), Shore et al.
David Siegfried
Keller Karl
Dubno Herbert
Jillions John M.
SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
Wilford Andrew
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