GB952967A - Control system for winding and like apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

952,967. Winding wires on cores. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. Aug. 23, 1962 [Oct. 9, 1961], No. 32424/62. Heading B3E. [Also in Division B8] An electronic system for winding a filament 13 in a particular pattern around a cylindrical mandrel 12 comprises a synchro transmitter 14 giving output signals corresponding to the angular position of the mandrel 12, a synchro transformer 22 subjected to said output signals, and mechanical gearing 26, 28 driving a differential transmitter 18 by which the output motion of the synchro transformer is given a predetermined speed ratio relatively to that of the mandrel 12. Helix windings.-The rotational output of the synchro transformer 22 rotates three function generators 30a, 30b, 30c. Function generator 30b controls drive means 32 whereby the filament guiding eye 10 is moved axially of the mandrel 12; and function generator 30c controls drive means 34 whereby the eye 10 is moved radially of the mandrel. By appropriate selection of the step-down gearing 28 the differential transmitter 18 can be made to subtract from the signal supplied by the synchro transmitter 14 so that the eye 10 performs, for example, three double reciprocations for every four revolutions of the mandrel 12. A second differential transmitter 18 can be adjusted through control means 70, 73 to add to, or subtract from, the signals from the synchro transmitter 14 to introduce a lead into the winding to prevent the filament 13 returning to its starting point, for example, at the end of each fourth revolution. A third differential transmitter 20 is included to permit suitable adjustments to be made if the winding pattern begins to be disturbed. The function generator 30b causes the carriage 60 to move fast down the cylindrical section of the mandrel 12 and to decelerate at the end to allow the mandrel 12 to roll over 180 degrees thus winding the dome. The carriage 60 then accelerates and passes fast down the cylinder to the other end of the mandrel 12. The function generator 30a controls a speed modulation potentiometer 66 connected to the drive motor and amplifier 38 to speed up the mandrel 12 as each end is being wound. Hoop windings.-For hoop windings the switches 78, 80 are moved to the terminals marked " HOOP " to disconnect the drive means 32 and 34 from the function generators 30b and 30c. Instead, the switch 80 now ensures that the drive means 34 receives a steady voltage from a potentiometer 82 to hold the eye 10 at a fixed radial setting with respect to the axis of the mandrel 12. Switch 78 connects the drive means 32 to a potentiometer 98 to cause the carriage 60 to be moved slowly back and forth as the mandrel 12 turns. The potentiometer 98 is driven, through suitable gearing 94, by a synchro transformer 86 responding to signals from the synchro transmitter 14. A variable gear-box 96 permits the lead rate of the hoop windings to be adjusted. A further synchro transformer 77 drives an indicator 85 to denote the setting of the mandrel 12 during the helix winding process. When hoop windings are being applied a switch 104 is opened to part the synchro transformer 77 from the synchro transmitter 14. An indicator 75 denotes how many sheaths of helical windings have been applied.