Wire unreeling system

Abstract

Apparatus for withdrawing wire in an axial direction from a coil, with rotary counter-twist means which is capable of adjustment during operation to vary the ratio of its speed to that of the wire, and which includes a set of bending rolls with combined straightening and back-tension functions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for unreeling wire from a coil in a direction along an extension of the axis of the coil which comprises: a. a first annular constriction through which the wire is initially withdrawn from the coil,   b. rotatable means around which the wire is entrained in frictional engagement before it is withdrawn under tension,   c. a second annular constriction through which said wire passes after said first annular constriction but prior to being entrained on said rotatable means,   d. untwisting means for untwisting the wire located between said first and second annular constrictions,   e. and motor drive means for positively driving said untwisting means regardless of the tension on said wire,   f. said untwisting means comprising: 1. several rollers about which said wire is entrained to travel in a sinuous path so that said wire is bent first in one direction and then the other,   2. a common support on which said rollers are journaled with said common support being driven by said motor drive means and swung about an axis passing between said first and second annular constrictions,     g. said motor drive means being a variable speed means with means for varying said speed independently of the rotation of said rotatable means during the operation of said apparatus.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for mounting said first annular constriction for adjustment of position relative to the coil of wire. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2, including a ring of larger inside diameter than said first annular constriction, said ring being mounted adjustably in position relative to said first annular constriction and coil. .Iadd. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said motor drive means includes said rotatable means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein back-drag produced by said untwisting means tightens the wire about said rotatable means for positively driving said untwisting means regardless of the tension on the wire being withdrawn from said rotatable means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 6. Apparatus for unreeling wire from a coil in a direction along an extension of the axis of the coil which comprises: a. a first annular constriction through which the wire is initially withdrawn from the coil,   b. rotatable means around which the wire is entrained in frictional engagement before it is withdrawn under tension,   c. a second annular constriction through which said wire passes after said first annular constriction but prior to being entrained on said rotatable means,   d. untwisting means for untwisting the wire located between said first and second annular constrictions,   e. and a variable ratio drive unit for driving said untwisting means,   f. said untwisting means comprising:   
     
     
       1.  several rollers about which said wire is entrained to travel in a sinuous path so that said wire is bent first in one direction and then the other, 2. a common support on which said rollers are journaled with said common support being driven by said variable ratio drive unit and swung about an axis passing between said first and second annular constrictions,   g. said variable ratio drive unit having control means operable while the wire is being unreeled for varying the speed of rotation of said untwisting means about said axis independently of the speed of rotation of said rotatable means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, including means for mounting said first annular constriction for adjustment of position relative to the coil of wire. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, including a ring of larger inside diameter than said first annular constriction, said ring being mounted adjustably in position relative to said first annular constriction and coil. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said variable ratio drive unit is connected for being driven by said rotatable means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means is operable while the wire is being unreeled to change the ratio of said variable ratio drive unit and enables the operator to observe the result of such a change as he adjusts said ratio to select the optimum rotational speed of said untwisting means relative to the rate of linear movement of the wire being withdrawn. .Iaddend.