Patents by Inventor Clinton E. Watkins

Clinton E. Watkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10518304
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the production of aluminum rods from aluminum bars, aluminum wires from aluminum rods, and aluminum wires from aluminum bars are disclosed and described. Annealing steps are not needed or required in the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Herrin, Thomas Noell Wilson, Clinton E. Watkins, Emory Barber, Tom Stephens
  • Publication number: 20160354816
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the production of aluminum rods from aluminum bars, aluminum wires from aluminum rods, and aluminum wires from aluminum bars are disclosed and described. Annealing steps are not needed or required in the disclosed methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Herrin, Thomas Noell Wilson, Clinton E. Watkins, Emory Barber, Tom Stephens
  • Patent number: 9440272
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the production of aluminum rods from aluminum bars, aluminum wires from aluminum rods, and aluminum wires from aluminum bars are disclosed and described. Annealing steps are not needed or required in the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Southwire Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Herrin, Thomas Noell Wilson, Clinton E. Watkins, Emory Barber, Tom Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100212932
    Abstract: An electrical cable may be provided. The electrical cable may comprise a unilay core, a first outer conductor layer adjacent to the unilay core, and a second outer conductor layer adjacent to the first outer conductor layer. The first outer conductor layer may have a first lay direction. The second outer conductor layer may have a second lay direction opposite the first lay direction of the first outer conductor layer. The unilay core may comprise a center core strand and a first core layer adjacent to the center core strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Glore, Clinton E. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6530205
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution (UD) cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of stranded bare wire conductor. The stranded conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a pay out accumulator for accumulating a portion of the stranded conductors during replacement of spent pay out reels. An extruder apparatus arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective stranded conductor as it passes through the extruder. A cooling trough through which water is flowed cools the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Bobby C. Gentry, Jerry M. Hesterlee, Clinton E. Watkins, James H. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6526738
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of bare wire conductor. The conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a pay out accumulator for accumulating a portion of the conductors during replacement of spent pay out reels. At least one extrusion process arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective conductor as it passes through its respective extrusion process. A cooling and/or curing trough through which water is flowed cools and/or cures the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling and/or curing trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up reel arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Bobby C. Gentry, Jerry M. Hesterlee, Clinton E. Watkins, James H. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020174642
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of bare wire conductor. The conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a payout accumulator for accumulating a portion of the conductors during replacement of spent payout reels. At least one extrusion process arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective conductor as it passes through its respective extrusion process. A cooling and/or curing trough through which water is flowed cools and/or cures the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling and/or curing trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up reel arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Bobby C. Gentry, Jerry M. Hesterlee, Clinton E. Watkins, James H. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6430913
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of bare wire conductor. The conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a pay out accumulator for accumulating a portion of the conductors during replacement of spent pay out reels. At least one extrusion process arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective conductor as it passes through its respective extrusion process. A cooling and/or curing trough through which water is flowed cools and/or cures the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling and/or curing trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up reel arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Bobby C. Gentry, Jerry M. Hesterlee, Clinton E. Watkins, James H. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6101804
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution (UD) cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of stranded bare wire conductor. The stranded conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a pay out accumulator for accumulating a portion of the stranded conductors during replacement of spent pay out reels. An extruder apparatus arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective stranded conductor as it passes through the extruder. A cooling trough through which water is flowed cools the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Bobby C. Gentry, Jerry M. Hesterlee, Clinton E. Watkins, James H. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5540041
    Abstract: Apparatus for stress relieving multistranded cable includes a rotatable cradle of a double twist strander which carries a plurality of guide sheaves, a dual wheel capstan, and a take-up reel and a pay-off reel arranged to substantially reduce the length of the path of travel of the advancing cable and to impart stress relieving rotation and tension to the advancing cable. After the cable has been payed off of a stationary pay-off reel, it is advanced to a pair of metering sheaves to fix the starting point of the stress relieving process. From the metering sheaves, the cable advances to the dual wheel capstan mounted for rotation with the take-up reel on the cradle of the strander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Campbell, Clinton E. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5301119
    Abstract: An expert system having a computer which can receive input data and from stored data to produce an optimized die draft schedule for a given wire drawing machine. The system is adaptable to store data for a plurality of die drawing machines, producing an optimized die draft schedule for a range of input and output rod/wire sizes on each drawing machine for which the system has stored operating parameters. Alternatively, operating parameters for additional drawing machines can be entered, enabling generation of optimum die draft schedules for most wire drawing machines. An enhanced mode may be made available to enable comparison of computed values and operator estimated values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Clinton E. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5213644
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for applying a moisture block compound to a stranded electrical conductor using a double twist buncher apparatus are disclosed. An oil, such as drawing oil, is applied to the outer layer of wires to prevent "rolling" of the moisture block compound to the exterior of the stranded conductor. An improved applicator is also disclosed for applying the moisture block compound to the core of the stranded conductor in a coating having a precisely controlled thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Donald R. Phillips, Hai T. Lam, Clinton E. Watkins, Steven R. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4874442
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the application of moisture blocking compound to the interstitial spaces of a stranded conductor. The application of the compound is accomplished through the use of a cone die which regulates the amount of compound applied to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Clinton E. Watkins, Bobby A. Rowland