Abstract: A spool is produced by winding a filament, particularly an optical fiber, onto a bobbin by forming a first layer wound in a helical pattern, forming a transition at a predetermined angle from each successive odd layer to the following even layer and creating starts in each even layer at the transition point from the preceding, odd layer. In each odd layer, except the first layer, two cross-over lines at 180.degree. from one another lie directly over those of the preceding, even layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic, Faraday-effect sensing coil has very low linear and circular birefringence, which remains stable over a wide range of temperatures. The coil is fabricated from a spun fiber having an effective linear beat length of 100 meters or more, and is annealed after being formed into the coil. The coil has improved discrimination for magnetic fields associated with electric current-carrying cables, and may be incorporated into an optical current transducer (OCT), either interferometric or polarimetric.

Abstract: In a optical fiber coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, axial and/or radial errors can be reduced or substantially eliminated by employing trimming lengths of the first and second ends of the optical fiber used to wind the coil. The first and second ends are spatially separated from one another so as to reduce such errors. The trimming lengths may be in the form of trimming turns. To eliminate axial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in an axial direction. To eliminate radial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in a radial direction. Radial and axial compensation may be combined.

Abstract: A bobbin for holding a filament pack having a base layer wound of optical waveguide fiber. A method for winding the base layer on the bobbin base is disclosed.The optical waveguide base layer closely matches the properties of the glass and coating of the optical waveguide which makes up the filament pack. Thus, the long term stability of the filament pack is enhanced. Examples are given in which bobbins incorporating the inventive base layer were successfully unwound at high speed.

Abstract: A gripper for handling printed product rolls and empty roll cores is used for intermittently storing printed products wound on roll cores. The gripper has a central piece (10), which is fixed to a conveying or transporting device and which carries a gripper arm star or spider (20). On the gripper arm star (20) is a substantially circular array of radially movable roll clamping devices (30) for clamping a roll or rolls (W) from the periphery thereof and core supports (40) for engaging and supporting a rosette-shaped arrangement of juxtaposed roll cores (WK). The core supports (40) are pivotable so that, in a core handling configuration of the gripper, they are positioned within the circle formed by the roll clamping devices and in a roll handling configuration of the gripper they are moved out of that circle. The movements of the gripper parts are driven by linear drives and monitored by sensors, so that the gripper can operate in a fully automated manner.

Abstract: In a optical fiber coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, errors resulting from axial and/or radial time varying temperature gradients can be minimized or substantially eliminated by employing reverse quadrupoles for the sensor coil. One of the quadrupoles is wound in a + - - + winding configuration. However, the next adjacent quadrupole is wound in a - + + - winding configuration. This reverse quadrupole arrangement substantially eliminates radial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors and reduces axial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors. The axial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors can be substantially eliminated by winding a reverse octupole arrangement. Accordingly, a reverse octupole arrangement is wound with a + - - + - + + - - + + - + - - + winding configuration.

Abstract: A package for an elongated flexible fiber. The package comprises a pair of package portions which define a fiber receiving cavity therein. Lips around the perimeter of the package allow a fiber to be wrapped thereon and passed between the lips into the fiber receiving cavity. Each package portion defines a fiber end receiving cavity therein, each fiber end receiving cavity being adapted for receiving an end of the fiber. Each fiber receiving cavity may be deflected away from the opposite package portion, thereby freeing the corresponding end of the fiber. The natural spring action of the elastically flexible fiber will cause the end of the fiber to pop radially outwardly from the package. Terminals, operating tips and other devices may be attached to the ends of the fibers.

Abstract: A sensor coil for a fiber optic gyroscope. The coil is formed on a spool of carbon composite material or of another material whose coefficient of thermal expansion approximates that of the overlying windings of the glass optical fiber. The windings are potted in an adhesive material. Various bias effects are addressed by the coil design. The close matching of the thermal expansion characteristics of the spool and the fiber windings as well as proper selection of the coil potting material minimize the Shupe-like bias caused by thermal stress that would be otherwise exerted by a standard metallic spool. By careful selection of potting material (particularly its modulus of elasticity) vibration-induced bias, coil cracking, degradation of h-parameter and temperature-ramp bias sensitivity are also minimized.

Abstract: In-line application of liquid adhesive to an optical fiber (10) while it is being wound onto a drum (14) is accomplished by a tube (58) interconnected with a pressurized adhesive source of supply (70). An end (60) of the tube provides adhesive in a beadlike strip which wets the drum or underlying winding layer just under the fiber lower surface before it is laid down onto the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cable reel having a dismountable end flange mounted on the same side of the hub as a fixed annular flange. The reel can be rolled on the annular flange when the dismountable flange is removed.

Abstract: Fiber optic backlighting substrates having a predetermined shape are manufactured by a special rotating fixture having a deep, narrow peripheral groove in which several windings of the fiber may be stacked on top of one another, to provide a closely packed spiral array having a thickness on the order of one fiber diameter and a radial extent equal to several times the diameter of a single fiber thick and several fibers wide. At least one wall of the groove is preferably hinged or otherwise removable, to provide convenient access to the spiral and to permit it to be removed from the fixture, whereupon the spiral may be cut radially to form a fiber optic substrate comprising a flat array of closely packed curved fibers, from which extends one or more bundles of loose fibers. By providing a cam-shaped groove having a non-constant depth relative to the rotational axis of the fixture, fiber arrays having segments of varying radii may be fabricated.

Abstract: A package for an elongated flexible fiber. The package comprises a pair of package portions which define a fiber receiving cavity therein. Lips around the perimeter of the package allow a fiber to be wrapped thereon and passed between the lips into the fiber receiving cavity. Each package portion defines a fiber end receiving cavity therein, each fiber end receiving cavity being adapted for receiving an end of the fiber. Each fiber receiving cavity may be deflected away from the opposite package portion, thereby freeing the corresponding end of the fiber. The natural spring action of the elastically flexible fiber will cause the end of the fiber to pop radially outwardly from the package. Terminals, operating tips and other devices may be attached to the ends of the fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing a coreless coil of strand-like material in which the strand-like material, which may be wire, insulated or non-insulated cable, glass fiber or the like, is wound in several layers on a substantially cone-shaped winding spool. The layers are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the winding spool. The first pair of layers each contain N.sub.1 windings. The second pair of layers each contain N.sub.2 =N.sub.1 +.DELTA.N windings, where N is a constant value. In this manner, the number of windings for consecutive layer pairs is increased until the total number of possible windings for a predetermined winding pitch is reached. The layers of each pair are wound by a take-up apparatus that moves in a first direction for winding one of the layers of a pair and in a second opposite for direction for winding the other layer of the pair. A coreless coil produced by such a method, an apparatus for carrying out the method, and an apparatus for unwinding a coreless coil also are disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous filament (40) from a supply spool (50) is wound onto a takeup spool (52) in an amount to form one flat coil (54). A first winding device (42) forms a first flat coil (54) in winding space (36) between guides (28 and 30) while simultaneously a second winding device (44) winds a second flat coil in winding space (38) between guides (30 and 32) from the filament on the takeup spool (52). On completion of the flat coil winding, the guide (32), second winding device (44) and takeup spool (52) are removed from the shaft assembly (34), adhesive is applied to the newly formed flat coils and the coils along with guides (28,30) are moved onto spindle (90) and against a flange (92). The guides (28,30) are removed from the shaft assembly (34) adjacent the newly wound coils stored against the flange (92) and remounted next to the winding device (42).

Abstract: An optical fiber canister (20) is formed of a bobbin (22) having an optical fiber (24) wound in a plurality of layers. The optical fiber layers include a first layer (42) having a plurality of spaced-apart helical wound segments (44), with each pair of helical wound segments (44) being separated by a stepforward wound segment (46). A second layer (50) overlies the first layer (42), the second layer (50) comprising a plurality of spaced-apart helical wound segments (52), with each pair of helical wound segments (52) being separated by a stepforward wound segment (54). The first and second layers (42 and 50) are wound such that the stepforward wound segments (54) of the second layer (50) overlie the helical wound segments (44) of the first layer (42), and the helical wound segments (52) of the second layer (50) overlie the stepforward wound segments (46) of the first layer (42).

Abstract: An improved mandrel for use in filament winding. Two embodiments are described for a new filament winding mandrel concept. The first embodiment comprises a plurality of spaced apart slots machined at an angle along the ends of the central mandrel section for use with machines of at least three degrees of motion. A second embodiment comprises a series of two circumferential rows of axial fins protruding along the circumference of the central section of the mandrel for use with machines having only two degrees of motion. A second configuration of the second embodiment is an addition of a strip of slots that are simply placed around and secured to the circumference of the mandrel at locations where fiber turn around is desired. This provides for fiber securing in place with minimal rather than requiring machining the axial fins into the tool.

Abstract: A composite bobbin (10) for use in an optical fiber canister has a surface with a spirally groove base layer (38) in which the first layer of an optical cable (42) is wound. The base layer (38) is prepared by coating the external surface of a central portion (12) of the bobbin (10) with an adhesive layer (16) of a curable two-stage epoxy, winding a tensioned wire (22) in a spiral pattern along the length of the central portion (12), and heating the bobbin (10) to cure the epoxy. The proper combination of tension and curing cycle permits the grooves of the base layer (38) to be formed to a depth of about 1/3 of the diameter of the optical cable (42).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a filament winding amenable to inside payout and having squared-off ends providing optimal volumetric efficiency. The filament crossovers are distributed so as to reduce crossover stacking in one or a few places which can interfere with winding and payout from the finished winding. A base wire layer is wrapped onto a mandrel over which a guide is nestingly wound with adjacent guide wire turns spaced apart. The filament first layer is wound nesting in the guide wire spaces, and subsequent filament layers accordingly formed. Each crossing filament turn has an advance in a crossing region substantially aligned with a crossover region in the underlying layer and which in one embodiment is one-half the winding pitch.

Abstract: A bobbin (50) includes a substantially cylindrical bobbin support (52), formed of a structural material such as aluminum or graphite-epoxy composite material, and an overlying sleeve (58) that slides on the bobbin support (52), formed of a material having a longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion matched to that of the longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion of an optical fiber pack (66) wound upon the sleeve (58). One end of the sleeve (58) is fixed to the corresponding end of the bobbin support (52). The expansion coefficient of the sleeve material is preferably at least about 50.times.10.sup.-6 per degree F., to more closely match that of the fiber pack in the direction perpendicular to the fibers.

Abstract: A package (20) of wound optical fiber (22) includes a spool (23) on which are wound a plurality of layers with each layer comprising a plurality of convolutions of the optical fiber. The winding is accomplished such that each successive convolution is spaced from a preceding convolution. The spacing is such that on the third and further outer layers, each optical fiber is tangent to each of two adjacent convolutions of a previously wound layer and to one convolution of the next inner layer. Also, each convolution in each layer after an innermost layer crosses transversely optical fiber of an immediately preceding layer in two relatively closely spaced locations and such that crossovers in successive layers are staggered circumferentially of a winding surface. Because of the nesting which is caused to occur, excellent density, package rigidity and stability are achieved.

Abstract: A figure eight linear dispenser (10) having an optical fiber winding configuration adapted to dispense an optical fiber waveguide (14) at high speed. The dispenser (10) is built up of a series of flat winding layers, with each layer comprising an interlaced figure eight pattern. More particularly, the dispenser (10) comprises a housing having a pair of bobbins (12a, 12b) respectively centered on a pair of half-circular outer guides (13a, 13b). The optical fiber waveguide (14) is wound around the bobbins (12a, 12b) inside the outer guides (13a, 13b) in a series of layers (15a-15e) of figure eight loops (16a-16e). An optional cover may be disposed over the bobbins (12a, 12b) and the guides (13a, 13b) in order to enclose the waveguide (14). The waveguide pay-out of the dispenser (10) through a properly spaced eyelet (17) is nearly helix-free and linear as a result of cancellation of the angular momentum in the paired figure eight loops (16a-16e).

Abstract: A cable-pack winding and payout system is disclosed that will provide a tue-free cable payout from a wound cable pack, such as are found in ocean-deployed buoy packages. Dual feed spools are arranged so that the two halves of the cable can be simultaneously wound onto a single main spool. At time of payout, the pack is inertly payed out from the center or both ends and the payed-out cable has no curls or twists therein.

Abstract: A bobbin comprises a hollow hub adapted to cooperate with a latch and post on a bobbin casing housed in a sewing machine. The latch and post enter the hub and guide the bobbin into place in the sewing machine. Thread previously wound around the hub is adapted for paying out for use in the sewing machine. Before the bobbin is inserted for use in the sewing machine, a membrane is placed across the hub at one axial end to seal that end and form a reservoir within the hub, and a lubricant such as sewing machine oil is added to the reservoir. Another membrane is placed across the hub at the other axial end of the hub to seal that end and completely seal the oil within the reservoir. When the bobbin is inserted into the bobbin casing, the latch punctures both membranes, the post guides the bobbin so that it is properly seated within the bobbin casing, and the sewing machine oil contained in the reservoir drains out and lubricates the sewing machine.

Abstract: A one piece needle and suture holder is described in which a rounded channel is formed for retention of the suture. One end of the suture exits the channel toward the interior of the channel and is attached to a needle located in a needle holder in the interior of the channel. The channel is formed with an open side, to which are attached a plurality of hinged doors. After the suture is wound in the open channel, the doors are folded over the open side of the channel and are locked in place to retain the suture within the channel. In an alternative embodiment a paper cover is utilized to complete the enclosing channel. To afford ease of winding the suture the bottom of the channel is preforated for the application of a vacuum to the channel during suture winding. Also disclosed is a needle park for retaining the needle in the center of the package.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a filament winding amenable to inside payout and having squared-off ends providing optimal volumetric efficiency. The filament crossovers are distributed so as to reduce crossover stacking in one or a few places which can interfere with winding and payout from the finished winding. A base wire layer is wrapped onto a mandrel over which a guide is nestingly wound with adjacent guide wire turns spaced apart. The filament first layer is wound nesting in the guide wire spaces, and subsequent filament layers accordingly formed. Each crossing filament turn has an advance in a crossing region substantially aligned with a crossover region in the underlying layer and which in one embodiment is one-half the winding pitch.

Abstract: A wire dispensing apparatus (10) and method for dispensing wire or sheathed electrical cable (14) from an annular coil (13) mounted within a storage container (12). The wire dispensing apparatus (10) includes a support axle (24) dimensioned for insertion into a central opening (16) of the coil, and having opposed ends (28, 30) and a length dimension (L) therebetween which is at least about equal to the height dimension (H) of the coil (13). The wire dispensing apparatus further includes a coil retaining assembly (34) which is mountable to the exterior of the container (12), generally in alignment with the opposed ends (28, 30) of the support axle (24) cooperate with the axle (24) to retain or hold the container side walls (20, 22) against the axle ends (28, 30).

Abstract: A method of making a spool wound with optical fiber where the spool has at least one payout end and providing, at the payout end of the spool, a wear-away adhesive coating or foam rubber flange. Where payout of optical fiber is from both the outer and inner layers of the wound spool, the optical fiber payout dynamics are regulated at both ends of the spool of the fiber.

Abstract: A hollow winding bobbin base (18) is constructed of a material having a relatively low thermal coefficient of expansion (e.g., quartz) and has a pair of flanges (32) slidably located on the ends. A metal tube (24) is received within the base (18) and has annular springs (40) on its ends urging the flanges (32) toward each other. An elastomer baselayer (30) is fitted onto the outer surface of the base (18).

Abstract: A package for handling and shipping optical fiber jumpers which permit testing during manufacturing and by the end user, which package includes a sheet having allochiral halves each with cut-outs to form ears upon which to spirally wind a length of optical fiber having a connector plug formed on each end. The halves are folded together and subsequently the length of fiber bridging the fold line can be cut to provide two pigtails.

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a damping gas having an effective density of at least about two times that of air (28) is provided within the enclosure (20). The gas serves to damp the helical motion of the filament by absorbing its rotational energy, to inhibit ballooning of the filament (12) as it is paid out from the dispenser (10).

Abstract: An integral winding machine for winding strand onto a cylindrical package having a hollow core extending axially therethrough and a conical shaped end portion. While maintaining the package stationary, the winding machine receives the strand from a supply source and thereafter winds and deposits the strand in a helical path onto the package, resulting in a uniform, coreless, self-supporting cylindrical package of continuous strand material. The resulting package is adapted to be held stationary while the strand is withdrawn therefrom without introducing any additional twist to the strand. During continuous delivery of the strand material from the supply source for deposit onto the conical shaped end portion of the package, portions of the resulting formed cylindrical package may be regularly removed without stopping the winding process.

Abstract: A fiber optic bundle is wound for inside payout and is provided with a housing, with flanges, which maintains compressive force on the windings, and the payout of optical fiber is controlled by a substantially cylindrical mandrel placed in the interior of the inside payout spool. The mandrel supports a small-diameter tube through which the optical fiber pays and places drag on the optical fiber. The drag placed on the optical fiber passing through the small-diameter tube may be increased by slightly bending the tube. The combination of mandrel and small-diameter tube combine to hold the fiber coils in place and supply a certain amount of payout tension on the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for preparing for transport roving bobbins having a multiplicity of roving windings and a free end carried on an elongated bobbin core comprises a holder engageable with the windings for retaining the free end tightly against the windings. This holder can be an annular element or elastically deformable ring engaged at least partially around the windings on the bobbin and made of a durable synthetic resin. The ring can be discontinuous, formed with a crosswise throughgoing slot and of arcuate outwardly concave section. The outwardly concave shape is useful for engagement by an automatic handling fork.

Abstract: A winding form baselayer (20) has a flexible insulative substrate (22) on which a plurality of parallel spaced apart filament cable guides (24) are located. Optionally, the guides (24) can be formed by depositing a metal layer and etching out spaces (W) between the guides or plating the individual guides. A wound pack (28) is produced by winding a first filament layer (26) into the spaces (W) with subsequent layers wound over the first layer in conventional manner. In an alternate version, the filament cable guides (52) are etched into the top side of a metal sheet and the opposite side is etched into a diagonally arranged set of struts (56) which provide lateral resiliency for the entire baselayer (46).

Abstract: A missile data link filament (12) dispenser (10) is located within an enclosure (20) having a single eyelet opening (26) through which the filament feeds on launch. A quantity of a particulate material (28) located within the enclosure (20) is converted to an aerosol mixture by the filament movement on dispense. The aerosol mixture serves to act as a brake on the filament preventing dispense speed exceeding a predetermined desirable maximum.

Abstract: A bobbin for holding multiple layers of a continuous strand of optical fiber includes turning posts adjacent each axial end for looping the fiber strand following completion of one layer and reversing the winding direction to wind the next layer at the same pitch but with zero crossover. The posts are detachable following completion of winding to allow free streaming deployment of the fiber strand from the wound bobbin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of blowing a line (1) into an empty sheath (13) in which the line (1) is unreeled from a storage roll and is transported in the empty sheath (13) by means of compressed air blown into the empty sheath (13). An undisturbed unreeling of the line from the roll is made possible also at very high unreeling speeds in that the storage roll is a self-supporting criss-crossed roll (4) having no coil former and contains a line comprising a sheath which envelops a LWG or an electrical conductor which sheath when wound in the criss-crossed roll comprises a flattened cross-sectional contour which is widened in the direction of the winding plane.

Abstract: A filament (18) dispenser for on board use in an airborne vehicle (10) in which a cylindrical bobbin (20) is rotatively mounted within the vehicle (10) with the axis of rotation normal to the vehicle longitudinal axis. A brake (48) prevents the bobbin (20) from exceeding predetermined rotational speed limits that would cause filament lift-off. A protective covering (44) is placed on a prescribed filament end portion length as reinforcement against startup tension damage to the filament (18).

Abstract: A fiber optic cannister includes a compliant baselayer underlying layers of an optical fiber wound onto a bobbin. The compliant material is useful to form a base layer over which the layers of optical fiber are wound. The use of such a compliant baselayer eliminates the need to fabricate and stock expensive baselayer wire material.

Abstract: A fiber dispenser 10 which provides a bobbin 12 with an expansion ring 30 mounted on an end thereof. The expansion ring 30 is coaxial with the bobbin 12 and permits the use of a nontapered bobbin for high speed dispensation applications. In a specific embodiment, the invention includes a mechanism for adjusting the diameter of the expansion ring as the fiber is dispensed. A further, more specific embodiment includes a mechanism 42, 44 for adjusting the longitudinal position of the expansion ring 30 as the fiber 21 is wound thereon.

Abstract: The coil according to the invention has normal dimensions, but contains a considerable optical fiber length.It is constituted by a main cylindrical support (12) about which is wound a first part (18) of the optical fiber (16), which is to be unwound by pulling. It is constituted by a first concentric, supplementary cylindrical support (14) placed within the main cylindrical support (12), a second part (20) of the optical fiber (16) being wound around said first supplementary support (14), the inner layer of the first part (18) of the optical fiber (16) being directly connected to an outer layer of the second part (20) of the optical fiber (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roll manufactured with a light waveguide conductor (LWG-conductor), in particular for the transmission of optical signals from and to, respectively, a moving body. A perfect winding construction from which the conductor can be unreeled without interference is obtained in that the LWG-conductor (1) is wound to form a self-supporting cross-roll without a winding core.

Abstract: A coil assembly including a coil of material having a square or hexagonal cross section wound on a bobbin. On the coil winding surface are a plurality of first mutually parallel grooves which have a V-notch cross section and are so arranged that the centers of adjacent grooves are separated from each other by a distance of about P which is the width of said grooves. The coil winding surface also has a plurality of second mutually parallel grooves which have a V-notch cross section and are so arranged that the centers of adjacent grooves are also separated from each other by the distance P. Each of the first grooves is off-set from the corresponding second groove in the axial direction by the distance of about P/2 or less. A pair of intermediate sections with oblique grooves having a predetermined length in the circumferential direction are provided between the respective ends of the first and second grooves.

Abstract: A bobbin-type winder for winding a synthetic yarn at a constant speed is disclosed. The winder includes a bobbin shaft having a bobbin mounted thereon and a bobbin shaft driving apparatus, operably connected to a first inverter, for rotating the bobbin shaft. The winder further includes a traverse device for traversing the yarn supplied to the bobbin, and a contacting roll arranged such that it is movable into contact with the circumferential face of a yarn package wound on the bobbin. The contacting roll is driven via a second inverter and a rotational speed detector is provided for detecting the rotational speed of the contacting roll. A controller is electrically connected with the bobbin shaft driving apparatus and the rotational speed detector for controlling the rotational speed of the bobbin shaft in accordance with the detector rotational speed of the contacting roll.

Abstract: A dispensing package for a fiber-optic cable comprised of two mating members and a separator disposed therebetween. The two mating members have centrally located openings and are joined at their mating edges and define a cavity therebetween. The separator is secured between the mating members to divide the cavity into first and second cable receiving chamber. Each cable receiving chamber accommodates a circularly coiled cable portion. A fiber-optic cable passes through the separator and opposite cable ends exit respectively from the central apertures of each mating member to allow cable to be payed out from opposite sides of the package. A series of apertures in the mating members and separator define a plurality of flow passages through the package for sterilization purposes.

Abstract: A wire storage reel includes a pair of resilient walls forming inner and outer annular wire storage cavities together with closure means which selectively operates to separate the cavities. The closure means comprise applying external pressure to the wall portions of the outer end of the inner cavity to close the inner cavity. In use, the wire is clamped to a winding mechanism and is initially wound on the reel with the inner cavity closed. The inner cavity is opened when the desired length of wire is wound on the reel. The winding mechanism is then released from the reel and the inner cavity is opened so that the winding mechanism may be rotated to a position wherein the leading and trailing ends of the wire protrude from the reel in a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A deep nested filament winding includes a groove formed in a winding spool. The groove is disposed to provide an overall winding pitch about equal to the diameter of the filament multiplied by the square root of three (3).

Abstract: An ultimate product which is a package of coiled line is disclosed. The package includes the coiled line exteriorly of a demountable spool. The demountable spool is ideally formed by two members, each identical to the other, and interfitting with each other in order to provide support of the coil at a spacing of 90.degree.. A companion to the invention of the line package, is the method of winding the line on the spool which comprises supporting between the four support members of the demountable spool in an arcuate fashion, or its equivalent, those portions of the line which are intermediate the support members of the demountable spool. After the demountable spool has been totally wound or coiled with the line, the arcuate support portion or its equivalent is removed, and the package of line remains with its essential annular coil on the demountable spool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for forming filament windings which are designed to enable filament (52) to be paid out at a high rate used particularly for guided missile systems using a filament as a data link. Numerous prior art techniques exist which have disadvantages such as difficulty in winding, poor coil stability, and high drag associated with paying out of the filaments. Additionally, some of the prior art techniques do not result in a densely packed coil, thus requiring larger size spools and compromising the packaging efficiency of the overall system. In accordance with this invention, a "deep nested" filament coil winding (80, 94, 102) is provided. By providing a pitch distance of approximately the filament diameter times the square root of 3, and advancing the coils in two equal steps as the turns wrap around the coil spool, a highly densely packed coil is provided which can be wound against a single flange (84, 104) or a pair of separated flanges (84, 86).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for winding an advancing strand onto a spool having a barrel and a pair of end flanges utilizing a strand traverse guide reciprocated relative to the spool at a linear speed proportional to the relative rotational velocity of the spool. The spool may have flat end pieces or tapered ends. The barrel of the spool may be cylindrical or tapered. The end limits of reciprocation of the strand guide are established in relation to the spool base and are determined based on the rotational speed of the spool, the linear speed of the strand and the known geometry of the spool.