Abstract: A device for producing cable stranding from stranding elements (1) with changing direction of lay between stranding pulley (3) driven with alternating direction of rotation and stationary inlet pulley (5) on the wire inlet side with holes (8) to hold individual wires (1) to be stranded has several storage pulleys (4) likewise provided with holes (8). Storage pulleys (4) are pivotally mounted in machine frame (17). There is one drive (6) only for stranding pulley (3) and there is torsionally elastic connection (7,9,11,14,16) between stranding pulley (3) and storage pulleys (4), via which storage pulleys (4) are driven.

Abstract: Torsional fixation portions holding an SZ slotted body having spiral grooves turning over alternately in the surface of its column body are provided to prevent the SZ slotted body from being distorted, and between the torsional fixation portions, a groove fixation device with one or more protrusion projecting into the spiral grooves of the SZ slotted body to prevent the grooves front turning in the sectionally circumferential direction in provided. The SZ slotted body is passed through the groove fixation device while the SZ slotted body advanced straight. Optical fibers are introduced and stored into the grooves of the SZ slotted body in the vicinity of the groove fixation device, and immediately a pressing winding consisting of yarn, tape or the like is given onto the SZ slotted body.

Abstract: A manufacturing process (10) for producing a product (50,50') comprises a product making section (20) and an operation section (60). Product making section (20) is operative to produce, for example, a complete but unmarked cable product (50). Operation section (60) is operative to affect a manufacturing operation on product (50), for example, indent marking of reversal points of product (50). A completed product (50') comprising markings over reversal points is then stored on a product storage device comprising a take-up reel (98).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing randomly variegated multiple strand wrapped yarn in twisting together two or more yarns at a plurality of yarn twisting stations. At each station a pneumatic twisting head is disposed in which randomly turbulent air currents are created in a chamber in the twisting head by compressed air flowing into the chamber from a manifold through bores in the twisting head, thereby randomly twisting together two or more yarns in the chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber, whereby a fiber is drawn from a molten extremity of a preform and is subsequently subjected to a torque, thereby causing a portion of the fiber to be twisted about its longitudinal axis and to be endowed with a spin. The torque is applied by running the fiber between a pair of wheels which rotate in mutually opposite senses about two different rotational axes, each wheel having a peripheral curved surface, the wheels being thus arranged that the fiber runs substantially tangential to their curved surfaces and is pressed therebetween, the wheels being moved back and forth relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber so as to cause the fiber to be rolled back and forth between their curved surfaces.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, snubbing the yarn to restrain ply twisting so the twist in the singles yarn can equalize itself, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction. The ply twisted yarn has a lower defect level of less than 2.5 defects per 100 inch length of yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fiber buffer tubes bound by a binder is provided. The apparatus includes a frame and an oscillator shaft support on the frame for oscillating movement about a longitudinal axis. A lay plate is carried by the oscillator shaft and has a plurality of openings for receiving and guiding longitudinally advancing buffer tubes into an oscillating lay about the axis. First and second longitudinally offset binder heads are mounted for rotation about the axis for winding respective binders around the buffer tubes. Both binder heads are concentric with and surround the oscillator shaft such that the closing point for the buffer tubes is downstream of the binder heads and closely adjacent to a locking capstan. The rotatably supported ends of the binder heads are positioned adjacent to each other which allows improved replacement of binder reels.

Abstract: A process for marking an outer jacket of an oscillating lay cable to indicate the locations of switchbacks thereunder. The process includes the step of providing detectable markings on an unjacketed cable core in predetermined position relative to the switchback. The process further includes the steps of sensing the detectable markings with a sensor prior to extruding an outer jacket over the cable core, predicting the location of the sensed markings on the cable core after a cable jacket has been extruded, and providing a marking on the cable jacket at a predetermined position relative to the predicted location of the sensed marking.

Abstract: A device for making a wire strand with changing twist direction (SZ-stranding) from individual wires, includes a fixed guide (1) provided with bores for receiving the individual wires and a plurality of spaced apart storing disks (4) capable of being driven in changing directions and also having bores for receiving the individual wires to be stranded, and a laying disk (6) capable of being driven via drive disks (7) and transmission members (9), with a drive (8) common to at least a portion of the drive disks (7) being provided, wherein between the drive (8) and the drive disks (7) there is disposed a torsionally elastic shaft (15) having an arbitrary cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imparting a virtual twist to strand material is provided. The apparatus preferably has a textile strand supply source for supplying a plurality of strands of textile strand material and a virtual twister positioned downstream from the strand supply source for virtually twisting the plurality of strands supplied from the strand supply source so as to impart cohesiveness among the plurality of strands. The virtual twister preferably has a strand guide positioned to guide the plurality of strands downstream and includes a strand twist position and a strand release position.

Abstract: Methods for marking sections of a fiber optic cable (22) so that carrier tube reversal points will be indicated on an exterior surface of the fiber optic cable. The method including the steps of: determining a current length value of the cable; measuring an offset distance value (39), the offset distance being a length measurement between a carrier lay direction reversal point of the cable and a marking device (28); entering the offset distance value into a memory; as a lay direction reversal point is being made, adding the current length value to the offset distance to define a sum value; comparing the sum value to the current cable length value; and when the sum value equals the current cable length value, activating the marking device (28) whereby the marking device marks the cable section.

Abstract: Apparatus for stranding elongated elements into a bundle of reversely twisted strand sections includes a rotating accumulator drum, a rotating winding flyer at the first end of the drum, and a rotating unwinding flyer at the second end of the drum. A guide plate and collector die guide the elements into the winding flyer, and a twist blocking device guides the twisted strands out of the unwinding flyer. A first twist of the bundle is produced by the winding flyer in a zone between collector die the winding flyer. A second reverse twist is produced by the unwinding flyer in the zone between the unwinding flyer and the twist blocking device. The winding flyer, the drum and the unwinding flyer rotate around a common axis, in the same direction, but at different speeds which change in alternating winding phases. The speed of the flyers and the drum are different from each other, but constant within the particular winding phase.

Abstract: A stranding station (1) for SZ type stranding machines intended for the helical stranding of a plurality of individual wire strands (4a-4g). The stranding station (1) is characterized in that the accumulation element (50) is mounted so as to be free to rotate about and free to move axially along a support shaft (54) driven in rotation, in that the mechanism for driving the accumulation element in rotation includes an intermediate element (60) attached to the support shaft (54), arranged downstream of the accumulation element (50) in relation to the forward motion direction of the wire strands (4a-4g), and in that the intermediate element (60) has a driving surface (62), this accumulation element being driven in rotation by friction on the driving surface (62).

Abstract: An elongated rotating accumulator used for stranding together stranding elements, (KS1) has chambers (KA1-KA4) at least sections of which are inwardly open and in which stranding elements (VS1-VS4) can be fed to a stranding disk (VS) in each case separately from each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing randomly variegated multiple strand wrapped yarn in twisting together two or more yarns at a plurality of yarn twisting stations. At each station a pneumatic twisting head is disposed in which randomly turbulent air currents are created in a chamber in the twisting head by compressed air flowing into the chamber from a manifold through bores in the twisting head, thereby randomly twisting together two or more yarns in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for twisting a pair of moving strands uses a winder assembly 510, which is mounted on a first shaft 140 and rotates around a cylindrical drum 110. Twisted wire is wrapped in adjacent convolutions around an exterior surface of the cylindrical drum, which is mounted on a second shaft 150. The exterior surface is energized to advance the convolutions from its input end to its output end; and an unwinder assembly 520 is mounted on a third shaft 160 at the output end of the drum. The shafts are coaxial with each other and each is capable of independent rotational movement. The volume of strand material stored on the drum may be varied by changing the relative rotational speeds and directions of the different shafts. A twist in one direction is imparted onto the strand pair when the number of convolutions stored on the drum is increased; and a twist in the opposite direction is imparted onto the strand pair when the number of convolutions stored on the drum is decreased.

Abstract: An alternate twist plied yarn formed from a plurality of strands of singles yarn twisted in alternating directions in lengthwise intervals of first half-cycles of twist at a predetermined twist level followed by second half-cycles of twist at the same twist level with reversal nodes therebetween, the singles twisted yarns being ply-twisted together in alternating directions in lengthwise intervals of first half-cycles of ply-twist followed by second half-cycles of ply-twist, there being a bond formed adjacent each node wherein the first half-cycle of ply-twist is located within the bond and the second half-cycle of ply-twist originates at one end of the bond, the twist level in the singles twisted yarn is between 25% in the same direction and 60% in the opposite direction of the twist applied to the singles yarns before plying.

Abstract: A device for stranding elongated stranding elements, in which an axially extending supply member has a surface on which stranding elements are fed to a stranding disk. A first suspension device has a first receiving device for holding a first end of the supply member on an input side. A second suspension device has a second receiving device for holding a second end of the supply member on an output side. First and second locking devices respectively mount the first and second receiving devices in the first and second suspension devices, respectively, such that in a release position of a respective locking device, a respective receiving device is completely displaceable in an axial direction for installing or removing the supply member, and such that in a lock position of the respective locking device, the respective receiving device is secured against detachment during operation of the supply member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for stranding together stranding elements, such as electrical and/or optical transmission elements. The apparatus includes a stranding disk and an elongated rotating accumulator for feeding the elements through the stranding disk, which gathers the elements into a cable. The rotating accumulator has a plurality of longitudinal chambers for accommodating respective elements. The chambers are radially open either inward or outward relative to the longitudinal direction, according to different embodiments of the invention. The invention also provides associated methods of stranding with such devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by a dense region of filaments adhesively joined together where one of the strands overlaps another strand, followed by a less dense region along the one strand where fewer filaments are adhesively joined, followed by another dense region.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, snubbing the yarn to restrain ply twisting so the twist in the singles yarn can equalize itself, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction. The ply twisted yarn has a lower defect level of less than 2.5 defects per 100 inch length of yarn.

Abstract: A device for the reverse-twisting of stranding elements (4), comprising a stationary guide disk (1) and a twisting disk (2) located at a distance from the guide disk and able to rotate around its axis. At least one filament-shaped, tension-proof support element (7) is located between the guide disk (1) and the twisting disk (2). At least one holding element (5) is mounted on the support element (7) and is located at a distance from the guide disk (1) on one side, and from the twisting disk (2) on the other. The holding element (5) contains axial passage holes (6) for the stranding elements (4). The ends of the support elements (7) are affixed in holders (9), which are able to tilt and/or rotate with respect to the twisting disk (2).

Abstract: The reverse stranding apparatus and method provides elongated elements drawn from supply reels through a divider device, torsion tubes surrounding a central element peripherally and rotatable periodically in opposite directions about the central element and a twisting head rotatable in opposite directions into a nozzle. To achieve a constant pitch and to adjust the tension, the elements are guided to pass about an input capstan before the dividing device and a stranded cable is passed about an output capstan immediately after the nozzle. The input and output capstans are rotated so that the peripheral speeds thereof are constantly higher than the speed of the cable.

Abstract: A loose tube optical fiber cable with SZ stranding in which the units receive two or more laminated multicase ribbons stranded toward a central member with the stranding direction reversed at specific intervals. These multicase ribbons are twisted in the same direction as the stranding of the tube units, and a reverse stranding angle of the tube units is selected to be a value within a specific scope.

Abstract: A system for bonding alternate S and Z twist plied yarn. The system bonds the plied yarns as they move in a path through the process and permits balanced expansion of the yarn while preventing lateral movement out of the path. The bonding of the yarn strands while plied together, forms a bond characterized by a dense region of filaments adhesively joined together where one of the strands overlaps another strand, followed by a less dense region along the one strand where fewer filaments are adhesively joined, followed by another dense region.

Abstract: Composite flexible multilayer insulation systems (MLI) were evaluated for thermal performance and compared with currently used fibrous silica (baseline) insulation system. The systems described are multilayer insulations consisting of alternating layers of metal foil and scrim ceramic cloth or vacuum metallized polymeric films quilted together using ceramic thread. A silicon carbide thread for use in the quilting and the method of making it are also described. These systems are useful to provide lightweight thermal insulation for a variety of uses, particularly on the surface of aerospace vehicles subject to very high temperatures during flight.

Abstract: A device (1) is used for twisting rope-shaped material (15), particularly of a larger cross section, with changing twist direction (SZ), consisting of a rotor (4) that changes direction and/or RPM, with two opposing chain drives (7) for the material (15), which are parallel to the rotor axis along an endless path. The material is gripped, guided and subsequently released by collet chucks along a prescribed pathway determined by a pressure rail (16). The collet chucks (14) are additionally attached to the chain drives (7) outside of the pathway, and are force-guided along the endless path.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in connection with reverse stranding, comprising drawing conductors through a stationary divider, peripheral tubes peripherically surrounding a central tube and twistable around the central tube recurrently in opposite directions and a twisting device rotatable in opposite directions, into a stranding nozzle or similar. To achieve longitudinal strip winding, a strip is fed into the central tube. The strip is guided to pass through the rotatable twisting device and further between the desired conductors ahead of the stranding nozzle or similar, the stranding nozzle or similar bending the edges of the strip in the desired direction.

Abstract: A cabling machine for laying optofibers, cables or the like in an oscillating, wavy path around a smooth pull-reliever, or into grooves having an oscillating, wavy shape which are extruded around a pull-reliever, i.e., so-called S/Z-cabling. The machine includes a pull-reliever pulling-off device, a braking capstan, a fiber reeling-off device, and an S/Z-bench (6) for laying the fibers around the pull-reliever. When used with a grooved pull-reliever (2), a laying-on tube (11) of the S/Z bench (6) is connected to a transmission (14), and a sensor (17) is connected to the transmission and functions to detect rotation of the laying-on tube (11) caused by the oscillating waveshape of the grooves. The reeling-off device (1) and the braking capstan (3) are controlled to cause the pull-reliever (2) to rotate to perform a corrective function.

Abstract: A reverse stranding apparatus for the reverse stranding of conductors. The apparatus comprises a stationary divider plate, a twisting plate rotatable in different directions, and a central element disposed between the parts, and peripheral tubes surrounding the central element, the central element and the peripheral tubes being pressed against each other at least during the twisting step of the conductors, and the conductors to be stranded being adapted to pass through at least the peripheral tubes. To allow high speeds of rotation, the peripheral tubes are connected substantially for their entire length to the central element by a substantially radial part.

Abstract: A reverse stranding apparatus for the reverse stranding of conductors. The apparatus comprises a stationary divider element, a twisting element rotatable in different directions, and a central element disposed between said parts, and peripheral tubes surrounding said central element, the central element and the peripheral tubes being pressed against each other at least during the twisting step of the conductors and the conductors to be stranded being adapted to pass through at least the peripheral tubes. To attain high speeds of rotation, the peripheral tubes and the central element are united in a tube packet by a reticular fabric enveloping the peripheral tubes and extending substantially over the entire length of said peripheral tubes.

Abstract: A cabling machine is disclosed for laying optofibers, cables or the like in an oscillating, wavy path around a smooth pull-reliever, or into grooves having an oscillating, wavy shape which are extruded around a pull-reliever, i.e., so-called S/Z-cabling. The machine includes an S/Z-bench (6) which includes an aligning mechanism (13) which grips and guides the pull-reliever (2), and a motor (15) which imparts an oscillating, rotational movement to the aligning mechanism via a transmission (14). When used with a grooved pull-reliever (2), a laying-on tube (11) of the S/Z bench (6) is connected to the transmission (14) and a sensor (17) is connected to the transmission and functions to detect rotation of the laying-on tube (11) caused by the oscillating waveshape of the grooves. A reeling-off device (1) and a braking capstan (3) of the machine then cause the pull-reliever (2) to rotate to perform a corrective function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stranding with changing lay directions (SZ-stranding) utilizes an elongated cylindrical member which is driven with changing rotational sense on which the conductors are wrapped and supplied to a stranding disk at one end. The cylindrical member serves the purpose of stranding and is held under an axial tensile stress at its ends during the stranding process. The cylindrical member is also twisted to provide a torsional stress.

Abstract: An apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by numerous individual spaced bond sites between individual filaments that are distributed throughout the bond.

Abstract: A reverse stranding apparatus for the reverse stranding of conductors to produce cables or the like and to a method in connection with stranding and reverse stranding. The conductors are drawn from a distributor into a nozzle or equivalent through peripheral tubes circumferentially surrounding a central tube and being twistable about the central tube recurrently in opposite directions. To facilitate the passage of the conductor, a pressurized fluid is fed through the peripheral tubes upstream ends and into the peripheral tubes during the drawing of the conductors to produce oscillation, whereby the conductors passing through each peripheral tube remain substantially detached from the inner surfaces of the peripheral tubes.

Abstract: An alternate S and Z twist plied yarn made from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by numerous individual spaced bond sites between individual filaments that are distributed throughout the bond.

Abstract: A cable stranding apparatus is described as having a plurality of stranding rotor units that are interchangeably coupled, in a locked manner, to a single rotor drive assembly of such apparatus. Each stranding rotor unit is designed to accommodate the dimensions of particular cable elements to be stranded. For this purpose, the stranding rotor unit for cable elements of a large cross-section has a plurality of large collets for accommodating the drawing of such large cable elements through the unit; while the cable stranding rotor unit for cable elements of a small cross-section has a plurality of smaller collets for drawing the smaller cable elements through such unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an optical multi-fiber cable element provided with a second sheathing by extruding a loose secondary sheathing around a fiber bundle and stretching the fibers a desired extra length with respect to the sheathing, the fibers being guided in such a manner that the position of the fibers varies continuously during stretching. To produce an untwisted cable element and avoid variation in the fiber length, the secondary sheathing together with its fiber bundle is twisted around its axis after the extrusion or the sheathing to vary the twisting position of the fiber bundle as the sheathing and fibers approach the stretching step.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A composite yarn comprising at least two yarn bundles plied together in alternating S and Z composite directions of twist separated by composite nodes of zero twist. At least one of the yarn bundles is a multi-strand bundle comprising at least two yarn strands. The strands of the bundles are twisted and the strands of the multi-strand bundle are plied together in alternating S and Z bundle directions of twist separated by bundle nodes of zero twist. The composite nodes and the bundle nodes coincide and the composite direction of twist is opposite to said bundle direction of twist between nodes. A method of plying filaments to obtain the composite yarn and apparatus for doing so are also disclosed.

Abstract: An alternate reverse or so-called SZ-twisting method and apparatus and cable product produced by alternate reverse twisting method and/or apparatus. Elements (2 ) which are to be alternately reversely twisted may be wires, leads, optical fibers, their groups and which can also include quads of wires, leads, optical fibers. Elements (2) to be twisted and a possible core element (9) are drawn from a fixed divider (3), preferably a perforated holeplate, through a twister (6), preferably a perforated holeplate, rotating periodically in opposite directions, to a presser (7), preferably a nipple, in which the elements to be twisted and the possible core element are pressed together, to form an alternately reversely twisted product (8). Between the divider (3) and the twister (6) pipe group (4, 5) is provided for defining the feedpaths of the elements (2) to be twisted and the possible core element (9).

Abstract: In the case of a process for producing a twisted yarn from slivers that are drawn to the desired size and subsequently are prestrengthened by means of pneumatic false twisting, it is provided that the fiber ends in the form of helixes are wound around the core with such a steep slope that, during the twisting, the fiber ends that were previously wound around the core are wound off the core as much as possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the line speed of an S-Z strander by applying a tensile force to the elongated accumulator of the strander, between 124 pounds and less than the elastic limit of the material from which the elongated accumulator is made, while the elongated accumulator is rotated in a reversing manner about its longitudinal axis and coated optical fibers and/or elongated tubes containing optical fibers are S-Z stranded thereabout.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A plurality of grooves are formed in an outer surface of a spacer. The grooves are formed continuously in the longitudinal direction by a die which surrounds the circumference of the spacer. The grooves extend, in the form of parallel periodically reversing helices along the longitudinal direction of the spacer. The optical fibers are guided into the grooves through guide plates arranged to rotate in a reciprocating motion about the spacer. The position of the grooves is detected and converted into an electric signal. The operation of an actuator for driving the movement of the die and the guide plates is controlled on the basis of the electric signal thereby rotating the plates and the die in synchronism with displacement of said grooves.

Abstract: In the case of a process for producing a twisted yarn from slivers that are drawn to the desired size and subsequently are prestrengthened by means of pneumatic false twisting, it is provided that the fiber ends in the form of helixes are wound around the core with such a steep slope that, during the twisting, the fiber ends that were previously wound around the core are wound off the core as much as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting optical fibers into a spacer having spiral grooves to produce a spacer type optical fiber cable wherein a torsional force detecting device is formed integrally with the optical fiber gathering device for inserting optical fibers into the spiral grooves. The torsional force exerted on the device by the spacer is detected by a tension/compression measuring device and the axial speed of the spacer is controlled in response to the measured torsional force so as to reduce the torsional force to zero.

Abstract: In the case of a process and an arrangement of producing spools containing two yarn components respectively and serving as feed spools for a twisting process, it is provided that the two yarn components that are each prestrengthened by means of false-twisting nozzles, are guided between a drafting frame and the spool on paths of different lengths, so that nonuniformities of the two yarn components that may have occurred during the drawing are not disposed directly next to one another.

Abstract: In an optical fiber cabling line where a grooved ring is axially drawn at a translational speed, there is provided a device designed to insert optical fibers in helical grooves of the ring. The fibers are unwound, are drawn through a rotating plate and converge following cone generating lines towards the device. In order to avoid the use of fiber-guides coupled directly in rotation with the ring, the device comprises a quill rotationally stationary and coaxial with the ring for laying the fibers into the grooves of the ring, and means, such as two worm screws set orthogonally to the ring, arranged after the quill in the travel direction of the ring and mechanically uncoupled from the ring for thrusting the fibers to the bottoms of the grooves. The worm screw also contributes to align the fibers as they leave the plate, with the ring grooves within the quill.