Granted Patent B1

US 8,577,627 · App. 12/886,762 · Granted Nov 5, 2013

Inventors: Joe R. Janac (Bryan, TX); James H. Stasny (Bryan, TX)

Assignee: Dynacon, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (118)

1. A hydraulic operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paying out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first hydraulic drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch for connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by the second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to at least one of the hydraulic drives, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor and a speed detector, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave, wherein the load measuring sensor measures a load on the cable forming a load signal, wherein the speed detector measures a speed of the cable forming a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, the notification, or combinations thereof; and

n. a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein each moveable sheave comprises grooves for receiving the cable, wherein each groove contains the cable in parallel to transfer the cable from one moveable sheave to another moveable sheave, and wherein each groove is tilted in part, thereby enabling at least two opposing grooves to be aligned at bottoms of the moveable sheaves, but to be offset at tops of the moveable sheaves to facilitate transfer of the cable without sliding the cable on a face of each moveable sheave.

2. A hydraulic operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paving out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first hydraulic drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch for connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by the second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to at least one of the hydraulic drives, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor and a speed detector, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave, wherein the load measuring sensor measures a load on the cable forming a load signal, wherein the speed detector measures a speed of the cable forming a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, the notification, or combinations thereof; and

(n.)—a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the first movable sheave is configured to pass the cable to the second moveable sheave, wherein the system is configured to wrap the cable about the first moveable sheave and the second moveable sheave five times prior to passing the cable from the second moveable sheave to the moveable tensioning sheave, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave is configured to pass the cable to the third moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is configured to pass the cable to the fourth moveable sheave, and wherein the system is configured to wrap the cable about the third moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave five times prior to passing the cable from the fourth moveable sheave to the second storage reel.

3. A hydraulic operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paving out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first hydraulic drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by a second hydraulic drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch for connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by the second hydraulic drive, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the first hydraulic drive, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to at least one of the hydraulic drives, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor and a speed detector, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave, wherein the load measuring sensor measures a load on the cable forming a load signal, wherein the speed detector measures a speed of the cable forming a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, the notification, or combinations thereof; and

n. a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the further comprises:

a first friction material disposed between the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave for coupling the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave with the second clutch; and

a second friction material disposed between the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave for coupling the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave with the first clutch.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first friction material and the second friction material comprise a wearable brake material that locks pairs of moveable sheaves together during testing of the cable.

5. An electric operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paying out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first electric drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second electric drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by the second electric drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first electric drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by a hydraulic power source, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the hydraulic power source, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to the hydraulic power source, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor for measuring a load of the cable to form a load signal and a speed detector to measure a speed of the cable to form a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave and passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals from the moveable tensioning sheave to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, notifications, or combinations thereof; and

n. a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein each of the moveable sheaves comprises grooves for receiving the cable, wherein the grooves contain the cable in parallel to transfer the cable from one moveable sheave to another moveable sheave, and wherein each groove is tilted in part enabling at least two opposing grooves to be aligned at bottoms of the moveable sheaves, but to be offset at tops of the moveable sheaves to facilitate cable transfer without sliding the cable on a face of the moveable sheaves.

6. An electric operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paying out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first electric drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second electric drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by the second electric drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first electric drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by a hydraulic power source, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the hydraulic power source, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to the hydraulic power source, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor for measuring a load of the cable to form a load signal and a speed detector to measure a speed of the cable to form a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave and passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals from the moveable tensioning sheave to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, notifications, or combinations thereof; and

n. a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is configured to pass the cable to the second moveable sheave, wherein the system is configured to wrap the cable about the first moveable sheave and the second moveable sheave five times prior to passing the cable from the second moveable sheave to the moveable tensioning sheave, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave is configured to pass the cable to the third moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is configured to pass the cable to the fourth moveable sheave, and wherein the system is configured to wrap the cable five times about the third moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave prior to passing the cable from the fourth moveable sheave to the second storage reel.

7. An electric operated system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel for paying out a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave in series with a second moveable sheave, wherein the first moveable sheave is rotated by a first electric drive, wherein the second moveable sheave is rotated by a second electric drive, and wherein the first moveable sheave receives the cable from the first storage reel and passes the cable to the second moveable sheave;

c. a third moveable sheave in series with a fourth moveable sheave, wherein the third moveable sheave is rotated by the second electric drive, wherein the third moveable sheave is in parallel with the second moveable sheave, wherein the fourth moveable sheave is rotated by the first electric drive, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is in parallel with the first moveable sheave;

d. a first clutch connecting the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by a hydraulic power source, and wherein the first clutch disengages the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

e. a second clutch connecting the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by the hydraulic power source, and wherein the second clutch disengages the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

f. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch, wherein the clutch controller is in communication with a power source;

g. a moveable tensioning sheave connected to the hydraulic power source, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises a load measuring sensor for measuring a load of the cable to form a load signal and a speed detector to measure a speed of the cable to form a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave receives the cable from the second moveable sheave and passes the cable to the third moveable sheave which sequentially passes the cable to the fourth moveable sheave;

h. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal;

i. a data storage in communication with the processor;

j. computer instructions in the data storage for storing preset stress data for the cable;

k. computer instructions in the data storage for comparing received load signals and received speed signals from the moveable tensioning sheave to the stored preset stress data, and forming compared signals;

l. computer instructions in the data storage for providing a notification when the compared signals exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data;

m. computer instructions in the data storage for displaying the compared signals, notifications, or combinations thereof; and

n. a second storage reel for receiving the cable from the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the further comprises

a first friction material disposed between the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave for coupling the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave with the second clutch; and

a second friction material disposed between the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave for coupling the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave with the first clutch.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first friction material and the second friction material comprise a wearable brake material that locks the moveable sheaves together during testing of the cable to be tested.

9. A system for testing cable under tension, the system comprising:

a. a first storage reel configured to payout a cable to be tested;

b. a first moveable sheave configured to receive the cable from the first storage reel;

c. a first drive coupled with the first moveable sheave, wherein the first drive is configured to rotate the first moveable sheave;

d. a second moveable sheave in series with the first moveable sheave and configured to receive the cable from the first moveable sheave;

e. a second drive coupled with the second moveable sheave, wherein the second drive is configured to rotate the second moveable sheave;

f. a moveable tensioning sheave coupled to at least one of the drives, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave comprises:

(i) a load measuring sensor for measuring a load of the cable forming a load signal; and

(ii) a speed detector for measuring a speed of the cable, forming a speed signal, wherein the moveable tensioning sheave is in series with the second moveable sheave, and wherein the moveable tensioning sheave is configured to receive the cable from the second moveable sheave;

g. a third moveable sheave in series with the moveable tensioning sheave and configured to receive the cable from the moveable tensioning sheave, wherein the second drive is coupled with the third moveable sheave for rotating the third moveable sheave;

h. a fourth moveable sheave in series with the third moveable sheave, wherein the first drive is coupled with the fourth moveable sheave for rotating the fourth moveable sheave, and wherein the fourth moveable sheave is configured to receive the cable from the third moveable sheave;

i. a second storage reel configured to receive the cable from the fourth moveable sheave;

j. a first clutch coupling the second moveable sheave to the third moveable sheave, wherein the first clutch is operable by one of the drives, a hydraulic power source, or combinations thereof, and wherein the first clutch is configured to disengage the second moveable sheave from the third moveable sheave;

k. a second clutch coupling the first moveable sheave to the fourth moveable sheave, wherein the second clutch is operable by one of the drives, the hydraulic power source, or combinations thereof, and wherein the second clutch is configured to disengage the first moveable sheave from the fourth moveable sheave;

l. a clutch controller for controlling the first clutch and the second clutch;

m. a processor in communication with the moveable tensioning sheave for receiving the load signal and the speed signal therefrom;

n. a data storage in communication with the processor comprising preset stress data for the cable stored therein;

o. computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to compare the received load signal and the received speed signal to the stored preset stress data, and form compared signals;

p. computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to provide a notification when the received load signal, the received speed signal, or combinations thereof exceed or fall below the stored preset stress data; and

q. computer instructions in the data storage to instruct the processor to display the compared signals, the notification, or combinations thereof, wherein the system further comprises:

a first friction material disposed between the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave for coupling the first moveable sheave and the fourth moveable sheave with the second clutch; and

a second friction material disposed between the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave for coupling the second moveable sheave and the third moveable sheave with the first clutch.

Assignments (10)

Continuity (1)