Apparatus and method for center twisting wires

1. An apparatus configured to twist a first wire about a second wire, comprising:

a securing mechanism configured to secure ends of the first wire and the second wire, wherein the first wire is arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis;

a gripping mechanism configured to grip central portions of the first and second wires;

a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a lateral offsetting force to the gripping mechanism, thereby deflecting the central portions of the first and second wires orthogonally from the longitudinal axis; and

a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the gripping mechanism, thereby twisting the first and second wires about one another.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an extension spring.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a pneumatic spring.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an electrical servo motor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to twist the first wire about the second wire such that the first and second wires form a right-hand helix about one another on one side of the gripping mechanism and the first and second wires form a left-hand helix about one another on an opposite side of the gripping mechanism.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a connector housing in which the ends of the first and second wires are disposed.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in contact with one another.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in uninterrupted contact with one another.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in continuous contact with one another.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the gripping mechanism defines a U-shaped groove configured to receive and grip the central portions of the first and second wires.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein a width of the U-shaped groove is greater than a diameter of the first and second wires when the first and second wires are received within the U-shaped groove and wherein the width of the U-shaped groove is less than or equal to the diameter of the first and second wires when the first and second wires are gripped within the U-shaped groove.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the U-shaped groove is defined by an inflatable U-shaped bladder configured to receive and grip the central portions of the first and second wires.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the gripping mechanism does not comprise a pin that is configured to be inserted between the central portions of the first and second wires.

16. An apparatus configured to twist a first wire about a second wire, comprising:

a means for securing ends of the first wire and the second wire, wherein the first wire is arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis;

a means for gripping central portions of the first and second wires;

a means for applying a lateral offsetting force to the means for gripping the central portions, thereby deflecting the central portions of the first and second wires orthogonally from the longitudinal axis; and

a means for rotating the means for gripping the central portions, thereby twisting the first and second wires about one another.

17. A method of twisting a pair of wires, comprising the steps of:

a) securing ends of a first wire and a second wire within a securing mechanism, wherein the first wire is arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis;

b) gripping central portions of the first and second wires with a gripping mechanism;

c) applying a lateral offsetting force to the gripping mechanism via a tensioning mechanism, thereby deflecting the central portions of the first and second wires in the same orthogonal direction away from the longitudinal axis; and

d) rotating the central portions of the first and second wires via a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the gripping mechanism, thereby twisting the first wire about the second wire such that the first and second wires form a right-hand helix about one another on one side of the gripping mechanism and the first and second wires form a left-hand helix about one another on an opposite side of the gripping mechanism and generating a longitudinal tension force in the first and second wires wherein the longitudinal tension force is equal to the lateral offsetting force after completion of step d) of the method.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the tensioning mechanism draws the gripping mechanism toward the longitudinal axis due to an increase in the longitudinal tension force during step d) of the method.