Linear media handling system

摘要

An improved system for handling delicate linear media and in particular to a method and apparatus for winding delicate linear media such as superconducting wire or optical fibers onto a spool. A combination of direct closed loop control and media routing design facilitates the handling of the delicate media without causing damage. The axial tension in the linear media may be closely controlled during winding by means of feedback control loop using tension measurements to control the rotation speeds of the wind-from and wind-to spools. Further, during winding, the delicate linear media is only exposed to large radius bends with no reverse bending.

主权项

1. A winding machine for use with delicate linear media, which operates to wind a delicate linear media from a delicate linear media source onto a spool, the winding machine comprising:
a delicate linear media source, which is used to store the delicate linear media and from which the delicate linear media is removed; a first motor for moving the delicate linear media from the delicate linear media source; a wind-to spool, said wind-to spool being the spool onto which at least a portion of the delicate linear media removed from the delicate linear media source is to be wound; a second motor for rotating the wind-to spool to wind the delicate linear media onto the wind-to spool; a wire tensioning system for sensing the axial tension in the delicate linear media during operation of the winding machine, said wire tensioning system comprising a tensiometer and only a single tension sensor wheel; and a system controller to receive the sensed axial tension and to control the first and second motors to maintain a desired axial tension in the delicate linear media; wherein during operation the delicate linear media is not to be exposed to a bend having a radius that is less than 11 inches.