Apparatus and methods for winding and transferring dynamo-electric machine stators

Abstract

In systems for winding wire on electrodynamic machine stators, stators may be transferred between stator conveyance apparatus, winding shroud installation and removal apparatus, wire winding apparatus, wire lead termination apparatus, or other apparatus. Some transfer devices may secure stators in housings fixed to arms that may be rotated around an axis to move stators between stations. Some transfer devices may have stator grasping devices that may be rotated and translated to move stators between stations. Wire winding shrouds may be secured to a stator to facilitate winding and released from stator after wire is wound on the stator. A device for securing shrouds to the stator may be fixed to the stator and may remain fixed to the stator during transfer between different apparatus. Some devices for securing shrouds and stators may be integrated into housings. Some housings may be fixed to transfer devices along one side of the housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for winding a wire coil on at least one dynamoelectric machine component, said apparatus having an axis of rotation and comprising: 
 at least two component assembly stations;    at least one support member configured to rotate about said axis, said support member having a distal portion away from said axis of rotation, said support member configured to transfer said machine component between said stations; and    at least one machine component housing, wherein: 
 said housing is removably fixed to a corresponding distal portion; and  
 said housing projects from said corresponding distal portion away from said axis of rotation.  
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing is cantilevered to said corresponding distal portion.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises a dovetail tenon for affixing said housing to said corresponding distal portion.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said corresponding distal portion comprises a dovetail mortise defined by a portion of a corresponding support member; and  
 said mortise is configured to be joined to a tenon on said housing.  
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said portion comprises steel.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said housing has a central axis and comprises at least one substantially planar outer surface substantially parallel to said central axis; and  
 said housing is configured to be removably secured to said corresponding distal portion along exactly one said of said at least one surface.  
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said housing has a central axis and comprises: 
 a top;  
 a bottom; and  
 a side, said side extending between said top and said bottom;  
 
 said top, said bottom, and said side are substantially parallel to said central axis; and  
 said housing is configured to be removably secured along said side alone.  
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a clamp disposed substantially inside said housing and configured to secure a machine component inside said housing; and  
 a first actuator member, wherein: 
 said first actuator member is secured to said clamp;  
 said first actuator member extends through said side; and  
 said first actuator member is configured to reciprocate with respect to said central axis.  
 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a second actuator member, wherein said first actuator member comprises a fixture for releasably engaging said second actuator member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said fixture is a fork appendix.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a drive device configured to apply force to said second actuator member.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said drive unit is disposed outside of said housing.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said drive unit is fixed to said support member.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said support member comprises an attachment member; and  
 said housing is fixed to said attachment member.  
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a drive device, wherein: 
 said device is fixed to said attachment member; and  
 said device is configured to move a machine component clamp via an actuator.  
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein: 
 said drive device is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a. an air-pressure-driven piston;  
 b. a spring; and  
 c. a combination of a and b.  
 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said attachment member comprises steel.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein: 
 said housing further comprises: 
 a hollow interior portion defined by an interior surface; and  
 an exterior surface opposite said side, said exterior surface extending from said top to said bottom; and  
 
 said apparatus further comprises: 
 a frame; and  
 at least one shroud locking blade; wherein:  
 
 said frame extends adjacent said top, said exterior surface, and said bottom;  
 said shroud locking blade is fixed to said frame and extends into said interior portion; and  
 said frame is slidable with respect to said housing in a direction substantially parallel to said central axis.  
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a pair of locking blades having a fixed position in a direction along said central axis.  
     
     
         20 . A method for winding wire coils on a machine component, said method using a winding machine having machine component assembly stations, said method comprising: 
 positioning a machine component housing on a distal portion of a winding machine support member, said winding machine having an axis of rotation, said support member configured to transfer machine components between said stations, wherein said positioning causes said housing to project from said distal portion away from said axis of rotation;    inserting said machine component in said housing; and    winding wire coils onto said machine component.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising releasably fixing said housing to said distal portion.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said releasably fixing comprises sliding a tenon into a mortise.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising rotating said support member about said axis of rotation.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein, when said housing comprises a central axis, a top, a bottom, and a side, said side extending between said top and said bottom, said releasably fixing comprises attaching said housing along said side alone.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said inserting comprises: 
 clamping said machine component inside said housing using a clamp; and  
 applying force to said clamp using an elongated member that passes through said side.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising simultaneously repositioning a pair of shroud locking blades by moving a frame slidably engaged with said housing.