James H Gary

US Patent:

6409117, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

May 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/850016

Inventors:

Mark W. Petersen - Concord NC
Brian S. Witz - Greensboro NC
Lance G. Gilmet - Clemmons NC
James M. Gary - Cary NC

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

B65H 6308

US Classification:

2424856, 2424857, 2424854, 2424123, 2424132, 2424849, 2424778

Abstract:

The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring the spooling area of a rotatable reel for winding or unwinding an elongated material, for example, a cable. The monitoring system has a detector for sensing the presence and position of a cable surface or object or operator positioned between the detector and the reel. The detector can control rotation of the reel directly, or send a position signal to a computer where the position signal indicates the detected presence and/or position. The computer can have a memory and/or a processor for respectively storing and analyzing the position signal. The computer is operative to compare the position signal to previously received position signals to determine a condition, for example, the amount of cable on the reel, the presence of any object, and/or the existence of a safety-threatening condition. The computer can generate an output signal for use in, for example, controlling the reel speed and/or torque, or the application of brakes.

US Patent:

62476645, Jun 19, 2001

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/344798

Inventors:

Mark W. Petersen - Concord NC
Brian S. Witz - Greensboro NC
John J. McGirr - Clemmons NC
Lance G. Gilmet - Clemmons NC
James M. Gary - Cary NC

Assignee:

Siecor Operations, LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

B65H 5422

US Classification:

2424856

Abstract:

The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring the spooling area of a rotatable reel for winding or unwinding an elongated material, for example, a cable. The monitoring system has a detector for sensing the presence and position of a cable surface or object or operator positioned between the detector and the reel. The detector can control rotation of the reel directly, or send a position signal to a computer where the position signal indicates the detected presence and/or position. The computer can have a memory and/or a processor for respectively storing and analyzing the position signal. The computer is operative to compare the position signal to previously received position signals to determine a condition, for example, the amount of cable on the reel, the presence of any object, and/or the existence of a safety-threatening condition. The computer can generate an output signal for use in, for example, controlling the reel speed and/or torque, or the application of brakes.