US-20260128572-A1 - Systems and Methods for Lash Wire Application and Tension Control

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cable bundle lasher comprising a body configured to be positioned on one or more cables, a lash wire magazine coupled to the body and configured to hold a spool of lash wire for wrapping around the one or more cables, and an automated lash wire tension adjuster coupled to the body. The lash wire magazine includes a first reel guide to guide lash wire exiting the spool. The automated lash wire tension adjuster is configured to receive the lash wire from the magazine and comprises a tension sensor responsive to lash wire tension during operation of the lasher, and a local tension adjuster configured to receive a signal indicative of lash wire tension and to adjust lash wire tension in response to the signal.

Inventors

• Orrette Omario Forbes
• Vuk Knezevic

Assignees

• Lash Logic Innovations IP Holdings LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20250829

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A cable bundle lasher, comprising: a body configured to be positioned on one or more cables; a lash wire magazine coupled to the body and configured to hold a spool of lash wire for wrapping around the one or more cables, the magazine comprising a first reel guide to guide lash wire exiting the spool; an automated lash wire tension adjuster coupled to the body and configured to receive the lash wire from the magazine, the automated lash wire tension adjuster comprising: a tension sensor responsive to lash wire tension during operation of the lasher; and a local tension adjuster configured to receive a signal indicative of lash wire tension and to adjust lash wire tension in response to the signal.
2. 2 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 1 , further comprising: a tension support structure coupled to the body, the tension support structure including an upper plate; a base plate; and an outer bracket coupling the upper plate to the base plate.
3. 3 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 2 , further comprising: a reel shaft that is coupled to the outer bracket.
4. 4 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 3 , further comprising: a second reel guide that is coupled to the reel shaft.
5. 5 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 4 , wherein the local tension adjuster is a motor or an electric actuator.
6. 6 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 4 , wherein the first reel guide operates about a vertical axis.
7. 7 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 5 , wherein the second reel guide comprises one or more tension drag wheels, and wherein the second reel guide operates about a horizontal axis.
8. 8 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 1 , wherein the tension sensor comprises a strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a force applied to the lashing wire.
9. 9 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 1 , wherein the tension sensor comprises a three-roller tension sensor.
10. 10 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 1 , further comprising: a computing device coupled to the body, wherein the computing device is configured to monitor measurements from the tension sensor and operate the local tension adjuster to maintain tension of the lash wire.
11. 11 . A cable bundle lasher, comprising: a body defining a cavity configured to receive one or more cables; a lashing wire dispenser coupled to the body and configured to dispense lashing wire; a tension sensor responsive to lash wire tension during operation of the lasher; a local tension adjuster configured to receive a signal indicative of lash wire tension and to adjust lash wire tension in response to the signal; and a computing device coupled to the body, wherein the computing device is configured to monitor measurements from the tension sensor and operate the local tension adjuster to maintain tension of the lash wire.
12. 12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the tension sensor comprises a strain gauge or load cell.
13. 13 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 11 , wherein the local tension adjuster comprises an electric actuator configured to adjust tension of the lashing wire.
14. 14 . The cable bundle lasher of claim 11 , further comprising: a robotic arm assembly coupled to the body and configured to manage the one or more cables prior to entering the cavity.
15. 15 . A system for automated cable bundle lashing, comprising: a cable bundle lasher including a body defining a cavity for receiving one or more cables; a lashing wire dispenser coupled to the cable bundle lasher; an automated lash wire tension adjuster including: a tension sensor responsive to lash wire tension, and a local tension adjuster configured to adjust lash wire tension; and a computing device coupled to the cable bundle lasher and configured to control the automated lash wire tension adjuster based on measurements from the tension sensor.
16. 16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the tension sensor comprises a strain gauge or load cell configured to measure force applied to the lashing wire.
17. 17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the local tension adjuster comprises an electric actuator configured to adjust tension of the lashing wire based on signals from the computing device.
18. 18 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising: a robotic arm assembly coupled to the cable bundle lasher and configured to manage the one or more cables prior to entering the cavity.
19. 19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the computing device is configured to execute at least one of an initialization procedure, an acquisition procedure, an analysis procedure, a tension adjustment procedure, a speed procedure, and a completion procedure.
20. 20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the tension adjustment procedure comprises: determining a tension measurement based on a weight of the one or more cables and a tension factor; and determining an adjusted tension measurement based on the tension measurement, a tension increase factor, and a slope angle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to cable lashing devices, and more particularly to systems and methods for lash wire application and tension control. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cable lashing devices are an essential tool in the telecommunications and utility industries for securing cable bundles to support wires or structures. These devices play a pivotal role in the installation and maintenance of aerial cable systems, ensuring the longevity and reliability of communication and power networks. However, challenges persist in the field of cable lashing. Cable lashing is a labor-intensive manual process, prone to inconsistencies and potential safety hazards. For example, cable lashing often includes issues with maintaining consistent tension across varying cable bundle diameters, adapting to different lashing speeds, and ensuring durability in diverse environmental conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an example implementation, a cable bundle lasher is provided. The cable bundle lasher comprises a body configured to be positioned on one or more cables; a lash wire magazine coupled to the body and configured to hold a spool of lash wire for wrapping around the one or more cables, the magazine comprising a first reel guide to guide lash wire exiting the spool; an automated lash wire tension adjuster coupled to the body and configured to receive the lash wire from the magazine. The automated lash wire tension adjuster comprising a tension sensor responsive to lash wire tension during operation of the lasher; and a local tension adjuster configured to receive a signal indicative of lash wire tension and to adjust lash wire tension in response to the signal. An aspect combinable with the example implementation further includes a tension support structure coupled to the body, the tension support structure comprising: an upper plate; a base plate; and an outer bracket coupling the upper plate to the base plate. Another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects further includes a reel shaft coupled to the outer bracket, the reel shaft comprising a second reel guide to guide the lash wire. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the local tension adjuster is a motor or an electric actuator. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the first reel guide operates about a vertical axis. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the second reel guide comprising one or more tension drag wheels, wherein the second reel guide operates about a horizontal axis. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the sensor comprising a strain gauge. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the sensor is a three-roller tension sensor. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, the tension measurement is based on a strain gauge of the lashing wire. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, further including a computing device coupled to the body, wherein the computing device is configured to monitor measurements from the tension sensor and operate the local tension adjuster to maintain tension of the lash wire. In another example implementation, a method of lashing a cable bundle, is provided. The method comprising positioning one or more cables within a cavity of a cable bundle lasher; dispensing lashing wire from a magazine housing coupled to the cable bundle lasher; sensing tension of the lashing wire during a lashing operation; generating a signal indicative of the sensed lashing wire tension; adjusting the tension of the lashing wire based on the generated signal; and controlling the adjustment of the lashing wire tension using a computing device coupled to the cable bundle lasher. In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, sensing tension of the lashing wire comprises using a strain gauge or load cell. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, adjusting the tension of the lashing wire comprises operating an electric actuator. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, further includes managing the one or more cables prior to positioning them within the cavity using a robotic arm assembly coupled to the cable bundle lasher. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, further includes maneuvering the cable bundle lasher along the one or more cables using the robotic arm assembly coupled to the cable bundle lasher. In another aspect combinable with one, some, or all of the previous aspects, further includes applying pressure to the one or more cables with the robotic arm assembly to move the cable bundle lasher. In another example implementation, cable bundle lasher is provided comprising a body defining a cavity configured to receive one or more