US 12,447,523 B2
Wire twisting device
Jesse Weiss, Wichita, KS (US); and Ryan Lynch, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to Textron Aviation Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Textron Aviation Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Feb. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/170,771.
Prior Publication US 2024/0278310 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B21F 7/00 (2006.01); B21F 15/04 (2006.01)
CPC B21F 7/00 (2013.01) [B21F 15/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wire twisting device, comprising:
a driven rotating mechanism having a groove, wherein the groove comprises a first side and a second side configured to receive a first wire and a second wire, respectively;
an electric motor associated with an encoder, wherein the encoder is configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to changes in rotation of the electric motor;
a drive gear mechanically coupled with the electric motor for rotating the driven rotating mechanism, wherein the driven rotating mechanism is configured to twist the first wire and the second wire about one another;
a current sensor on a printed circuit board configured to detect an electrical current to the electric motor and generate a voltage that corresponds to the amount of electrical current; and
a control unit configured to perform steps comprising:
receiving the electrical signal generated by the encoder;
receiving the voltage generated by the current sensor;
determining an amount of torque applied to the first wire and the second wire; and
when the amount of torque exceeds a predetermined limit, communicating a control signal to reduce the electrical current provided to the electric motor.