FORM2THE PATENTS ACT, 1970(39 of 1970)&The Patents Rules, 2003COMPLETE SPECIFICATION(See section 10; rule 13)
Title of the invention - IMPROVEMENT IN CRIMPING ARC CHUTE ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR
2. Applicant(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian Company(c) ADDRESS : L&T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,State of Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed: to be

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in crimping process for Arc chute assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for simplifying and improving the process of crimping for arc chute assemblies.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Crimping is one of the processes used for assembling two or more part together. One part consists of projections & the other has corresponding holes in it. The projections on former are inserted into the holes of later. Then these projections are deformed/flared such that it becomes bigger than the hole. Hence, it cannot come out of the hole.
Crimping is done on Hydraulic Press by means of a crimping tool. First, one of the arc-chutes is placed on a guide plate. Then de-ion plates are placed in vertical position in particular slots provided on the arc chute. Other arc chute is placed on these plates and the whole assembly is crimped together.
Throughout the crimping, it is necessary to maintain the de-ion plates in vertical position with a fixed distance between them. Generally, a fix comb is used for this purpose. This comb is located on the rear side of the crimping tool and is fixed to either guide block or bottom stripper. One arc chute plate is placed at bottom, and then the de-ion plates are placed on it in the respective slots. A fixed comb obtains accurate location for placement and spacing between the two-de-ion plates. Once all the de-ion
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plates are placed at fixed location, other arc chute is placed on them. Then the whole assembly is locked from the front by a manually operated moving comb. The whole assembly is located in between two crimping punches. Then press is actuated to apply load. Specially made crimping punches are used for crimping. These Punches have tiny triangular projections, which deform the projections of de-ion plates and flare it outwards so that the de-ion plates and arc chutes get locked against each other. Heavy load is reguired to crimp the plates. There is a slight clearance provided on the comb for placement of de-ion plates. Due to heavy loads these de-ion plates get bent and jam in the fixed and moving combs. Hence, the removal of assembly is very difficult and tedious task. It requires a lot of effort to remove the assembly from the comb. This is time consuming.
When one of the de-ion plates has angular projection protruding out of other plates it is not possible to support all de-ion plates thoroughly. There remain some unsupported plates, which get more bow. This affects the functionality of the component.
Thus there is a need to provide for a device and method thereof for simplifying and improving the process of crimping arc chute assemblies in a cost effective manner.
The present inventors have found that simplification of crimping process for arc chute assembly providing easy removal of the said assembly after being crimped can be achieved by way of an improved device comprising suitable operative integration of device components and profile of
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some selected components which work in co-operation with each other.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
Thus one object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks /disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and convenient device for the crimping of arc chute assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an actuable moving comb.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide location and crimping of de-ion plates having angular projection in an arc chute assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide custom designed blades on the comb for locating the de-ion plates.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved device adapted for crimping process for Arc Chute assembly, said device comprising:
plurality of comb means comprising rear comb and front comb movably located on a guide plate at rear and front side of the device
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wherein said rear comb comprises plurality of equally spaced projections so as to guide in a manner to perform substantially angular movement and locate de-ion plates to be crimped, hole on the rear end to provide a swiveling movement to said comb, plural projections on bottom side of the comb;
plural collar means on sides of said comb to get guided in the guide path of the guide plate having plural grooves so as to allow entry of projections on moving comb; said guide plate having guiding slots in it;
actuating means operatively connected to said rear comb and being placed on base means adapted to swivel said actuating means dependent on comb movement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The crimping apparatus for an arc chute assembly comprises of an actuable moving comb, actuating means and guide ways. A guide plate is provided with guiding slots in it, which guide the rear comb. The moving comb has a collar on both sides, which will be guided in the path, made in the guide plate. Two round projections on the bottom side of the moving comb enter in to the groove made in the guide plate. The cover plate restricts upward movement of the moving comb from the rear. The movement to the moving comb is provided by said actuating means hinged on rear side. While traveling, the path machined in the guide plate gives the guidance to the moving comb and the groove gives the accurate location for travel.
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The actuating means is hinged on the rear side to allow the cylinder to swivel as per comb movement. For swiveling of the cylinder of said actuating means, a swivel base and
support block is used. The cylinder is attached to the moving comb by using a swing bolt and the self-aligning coupler. Swing bolt is fixed to the moving comb by means of a pivot pin. Swing bolt helps to transfer the force applied by cylinder to the comb. Self-aligning coupler takes care of eccentricity of the cylinder axis and the swing bolt axis, which avoids stresses.
The specially designed comb has teeth on the front side, which guides and supports the vertical de-ion plates. Collar is provided on two sides of the comb to guide said comb while traveling." Two integral round projections are provided with help of two round pins which are guided inside the groove machined on the guide plate and help to keep the comb always in position. On the rear side of the comb a slot is provided for fixing the swing bolt in it. The slot is sufficiently bigger to swivel the swing bolt in it. The guide plate has two accurately machined grooves and ravel path. The guide plate is fixed to the bottom stripper by socket head screws and dowels. Cover plates are screwed on the top surface of the guide plate, which
restrict the upward movement of comb.
On the front side of the comb fourteen equally spaced projections are provided to guide and locate the de-ion plates. On the rear side a rectangular hole is provided, eye-bolt fits in this hole and provides the swiveling movement to the comb. On the bottom side of the comb two rectangular projections get guided in the guide ways.
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Collar is provided on the left and right side of the comb, the same gets guided in the guide path.
The comb is guided in the guide plate and is free to move in straight and then angular direction by means of actuating cylinder, self-aligning coupler and the eyebolt. The forward movement of the comb is achieved with the help of said actuating cylinder. The de-ion plates have to be adjusted and aligned in respective slots provided on the comb along with bottom arc chute and top arc chute. In the beginning, the comb moves in a straight line in a accurately machined guide path. When it strikes the angular path of guide plate, it changes its direction of movement.
The guide plate fits on bottom stripper, and guides the moving comb from rear side. The comb is driven with help of actuating cylinder hinged on hinge block by means of hinge pin and mounting block. Hinge block is also fixed to bottom stripper. The actuating cylinder is connected to the comb with self-aligning coupler and the eyebolt. Stripper is supported and guided on slide, which moves to and fro. Crimping punches are fixed in the slide and are guided in bottom stripper in the bottom side. On the topside punches are fixed to the top plate and guided in the top stripper. Spring-loaded top stripper is properly supported and guided in the top plate. Moving comb from front is used to guide and support the maximum de-ion plates from front side and is locked against de-ion plates by knob. Nest plate is used to locate the bottom arc chute. A handle is used to pull and push the slide.
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After placing the arc chute on the bottom stripper, the
actuating cylinder operates and transfers the force to the
comb. The comb first moves at an angle and enters into the
angular de-ion plate. Then it starts traveling straight due
to the guide plate shape. The orientation of the comb remains the same position throughout its travel. The forward motion is controlled by attachments and the projection provided on the guide plate. After crimping, the actuating cylinder operates and pulls the comb straight in reverse direction and gets released from the component. And without touching the angular de-ion plates its reverse angular travel starts immediately and comes to the original position. After that component is easily removed from the tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figures la, lb and lc illustrate the schematic views of arc chute assembly.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrate the schematic views of guide block, used to guide the comb.
Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e illustrate the schematic views of the comb used to locate the plates.
Figure 4 illustrates the schematic view of the device of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the schematic view of the comb engaged with the component.
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Figure 6 illustrates the schematic view of the straight movement of the comb in reverse direction.
Figure 7 illustrates the schematic view of the angular movement of the comb in reverse direction.
Figure 8 illustrates the schematic view of the various elements of crimping tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figures la, lb and lc illustrate an arc chute assembly comprising of de-ion plates (3), angular de-ion plate (5) (shown in figure lc) , bottom arc chute (3A) and top arc chute (3B) (shown in figure la).
Figures 2a and 2b illustrates said guide block (2) (shown in figure 2a) with the accurately machined guide path (2A) and guide ways (2B) (shown in figure 2b).
Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e illustrate the detailed profile of the comb (1) (shown in figures 3b, 3c and 3d) used in tool to guide and support the de-ion plates (3) (shown in figure 3a) . Said comb (1) comprises of 14 equally spaced projections to guide and locate said de-ion plates (3). On the rear side a rectangular hole is provided. Said eye-bolt (19) (shown in figure 3b) fits in this hole and provides the swiveling movement to the comb (1). Two rectangular projections (20) (shown in figure 3a) at bottom side of the comb (1) get guided in the guide ways (2B) (as shown in figure 2b) . A collar is provided on the left and right side of the comb, the same gets guided in the guide path (2A)
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Figure 4 illustrates movement of the comb (1) in both the directions, comb (1) is guided in said guide plate (2) and is free to move in straight and angular directions by means of actuating cylinder (4), self-aligning coupler (13) and eyebolt (19) .
Figure 5 illustrates forward movement of said comb (1) to forward position with the help of actuating cylinder (4).
Figure 6 illustrates backward movement of said comb (1), after crimping operation.
Figure 7 illustrates angular movement of the comb (1) in reverse direction.
Figure 8 illustrates a schematic view of the crimping die and its various elements. Guide plate (2) fits on bottom stripper (6), and guides the moving comb (1) from rear side. Comb (1) is hinged to said actuating cylinder (4) on hinge block (12) by means of hinge pin (16) and mounting block (17). Hinge block is fixed to bottom stripper (6). Actuating cylinder is connected to the comb (1) with self-aligning coupler (13) and said eyebolt (19). Stripper (6) is supported and guided on slide (9). Crimping punches (10) are fixed in the slide (9). Spring-loaded top stripper is supported and guided in top plate. Moving comb from front (7) is locked against de-ion plates by knob (8) . Nest plate (14) is used to locate the bottom arc chute. Handle (15) is used to pull and push the slide.
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The invention has been described in a preferred form only and many variations may be made in the invention, which will still be comprised within its spirit. The invention is not limited to the details cited above. The parts/components herein described may be replaced by its technical equivalence and yet the invention can be performed. The structure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit.
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WE CLAIM
1. An improved device adapted for crimping process for Arc Chute assembly, said device comprising:
plurality of comb means comprising rear comb and front comb movably located on a guide plate at rear and front side of the device
wherein said rear comb comprises plurality of equally spaced projections so as to guide in a manner to perform substantially angular movement and locate de-ion plates to be crimped;
hole on the rear end to provide a swiveling movement to said comb;
plural projections on bottom side of the comb
plural collar means on sides of said comb to get
guided in the guide path of the guide plate having
plural grooves so as to allow entry of projections on
moving comb
said guide plate having guiding slots in it;
actuating means operatively connected to said rear comb and being placed on base means adapted to swivel said actuating means dependent on comb movement.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear comb comprises two projections being rectangularly profiled
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comprising two round pins guided inside the grooves machined on the guide plate so as to keep the comb always in position.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said the guiding plate comprises grooves adapted for travel/pulling of the comb to/from accurate locations.
4. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
5. Device as claimed in claims 1 to 4 further comprising swing bolt fixed to the moving comb adopting attaching means thereby transferring force applied on comb by the cylinder.
6. Device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising self-aligning coupler adapted to align eccentricity of the cylinder axis and swing bolt axis thereby avoiding stresses.
7. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving comb comprises plurality of teeth on front side so as to guide and support the vertical de-ion plates.
8. Device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising cover plates being operatively located on the guide plate in a manner to restrict upward movement of comb.
9. Device as claimed in any preceding claims further comprising crimping punches guided in bottom stripper fixed to the guiding plate in the bottom side.
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An improved device adapted for crimping process for Arc Chute assembly as herein substantially described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

Dated this the 7th day of February 2007

Abhishek Sen
Of S. Majumdar Co. Applicant's Agent

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ABSTRACT
TITLE : IMPROVEMENT IN CRIMPING PROCESS FOR ARC CHUTE ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to an improved device for crimping process for Arc Chute assembly. The device comprises plurality of comb means (1) comprising rear comb and front comb. The combs are movable on a guide plate (2) at rear and front side of the device. The rear comb comprises plurality of equally spaced projections to perform substantially angular movement and locate de-ion plates (5) to be crimped. Hole on the rear end of the rear comb provides a swiveling movement to said comb. Plural collar means are guided in the guide path of the guide plate having plural grooves allowing entry of projections on moving comb. Actuating means (4) are operatively connected to the rear comb.