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Abstract

A rewinder method and apparatus. The payout assembly of a rewinder machine comprises a spool having optical fiber wrapped about it, a motor that turns the spool as fiber is unwound from the spool, a first sheave having a surface along which the unwound fiber passes, a load cell in direct contact with the first sheave, and a motion mechanism for producing relative motion between the spool and the first sheave. The load cell senses stress exerted on the first sheave by the fiber as the fiber passes along a surface of the. The load cell produces electrical signals relating to the fleeting angle between the first sheave and the position on the spool from which fiber is being unwound. A controller receives the electrical signals and generates control signals that cause the motion mechanism to produce relative motion between the spool and the first sheave in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool to reduce the fleeting angle.

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First Claim