Abstract: A yarn entanglement strength tester includes first and second rolls that apply incrementally increasing elongation levels on a yarn in order to remove entanglements from the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester also includes a third roll, where the second and third rolls apply a constant tension on the yarn which enables optimum diameter measurements of the yarn by a camera. The camera captures images of diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn. The yarn entanglement strength tester further includes a computing device that controls operation of the camera and the first, second, and third rolls, and determines an entanglement strength of the yarn based on the captured images of the diameters of the yarn after each of the incrementally increasing elongation levels is applied to the yarn.

Abstract: A system or method for electronically simulating fabrics to assist in grading yarn and fabric qualities, in which the diameter or other qualities of one or more yarn samples along the total length of the samples is measured, and representations of the measured yarn qualities are evaluated in a fabric pattern to assist evaluation of the effects of the yarn quality variations on fabric which potentially would be produced from the sampled yarn.

Abstract: A method for electronically evaluating yarn or fabric samples by delineating a given sample into one or more cells and comparing the cells to each other or to one or more reference cells.

Abstract: A system or method for electronically simulating fabrics to assist in grading yarn and fabric qualities, in which the diameter or other qualities of one or more yarn samples along the total length of the samples is measured, and representations of the measured yarn qualities are evaluated in a fabric pattern to assist evaluation of the effects of the yarn quality variations on fabric which potentially would be produced from the sampled yarn.

Abstract: A computer-controlled device for determining relative yarn hairiness. Yarn is moved past a light source to create a yarn shadow, and an imaging device captures the yarn shadow. The imaging device includes a number of separate, closely-spaced light sensing elements, each with an output level related to the amount of light shining on the element. A selected sensing element output level is established as indicative that an element is blocked by the yarn. The width of a number of closely-spaced portions of the yarn is determined, at two different selected sensing elements output levels, to distinguish the yarn hairs from the yarn core.

Abstract: A system for moving yarn under substantially constant tension, including a translationally-fixed pivoting device, having a neutral position, for applying tension to the yarn, and a variable-speed yarn drive for moving the yarn across the pivoting device. The rotational position of the pivoting device is determined in relation to its neutral position, and in response, the speed of the yarn drive is altered to move the pivoting device closer to its neutral position for maintaining a relatively constant tension on the yarn.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining the number of filaments making up a synthetic yarn, or other yarn such as staple natural fibers comprising removing a small cross-section of the yarn to create a plurality of small filament pieces, and automatically counting the small filament pieces to determine the number of filaments in the yarn.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of contaminants in cotton fibers, including the steps of heating the cotton fibers, and analyzing infrared emanations from the heated cotton to determine areas within the cotton with non-cotton infrared signatures as indicative of contaminants in the cotton.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically comparing yarn lengths to assist in grading yarn qualities, in which the yarn diameter or another yarn quality at a number of locations along the total length of the yarn is measured, and representations of the measured qualities are displayed to allow comparison of portions of the yarn.

Abstract: A system for electronically comparing yarn lengths to assist in grading yarn appearance quality in which the yarn diameter at a number of locations along the total length of the yarn is determined, and representations of the diameters of the yarn are displayed to allow comparison of portions of the yarn.

Abstract: A system and method for testing yarn altering devices in which the yarn is moved under precision yarn controls such as speed and tension, and then through the yarn altering device. Downstream of the yarn altering device the yarn is imaged, and from the image the widths of closely-spaced portions of the yarn are determined to establish the effect on the yarn of the yarn altering device.

Abstract: A yarn profile analyzer and method in which the yarn is moved under substantially constant tension through an imaging area including a light source and a spaced light sensing array. The width of closely spaced portions of the yarn passing through the imaging area is then determined from the array output, and the widths are stored and then analyzed for a variety of parameters.

Abstract: A yarn tension control for a yarn testing machine includes: a support; a carriage moveable relative to the support; and a tension arm pivotably mounted to the carriage for engaging the yarn. The tension arm is set in a neutral position to apply a predetermined tension to the yarn. Rotation of the arm indicates an incremental change in the yarn tension. Upon such a change in tension the carriage is moved from an initial position to a compensating position to re-establish the predetermined tension. The drive elements then vary the speed of the yarn to produce an offsetting incremental change in the yarn feed rate to restore the tension arm to its neutral position.

Abstract: A damping mechanism for a rotating-head tensiometer, of the kind with a handle and a measuring head rotatably attached thereto, having an escapement pivoted about its own center of mass, and engaged with a toothed surface, such that, as the measuring head rotates, the escapement oscillates and the desired damping of the measuring head is provided by the inertial resistance of the escapement to oscillation.

Abstract: A skate sharpener having a grinding wheel supported over the skate by a combined parallelogram and Watts linkage which guides the grinding element substantially parallel with the sharpened surface of the skate blade while keeping the grinding pressure constant; in preferred embodiments a tension spring forms one vertical link of the parallelogram linkage and a hydraulic cylinder, connected between the parallelogram linkage and the sharpener base, provides a smooth sharpening speed.

Abstract: A knitting machine is provided having one or more needles for knitting from one or more strands a variety of cord-like structures formed of one or more wales of knitted stitches. The machine is particularly useful for the manufacture of knitted yarns, either from strands of continuous or spun filaments or from a roving or sliver of staple fibers.