Abstract: Yarn is guided along a linear path through a light beam which is directed toward a photoelectric detector. Non-uniformities in the surface texture of the yarn cause the intensity of the light received by the detector to fluctuate rapidly as long as the yarn is moving. If the yarn stops moving as a result of breakage, the intensity of the light remains constant, and the detector produces an electrical signal indicative of the breakage.

Abstract: A textile machine in the form of a warper for drawing multiple strands from a creel and for winding the strands on a rotatable beam which forms part of the warper. Located between the creel and the beam is a strand guide and tension isolator comprising a motor-driven delivery roller and two nip rollers. Load cells are associated with one of the nip rollers and produce signals which vary substantially linearly as a function of changes in the tension of the strands between the final nip roller and the beam. The load cell signals are used to control the drive motor for the delivery roller so as to cause the motor to reduce the torque applied to the delivery roller when the tension increases and to increase the torque applied to the delivery roller when the tension decreases.

Abstract: A warper for drawing textile strands from a creel and for winding the strands on a rotatable beam which forms part of the warper. During winding, the strands are pressed against the beam by a pair of parallel ironing rollers. Each ironing roller has a long section ruggedly supported at both ends by bearings and a short section having one end supported by one of the bearings and an unsupported opposite end. The ironing rollers may be adjusted axially to accommodate beams of different lengths. The ironing rollers axially overlap one another in all adjusted positions so as to insure that all threads on each beam are pressed by at least one roller.

Abstract: A creeling tail is formed on the large end of a conical package core by tilting the core so that only an end portion at the large end of the core is in contact with a rotating frictional drive and then winding the strand in a narrow band proximate the large end of the core. A package support apparatus is provided to support the conical package core for rotation about its axis and employs means to selectively tilt the core so that only the large end portion of the core is in contact with the frictional drive roll during formation of a creeling tail.

Abstract: A tension compensator for use on a package winder has two spaced pins projecting from a rotatable member about an axis, the pins extending generally in the direction of the axis. The member is biased to rotate in a predetermined direction toward a stop so that a strand passed between and over said pins in a zig-zag fashion moves the pins against the bias to straighten the strand under higher tension and permit the bias to move the pins to store the strand under lower tension. The compensator has a strand guide for guiding the strand preparatory to loading in a path forwardly displaced from the pins. An actuator is provided to rotate said member to a loading position and to thereafter release the strand from the strand guide so that it drops between the pins whereby the strand is loaded between and over said pins in zig-zag fashion.

Abstract: Friction devices are provided for a conical package core in positions near the large end of the core and intermediate the ends of the core. A creeling tail is wound on the large end of the core while the drive near that end is effective to rotate the core. When the strand being wound is transferred to a traversing strand guide, the strand is moved to and fro along the rotating core to produce a helical winding of the strand over the core between the small end and the creeling tail. The strand coming between the core and the intermediate drive lifts the core out of engagement with the drive at the large end.

Abstract: A tension compensator for use on a package winder has two spaced pins projecting from a rotatable member, the pins being parallel to the axis. The member is biased to rotate in a predetermined direction to a stop, so that a strand passed between and over said pins in zig-zag fashion moves the pins against the bias to straighten the strand under higher tension and permits the bias to move the pins to store the strand under lower tension. The compensator is made self-threading by providing a ramp to deflect the strand over the end of one pin when traversing past the pin in one direction, and a strand-guide to deflect the strand over the extremities of both pins and the ramp on the initial traversal of the strand in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics and which has a plurality of heddles arranged in weftwise rows for guiding warp strands, an arrangement for shifting warp strands weftwise during weaving, and a creel for supplying warp strands and for rotating in timed relation with the weftwise shifting of the warp strands. In accordance with the present invention, structure is provided for guiding warp strands passing from the creel to the heddles along substantially constant length paths and takes the particular form of a generally circular upper guide having a diameter less than the weftwise length of the rows of heddles and a lower guide arrangement substantially in weftwise alignment with the rows of heddles and yarn separators for the warp strands which move in timed relation with weftwise shifting of the warp strands and rotation of the creel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing trash from an air stream in the vacuum system of an open end spinning machine without interrupting operation of the machine. A filter removes the trash from the air stream and a traveling scraper removes the trash from the filter into a collection compartment.

Abstract: An open end spinning machine employs a tubular member serving as an air duct and upon which the spinning and winding components are mounted.

Abstract: An open end spinning machine is assembled from intermediate modular sections connected together in end-to-end alignment between end sections. The construction of the modular sections used in the machine is disclosed.