Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a system that includes a pipe drum, which has a drum shaft and a drum body that enables a pipe segment to be spooled on the pipe drum, and pipe deployment equipment. The pipe deployment equipment includes a brake disc, which has a shaft socket that is keyed to matingly interlock with the drum shaft to facilitate tying rotation of the pipe drum with rotation of the brake disc, and a spooling assembly that includes a motor shaft, in which the spooling assembly ties rotation of the motor shaft with the rotation of the brake disc to enable the pipe deployment equipment to actively rotate the brake disc in a first direction to facilitate spooling the pipe segment off of the pipe drum, to actively rotate the brake disc in a second direction to facilitate spooling the pipe segment onto the pipe drum, or both.

Abstract: A feeding roller for a document conveying apparatus includes a plurality of groove portions arranged with a regular interval in a width direction of the feeding roller on a surface of the feeding roller, and a projection portion provided between each pair of adjacent groove portions to scrape off paper particles on the external peripheral. The projection portion has a regular pattern extending in the width direction of the feeding roller.

Abstract: A turf reinforcement fabric and a method for producing such a fabric by weaving a plurality of filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a three-dimensional structure formed to have a loft thickness without requiring the application of heat to heat shrink the fibers, and/or formed with one or more fibers of increased thickness at peaks and valleys of the woven structure, and/or incorporating flame retardant and/or UV stabilizing fiber additives.

Abstract: A turf reinforcement fabric and a method for producing such a fabric by weaving a plurality of filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a three-dimensional structure formed to have a loft thickness without the application of heat to heat shrink the fibers, and/or formed with one or more fibers of increased thickness at peaks and valleys of the woven structure, and/or incorporating flame retardant and/or UV stabilizing fiber additives.

Abstract: Loom configurations and methods for efficiently manufacturing unique spiral-shaped fabrics. The loom introducing two weft yarn segments in the form of a continuous loop in each shed may be configured with one or two weft needles and is equipped with a knitting system to form a knitted selvedge along the outside circumference of the fabric. The knitted edge is used as reference to form weft yarn loops of different lengths. The opposite weft yarn loops are permanently secured around selected warp yarns. Alternatively intermediate length weft yarn loops may be created where the extremity of the loop is not bound to any warp yarn. Fiber architectures may be designed and woven which exhibit uniform fiber volume across the width of the fabric. Fiber architectures with greater fiber volume along the outside circumference of the fabric may also be prepared.

Abstract: A turf reinforcement fabric and a method for producing such a fabric by weaving a plurality of filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a three-dimensional structure formed to have a loft thickness without the application of heat to heat shrink the fibers.

Abstract: A weaving machine for weaving a three-dimensional distance woven fabric including two outer fabrics and inter-yarns connected with the outer fabrics is provided. The weaving machine includes a warp let-off mechanism, heald frames, a picking mechanism, a beating-up mechanism, a yarn raising mechanism, and a take-up mechanism. The warp let-off mechanism includes at least two warp beams for providing and transferring warps. A plurality of vertically arranged heald wires are supported by each of the heald frames, wherein each of the heald wires has a heald eye for the warps passing through. The warps are driven and divided into two warp layers by the heald frames such that a shed is formed between the two warp layers. The picking mechanism transfers wefts to pass through the shed. The yarn raising mechanism is suitable for passing through the shed and raising parts of the warps functioning as the inter-yarns.

Abstract: A clamping device (18) for temporarily clamping the fabric (2) in place is provided on the weaving machine (1), and interacts with a ventilating device (23) that effects the temporary elimination of the clamping action. The operation of the ventilating device (23) is controlled by the movement of the beat-up device (11) via a mechanical connection that exists between the beat-up device (11) and the clamping device (18), and is effected by a mechanical transmission (28)—to be understood in the broadest terms—via which the clamping force can be eliminated or also generated in some embodiments. Due to the controlled release of the fabric at times or during phases of operation of the weaving machine (1) that can be adjusted and selected, a simple adaptation of the operation of the weaving machine (1) to different types of fabric can be achieved. An operation with less longitudinal pull of the fabric is possible.

Abstract: A clamping device (18) for temporarily clamping the fabric (2) in place is provided on the weaving machine (1), and interacts with a ventilating device (23) that effects the temporary elimination of the clamping action. The operation of the ventilating device (23) is controlled by the movement of the beat-up device (11) via a mechanical connection that exists between the beat-up device (11) and the clamping device (18), and is effected by a mechanical transmission (28)—to be understood in the broadest terms—via which the clamping force can be eliminated or also generated in some embodiments. Due to the controlled release of the fabric at times or during phases of operation of the weaving machine (1) that can be adjusted and selected, a simple adaptation of the operation of the weaving machine (1) to different types of fabric can be achieved. An operation with less longitudinal pull of the fabric is possible.

Abstract: A cloth draw-off apparatus (10) for taking up a cloth (8) in a weaving machine is presented which includes two driven draw-in rollers (3, 5) around which the cloth is led, and optionally or as the case may be, a respective pressing roller (4, 6) to press the cloth against each of the two draw-in rollers.

Abstract: A weaving machine includes two temples whose axis is parallel to the weft threads and which are located at the lateral edges of the cloth, a cylindrical cloth-deflecting bar on which the cloth presses around an arc of contact before winding around a haul-off roll on which one or more backup rolls press. The clothdeflecting bar has a central cylindrical portion which connects coaxially on either side with two terminal portions next to the areas where the temples are installed, the terminal portions having a cross section which varies in shape proceeding from their ends adjacent to the central portion towards the free ends, causing a variation in the tension transmitted to the corresponding areas of the cloth by the hauloff roll, such that it varies from a minimum value at the ends of the terminal portions adjacent to the central portion to a maximum value at their free ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to a draw-off device comprising elastic belts (1, 2) for producing curved woven composites on narrow fabric looms. The draw-off device consists of two respective circulatory endless belts (1, 2), each of which is guided around a driving roller (3, 4) and a deflecting roller (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). In addition to the driving rollers (3, 4), the edge regions of the belts (1, 2) also have extension drive mechanisms (11, 12, 13, 14) that only engage with the outer edges of said belts (1, 2). The belts (1, 2) preferably have a cross-denticulation which is located on the edges of the sides facing the driving rollers (3, 4), or which is continuous. The side of the belts facing away from the driving rollers is preferably structured. The radius of curvature of the woven composites can be adjusted by modifying the rotational speed differential between the extension drive mechanisms (11, 12, 13, 14) and the driving rollers (3, 4).

Abstract: The cloth take-up apparatus comprises a driven cloth take-up roller, two deflection elements which are rotatably supported, with the clearance between the deflection elements being less than the diameter of the cloth take-up roller, and a pressing device having a pressing part extending substantially over the length of the cloth take-up roller. The pressing device has at least one positioning device with a toggle lever mechanism and a fixed abutment in order to displace the cloth take-up roller out of a rest position into a working position and to fix it in the latter. With the blocking, the maintenance of the pressing pressure in the operating position is ensured.

Abstract: A weaving loom is equipped with a trolley or several trolleys, each of which carries a cloth winding mandrel. A single drive which is either separate from the main loom drive or which derives its power from the main loom drive is provided to drive one or more fabric winding mandrels in series. The trolley with its mandrel or a plurality of trolleys take up the space conventionally taken up by a cloth beam, whereby substantial floor space on the factory floor is saved.

Abstract: A warp beamer having a frame supported on the floor and a horizontal warp beam rotatable on the frame has a step assembly provided with a step displaceable between a lower position supported directly on the floor and an upper position spaced well above the floor and of the warp beam. A motor connected between the step and the frame displaces the step between its positions. The step rides on a vertical guide on the frame and a lever assembly pivots the step between a horizontal position in the lower position and a generally vertical position in the upper position.

Abstract: A series-shed weaving machine which has a machine frame. A warp beam and a weaving rotor are mounted on the frame and a reference plane extends between the axes of the warp beam and the rotor. A warp module is defined by a first subassembly, which includes an arrangement for warp run components of the machine, and a second subassembly, which includes an arrangement for cloth run components of the machine. It is mountable on the frame in first and second orientations in which one of the arrangements is on one side of the reference plane and the other one of the arrangements is on the other side of the reference plane and vice versa, respectively. Depending on whether the arrangement for the warp run is above or below the reference plane, the warp beam rotates in the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction, respectively.

Abstract: A cloth roll driving apparatus is provided adjacent to the main shaft of a weaving machine. The apparatus comprises a drive source driven in synchronism with the main shaft of the weaving machine, a slave shaft coupled to a cloth roll and a one-way clutch. Further, there are provided a first power transmission mechanism which transmits, through the one-way clutch, the rotation of the drive shaft to the slave shaft as a torque in the cloth take-up direction and at a velocity corresponding to the weaving velocity of the cloth, and a clutch mechanism which is coupled to the slave shaft while the cloth is wound around the cloth roll when the cloth roll is empty. Moreover, there is also provided a second power transmission mechanism which transmits, through the clutch mechanism, the rotation of the drive shaft to the slave shaft as a torque in the same direction as the torque transmitted by the first power transmission mechanism and at a velocity higher than the latter torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing waste selvages (11) formed when weaving fabric on a loom includes a pair of selvage removal rollers (19, 23) fitted with friction coverings and driven against one another to form a gripping nip for engaging and drawing the waste selvage away from the woven fabric, whereby the waste selvage is first fed to the peripheral surface of the first one of the pair of removal rollers (19) over a wrapping angle larger than 150.degree. and preferably larger than 180.degree., before reaching the clamping nip between the rollers (19,23). Alternate embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A series-shed weaving machine which has a machine frame. A warp beam and a weaving rotor are mounted on the frame and a reference plane extends between the axes of the warp beam and the rotor. A warp module is defined by a first subassembly, which includes an arrangement for warp run components of the machine, and a second subassembly, which includes an arrangement for cloth run components of the machine. It is mountable on the frame in first and second orientations in which one of the arrangements is on one side of the reference plane and the other one of the arrangements is on the other side of the reference plane and vice versa, respectively. Thus, the warp module can be installed on the weaving machine irrespective of how the warp beam and the cloth beam are arranged by laterally reversing the orientation of the warp module.

Abstract: A unitary light box for inspecting cloth manufactured on a loom (10) is provided with first and second viewing areas (B) and (C), respectively, wherein cloth (F) having a vertical run is guided over an intermediate curved surface (D) for inspection providing several angles of sight to the operator from the same vantage point so as to locate defects not ordinarily visible during conventional head on observation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting and guiding a web utilizes a curved outer convex cloth guiding surface (A) on arcuate sections such as extrusions provided respectively at the top and bottom of the viewing area for guiding cloth and for forming a housing for the light box wherein an inner housing surface (B) is provided opposite the cloth guiding surface (A) on each extrusion. Depending receiving members (C) are provided at each respective end of the arcuate extrusions for serving as a receptacle for guiding and positioning a plexiglass viewing member and back sheet metal wall for forming a light box. A force applying member (D) is provided for controlling sag or bow in an extrusion. Apparatus and method is illustrated including diverging grooves for spreading the web as it passes over the upper section, and circuitry is provided conserving energy by limiting the time the circuitry is energized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for weaving woven articles in a plurality of widths includes the steps of providing a weaving machine having at least one weaving head and harnesses controllably guiding a multiplicity of warp strands between first and second path planes that converge at the weaving head, a reed member reciprocally moving between the harnesses and the weaving head for packing a weft strand into the woven articles, the reed member having a multiplicity of slots for receiving and guiding the warp threads in planes intersecting the first and second path planes, the slots being closely spaced and defining a maximum weaving width W.sub.M of the weaving head, the woven articles being serially collected from the weaving head; separating the warp strands from the reed member into a first group and a second group, the first group including sufficient warp strands for forming the woven articles at a predetermined weaving width W.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the drive of an off loom take-up which winds cloth upon a cloth roll is disclosed. The off loom take up comprises a pair of spaced, driven take-up rollers upon which the cloth roll is supported and rotated. As cloth coming from the loom is directed to the cloth roll being wound, it passes underneath a pivotal directional roll which is supported on spaced pivotal arms. A motor controller controls an electric motor which drives the driven take-up rollers at a preset speed which allows the cloth to travel at the directional roll at a slightly slower speed than the speed at which the cloth travels leaving the take-off rolls of the loom. This establishes a predetermined downward "creep" in the movement of the pivotal directional roll. The downward movement of the directional roll is sensed by a detector.

Abstract: A device for automatically varying, during the transient states following loom stoppages, the shed vertex position in the loom. The device consists of a sensor for determining the beat-up pulse intensity of the loom reed. The device also is connected to a comparator which receives a predetermined set value corresponding to the beat-up pulse intensity of the reed during normal operation. The output of the comparator is used, through a control unit, to synchronously drive the electric motors that operate the beam and the take-up roller of the loom, respectively.

Abstract: A woven fabric structure impregnated with a hardened resin has first and second warp fabric sections, the second section comprising a plurality of pleats integrally joined to the first section by warp threads of the second section and interwoven with the weft threads of the first section. The fabric is of an industrial yarn such as aramide fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber or a blend of such fibers.

Abstract: A transporter is constructed to exchange an empty cloth beam for a full cloth beam of a weaving machine; the cloth being wound into the empty beam while the empty beams remains in the transporter. The transporter has a pair of gripper arm which are automatically acutated in order to transfer a full cloth beam from the weaving machine into the transporter. The gripper arms thereafter move a wind-on beam within the transporter into a position to effect a transfer of the cloth to a fresh cloth beam in the transporter. The gripper arms then move the fresh cloth beam into the weaving machine.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to produce a novel woven fabric with a pattern integral therewith. The pattern is formed in the fabric during weaving by selectively stretching the warp yarn between the fell line and the warp beam so that the stretched warp yarn creates an open area and upon release creates an area of high density fill yarn.

Abstract: A wireless let-off and take-up control system for controlling the let-off motion and take-up mechanism of a loom or looms by wireless. The control system comprises a portable transmitter or transmitters, and a receiver or receivers each associated with the controller of a loom for controlling the let-off motion and take-up mechanism of the loom. Instructions for controlling the let-off motion and the take-up mechanism are given by wireless by operating the transmitter through the receiver to the controller of the loom at an optional position around the loom, so that a single operator is able to observe the movement of warps and, if necessary, to vibrate the warps in order to enable the warps to move smoothly past the droppers, the mails of heddles and reed of the loom in preparing a new warp beam for weaving operation on the loom.

Abstract: An oscillating guide roll for use in winding cloth onto a take-up roll distributes the cloth so that the edge or selvage portions which are thickened do not remain in register. A stationary non-rotating shaft has a hollow guide roll mounted thereon. The guide roll both rotates about the shaft, and oscillates relative the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Apparatus entirely enclosed within the hollow guide roll is mounted therein for rotation relative the stationary non-rotating shaft, and actuated solely by rotation of the guide roll about such shaft. Rotation of the guide roll is transmitted to such apparatus at a rotational speed different from that of the guide roll. Thus, registry of the thickened edge portions is avoided without requiring actuation of the apparatus other than by rotation of the guide roll.

Abstract: During the weaving process, the location and displacement of the cloth line and/or the breast beam are continuously detected; the detected value is supplied to a drive unit; in the event of a variation in cloth line location with respect to the desired location, the breast beam is moved by means of a drive unit such that the cloth line is returned to the desired location, or in other words, the cloth line is automatically maintained and/or returned almost to the desired location by means of the breast beam.

Abstract: A loom with an off-loom take-up which employs a loom tray between the loom and the take-up to prevent the woven fabric from falling onto the weave room floor but which allows trash and dirt to pass through. The loom tray coprises a substantively rectangular frame with a mesh construction connected thereto with sufficient openness to allow trash and dirt to fall through.

Abstract: Optical scanning and inspection of loomed fabric on one or more looms is carried out using a travelling optical scanner that scans an inspection area of fabric on a loom faster than the fabric traverses the inspection area, such inspection area provided between the weaving portion of the loom and the fabric take-up roll. The scanner generates signals that can routinely be compared with preset reference standards and which can be used to control the stopping of the loom upon the detection of a weaving defect. Fabric moving through multiple looms can be scanned in sequence by a scanner traversing multiple inspection areas of the looms.

Abstract: In order to remove waste slivers produced by cutting false selvedges in a weaving loom, at least two slivers are introduced into a rotating feed duct and subjected to a false twist, thus automatically balancing the tensions of the different slivers. The cord thus formed falls down from the feed duct outlet onto a delivery coiler on which the spiral turns are successively allowed to slip off the rotating coiler under the control of a brake system and then discharged into a can.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to detect high tension in a web material being taken-up and cutting off the take-up device upon such detection to prevent stretching and necking of the fabric being handled. The detection device provides a time delay between detection of the condition of high tension and deactivation of the fabric take-up apparatus.

Abstract: A cloth draw-off roll is operatively connected via a regulation circuit with a main shaft of the weaving machine. The regulation circuit contains a controllable motor which is drivingly connected with the cloth draw-off roll. A regulation circuit arrangement connected forwardly of the controllable motor controls the weft thread density in the drawn-off cloth as a function of at least the rotational angular position of the main shaft of the weaving machine and contains a modulator operatively connected with the controllable motor. The modulator transforms control commands of a programming stage pre-programmable via an input device, into control signals for the controllable motor. A pulse transmitter at the main shaft transmits pulses indicative of the rotational angular position of the main shaft to the programming stage. A control circuit arrangement of the weaving machine transmits information signals or data indicative of the momentary functional state of the weaving machine to the programming stage.

Abstract: A weaver's platform is illustrated having arcuate means extending transversely along each side of the platform facilitating the passage of cloth from the loom beneath the platform to a takeup positioned forwardly of the loom, and a pivotal mounting for the walkway portion of the platform facilitating removal of the platform from the weaver's aisle for clean up.

Abstract: The catch-cord selvage of a shuttleless or fluid jet loom is drawn between a pair of mating rollers having smooth surfaces under a prescribed tension that is matched to the fabric tension as it comes from the loom. The mating rollers include an idler roller which is driven by a drive roller, with the drive roller being positively driven without slippage by the fabric take-up roll. The surface speed of the drive roller is the same as the surface speed of the fabric take-up roll so that the catch-cord and the fabric are drawn from the loom at the same speed.

Abstract: A take-up motion of a loom consists of a cloth roller which is hollow and formed with a plurality of perforations distributedly located in a cylindrical section thereof. The hollow inside of the cloth roller is communicated with an air suction device in such a manner that air around the cloth roller cylindrical section can be sucked into the cloth roller hollow inside, so that a woven cloth is adhered on the cloth roller to be mechanically and automatically wound thereon.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically exchanging cloth rollers without stopping the loom, including: transferring a cloth roller from a truck to a loom when the cloth roller has taken up a given amount of cloth; mounting an empty roller on the loom while the cloth roller continues the take-up motion on the truck; and cutting the cloth between the truck and the loom to allow it to be taken up by the empty roller.

Abstract: A takeup motion control device for a loom includes an input setting unit for producing functions of a repetitive period and a takeup speed, a function generator for storing the functions in relation to r.p.m. of the loom, an arithmetic control unit for successively reading out the selected functions from the function generator in synchronism with rotation of the loom to generate a digital takeup command signal, a driver circuit for generating a drive signal in response to the takeup command signal and applying the drive signal to a servomotor for driving a winding roll to wind a woven fabric, and a digital feedback circuit for feeding an amount of rotation of the servomotor back to the arithmetic control unit.

Abstract: A cloth inspection stand is illustrated having a run of cloth on each side of the cloth takeup roll carried at an angle for ready inspection by one standing in the aisle on either side of the cloth roll takeup. The inspection stand makes provision for guiding a downward run of the cloth from the inspection area over a roll carried by pivoted arms for movement up and down to vary tension on the cloth.

Abstract: An overhead loom takeup is illustrated having a first downward run of cloth wherein the cloth is moved thence upwardly and over a guide roll prior to being moved generally longitudinally over compensator means to a surface wound roll positioned generally above the warp beam. Doffing means are provided overhead of the beams in the aisles between adjacent warp beams and include rail carried transport means.

Abstract: A cam-following roller is brought by a low-power electromagnet into contact with a cam carried by a driving pulley. A second roller which is coaxial with the follower roller exerts a thrust on a disk when the follower roller travels along the profile of the cam, thus disengaging the pulley from the driving shaft of the cloth takeup regulator.

Abstract: A loom is illustrated having an oscillating guide roll receiving cloth made on the loom for guiding same to the center wound takeup. Means are provided for oscillating the guide roll which includes a drive roll also driven by the cloth for driving mounting means for the guide roll at a speed differential in order to produce an oscillatory motion determined by the movement of the cloth.

Abstract: An on-loom take-up apparatus having increased cloth roll capacity is illustrated wherein means are provided for maintaining the loom supported in raised position while removing obstructions to the cloth roll as would limit the size of the cloth roll as would otherwise be permitted by the raising of the loom. A separate D.C. drive is provided and a constant torque control is provided for driving the take-up roll responsive to tension in the cloth through a positive drive arrangement.

Abstract: A weavers platform is illustrated wherein a smooth tubular roll is carried substantially along each of the sides of the platform and the like extending below a walkway portion for providing a smooth guide for sliding movement of the cloth beneath the platform for delivery from a loom to a cloth takeup positioned in front of the loom.

Abstract: A waste binding yarn take-up device for a shuttleless loom, comprises a traction device for pulling waste binding yarns at a constant traction speed, a rotary traverse roller rotatable at a peripheral velocity slightly higher than the traction speed of the traction device, and formed at its outer surface with a guide groove along which the waste binding yarns from the traction device is guided to make traverse motion thereof, and a rotatable core member on which a cheese of the waste binding yarns from the traverse roller is capable of being formed, the core member being biased so that the outer surface of the cheese contacts the outer surface of the traverse roller, thereby wounding up the waste binding yarns on the core member, holding in tension the waste binding yarns without causing the slackening of the waste binding yarns.

Abstract: A loom capable of weaving a wide variety of cloths, the loom requiring at most the simple exchange of gears to permit it to weave cloths of widely varying characteristics. The loom has an input driving element for the warp beam let-off motion which is drivingly connected with the output element of an adjustable transmission mechanism of the let-off motion drive, while the input element of the adjustable transmission element of the let-off motion drive is drivingly connected with the transmission mechanism of the positive drive of the cloth take-up beam. The input element of the adjustable transmission of the let-off motion drive is drivingly connected with the output element of the transmission mechanism of the positive drive for the take-up beam, the take-up beam being also drivingly connected with such output element.

Abstract: An oscillating guide roll assembly is illustrated for use with a cloth winder in building a cloth roll in such a manner as to avoid registry of the selvage portions throughout the build of the cloth roll. The subject oscillating guide roll is especially useful in connection with looms such as Sulzer looms having thickened edge portions which result from inserted filling ends in the selvage area.

Abstract: Three-dimensional non-crimp integral woven reinforcement for structural components formed as an integral woven assembly of warp and fill fibers, e.g. graphite fibers, in a multiplicity of layers, with light weight tie yarn, e.g. of fiberglass, passing from one side of the layered system to the other. Woven reinforcement forms of various shapes such as an I-beam can be produced by using a specified percentage of 0.degree. (warp) fibers and 90.degree. (fill) fibers, e.g. of graphite, to form a plurality of layers comprising the web and flanges of the I-beam reinforcement, and having the desired number of layers and thickness in both the web and flanges, and passing tie yarn, e.g. of fiberglass, back and forth from one side of the web to the other, and in the same manner from one side of the flanges to the other, and extending lengthwise in the warp direction of the material. The woven assembly is then impregnated with resin, e.g.