Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a yarn analyzer comprising a measurement mechanism configured to monitor the local thickness of the yarn moving along a yarn path. The measurement mechanism comprises a fixed member and a displaceable member between which the yarn path passes. The displaceable member is secured relative to a mechanical amplifier comprising a pivotable lever arm at a first end of the pivotable lever arm at a short distance from the pivot axis of the lever arm, and is biased toward the fixed member. The measurement mechanism further comprises a displacement sensor configured to monitor the displacement of a reference component secured relative to a second end of the lever arm at a long distance from the pivot axis. The monitored movement of the reference component is correlated with the thickness of the yarn, such that the yarn thickness is recorded for the length of yarn.

Abstract: A control system and a method for a back-and-forth cable system is provided. The cable system includes a running cable, a first pulley and a second pulley, the pulleys being located at both ends of a course for guiding the running cable. A controllable motor assembly drives of the pulleys and a carrier is connected to the running cable, for pulling or towing a boarder. The control system includes first and second tracking devices to generate first and second tracking signal indicative of the rotation of the pulleys. Two limit positions along the course are stored in storing means and a controller has inputs to receive the first and the second tracking signals and inverts rotation of the controllable motor assembly when the two positions of the carrier detected go beyond either one of the two limit positions.

Abstract: A supporting belt for a transport device, such as an elevator system, includes at least one stranded wire made of an electrically conducting material for absorbing the forces absorbed by the supporting belt and an electrically insulating jacket that encloses the wire. In order to determine the state of the wire, the wire can be contacted by a contact element securely and reliably and in an exact manner. To achieve this, the jacket is at least partially removed in the area of an opening of the supporting belt and the wire is at least partially exposed in the area of the opening. The wire thus does not include a jacket substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis formed by a center point of a cross-section of the wire. The wire can be contacted by a contact element without the jacket being pierced.

Abstract: A component including a surface subject to wear by an electrically conductive wear counterface (50). The component comprises a substrate (10); one or more material layers (32) overlying the substrate (10); a wear surface layer (16) overlying the one or more material layers (32); a first pair of spaced apart and electrically open wear sensor conductors (12/14) disposed in the substrate (10), in the one or more material layers (32), or in the wear surface layer (16); a first wear warning electrical circuit (68/69/70/74) for communicating with the first pair of conductors (12/14) for providing a first wear warning; and wherein when the wear counterface (50) has worn overlying layers, the wear counterface (50) interconnects the first pair of conductors (12/14) to activate the first wear warning circuit (68/69/70/74).

Abstract: A safety device for a storage rack can include a length of webbing configured to span across a rear side of the storage rack. A sensor device can be coupled to one end of the webbing and a signaling device can be configured to communicate with the sensor device. The signaling device can include a selectively actuatable alert indicator. The sensor device can be operable to sense an increase in tension in the webbing when an item is placed in a position on the storage rack so as to engage the webbing. The sensor device can generate a signal indicative of the increase in tension and communicate the signal to the signaling device. The signaling device can be operable to actuate the at least one alert indicator responsive to the communicated signal so as to provide an indication of a position of the item relative to the storage rack.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting user entry into a defined danger zone surrounding a saw blade includes a non-conducting member defining an opening therein for receiving a saw blade. The non-conducting member may comprise, for example, an insert received by an opening in the work surface or table of a table saw, scroll saw, band saw, miter saw, etc. Alternatively, it may comprise the blade guard of a radial arm saw or miter saw, for example. A conductive sensor is situated on the non-conducting member adjacent the opening to define a danger zone near the saw blade. A voltage source is coupled to the sensor, and a monitor circuit is configured to detect a change in the sensor's capacitance so as to signal a user entry into the danger zone.

Abstract: A device for testing a cable deroped magnetic proximity detector positioned adjacent a cable sheave or sheave assembly on a cable operated ski lift. A sleeve of non-ferromagnetic material is temporarily secured coaxially over the steel lift cable and the sleeve is dimensioned in length and thickness in amounts sufficient to raise the cable simultaneously away from the detector and the adjacent sheaves whereby the detector indicates a derope condition. When the ski lift is operated to thereby move the sleeve over the detector and adjacent sheaves, a derope condition will be simulated and the alarm tested to determine whether it provides the appropriate signal.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the weft yarn run/stop conditions during each insertion cycle in a shuttle-less weaving machine like a rapier or projectile weaving machine by means of an electronic weft yarn feeler generating run output signals representing said weft yarn run condition, said weft yarn feeler including means to adjust the working sensitivity level, comprises that the present working sensitivity level effectively used for confirming run output signals continuously and automatically is adjusted during operation of the weaving machine to oscillate about an optimum and safe working sensitivity level by observing within a predetermined restricted observation interval of each insertion cycle the signal stability at an observation sensitivity level lower than the present working sensitivity level and by lowering or raising both said present working and observation sensitivity levels in dependence from output signal stability.

Abstract: A wear detector for a suspension rope having a plurality of load bearing strands covered by a sheath includes a sensor at a surface of the sheath. The sensor senses a characteristic of the rope representing a predetermined amount of wear of the sheath. The sensed characteristic can be electrical contact with the strands, distance from the surface of the sheath to the strands, or change of color of the sheath surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting untextured or defectively textured yarn segments in textured filament yarns during the texturing process, in which the textured yarn is continuously measured by the measurement, conditioning and evaluation of high-frequency measurement signals as evidence of untextured or defectively textured yarn segments.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic yarn, wherein a yarn is spun and wound in a continuous process. For monitoring the quality, several process parameters are continuously measured. From measured data variations of the process parameters that occur within a predetermined period of time, a quality value is determined that is a measure for the regularity of the production process.

Abstract: A system for monitoring motion includes a cable-encoder combination to create an electrical signal indicating distance and a microprocessor monitoring system to provide time measurement in conjunction with distance information and to provide alarms whenever predetermined limits are exceeded. The system provides a teaching mode for teaching the predetermined limits, and provides a velocity adaptive mode in which a certain informational values may be adjusted over fixed time periods to provide for moving references.

Abstract: In an air jet loom including a stop motion arrangement with first and second light beam sensor devices for detecting the presence of an inserted weft thread, the functionality of the sensor devices is continuously monitored. An inserted weft thread is expected to reach the first sensor device during an angular range (.alpha.1) of one rotation of the main shaft of the loom, whereupon the first sensor device emits a weft arrival signal (S1). In the event of a weft break, the weft thread reaches the second sensor device during the angular range (.alpha.1), whereupon the second sensor device emits a weft fault signal (S2). To monitor the functionality of the first sensor device, an interference signal (S3) emitted thereby during a second angular range (.alpha.2) not corresponding to the first angular range (.alpha.1) is evaluated.

Abstract: Method of diagnosing failures in a production process of a synthetic filament yarn, in which a first process parameter dependent on the process control is continuously measured and evaluated, and in which as a function of the evaluation or course derived therefrom an indication signal is generated, there being continuously measured and evaluated at least a second reference parameter dependent on the process control, and the indication signal being generated, when an error-typical behavior is found in the first and in at least one additional parameter.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the deployment of cable from a cable supply includes reflective tape disposed on the exterior of the cable at longitudinally spaced locations. Light having a predetermined wavelength characteristic is directed toward the cable as it passes a defined area. The reflection of the light is sensed and a signal is provided when the sensed light exceeds a predetermined level. This signal is utilized to determine the length of cable deployed from the supply. In addition, a second type of tape having a lower reflectivity is disposed on the cable immediately preceding enlarged diameter sections of the cable. This latter tape does not reflect sufficient light to generate the predetermined signal but is visible to a human observer so that the cable pulling equipment can be adjusted to accommodate the enlarged diameter section.

Abstract: Individual broken filaments in a running threadline, e.g., freshly-melt-spun filaments, may be detected and recorded by a novel piezoelectric film sensor device.

Abstract: Method of monitoring the quality of an advancing yarn by continuously measuring the yarn tension, which includes determining the progression of the yarn tension upon occurrence of a defined failure (failure record), storing the failure record in a data memory, comparing the measured yarn tension with the failure record and generating an alarm signal, when a range of the yarn tension progression shows a similarity to the failure record.

Abstract: A tester is provided for measuring the dielectric integrity of a rope, on a continuous basis. The device incorporates a pair of rope contact and retention members, that may comprise pair of spring-loaded clamps, adapted to make electrical contact with the rope, while permitting the rope to be drawn longitudinally through the device. The contact or retention members may either be adapted to make a sliding contact with the rope or may employ wheels or roller members to facilitate the movement of the rope through the device. The contact members are linked to an electrical testing circuit for measuring the conductivity of the rope segment under test. The contact and retention members may also comprise an iris having an array of flexible leaves extending inwardly from an annular retainer, with the leaves being linked to the testing circuit and adapted to press against a rope inserted within the retainer. Some or all of the leaves are connected to the testing circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the quality of the yarn processed on a false twist texturing machine is disclosed, and which includes sensing the tension of the advancing yarn at a location immediately downstream of the false twist unit, and determining the coefficient of variation of the sensed tension. An error signal is generated whenever the coefficient of variation exceeds a predetermined upper limit and whenever the coefficient of variation drops below a predetermined lower limit. Also, an alarm signal is generated whenever the error signal exceeds the predetermined upper limit for a predetermined time, and whenever the error signal drops below the predetermined lower limit for a predetermined time, and the alarm signals are counted so as to provide an indication of the quality of the yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the incoming transducer signal or synchronizing signal from an optical encoder in real time and display the degree of stability. The incoming transducer signal or optical encoder signal comprises of a certain number of voltage pulses. The number of pulses for a set period of time is measured to develop an actual frequency of voltage pulses per set unit of time. Furthermore, a representative numerical value for the time between two adjacent pulses is also developed. This time between adjacent pulses is altered by means of a look-up table to develop an average pulse frequency for that same set period of time. The average value for this period of time is then compared against the actual frequency of voltage pulses per set period of time. This comparative value can then be outputted to a display.

Abstract: The presence of yarns of a tentered yarn layer on a textile machine is checked by traversing a feeler transversely across a row of the threads to deflect the yarns. A pressure sensor of the feeler deflects each deflected yarn and generates a signal in response thereto. An optical sensor of the feeler detects each yarn and generates a second signal in response thereto which is compared to the first signal.

Abstract: A method and detector are provided for accurately and continuously detecting surface roughness or oversize defects on coated wire or cable, such as magnet wire. This is achieved by passing the wire or cable through a die having an opening which is larger than the cross-section of the wire or cable by the size of the surface roughness or defect to be detected. This die is pulled on the wire or cable when engaged by the oversize defect to a spot or position where a sensor is provided to sense the presence of the die and thus of the defect and then produce a suitable alarm.

Abstract: A method of storing in a memory having a predetermined number of storage spaces signals representative of deviations in the tension continuously monitored in a plurality of strands of yarn running in a textile machine. The signals from the individual strands are sequentially fed into a memory and are initially stored in the available spaces. Once the memory is filled, the highest number of earlier stored signals is reduced by later signals being written over them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the checking of the state of wear of a covering fabric in a driving belt (2) mounted on a plurality of pulleys (3, 4, 5) by measuring the electric resistance variations of the belt fabric. The apparatus provides that at least two of the pulleys (3, 4, 5) should be electrically insulated with respect to each other and connected to an electric circuit (20) designed to apply an electric voltage to said pulleys in order to carry out the measuring of the electric resistance of the fabric exhibited by belt stretches (A, B) comprised between the pulleys themselves. The electric resistance thus found lends itself to be compared with predetermined resistance values corresponding to different states of wear of the belt (2) fabric. The work surface of the belt (2) is coated with an electrically conductive fabric (12) acting by contact on the pulleys (3, 4, 5) and having characteristics of tensile strength.

Abstract: The weft break stop motion (1) detects without contact a potential displacement in the feeler (5a) effected by a weft thread moving past by means of a plate-like layered sensor element (2). With the feeler (5a) turned towards the weft thread insertion, the sensor element (2) can be introduced between the drop wires (23) of the reed (18). The weft break stop motion (1) and the sensor element (2) can be variably positioned along the reed (18), depending on the screen of the drop wires (23), and is normally placed directly outside the warp threads according to the loom width.

Abstract: In a method of obtaining a thread tension signal a sensor in the form of a piezofoil is attached to a thread guide or to its mounting and delivers a signal which reflects, amongst other things, the oscillations induced in the thread guide by the thread movement. In order to obtain a signal which corresponds to the thread tension either the frequency of an element which winds up the thread and/or harmonics of this frequency is filtered out of the sensor signal and the level of this frequency or the level of these frequencies is measured.

Abstract: In monitoring the yarn tension at each of a plurality of yarn processing stations, the mean value of the monitored tension is continuously determined at each station, and the differential between the monitored value and the mean value is also continuously determined. In addition, an overall mean value is generated which is representative of an average of the mean value signals from all of the individual stations, and the overall mean value is compared with the individual mean value of each station. In the event the mean value signal at a particular station differs from the overall mean value signal by more than a predetermined tolerance limit, an alarm signal is generated.

Abstract: As yarn travels toward a take-up device after having passed a ballooning area, the travelling course thereof is bent through contact with a pressure sensor. An alarm device generates an alarm when the contact pressure of the yarn, which is monitored by the pressure sensor, is abnormally lowered.

Abstract: The turns of an optical fiber paid out from a canistor are counted, and the signature of the optical fiber is measured, by monitoring the electromagnetic field of the charge on the optical fiber as it moves past an antenna. The optical fiber follows a helical path as it is paid out. A stationary antenna located transversely proximate the payout region detects a periodic repeating variation of the bound and/or free electrical charge associated with the optical fiber, as the optical fiber periodically moves closer to and farther from the antenna along the helical path. Each period of the variation corresponds to one turn of optical fiber paid out from the canister.

Abstract: A method and apparatus measures the tension of an advancing yarn which is subject to interruptions of the yarn path, resulting for example from the severance of the yarn. During such interruptions, the zero setting of the tension sensor does not always return to zero, thereby providing an erroneous output reading during subsequent yarn advancing cycles. In accordance with the present invention, a circuit is provided which identifies such errors and sounds an alarm when the error exceeds a predetermined limit. Also, the erroneous output signal is input as the zero point signal for the subsequent yarn advancing cycle, and during such subsequent cycle, the tension is determined on the basis of the newly set zero point.

Abstract: A thread motion monitoring system wherein the presence or absence of thread motion for discrete threads is detected and signals developed in terms of the failure, non-thread motion, of selected numbers of threads.

Abstract: An optical slub catcher, particularly suitable for open-end process weaving machines, comprises a special optical head for the measurement of yarn diameter, the analog signal of which is cleaned of the disturbances due to ambient light. This analog signal is furthermore normalized by an original compensating and normalizing unit, and is then digitized. The slub catcher of the present invention is also provided with the following: a detector unit for the detection of Moire defects, a detector unit for the detection of the % VC irregularities, and a unit for spectrogram processing.In addition, the slub catcher of the present invention compensates for dirt build-up, thermal drifts, and aging of the optical head which affect the performance of the slub catchers of the prior art.

Abstract: Successive groups of thread paths in multi-spindle textile apparatus are equipped with individual monitoring systems. In each system, a joint monitoring element (S,E,L) is provided which has a bundle of rays (L). The latter is moved transversely to the thread running direction, passes thereby over the production points (1-8) arranged in rows and is interrupted or attenuated at each production point by the respective thread. The shading of the bundle of rays caused thereby is assessed as criterion for the presence of the thread concerned.The process makes possible an on-line production and quality monitoring on multi-spindle textile machines, for example ring spinning frames, with a reasonable expenditure.

Abstract: A common monitoring system with a light beam is provided for a group of two or more production units arranged in a row. The beam passes through the thread balloon formed by the moving thread of each of these production units and is intermittently interrupted or attenuated by the moving thread in each balloon. The resulting shading is converted into an electric signal in a receiver of the monitoring system.The threads of the individual production units can be identified by evaluating the relationships of amplitude, time and phase between the individual shading impulses.The process enables on-line production and quality control to be carried out on multi-spindle textile machines such as ring spinning machines at an acceptable cost.

Abstract: A device for detecting break of any of a plurality of yarns arranged closely to each other in a spinning or weaving machine such as loom, knitting machine, warping machine, etc., includes sensor electrodes disposed in correspondence to the respective yarns, high-input-resistance amplifiers, separators and a logic circuit, in which each yarn is let runs between adjacent separators. When any of the yarns is caused to stop running due to trouble such as a break, the output of the corresponding high-input resistance amplifier becomes high in potential and a signal is issued to the output of the logic circuit to thereby stop the machine while giving an alarm.

Abstract: An industrial robot and a device for forecasting breakage of cables, which is capable of predicting the time of breakage of cables provided between a control section and arm drive sections in the industrial robot. Sample wires whose life period is shorter than that of the cables are provided to the cables, respectively, and based on the breakage of the sample wires, the breakage of the cables is forecasted to thereby make it possible to replace the cables timely.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for a knitting machine with at least one yarn feeding arrangement comprises two yarn monitoring devices which are provided with switches and connected via a first rectifier circuit and an indicating lamp to a supply line. The supply line is coupled to a supply voltage source in such a way that when one of the two yarn monitoring devices is operated, the indicating lamp is only activated by one half-wave which is associated with the yarn monitoring devices and belongs to an a.c. voltage signal generated by the supply voltage source. To improve the recognizability of an indication by the indicating lamp, the a.c. voltage signal generated by the supply voltage source has a first interval during which the signal has exclusively positive half-waves and a second interval during which the signal has exclusively negative a.c. voltage half-waves.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the tension on a thread comprises a frame for retaining the thread; a leaf spring on the frame for bearing against the thread and being displaced thereby as a function of such tension; a generator, such as a permanent magnet on the leaf spring, for generating an electromagnetic field between the frame and the leaf spring which varies as a function of such displacement; a Hall effect sensor which senses such field and generates an output signal indicative of such tension; and an electronic system for receiving said output signal and indicating whether said output signal and thereby said thread tension is within a predetermined desirable range. The indication is made at least at a location in the vicinity of the frame where it can be seen by persons who are responsible for maintaining the correct thread tension, and may comprise a plurality of LEDs for indicating respectively when the thread tension is too high, too low, and at the correct level.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a yarn reserve on a stationary yarn spool from which the yarn is being pulled off, including a feeler applied to the end face of the yarn package and coupled to a swinging switching arm which cooperates with a switch. The feeler can perform a movement along the external surface of the spool and bring the switching arm to the position in which the switch is actuated. A locking lever is provided in the device which can lock the switching arm in the end position.

Abstract: An electrical coil driven by an alternating current develops an alternating magnetic field. A segment of a wire-rope specimen is placed next to and on the axis of the coil, but perpendicular to the axis, so that the specimen lies in the field. Two sensor coils detect the field on the opposite side of the specimen from the field coil. The sensor coils are mutually conaxial, and paraxial with the specimen. The sensor coils are spaced apart very slightly, along the length of the specimen--one in each direction from the field-coil axis. Each sensor coil is asymmetric, in the shape of a "D," with its sensitive axis just within the "D" but nearer to the flat side; the specimen is placed just outside the "D" but also next to the flat side. Alternating current induced in the sensor coils are applied to the respective input terminals of a differential amplifier, producing an output signal in which the common signal components tend to cancel out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting conductive material contained in glass fiber, in which it is possible to detect fine conductive material contained in glass fiber under the condition that the glass fiber is running in the process of manufacturing the glass fiber, and in which it is possible to detect only the conductive material accurately without being affected by moisture or the like.

Abstract: The location of a warp thread break in a weaving loom using electrically conductive drop wires bridging an electrode pair upon occurrence of a warp thread break includes applying opposing known voltages across opposite ends of the electrode pair, establishing current circuits including the voltage sources, the electrode pair and a fallen drop wire, and determining the distance between one end of the electrode pair and the fallen drop wire by calculations using known values corresponding with the voltages and measurements of values corresponding to the current values in the current circuits. A system for carrying out the method includes electrode pairs having a detectible resistance, conductive drop wires, voltage sources connected to the electrode pairs, current detecting/measuring devices, computerized calculating system, warp break location indicators and connecting circuit elements.

Abstract: A yarn storing device (1) comprises a storage drum (2) and a sensor (5) arranged at the withdrawal end (3) of the storage drum (2). The sensor (5) has the form of an eyelet (6) for guiding the yarn (4) and generates a signal during the withdrawal of yarn (4) having a frequency corresponding to the number of turns of yarn withdrawn per time unit. For enhancing the reliability of detecting the withdrawal of yarn on the basis of the sensor signal, the eyelet (6) of the sensor (5) is movably mounted on a housing (7) of the sensor (5) and comprises a light-reflecting surface (11) wherein a light-emitting element (8) and a light-receiving element (9) are fixed to the housing (7) such that the light generated by the light-emitting element (8) falls on the light reflecting surface (11) and is directed towards the light-receiving element (9) when the eyelet (6) has a predetermined relative position with respect to the housing (7).

Abstract: A combined ball tension control and stop motion unit in which the exit opening of the ball housing of the ball tension control component is mounted to the stop motion component. An interior yarn guide is mounted in an opening in the stop motion housing and projects into the outlet end of the ball housing. An electronic sensing element on a printed circuit board partially surrounds the yarn passage above the interior yarn guide and an exterior yarn guide is mounted above the printed circuit board for guiding yarn as it exits the unit. The exterior yarn guide may be of the type that is used in the ball housing when the ball tension control component is used separately without combination with the stop motion component.

Abstract: A wire prebreak/break sensor is disclosed for use in a low cost verbal annunciator system for use in monitoring a wire fabrication process. Wire exiting a drawing machine is accumulated and has its tension controlled by a dancer arm. According to the present invention, a wire accumulator having a plurality of channels is used as a wire prebreak/break sensor. The accumulator comprises a plurality of rods having sheaves on a end of each supported on a support structure to which each rod is pivoted on an axis. A plurality of position sensors are responsive to the positions of the various rods and provide a position signal having a magnitude indicative thereof. An operator input device is responsive to operator initiated input action for providing input signals indicative of wire gauge. A signal processor is responsive to the position signals and to the operator input signals and retrieves a pair of boundary signals in response to the magnitude of the gauge size input signals.

Abstract: Method for the simultaneous monitoring of yarn quality on a number of similar monitoring points of a textile machine, in which each monitoring point uses one measuring element together with the processors assigned to the measuring elements for processing the pulses supplied by the measuring elements, whereby the various data processing stages for the individual monitoring points run at different rates of repeat. Each group of several measuring elements is allocated to a common processor and the pulse procesing stages with the same rates of repeat are grouped into classes and the rate of running these classes is so controlled that with respect to the individual monitoring points, the relevant data processing stages are repeated approximately periodically.

Abstract: The present invention provides a yarn break detector for spinning and weaving machines comprising at least one pair of detection electrodes, AC amplifiers of high input impedance, a balancer, a differential amplifier, a rectifier and a relay circuit. At least one pair of detection electrodes induce an electric charge on the yarn, and the induced electric potential is amplified, rectified and smoothed. In the event of yarn break or stoppage of yarn run, the relay circuit is activated on sensing the level difference between the high-potential DC voltage generated during normal run of yarn and the low-potential DC voltage generated at the time of yarn break or stoppage of yarn run, and an output signal is issued as yarn break signal, informing of the yarn break or stoppage of yarn run.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the characteristics of filamentary material while the filamentary material moves at high speed, and a method for using the device. The material is moved past a sensing array while a light shines against the array. The material will block the light to portions of the array; and, since the array is scanned by an electrical signal of high frequency, a width of the material will be indicated by the output signal. Successive scans, and successive widths, are stored in computer storage, and a profile of the material is constructed. Various statistical data can be computed, and a stop motion device can be activated in the event material is beyond preset standards.

Abstract: The yarn tension at each of a plurality of yarn processing stations is continuously monitored, while continuously determining the mean value of the monitored tension at each station, and while also continuously determining the differential between the monitored value and the mean value. Also, an alarm signal is generated whenever the mean value leaves a predetermined tolerance range, and whenever the differential value leaves a second predetermined tolerance range. An alarm signal may serve to actuate a visual error indicator, or to shut down the associated processing station.

Abstract: Logic signals corresponding to a detected thread break and/or thread loop in a package being wound on a bobbin are evaluated within a logic circuit to communicate the quality of a thread package. The logic signals can be processed in various ways.In one embodiment, discrimination is made of repeated logic signals produced by a single thread break.In another embodiment, the total number of logic signals are counted.Blocking arrangements can be provided to block logic signals caused by the same thread break or thread loop.