Patents Assigned to Gebruder Loepfe AG
  • Patent number: 6352214
    Abstract: In a method for identifying the spinning position of cops, each cop is provided with an individual marker. The marker is read at the rewinding machine for determining the corresponding spinning position. The marker can e.g. consist of a bar code applied to an end of the cop's tube. With this system it becomes easy to attribute yarn parameters determined at the rewinding machine to individual spinning positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Urs Wild, Christian Hunziker, Heinrich Scherer, Zdenek Mazura
  • Patent number: 5528892
    Abstract: A spindle shaft is flexurally elastic at its shank part mounted in a bearing sleeve. The spindle shaft carries a belt-engaging wharve which is arranged underneath the neck bearing and to which a drive belt engages to rotate the spindle shaft. The bearing sleeve is arranged to have radial play within a spindle housing 10. The bearing sleeve is fastened at its lower end via a flexurally elastic tilting joint 40 to the spindle housing 10 connected rigidly to the spindle rail. The pulling force of the drive belt engaged to the wharve during operation deflects the bearing sleeve radially by tilting it about the tilting joint. Such deflection brings about, on the other hand, a pivoting of the bobbin-carrying upper part of the spindle shaft about the neck bearing in the opposite direction as a result of the bending moment occurring on the shank part, an inclination of the spindle shaft with its upper part is thus avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Thomas Pesek, Helmut Speiser, Kurt Janser, Hans-Peter Forstner, Gunter Durr
  • Patent number: 5383017
    Abstract: For the detection of the presence of contaminants in yarn a first optical sensor is used to measure the amount of light reflected from the yarn. The signal from this sensor not only depends on the presence of contaminants but also on the diameter of the yarn. For eliminating the dependence on the yarn's diameter, a second signal is recorded, which depends essentially only on the yarn's diameter. By appropriate combination of these two signals in a microprocessor system the influence of the yarn's diameter in the first signal can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Georg Schurch
  • Patent number: 5363883
    Abstract: The thread braking device comprises a pair of braking members, which are arranged symmetrically in respect to the path of the thread. Each of the braking members has a spring member. Between these spring members a line-shaped, vertically arranged braking zone is defined. For braking, the spring members are pivoted on rockers towards the thread path. Due to this movement as well as due to the vertical arrangement of the spring members, the deposition of contaminations in the braking zone is avoided. The elasticity of the spring members reduces the danger of damage in the presence of thickened thread sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Erich Weidmann
  • Patent number: 5194911
    Abstract: A fibre band or sliver is passed through a defined opening of a measuring station. Said opening has a cross section smaller than the diameter of the fibre band, so that the band contacts the walls of said opening which thereby defines a measuring cross section. The fibre band while passing said opening is transilluminated by at least one light source. The transmitted light intensity is measured by a light receiver and is detected as a measure for the quantity of the fibre material present in said cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Hansruedi Stutz
  • Patent number: 5083584
    Abstract: In order to monitor the correct receiving of an inserted weft yarn by a gripper in a receiving unit of a shuttleless weaving loom a detector is provided which is stationary mounted on the receiving side in an interspace between said gripper and a slay bar or reed of said weaving loom. Said detector comprises a plate-member projecting into said interspace or gap and having an inclined flank which is contacted by the weft yarn on his path between the inserting position and the beaten-up position. The passing of the weft yarn over this flank is detected by measuring potential variations in the detector during a defined phase of the machine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG.
    Inventors: Erich Weidmann, Walter Schumperli
  • Patent number: 4953265
    Abstract: For detecting neps in a textile fiber fleece band transported along a transporting path through a carding machine a detecting device comprises a mechanism for illuminating the fiber fleece band on at least one area located on the transporting path. Imaging optics project an image of this illuminated area onto the surface of one of a plurality of photo sensor elements. The area projected onto each one of the photo sensor elements substantially corresponds to the size of the neps to be detected. The photo sensor elements are connected to evaluation circuits for evaluating light intensity variations caused by neps passing the illuminated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Scheinhutte
  • Patent number: 4700289
    Abstract: The method of regulation employs a simulation process for at least one state variable of an apparatus to be controlled and regulates the state variable. In the process, a curve of an operating characteristic having its base at an idle state value is traversed up to an operating state value. When re-regulating, the regulation process begins at the current value of the state variable. The value of the regulation variable corresponds to the idle state. This has the advantage of a defined initial point for re-regulation. A regulating device for performing the method of regulation comprises a series circuit containing an input circuit, a regulation circuit with a simulation device for regulating an apparatus as well as a control circuit for possible machines coupled to the apparatus. The simulating device is adjustable according to operating characteristics or apparatus parameters. Another regulating device fulfills the same function while employing a computer and correspondingly modified circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Beat De Coi, Hans-Peter Keller
  • Patent number: 4511253
    Abstract: A device for measuring the transverse dimension, such as the diameter of a textile thread, comprises a light source, a linear array of optoelectrical sensors, a clock for periodically scanning the linear array, and electronic circuitry for evaluating the serial signals furnished by the linear array. The electronic circuitry comprises amplifying means, a limiter such as a Schmitt-trigger, and means for integrating the pulse amplitudes furnished by the linear array over a plurality of scanning periods or cycles. Further, means are provided for automatically controlling the response of the electronic circuitry in inverse proportion to the averaged output of the integrating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Rolf Glockner, Hansruedi Stutz
  • Patent number: 4381803
    Abstract: A novel electronic weft thread monitor on a gripper shuttle weaving machine of the Sulzer type is designed such as to make possible the continuous monitoring of the weft insertion and the succeeding weft tensioning phases. The weft thread monitor comprises a thread sensing device provided with a guide member and is structured and positioned such as to exhibit a first range of high response sensitivity, and a second range of no or low response sensitivity. The weft thread when sweeping over the guide member is guided from the first to the second range of response sensitivity. When entering this second range, the monitoring process is stopped, and thus the end of the signal indicative of weft travel or tensioning is clearly defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Erich Weidmann, Alfred Ruegg
  • Patent number: 4313472
    Abstract: An electronic weft or filling thread monitoring device on a gripper shuttle weaving machine provided with a rotatable color changing mechanism comprises a signal generator or weft thread travel sensor fixedly mounted in the area between the color changer and the point where the weft thread is transferred to the gripper shuttle or projectile. Only the one of the weft threads which is ready for transfer to the gripper shuttle is located in front of the signal generator without touching the same, and is lead in contact with the signal generator only when the projectile is driven into the weaving shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Erich Weidmann
  • Patent number: 4306812
    Abstract: A device for measuring the instantaneous value of the diameter or other transverse dimension of a traveling yarn comprises a linear array of photoelectric sensors and an electronic measuring device for digitally processing the electric signals furnished by the sensors in parallel form. A ground signal is taken with no yarn present and stored in the measuring device, and a measuring signal is taken with yarn present. The measuring device comprises logic circuitry for subtracting the stored ground signal from the measuring signal such as to eliminate the ground signal and to furnish a pure yarn signal representative of the yarn diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Karl Lapp, Hansruedi Stutz
  • Patent number: 4294545
    Abstract: A device for measuring the instantaneous value of the diameter or other transverse dimension of a traveling yarn comprises a linear array of photoelectric sensors and an electronic measuring device for scanning the sensors and digitally processing the electrical scanning signals in serial form. The ground signal indicative of the condition "no yarn present" is eliminated by means for intermediately storing the scanning signal, means for delaying the latter and storing the delayed signal, and subtracting the stored undelayed signal from the delayed signal such as to eliminate the ground signal and to furnish a pure yarn signal representative of the yarn diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Hansruedi Stutz
  • Patent number: 4276910
    Abstract: A photoelectrical bobbin feeler, in particular weft bobbin feeler, comprises one light source and two light sensors, or vice versa, two light sources and one light sensor. At least one polaroid filter is arranged in front of the one light source, or one light sensor, respectively, for polarizing the light which is specularly as well as diffusely reflected from the bobbin, and provides for a safer detection of the "bobbin empty" condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Werner Eichenberger
  • Patent number: 4256247
    Abstract: A sensing device responsive to ballooning motion of textile yarns, and producing electrical sensing signals comprising a hollow or ring-shaped yarn guide body whose interior periphery is provided with motion responsive and non-responsive elements in alternate sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Erich Loepfe
  • Patent number: 4254679
    Abstract: An automatic yarn cutting mechanism comprises a supporting structure, a scissor device, an electromagnet, and spring means holding the scissor device and electromagnet in their inoperative positions when the electromagnet is de-energized. The scissor device is provided with a post mounted slidably relative to said supporting structure, and the electromagnet comprises a solenoid and a plunger core or piston operatively connected to said post. The supporting structure is provided with a plate-shaped member, said scissor device and electromagnet being mounted on one side of the plate-shaped member, said slidable post and plunger core extending through said plate-shaped member to the other side thereof and being connected on that other side by a traverse connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Horst Mathey
  • Patent number: 4228828
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with an electronic weft or filling thread monitoring device on a gripper shuttle weaving machine provided with means for moving the gripper shuttle, at the end of the shuttle insertion, back from a stop position to a yarn releasing position, and simultaneously tensioning the thread. The monitoring device comprises thread sensing means responsive to thread travel as well as to thread tensioning and provides machine stopping signals when neither continuous thread travel nor thread tensioning occurs in predetermined, machine-controlled monitoring intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Erich Loepfe, Erich Weidmann
  • Patent number: 4215728
    Abstract: An electronic thread travel monitoring device on a shuttleless weaving machine which comprises at least one weft yarn supply bobbin and thread storing device serves for detecting yarn breaks occurring between supply bobbin and storing device. In the event of such a yarn break, the monitoring device causes the machine to stop before the broken yarn end enters the weaving shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Erich Weidman, Walter Graf
  • Patent number: 4178590
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with an electronic device enabling an operator to easily and correctly adjust the time interval in which the weft insertion in shuttleless looms fitted with an electronic weft or filling thread monitor is to be monitored. A safety interval of some milliseconds' duration is provided at the end of said time interval taking into account the unavoidable fluctuations of the weft insertion period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventor: Erich Weidmann
  • Patent number: 4169399
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with an electronic device for testing and controlling the clearing action of an electronic yarn clearer. The device comprises an individual fault measuring circuitry connected to the yarn sensing head of the yarn clearer for detecting yarn faults such as thick and thin places, and selector means for separating the non-tolerable faults from the rest. By comparing the output of the device and the output of the yarn clearer, the non-tolerable faults which have not been cut-out by the yarn clearer are detected. It is possible to eliminate also the latter faults from the yarn by actuating the severing device of the clearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Gebruder Loepfe AG
    Inventors: Rolf Glockner, Hans Spani, Hansruedi Stutz