Abstract: The present speed control apparatus and method operates to progressively increase the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles of the braiding machine as the amount of strand material wound on the supply carriers is decreased and to thereby increase the efficiency of the braiding machine. The speed control includes an ultrasonic sensor supported adjacent the path of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles and being operable to detect the amount of strand material remaining on the strand supply carriers during each serpentine path of travel of the strand supply carriers past the sensor. Computers are provided for progressively increasing the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles in response to detected decreases in the amount of strand material on the strand supply carriers.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing excess fibers from the doffer of a sliver high pile fabric knitting machine and returning the fibers to the main cylinder for refeeding to the doffer. During the return of the fibers to the main cylinder, they are combed and aligned into a thin uniform film of parallel fibers for uniform redistribution on the main cylinder and uniform mixture with fresh, incoming fibers fed to the main cylinder by the sliver feed elements. The invention includes pneumatic suction for drawing fibers from the doffer into a substantially closed suction chamber, a flat perforated filter sheet fixed within the chamber to separate the fibers from the air currents in the chamber and a rubber covered sealing roll permitting the fibers to be discharged from the chamber to the ambient atmosphere without impairing the integrity of the vacuum in the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing excess fibers from the doffer of a sliver high pile fabric knitting machine and returning the fibers to the main cylinder for refeeding to the doffer. Upon the return of the fibers to the main cylinder, they are combed and aligned into a uniform layer of parallel fibers for uniform redistribution on the main cylinder and uniform mixture with fresh, incoming fibers fed by the sliver feed elements. The invention includes pneumatic suction for drawing fibers from the doffer into a substantially closed suction chamber, a rotatable filter roll within the chamber, which separates the air and the fibers and discharges the fibers from the chamber, and a sealing roll permitting the fibers to be discharged from the chamber without impairing the integrity of the vacuum therein. Fiber feeding elements composed of a rotatable wire-covered fiber return feed roll and a cooperating fiber feed plate return the recovered fibers to the main cylinder.