Patents by Inventor Adalbert Stephan

Adalbert Stephan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230416950
    Abstract: A method for operating a spinning station of a spinning machine includes, during a downtime of the spinning station, performing one or both of: driving and stopping the opening roller at least one time by means of an individual drive configured with the opening roller, or driving the opening roller at a minimum rotation speed by means of the individual drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Adalbert Stephan
  • Publication number: 20230416951
    Abstract: A method carries out an automatic can change process at a spinning station of a spinning machine where a sliver is delivered to a spinning device from a sliver can positioned underneath the spinning station using a movable can changer that includes a can gripper. A length of a sliver residue is predefined and stored. Once the predefined length of the sliver residue length has been reached, the sliver is separated while production of a yarn from the sliver is underway at the spinning station. The sliver is clamped at the sliver can with a fixed clamp on the can changer, wherein separation of the sliver is performed by, with the can changer, removing the sliver can with the clamped sliver from the spinning station, or additionally clamping the sliver with a movable clamp on the can changer and moving the movable clamp relative to the fixed clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Ueding, Adalbert Stephan, Sebastian Fritz
  • Publication number: 20230416952
    Abstract: A method for carrying out an automatic can changing process at a spinning station of a spinning machine uses a movable can change. At the spinning station, a supply device delivers a sliver in a delivery direction from a sliver can positioned underneath the spinning station. The sliver is clamped with a clamp on the can changer and, once clamped, the silver is separated. after separation of the sliver, the supply device is driven counter to the delivery direction such that a sliver residue remaining at the spinning station is returned by the supply device and ejected from the spinning station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Ueding, Adalbert Stephan, Sebastian Fritz
  • Patent number: 11702770
    Abstract: A spinning machine and associated operational method include a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations that each have a spinning device for making a thread and a suction nozzle for seeking a thread end on a package. A first suction system includes a first vacuum source and a first vacuum duct extending along the workstations, the spinning devices of the workstations connected to the first suction system. A second suction system includes a second vacuum source and a second vacuum duct extending along the workstations, the suction nozzles of at least a first partial number of the workstations connected to the second suction system. The first suction system and the second suction system are pneumatically completely disconnected from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Bernd Bahlmann, Adalbert Stephan
  • Publication number: 20230183889
    Abstract: A spinning machine and method separate a sliver delivered out of a sliver can at a spinning station of the spinning machine. The sliver is delivered out of the sliver can with a supply device at the spinning station in a delivery direction to a spinning device, and is guided by a sliver guide between the sliver can and the supply device. The sliver is clamped in the supply device at the spinning station. In order to separate the sliver, the supply device is driven counter to the delivery direction, wherein the sliver is returned by the supply device and, as a result, the clamping of the sliver in the supply device is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Ueding, Adalbert Stephan, Sebastian Fritz
  • Patent number: 11661680
    Abstract: A spinning machine includes a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning stations, wherein carrier devices for a fiber bundle are assigned to the spinning stations. Each spinning station operating with a fiber bundle feed device and a fiber bundle piecing device. The fiber bundle piecing device includes a sliver pickup configured to grasp and pick up a leading end of the fiber bundle from the carrier device and a supply device configured to move the leading end of the fiber bundle to the feed device. The piecing device with the sliver pickup and the supply device is at a fixed stationary position relative to the spinning stations and is assigned to a single spinning station or a group of spinning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Julian Reuthlinger
  • Patent number: 11585019
    Abstract: A spinning machine and method are provided for feeding a sliver end of a sliver deposited in a can to a spinning position of the spinning machine, wherein the spinning machine includes a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning positions and a plurality of cans arranged in at least a first row under the spinning positions. With a sliver gripper of a robot, the method includes seeking the sliver end from one of the cans in an area that includes at least one adjacent spinning position to a spinning position to be supplied. The sliver end is grasped with the sliver gripper and fed to the spinning position to be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Michael Ueding, Adalbert Stephan, Henning Rave
  • Patent number: 11535481
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a suction device of a textile machine having a plurality of workstations wherein an air flow and a vacuum are produced with aid of the suction device. The method includes filtering the air flow with a filter element, and determining a loss of pressure or volume flow at the filter element. Based on the loss of pressure or the volume flow, an actual value is calculated for present maximum vacuum-requiring operations of the workstations that can be simultaneously executed. Based on the number of operating workstations, a setpoint value is determined for the maximum vacuum-requiring operations of the workstations that can be simultaneously executed. The setpoint value is compared to the actual value for control of the suction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Bernhard Stang
  • Patent number: 11280029
    Abstract: A method optimizes production of a rotor spinning machine having a plurality of identical spinning units, with each spinning unit having a spinning rotor driven by a rotor drive at a rotor speed to produce yarn at a delivery speed. A permissible range with a minimum delivery speed and a maximum delivery speed for the delivery speed of the spinning units is specified. Operation of the spinning units is started with a starting delivery speed within the permissible range. Current production capacity of the spinning units or the rotor spinning machine is continuously calculated. Current delivery speed of the yarn is regulated as a function of the current production capacity in such a manner that a maximum production capacity is achieved. A rotor spinning machine in accordance with method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt GmbH
    Inventor: Adalbert Stephan
  • Patent number: 11248315
    Abstract: A method for operating a spinning machine that has a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations and at least one trash conveying unit that transports trash accumulating at the workstations to at least one receiving unit includes discontinuously driving the trash conveying unit during operation of the spinning machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Martin Zipperer
  • Publication number: 20210332506
    Abstract: A spinning machine and associated operational method include a plurality of adjacently arranged workstations that each have a spinning device for making a thread and a suction nozzle for seeking a thread end on a package. A first suction system includes a first vacuum source and a first vacuum duct extending along the workstations, the spinning devices of the workstations connected to the first suction system. A second suction system includes a second vacuum source and a second vacuum duct extending along the workstations, the suction nozzles of at least a first partial number of the workstations connected to the second suction system. The first suction system and the second suction system are pneumatically completely disconnected from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd Bahlmann, Adalbert Stephan
  • Publication number: 20210285131
    Abstract: A spinning machine includes a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning stations, wherein carrier devices for a fiber bundle are assigned to the spinning stations. Each spinning station operating with a fiber bundle feed device and a fiber bundle piecing device. The fiber bundle piecing device includes a sliver pickup configured to grasp and pick up a leading end of the fiber bundle from the carrier device and a supply device configured to move the leading end of the fiber bundle to the feed device. The piecing device with the sliver pickup and the supply device is at a fixed stationary position relative to the spinning stations and is assigned to a single spinning station or a group of spinning stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Julian Reuthlinger
  • Patent number: 11091854
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a textile machine having a plurality of identical workstations wherein, during a normal operation of the workstations, yarn is produced or rewound from a supply bobbin onto a receiving bobbin at the workstations. After a stoppage at a plurality of the work stations, the method includes starting and setting the plurality of workstation into a normal operating mode. The method includes dividing the plurality of workstations into groups of workstations, and starting up the groups of workstations at different predefined times, such as predefined waiting times between consecutive groups of the work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventor: Adalbert Stephan
  • Patent number: 11035057
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a rotor disk of a spinning rotor has a cleaning head with at least one cleaning element, and a receptacle on which the cleaning head is mounted and which can be fed to the spinning rotor for cleaning the rotor disk. The cleaning head includes at least one bearing area by means of which the cleaning head is mounted on the receptacle. A longitudinal direction of the bearing area defines an axial direction of the cleaning head. The cleaning head is mounted in the axial direction in a floating manner on the receptacle, and/or the cleaning element is mounted in the axial direction in a floating manner on the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Harald Widner, Christian Kettner, Frank Baier
  • Publication number: 20200399793
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a semi-automatic or fully automatic cross-wound package-manufacturing spinning machine that has a plurality of identical, adjacently arranged, and at least partially autonomous workstations. Each of the workstations has a spinning device for manufacturing a thread and a winding device including a package holder for winding the thread onto a cross-wound package. Once an end of a lot being processed at one of the workstations has been reached, the workstation is stopped. A requirement that at least one manual service action must be carried out at the workstation before a lot change at the workstation is displayed at the workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Bernd Bahlmann, Romeo Pohn, Adalbert Stephan, Martin Zipperer, Franz Huettinger
  • Publication number: 20200391975
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a suction device of a textile machine having a plurality of workstations wherein an air flow and a vacuum are produced with aid of the suction device. The method includes filtering the air flow with a filter element, and determining a loss of pressure or volume flow at the filter element. Based on the loss of pressure or the volume flow, an actual value is calculated for present maximum vacuum-requiring operations of the workstations that can be simultaneously executed. Based on the number of operating workstations, a setpoint value is determined for the maximum vacuum-requiring operations of the workstations that can be simultaneously executed. The setpoint value is compared to the actual value for control of the suction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Bernhard Stang
  • Patent number: 10829338
    Abstract: A method at a workstation of a spinning machine or winding machine supplies an auxiliary thread from a thread nozzle to a suction assigned to the workstation, the auxiliary thread stretched between the thread nozzle and the suction. The auxiliary thread is severed to form a thread section protruding into the suction and a thread section extending into the thread nozzle, wherein the thread section protruding into the suction is carried away by the suction. The thread section extending into the thread nozzle is grasped with a thread receiver such that the thread section extending into the thread nozzle extends between the thread nozzle and the thread receiver. The thread section extending into the thread nozzle is severed to form a thread section remaining in the thread nozzle and a thread section coming from the thread receiver. The thread section coming from the thread receiver is transferred to the suction of the workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Bernd Bahlmann, Romeo Pohn, Adalbert Stephan, Mario Maleck, Robert Hagl, Evzen Pilar, Christian Kettner
  • Patent number: 10724156
    Abstract: A spinning-mill machine and associated operational method includes a plurality of cross-winding devices arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction along each machine side of the spinning-mill machine, wherein each cross-winding device is configured to wind yarn onto a sleeve. The cross-winding devices are arranged into a multiple number of sections along each of the machine sides. A sleeve transport device is arranged along the cross-winding devices on each machine side to supply empty sleeves to cross-winding devices. A plurality of sleeve stacks are configured to stockpile the empty sleeves. A plurality of sleeve storage devices are arranged along each machine side for distributed intermediate storage of the empty sleeves, wherein each cross-winding device is allocated with a single sleeve storage device, or the plurality of the cross-winding devices in each of the sections are allocated to a single one of the sleeve storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MASCHINNENFABRIK RIETER AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Brandl, Adalbert Stephan, Harald Widner, Martin Zipperer, Helmut Haunschild, Christian Kettner, Alexander Holzheimer
  • Patent number: 10718071
    Abstract: A spinning-mill machine includes a plurality of cross-winding devices arranged next to each other and in sections in a longitudinal direction along opposite machine sides of the spinning-mill machine, each cross-winding device configured to wind yarn onto a sleeve. A plurality of sleeve stacks are arranged with each machine side and are configured to stockpile empty sleeves. A plurality of sleeve transport devices are configured alongside the cross-winding devices of the machine side, wherein each of the sleeve stacks has one of the sleeve transport devices operationally associated therewith to deliver the sleeves from the sleeve stack to the cross-winding devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Brandl, Adalbert Stephan, Harald Widner, Martin Zipperer, Helmut Haunschild, Christian Kettner, Alexander Holzheimer
  • Publication number: 20200131674
    Abstract: A method optimizes production of a rotor spinning machine having a plurality of identical spinning units, with each spinning unit having a spinning rotor driven by a rotor drive at a rotor speed to produce yarn at a delivery speed. A permissible range with a minimum delivery speed and a maximum delivery speed for the delivery speed of the spinning units is specified. Operation of the spinning units is started with a starting delivery speed within the permissible range. Current production capacity of the spinning units or the rotor spinning machine is continuously calculated. Current delivery speed of the yarn is regulated as a function of the current production capacity in such a manner that a maximum production capacity is achieved. A rotor spinning machine in accordance with method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Adalbert Stephan