Abstract: Each of the operating stations is provided with a locating element while the service tender carries a sensor for aligning the service tender with a selected operating stations. The sensor includes a rotatable member on which a pair of rollers is mounted and from which a leaf extends to cooperate with various photodetectors. With the sensor in an operative position, the rollers sequentially contact the locating element of a selected operating station and by pivoting cause the leaf to cooperate with the photodetectors to generate a sequence of signals. This sequence of signals is used to slow the service tender and to thereafter brake the service tender to a halt in alignment with the selected operating station.Should the service tender overrun the locating element, signals are also generated to reverse the direction of movement of the service tender in order to effect alignment.

Abstract: Each of the spinning stations is provided with a profile locating element or marker as well as a signal lamp for indicating a disturbance in a spinning unit. The service tender carries a locating device which includes a spring biased body which is capable of moving perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the service tender towards a spinning unit to which the service tender has been called. The body carries a pair of rollers which are mounted on a pivotable turntable so as to be pivoted when passing over a locating element of a spinning station.The locating device serves to generate signals for braking the service tender to a halt in alignment with a selected spinning station.The service tender also carries an anchoring system which uses a plate coated with a layer of friction material for engaging a rail on which the service tender moves for securing the tender in an aligned position with a spinning station.

Abstract: Each of the operating stations is provided with a signal directing means for emitting a call signal indicating a need for servicing, a positional reference marker in order to initiate a braking operation and a locating reference marker for exactly locating a service tender relative to the operating station.The service tender carries a signal receiving means for receiving a call signal emitted for an operating station during passage by the operating station. In addition, the service tender includes a sensor which is responsive to the positional reference marker of the operating station to be serviced which serves to initiate braking of the motor for the service tender. Further, the service tender carries a locating device which cooperates with the locating reference marker of the operating station in order to locate the tender relative to the operating station for servicing purposes.

Abstract: To determine if a thread pick-up device, to pick up broken or run-out thread in thread spooling machines, has located therein only a single strand of thread, the thread is passed through a test gap which provides pulses each time the test gap senses that a discrete strand of thread is passed therethrough, the pulses being applied to a counter, the counter controlling operation of the device so that, if a ONE count is received, the thread has been properly picked up; if no count, or more than one count have been received, the thread pick-up operation is controlled, for example, by repeating the pick-up operation, or cutting the thread at the end of the pick-up operation, and repeating, to ensure presence of only a single thread in the pick-up device. Sensing of the thread becomes, therefore, independent of yarn size, thickness, or localized changes in diameter.