Abstract: An intermittently-operating strand delivery system having:(1) a nozzle passageway through which the strand is guided;(2) a supply for pressurized medium;(3) conduit means connecting between said nozzle passageway and said supply including a pressure-operated on-off flow valve; and(4) separate servo valve units for independently applying and releasing control pressure, respectively to and from the pressure-operated flow valve to move the cam between alternately open and closed positions to admit medium from the supply to the nozzle passageway for a controlled interval and thereby permit a pulse of medium to pass through the nozzle passageway and project a length of the weft strand therefrom. The servo units can take the form of separate solenoids or rotary spool valves. The opening of the pressure-operated valve preferably incorporates an avalanching effect to accelerate its opening action.

Abstract: The actuation of a nozzle utilized for propelling the yarn in an air weft insertion weaving system is controlled by means of a single rotary servo valve having an arrangement of ports adapted to be brought during valve rotation into registration alternately with an air pressure source and with the atmosphere for alternately pressurizing and venting a pilot chamber for opening and closing the nozzle. Preferably, the rotary valve includes a rotary spool enclosed within a sleeve of air permeable material to provide an air bearing for the spool.

Abstract: A strand is furnished to a strand consuming unit, e.g. loom, having a periodic demand for a finite length of strand by:(a) continuously advancing the strand from a supply source for winding onto a first surface,(b) continuously advancing the strand from the first surface onto one end of a second surface for rewinding thereof on the second surface,(c) periodically operating the consuming unit to withdraw the strand from an opposite end of such second surface while continuing the advance of the strand both to such first surface and from the first surface toward the first end of the second surface, and(d) halting withdrawal of the strand when a finite length thereof has been withdrawn from the opposite end of the second surface by the consuming unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a weft strand into the shed of a loom or the like in which a confined zone is provided in proximity to the shed serving as a guide for a weft strand passing through the zone, and a sustained pulse of a supersonic gaseous medium is abruptly expelled from the zone directed toward said shed to thereby pass the weft strand through at least a portion of the shed. The strand is preferably confined to a pre-selected path during passage of the pulse of medium and the strand through at least the stated portion of said shed.

Abstract: Loss of tension in individual warp threads is detected in the lease zone by directing a flow of air against one side of the warp threads within the lease zone to displace any relatively untensioned thread toward the opposite side of said zone and detecting such displacement photoelectrically. Preferably, the photoelectric detector is insensitive to disturbances other than thread displacement.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for dispensing a weft yarn to an outside filling supply loom in which weft yarn is drawn from a supply package and fed into a spiral shaped conduit which has an opening at each end and a continuous opening connecting both end openings. An air flow is created in the conduit which is effective to draw a loop of said weft yarn into the conduit through one of the end openings thereof, said weft yarn being subsequently withdrawn from the continuous opening for insertion into the loom.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for preparing a length of weft yarn in a magazine for insertion in a shuttleless loom. Weft yarn is drawn from a supply package into a storage magazine wherein a helical airflow is created which directs the weft yarn into a helix from which the weft yarn is then withdrawn axially of the helix for insertion into the loom.

Abstract: A leno selvage device and method of forming a leno selvage for a loom wherein a pair of leno threads extend from supply packages through a pair of thread guides to the selvage. The thread guides are rotated around a horizontal axis which lies substantially between and intermediate the guides so that the guides will alternately occupy upper and lower shed positions and are caused to dwell in the upper and lower shed positions. The device includes a stationary cam surface which curcumscribes said axis and a lever for each guide which is attached to the guide at one end and to a cam follower at its other end for engagement with the cam surface.