Measuring Or Storing Patents (Class 139/452)
  • Publication number: 20030122018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thread that is fed to a textile machine in a twist-free manner and has a band-like character. The thread is taken from a stock in a twist-free manner and is mounted on a stationary storage drum in a thread feeding appliance having a rotatable central shaft and a winding element which protrudes therefrom and towards the outside. Said thread is supplied to the textile machine in an overhead manner and by means of the storage drum. During operation of the thread feeding appliance, functional twists are produced in the thread only during transition from the central shaft into the winding element. Said twists are inhibited from being transported back against the thread path direction and, together with the thread, are regularly conveyed to the storage drum in almost perfect match with the rotations of the central shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Sture Persson
  • Patent number: 6572047
    Abstract: A ring-shaped, thin walled braking body with a circumferentially continuous and conical braking surface in a yarn brake for a yarn feeding device. The braking body is held by a first spring assembly in its outer region in a ring-shaped carrying structure. The braking body is formed as a closed circular ring with the conical braking surface positioned adjacent to the inner diameter. The braking surface is continued by a plurality of outwardly extending lamellas having an arc curvature. The lamellas define the first spring assembly. The outer ends of the spring lamellas are interconnected by a ring element which can be mounted to the carrying structure. In a yarn feeding device equipped with the yarn brake, the carrying structure is supported in an universal joint such that it can tilt relative to the support to all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Iropa AG
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Ghiardo
  • Patent number: 6546967
    Abstract: In an arrangement for the linear measurement and magazine storage of thread (7) ahead of the pick in looms or textile machines (18) use is made of thread feed elements (1) and thread length-measuring elements (2) together with magazines (6) designed to store a predetermined length of thread ahead of the pick in the machine. Elements (5, 5′) reversing parts of the thread are designed to bring about interaction with thread parts between the thread support elements. The reversing elements are designed, during said interaction, to displace thread parts in directions that deviate from the feed direction into the magazine or magazines to a position or positions therein. The reversing elements are designed, after the introduction of read parts into the magazines, to return to their starting positions or home positions. The magazines are designed with devices, which retain parts of the thread in said positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Texo AB
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Patent number: 6513554
    Abstract: A yarn processing system includes a yarn consuming textile machine and at least one yard feeding device, each having electric drive means and electronic control and/or monitoring means. The yarn processing system includes data transmission paths for mutual transmissions between the control and/or monitoring means wherein each of the control and/or monitoring means contains one communication microprocessor for serial or serial and digital transmission of data representing information types in the form of a communication protocol. The information types differ in ranking with real-time transmission priority of at least the information type of the highest ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Iropa AG
    Inventors: Jerker Hellström, Tomas Rundberg, Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Patent number: 6488054
    Abstract: An anti-balloon device, to be placed downstream of a weft feeder for weaving looms, comprising a structure which forms a substantially tubular through cavity, preferably substantially frustum-shaped; the cavity is crossed by an unwinding thread that arrives from the weft feeder and controls the passage of the thread, by opposing the centrifugal force that affects it. The structure is shaped like a bottomless basket which is formed by rods lying longitudinally between end elements which connect the rods; the end elements are end rings which are mutually angularly spaced so as to surround the cavity in order to control the passage of the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Rosario Castelli
  • Patent number: 6470918
    Abstract: A yarn processing system which includes a yarn feeding device and an accessory device associated with the yarn feeding device. The accessory device has a device which is driven using a signal representing the rotational speed of a component of the yarn feeding device. The signal is generated by an electronic sensor galvanically separated from the control system and the drive mechanism of the yarn feeding device. The sensor also is structurally independent from the yarn feeding device. The sensor is located at or close to the yarn feeding device at a mounting location where a part of a rotating magnetic field is detected by the sensor at the mounting location. The part of the magnetic field originating from inside of the yarn feeding device is not used for the operation of the yarn feeding device at the mounting location of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Iro Patent AG
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Ghiardo, Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Patent number: 6460578
    Abstract: A brake arrangement is intended for or can be assigned. to a number of threads or yarns which can be fed in or to a textile machine, for example a weaving machine. The brake arrangement comprises two units (1,2) which have thread or yarn parts (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) lying between them and which are pressed towards each other by actuating members (3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10, respectively), which units (1, 2) cooperate with the thread or yarn parts via two opposite surfaces (1a and 2a, respectively) which are made of smooth material and are set substantially parallel by the cooperation with the thread or yarn parts. The actuating member is arranged to exert, via the unit, press forces (F) on the thread or yarn parts which are substantially identical, on the one hand, on the different thread or yarn parts and, on the other hand, along at least part of the length of the respective thread or yarn part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Texo AB
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Publication number: 20020112773
    Abstract: In an arrangement for the linear measurement and magazine storage of thread (7) ahead of the pick in looms or textile machines (18) use is made of thread feed elements (1) and thread length-measuring elements (2) together with magazines (6) designed to store a predetermined length of thread ahead of the pick in the machine. Elements (5, 5′) reversing parts of the thread are designed to bring about interaction with thread parts between the thread support elements. The reversing elements are designed, during said interaction, to displace thread parts in directions that deviate from the feed direction into the magazine or magazines to a position or positions therein. The reversing elements are designed, after the introduction of read parts into the magazines, to return to their starting positions or home positions. The magazines are designed with devices, which retain parts of the thread in said positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Patent number: 6418977
    Abstract: A yarn processing system including a feeding device, a power loom, a controllable yarn tension device which is situated downstream from the feeding device, and a tensiometer which supplies a signal that represents the yarn tension and which is arranged downstream from the yarn tension device. The tensiometer includes a separating device which can be adjusted between a passive position and a separating position and with which a temporary separation between the tensiometer and the weft yarn can be effected in order to generate a zero yarn tension signal for a signal analysis device. In addition, the weft yarn is temporarily separated from the tensiometer probe during the interval between successive insertion operations, and a calibration is carried out for a future control operation by using the zero yarn tension signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: IRO Patent AG
    Inventor: Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Patent number: 6371169
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a thread supplying apparatus of a weaving machine. The method include transmitting information about a required weft thread to subsequent weft insertions. The information is transmitted after every complete weaving machine cycle to the thread supplying apparatus and at the same time. Thus, the information about the required weft thread of at least one of the two subsequent weft insertions has already previously been transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Textil AG
    Inventor: Klaus Berktold
  • Patent number: 6364235
    Abstract: A weft thread pre-winder or pre-spooling device for an air jet loom includes a thread storage drum (6) made up of several drum segments (7) that are each adjustable in the radial direction so as to adjust the diameter and circumference of the thread storage drum. Thereby the amount of stored thread can be adjusted. Open gaps or interspaces (8) are formed between respective adjacent drum segments (7), and become larger or smaller depending on the radial adjustment of the segments. Especially for threads that form only a small thread balloon while being drawn-off from the thread storage drum, the threads would tend to get into these interspaces and become caught on the edges or corners of the drum segments, which would lead to energy losses in the thread and interfere with the proper weft insertion and thread transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Adnan Wahhoud
  • Patent number: 6322016
    Abstract: A yarn feeding device having a storage body defining a frontal withdrawal rim which forms a yarn braking zone of a yarn brake in co-operation with a circumferentially continuous braking band in the shape of a frustocone jacket and made of a material which is elastically deformable perpendicular to the generatrix of the frustocone. The yarn brake includes a stationary support for the braking band carrier which presses the braking band substantially axially and resiliently against the withdrawal rim. The braking band is held in a floating manner in relation to the withdrawal rim and in relation to the braking band carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Kurt Arne Gunnar Jacobsson, Per Ohlson
  • Publication number: 20010035227
    Abstract: An anti-balloon device, to be placed downstream of a weft feeder for weaving looms or the like and particularly downstream of a pre-measuring weft feeder for air jet looms, comprising a structure which forms a substantially tubular through cavity, preferably substantially frustum-shaped and suitable to be crossed by an unwinding thread that arrives from the weft feeder and suitable to control the passage of the thread, by opposing the centrifugal force that affects it. According to the invention, the structure is shaped like a bottomless basket which is formed by rods lying longitudinally between end elements which connect the rods, typically end rings which are mutually angularly spaced so as to surround the cavity in order to control the passage of the thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: L.G.L. ELECTRONICS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Rosario Castelli
  • Patent number: 6286562
    Abstract: A weft brake for weaving looms, comprising a rigid, fixed and flat plate made of non-magnetic material and a flexible lamina made of magnetic material, between which a weft thread slides; the flexible lamina is actuated magnetically against the rigid and fixed plate by the action of a plurality of permanent magnets which are supported by a movable yoke; the yoke is subjected to an electric actuator which moves the yoke with respect to the lamina, moving the magnets towards or away from the lamina; due to this action, the attraction applied by the magnets to the lamina varies and accordingly varies the pressure that the lamina applies to the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Giovanni Pedrini, Rosario Castelli
  • Patent number: 6279619
    Abstract: When preliminarily storing yarn on a drum-shaped storage body of a feeding device in which the yarn is placed on the storage body by an electrical winding drive with relative rotational movements between a winding element and the storage body, with running periods and resting periods, during each resting period a holding torque is generated in the winding direction. The holding torque is generated electrically in the winding drive mechanism. A backturn detent device serves to block a reverse rotation of the winding element during resting periods. The backturn detent device is actuated by a holding current during each resting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: IRO Patent AG
    Inventor: Björn Halvarsson
  • Patent number: 6269843
    Abstract: In a yarn braking device (B) of a yarn feeder (F) for looms—of the type comprising an annular brake element (E) having a substantially conical and circumferentially continuous braking portion (P), of which at least the radial flexibility is significant and which is positioned coaxial to a body shaped as a drum (4), around which is wound a weft yarn reserve, under an axial spring load (K) and in peripheral contact, along an essentially circular braking zone (Z), with a rim (W) of said drum (4) from which the yarn (Y) is withdrawn, and a flexible and wearproof friction surface structure (S) provided on said braking portion (P) in said braking zone (Z)—said friction surface structure (S) is formed by a plurality of separate elements (C) contacting said braking portion (P) in said braking zone (Z) and movable one in respect of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Nuova Roj Electrotex S.R.L.
    Inventor: Roberto Bertolone
  • Patent number: 6269844
    Abstract: A device for moving and controlling a weft winding arm in weft feeders for weaving looms, comprising a switched-reluctance motor which is controlled by a first closed loop for speed control, having its own reference variable and its own measured variable, and by a second closed loop for controlling the current that circulates in the phase of the motor, also having its own reference variable and its own measured variable; the reference variable of the first loop corresponds to the rotation rate that the winding arm must assume in order to correctly restore the turns of the weft reserve, and the reference variable of the second loop is constituted by a current value computed by the first control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Giovanni Pedrini, Luca Gotti
  • Patent number: 6257516
    Abstract: An axial disc brake, particularly for a yarn feeding device, having braking surfaces which are axially pressed against each other with a predetermined yieldable contact pressure. One of said braking surfaces has a spherical convex shape, and the other braking surface is conical with a cone axis lying at least approximately along the axis of the disc brake. The axial disc brake can be provided at the front end of a storage drum of a yarn feeding device of a projectile or gripper weaving machine, such that the yarn withdrawn from the storage drum rotates like the pointer of a clock along a yarn guiding surface and directly enters into the contact zone of the braking surfaces without deflection, and is deflected after having passed the contact zone gently in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Joachim Fritzson, Kurt Arne Gunnar Jacobsson, Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Patent number: 6213419
    Abstract: A yarn feeder having a stationary storage drum defining at least one cylindrical and circumferentially closed circumferential section, and a stationarily held ring-shaped yarn control element surrounding the circumferential section. The yarn control element is a finite band having a generally planar cross-section and is positioned on the circumferential section with mutually aligned, neighboring ends. The band is resistant against extension in the circumferential direction and is yieldable in the radial direction of the storage drum. Further, the band is preloaded against the circumferential section by means of an elastic tensioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Iro AB
    Inventor: Joachim Fritzson
  • Patent number: 6199598
    Abstract: A measuring feeding device for an air or water jet weaving machine having a stationary storage body for a yarn store consisting of yarn windings wound on tangentially in a predetermined winding direction, from which yarn store the yarn can be withdrawn overhead of the storage body. The device includes a stop element associated with the storage body which can be moved by means of a control unit between a stop position blocking withdrawal of the yarn and a release position allowing withdrawal of the yarn, and a yarn clamping device having a displacement drive and a brake shoe which is adjustable between a lifted position and a yarn clamping position. The braking shoe, in the yarn clamping position is positioned behind the stop element in the winding direction and is maintained in the yarn clamping position after a stroke of the stop element into the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Iro AB
    Inventor: Paer Josefsson
  • Patent number: 6176273
    Abstract: A brake for loom weft yarn feeding device is arranged between a front portion of the drum, on which the yarn coming from a conventional bobbin is wound, and a space defined by a hollow enclosing and covering element. The covering element has a front orifice and is positioned in front of the drum. The element has a substantially cone-shaped or spherical cap configuration, wherein a brake is provided comprising a body of round, oval or possibly even quadrangular plan, consisting of one or more intermediate segmental rings, within approximately semicircular profile, which are fitted with at least one head in a portion of lesser diameter than those of the segmental rings at either end. The weft yarn is comprised and compressed between the rim of one of the heads and the inner wall of the hall element, immediately before exiting therefrom through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Lu.Lo.Wal Tex S.N.C. di Pezzoli Giulio & C.
    Inventor: Giulio Pezzoli
  • Patent number: 6176272
    Abstract: An electromagnet exhibits in its energization curve (I=f(t)) a characteristic feature or indicator, for example, in the form of a dip (1′, 2′) in the energization current. This indicator is used to control the operation of the magnet, for example, to synchronize its operation with that of another magnet. In a loom the operation of a weft stop magnet positioned next to a weft prewinder may be synchronized with the operation of a solenoid driving a valve that supplies air to the main weft insertion nozzle and/or relay nozzles. A magnet may also be controlled with reference to rated operation values so that its actual operation value coincides with the rated value or values or at least is maintained within a permissible tolerance range of rated values. The control takes place in closed loop fashion, for example, through the main loom control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Adnan Wahhoud, Dieter Teufel
  • Patent number: 6164580
    Abstract: A yarn feeding device having a yarn brake including a wear-proof, radially deformable and frustoconical braking band supported in a braking band carrier. The carrier is held substantially coaxially relative to the axis of a storage body of the yarn feeding device and against a circumferentially continuous withdrawal rim of the storage body. A stationary support and a spring assembly are provided, which spring assembly imparts an essentially axial pre-loading force onto the braking band carrier. The braking band carrier is centered in an axially displaceable fashion at the support by means of a universal joint having at least two mechanically and positively cooperating joint elements. The joint center of the universal joint coincides with the axis of the storage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander, Per Ohlson
  • Patent number: 6158480
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the yarn reserve in weft feeders for textile looms, comprising an active element which is capable of detecting the presence of the turns of yarn that constitute the yarn reserve wound on the drum of the feeder. The device is associated with an intermediate support of its own which is pivoted to the fixed frame of the feeder and can oscillate about its own pivoting fulcrum in contrast with the action of a contrast spring in order to vary the contact pressure or inclination of the active element on, or with respect to, the drum of the feeder; the oscillation for adjusting the intermediate support of the monitoring device is produced by a downward-acting adjustment screw which acts on said support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Pedrini
  • Patent number: 6155309
    Abstract: An apparatus for severing a weft thread which is to be inserted into a shed comprises a clamping device with a stationary clamping part and a settable clamping part in order to hold back the weft thread and a severing device in order to sever the weft thread after release by the clamping device. The severing of different yarn types is ensured by means of a problem-free clamping of the weft thread in the thread clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Textil AG
    Inventor: Klaus Berktold
  • Patent number: 6125663
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the scanning conditions when controlling a yarn feeding device including a storing surface for the yarn, a drive motor, a sensor device having at least one sensor oriented towards a scanning zone defined in the yarn feeding device, and a control circuit connected to the sensor device. The sensor generates an object-output signal for control purposes in response to the movement, absence or presence of an object in the scanning zone. A test signal is formed from and substantially synchronously with the object-output signal, and the signal level of the test signal is compared with an alarm threshold value representing a just barely acceptable deterioration level of the scanning conditions. An alarm signal is generated when the signal level of the test signal falls below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Memminger-Iro GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Weber
  • Patent number: 6125892
    Abstract: A device for braking a yarn and a yarn feeding apparatus having a stationary storage body for a yarn store with an annular withdrawal surface. The braking device includes a frustoconical flexible braking band which is arranged approximately coaxially relative to the withdrawal surface and to which pressure is applied in the axial direction to press the braking band against the withdrawal surface. A ring-shaped membrane made of an elastomeric or rubber material is joined in a force transmitting manner to the braking band and is supported in an outer ring holder. An end region of the annular membrane is bent back inwardly in a direction towards the withdrawal surface and is joined to the braking band thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Joachim Fritzson
  • Patent number: 6123281
    Abstract: In order to control a digital sensor S, which by means of a sensor element H responds at least to a variation of a magnetic field M and emits different output signals Y, which are sampled or detected at predetermined points in time t1, t2, t3, the analogue response signal W of the sensor element H being converted by means of a digitising hysteresis switching device T into the output signals Y, the sensor S is switched off and on again at least before the respective output signal Y is detected. The sensor S comprises a clocked interrupter U for switching the sensor S on and off alternately, the clock frequency of the sensor being adapted to the detecting frequency such that the output signal Y can only be detected if the sensor S is switched on before detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6095201
    Abstract: A device for stopping the yarn for premeasuring weft feeders of air-jet looms, of the electromagnetic type, comprising a stop finger which can move radially with respect to a drum of a weft feeder and is adapted to laterally engage a yarn in order to block its unwinding from the drum. The device further comprises at least one permanent magnet which is constituted by at least one cylindrical body in which the polar axis is orientated radially. The cylindrical body is associated with a stem which is provided with the stop finger and can move in a linear fashion inside a cylindrical surface on which at least one coil is wound, an excitation current flowing through the coil. The axis of the cylindrical surface, which coincides with the axis of the movable stem, is perpendicular to the polar axis of the cylindrical body of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Giovanni Pedrini, Rosario Castelli
  • Patent number: 6095200
    Abstract: An opto-electronic device (S) for detecting the movement of yarn (Y) (10) passing transversely through a detection zone (11) on the storage drum (3) of a yarn feeder (F), has at least one light source (L) directed on the detection zone (11), at least one reflector (B) fitted on the storage drum (3) a short distance away on the side of the detection zone (11) away from the light source (L) and at least one signal-generating receiver (R) directed towards the detection zone. The opto-electronic device also has a reflector which includes (B) at least one narrow and approximately flat reflection area (15, 15', 15") extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the yarn and in the circumferential direction of the storage drum (3). The reflection area is bounded at its longitudinal sides by either a strip diaphragm fitted between the reflector (B) and the yarn passage plane (13), or diaphragmed regions (17) arranged approximately in the reflector plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Jerker Hellstroem
  • Patent number: 6095199
    Abstract: A yarn feeder having a storage drum, a bracket fixed to the housing and a controlled yarn withdrawal brake axially displaceably held in the bracket. The yarn withdrawal brake includes a ring-shaped braking body co-operating with a yarn withdrawal region of the storage drum and further includes an outer carrier ring which is displaceable in the axial direction within a predetermined axial clearance defined in a ring-shaped holder. The predetermined axial clearance is defined by axial counter stops, and the holder includes at least one pair of shift drives which act on the carrier ring from opposite directions. At least one side surface of the carrier ring is provided with at least one group of travel stroke adjustment ramps of different axial heights, each of which ramps can be selectively aligned with an axial counter stop of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Kurt Arne Gunnar Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 6095449
    Abstract: A device for controlling the tension of a yarn includes a gauge measuring tension of the yarn and optionally a brake driven by the tension gauge to vary braking of the yarn. The gauge comprises electromagnetic control means having a moveable control element subject to a force dependent on the tension of the yarn, and a control circuit. The latter circuit supplies the electromagnetic control means with a current so that the moveable control element remains virtually still in a given position, during variations of the yarn tension. This current is indicative of the tension of the yarn and is measured to obtain a measure of the yarn tension. The device can be associated with a yarn feeder having a drum and moveable eyelet coaxial with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Mario Gallo, Giovanni Toso
  • Patent number: 6082654
    Abstract: A yarn feeder (F) including a holding device (H) for holding a yarn braking body in an extension arm (2, 2a) of a housing, a support body (6a) for a holder (5) of the yarn braking body (4) and a moving drive including a cylindrical piston (6b) which is movable in a cylinder (7) to move the yarn braking body (4) between a braking position and a gap position relative to a storage body (3) of the yarn feeder (F). The piston (6b) is arranged as an integrated guide element of the support body (6a) on the support body (6a). At least one guide nose (9) which engages into a guide track (10) fixed onto the extension arm is provided as a rotation preventing member on the piston and/or on the support body at a transverse distance from the piston axis (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander, Egon Johansson, Thomas Bergman
  • Patent number: 6068028
    Abstract: In a method of scanning, with the aid of a sensor device, a yarn of a predetermined length which is intermittently withdrawn from a winding reservoir provided on the storage drum of a yarn feeding device for weaving machines, the yarn pulse acceptance for exclusively at least one first yarn pulse is changed at an increasing yarn speed and/or upon generation of at least one first or each winding signal to a yarn pulse acceptance for further faster yarn pulses and non-acceptance of interference pulses that are slower than the second yarn pulses. A yarn withdrawal sensor which is suited for said method is characterized in that a filtering device is provided with two different selective filtering modes that differ from each other by their acceptance of yarn pulses generated at different yarn withdrawal speeds, and that the filtering device is switchable at an increasing yarn withdrawal speed from a first filtering mode to at least one further filtering mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Iro AB, Picanol N.V.
    Inventors: Ignace De Ro, Henrik Lilja
  • Patent number: 6062501
    Abstract: A proximity sensor H with a feeler element 16, 17 which is provided in a holder 22 and is directed towards the motion range of a magnet 28 which is movable in relation to Hall element 16 and can be caused to respond to said magnet 28 has at least one metal trimming body T, 27 in the vicinity of the sensor element such that said trimming body can be adjusted in its distance from said sensor element. The response sensitivity of said proximity sensor H can be varied by a distance adjustment of said trimming body. The proximity sensor H equipped with said trimming body T. 27 suitably is provide in a yarn feeder as a yarn sensor G or a speed- or counting sensor D and is adjustable with respect to its response sensitivity by means of said trimming body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Bjoern Halvarsson
  • Patent number: 6058982
    Abstract: A yarn feeder includes a storage drum, and an unwinding brake which has a storage drum counter-braking surface continuous in the peripheral direction and coaxial to the axis of the storage drum. The unwinding brake further has a braking component supported on the counter-braking surface axially counter to the direction of yarn unwinding so as to produce spring action and having a coaxial braking surface also continuous in the peripheral direction. The yarn feeder also has a mounting for the braking component, and a pneumatic brake opening device which has a pressure chamber with a pneumatically loadable, axially movable boundary wall. The boundary wall is connected to the braking component so as to transmit movement at least in the direction of movement thereof counter to the action of the spring. When the boundary wall is pressurised by excess pressure or a vacuum, the braking component can be moved axially into a threading position in which the braking surface is lifted from the counter-braking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Iro AB
    Inventor: Joachim Fritzson
  • Patent number: 6044871
    Abstract: A feeler for monitoring a thread reserve in weft feeders, comprising a light-emitting device constituted by a light source which directs light rays onto a thread wound in spaced turns on the drum of the feeder, and a receiver which collects the light rays and converts them into electrical signals that indicate the presence or absence of turns of thread. A first focused optical transmission system forms a first pointlike luminous image of the light source on the turn being monitored and, in the absence of the turn, a second pointlike luminous image of the light source located on a screen surface which is arranged below the turns. A second focused optical projection system selectively projects the first or second luminous image, along respective differentiated optical paths, onto at least one optical sensor which emits discriminated signals that correspond to the length of the corresponding optical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Zenoni
  • Patent number: 6036132
    Abstract: A yarn feeder including a storage drum which is held in a stationary manner on a housing, a rotatable winding tube disposed between the housing and the storage drum and having an outwardly facing yarn exit, and a bracket which is rigid with the housing. An opto-electronic sensor is provided at the bracket in alignment with a light inlet/exit zone. At least one wind deflector is provided between the yarn exit and the light inlet/exit zone. The deflector protrudes outwardly beyond the light inlet/exit zone to guide an air stream emerging from yarn exit away from the light inlet/exit zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Joachim Fritzson
  • Patent number: 6006794
    Abstract: Device to block weft yarn associated with a measuring weft feeder for fluid jet looms. The device is located downstream of the outlet yarn guide and/or of the antiballoon device of the feeder, and comprises a single elongated body which includes: an inlet cone and a cylindrical channel crossed by the weft yarn, the common axis of which is the longitudinal axis of the device; a core to block the yarn, movable into a guide perpendicularly to the axis and adapted to penetrate into the channel through an opening thereof; electromagnetic elements acting on the core against a return spring; and a bush associated to the channel, in correspondence of the opening, to form a contrast surface onto which the core engages in order to block the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nuova Roj Electrotex S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marco Covelli
  • Patent number: 5992472
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve device for a yarn feeding device includes a housing, at least two valves in flow channels leading to a plurality of consumers, and first and second valve openers. The first valve opener establishes a connection with at least one consumer, whereas the second valve opener can establish a connection with all of the consumers. Flow channels are provided which are separated from one another and lead to the at least one consumer and to the remaining consumers, and a unilaterally operating drag coupling is also provided between the second valve opener and the valve that is actuated by the first valve opener. The actuating movement of the second valve opener is also transferable to the valve by means of the unilaterally operating drag coupling. In the yarn feeding device, a first threading nozzle or the first and at least a second threading nozzle are selectively pressurized by means of the valve device, optionally together with a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Adriano Maroino
  • Patent number: 5983955
    Abstract: A feeding device for a yarn includes a storage drum to which yarn is fed tangentially by means of a winding drive. The yarn is stored in windings on the storage drum in a yarn reserve and can be withdrawn therefrom overhead. The feeding device also includes at least one optoelectronic yarn sensing device which is arranged in a stationary manner outside the storage drum and includes a light source arrangement, a signal-generating receiver arrangement and a light guide. The light source arrangement includes a light outlet which is oriented towards the storage drum, and the receiver arrangement is oriented towards a sensing region on the storage drum. The light guide includes an inlet which is directed outwardly towards the light outlet, and an outlet which is directed outwardly towards the receiver arrangement wherein the inlet and the outlet of the light guide are arranged in positions on the storage drum which are at least axially-spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Iro Ab
    Inventor: Jerker Hellstroem
  • Patent number: 5983954
    Abstract: A weft yarn feeding device includes a feed roller which rotates at a circumferential speed equal to a running speed of a weft and a pinch roller which moves in and out of contact with the circumference of the feed roller with the weft in between. The rollers are provided between a length measuring device and a main nozzle for injecting a fluid. Upon commencement of feeding of the weft, the feed roller and the pinch roller are brought into mutual pressure contact to positively feed the weft toward the main nozzle. Further, the feed roller surface has a large frictional coefficient and the pinch roller surface has a very small frictional coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Corporation
    Inventor: Iwao Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5979815
    Abstract: In a yarn feeding device having a winding element which is rotatingly drivable relative to a stationary housing and which has an outer, ring-like edge that overlaps an interior housing flange in an axially open gap portion, a catching element for catching dirt adhering to the inner surface of the edge is provided within an overlap at at least one point of the outer circumference of the housing flange, the catching element either projecting into the gap portion or receding from the gap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Iro AB
    Inventors: Anders Svanstroem, Paer Josefsson
  • Patent number: 5947403
    Abstract: A yarn feeding device with a housing, a storage body, an extension arm of said housing, and a holder in the extension arm for an annular yarn braking body which can axially be pressed against the storage body. The holder in said extension arm being slidably guided and being movable between a braking position and a gap position with respect to the storage body. A quick adjustment mechanism which can be manually actuated by means of a handle is provided on or in the extension arm for the holder and allows the holder to be moved in a single stroke from the braking position into the gap position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Egon Johansson, Thomas Bergman, Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Patent number: 5918646
    Abstract: An electromagnetic unit to stop the weft yarn in measuring weft feeders for fluid jet looms, includes a rod movable along its axis under the control of at least one electromagnetic coil so as to insert one of its ends, with slack, into a corresponding hole of the weft feeder drum and engage with that end the weft yarn on the side to stop its unwinding from the drum. Onto the movable end of the rod engaging the weft yarn a bush is mounted for mating with the edge of the drum hole for insertion of the rod end, and the sliding of the bush towards the drum taking place with delay in respect of the movement of the rod towards the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Nuova Roj Electrotex S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marco Covelli
  • Patent number: 5901757
    Abstract: A weft control method capable of adjusting weft feed rate correctly and easily. The control method is for looms which include a weft length measuring system having a length measuring roller 1a and a pinch roller 1b, a weft feeding system having a gripper (4) and a nozzle (3), and weft arrival sensors (6, 7) installed in a weft arriving position in the loom. In accordance with the weft control method, a weft arrival measurement value measured by weft arrival sensors is stored, an average weft arrival value for a certain number of picks is calculated, then the calculated average arrival value is compared with a preset reference target value; and the weft length measuring system is controlled based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kidokoro
  • Patent number: 5894744
    Abstract: A rotation speed control apparatus for a yam winding storage drum has a unit for driving the drum, and a scanning device for scanning the quantity of storage windings on the drum which provides signals proportional with the number of the storage windings. The scanning device includes a light source for generating light beams along optical paths guided so as to impact the surface of the storage windings wound on the drum. A plurality of sensors are arranged so as to receive a related light beam along a respective light path with a light intensity varying in proportion with the number of storage windings. A plurality of light guiding blocks are each arranged on a respective one of the optical paths between the storage windings and the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Heinrich Fabschitz
  • Patent number: 5890670
    Abstract: A device for spacing the turns of thread for weft feeders, which comprises a set of turn movement rods which are connected to a hub by respective spokes, wherein the hub is mounted so that it can rotate freely on a bush which is fitted on an eccentric portion of the driving shaft of the feeder and is inclined at a constant angle with respect to the axis of said eccentric portion in order to cause the cyclic and partial protrusion of the rods from corresponding slots of the drum of the feeder, and wherein the keying angle of the bush on the eccentric portion of the driving shaft is variable in order to correspondingly vary the spacing pitch of the turns on the drum. According to the invention, the axis of the bush, in the configuration in which the keying angle is zero, intersects the axis of the driving shaft in a point which is adjacent to the free end of the drum and is located, relative to the advancement direction of the thread, downstream of the transverse plane that contains the axes of the spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Giovanni Pedrini
  • Patent number: 5862835
    Abstract: A drive device for a weaving machine has a motor control unit connected to an asynchronous motor. An electric supply network supplies the motor control unit with electric power which the motor control unit converts to have a substantially higher frequency. This higher frequency power is then supplied to the asynchronous motor causing the motor to operate at a high r.p.m. A speed reducing unit is connected between the motor and a drive shaft of the weaving machine. The speed reducing unit reduces the r.p.m. of the motor and the motor drives the weaving machine via the drive shaft at the r.p.m. of the weaving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Jerker Hellstrom
  • Patent number: 5839480
    Abstract: A thread storage device having a storage drum (1) from which a supply of thread can be withdrawn overhead through a thread take-off eye (5) which is arranged spaced from the end (1') of the drum and having a brake ring (8) which is arranged coaxial to the storage drum, with brake member (2) acting on an edge region (4) of the drum on the thread take-off side, the axial position of the thread take-off eye (5) and brake ring (8) being adjustable relative to the storage drum. In order to be able to effect a finer adjustment of the braking action, the thread take-off eye (5) is displaceable in axial direction relative to the brake ring (8) in such a manner that, with constant brake action of the brake member (2) which merely prevents ballooning, the thread application (alpha 1, alpha 2) on a radially inwardly curved section (3) of the drum is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sobrevin Societe de brevets industriels-Etablissement
    Inventor: Alberto Gustavo Sarfati