Abstract: Between the supply bobbin and a thread tensioner supplied therefrom, which comprises a thread guide (12) which can rotate around an axis of rotation (11), are disposed a fixed thread guiding component (3) and an optical sensor (20) for monitoring the weft thread (2), which is guided by the sensor (20) and an inlet channel (18), which passes through the thread guide (12) in the axial direction, towards the thread tensioner (5). The inlet channel (18) of the thread guide (12) is eccentrically offset with respect to its axis of rotation (11), so that the section of the weft thread (2) running towards it is laterally deflected and a rotational movement which can be detected by the sensor (20) is imparted to this section, and enables a safe monitoring of the weft thread (2) with minimal thread tension. A guide piece which has a guide channel eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation (11) and can be mounted on the thread guide (12) may also be provided as means to deflect the weft thread (2).

Abstract: A delivery device for traveling thread for textile machines having a storage drum to which the thread is fed in a rearward region by a thread guide tube which revolves around the storage drum and from which the thread is withdrawn overhead through a thread withdrawal eye. An automatic threading of the thread is effected by compressed air such that the thread is blown through the thread guide tube, deflected at its exit mouth side parallel to an outer surface of the drum and conducted on an end side thereof below bristles of a displaceable brake ring which forms a slot with the outer surface of the drum, radially inwardly into a region of a tip of a head cone, the tip being directed towards an opening in the thread withdrawal eye formed as an axial suction-blast nozzle. A curved surface extends in a thread blowing direction into a horizontal surface deflecting the thread at the exit mouth side of the thread guide tube with the latter being obliquely upwardly directed during the automatic threading.

Abstract: A weft breaks monitoring system in a loom which examines the trend of the weft break, and comprises a device for measuring a winding diameter of a weft feed package and a tension meter for detecting a weft break, wherein the winding diameter is divided into plural sections and the number of times of weft break detections from the tension meter is counted every section. A yarn release device for the weft feed package which provides an adequate tension in response to a variation of a release tension resulting from a change in the winding diameter is also provided.

Abstract: A yarn storage and feed device for textile machines, in particular for the weft yarn of a multicolor weaving machine, comprising an arrangement for limiting the length of the yarn which is unwound in sections having a predetermined length. The arrangement includes a cylindrical storage member for a yarn supply which consists of windings and from which the yarn can be unwound via one end of the cylinder. At least one stopping element is arranged at an axial distance from the last yarn winding of the yarn supply and is adapted to be moved from a passive position, in which the yarn unwound in a circulating movement passes the stopping element, to a stopping position, in which the yarn under take-off tension is stopped at the stopping element during a period of rest until the next movement of the stopping element to the passive position takes place.

Abstract: A weft insertion controlling method for a multi-color shuttleless weaving machine wherein weft insertion is performed using a drum type length measuring reserving apparatus. The drum is driven at various speeds for individual weft insertion cycles of one repetition of a weaving pattern so that the weft insertion controlling method can accommodate any weft insertion condition while the location of the restraining pin for engaging with a yarn on the drum is left fixed.

Abstract: A positive feed picking device for a fluid jet loom includes a yarn measuring and storing device; a main picking nozzle; a positive feed mechanism including a drive roller and a motor for driving the drive roller. The positive feed mechanism is disposed between the yarn measuring and storing device and the main picking nozzle to feed a weft yarn positively to the main picking nozzle during a picking period. The feed picking device also includes a sensor disposed on a yarn path along which the weft yarn travels for detecting the delivery of a predetermined length of the weft yarn from the yarn measuring and storing device. A motor controller for controlling the operating speed of the motor of the positive feed mechanism, and a controller for controlling the positive feed mechanism are also included in the positive feed picking device. The controller starts the positive feed mechanism at the start of picking period.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the on-demand, low tension feeding of a filling member for weft insertion in a loom without substantial twist. The filling member is supplied without substantial twist at an average rate equal to the process speed take-up rate of the loom. The supplied filling member is advanced into a filling member accumulator from which the filling member is withdrawn by the loom. As the filling member is advanced into the accumulator, it is formed into serpentine folds. The supplying of the filling member is controlled in response to the filling member being taken up by the loom and a sufficient amount of the filling member is caused to accumulate in the accumulator to meet the high demand for the filling member when the loom accelerates to process speed operation.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the tension of yarns--particularly weft yarns which wind or unwind forming a "balloon"--avoiding further deviations thereof, which makes use of a variable impedance, for example a differential capacitor or a variable inductor, comprising a movable component and at least one fixed component as parts of an electric measuring circuit. All the components of the instrument have a centered symmetry and a passage through their center for the yarn whose tension has to be measured, with a yarn guiding and deviating eyelet positioned in correspondence of the closing vertex of the "balloon" and fixed to the movable component of the variable impedance. The variable voltage detected on one of the components of the impedance, as a function of the tension of the yarn sliding through the eyelet, is measured by a measuring device connected to the movable component.

Abstract: A method for supplying weft yarn to the shed of a weaving machine of the type in which weft yarn is inserted into the shed from at least two feed bobbins, via respective weft accumulators and insertion devices, includes the step of altering the average yarn extraction speed at which the weft yarn of at least one of the feed bobbins is extracted during unspooling of the bobbin in order to prevent yarn breakage due to an excessively high extraction speed. The method may be carried out by a device which generates a signal representative of the available supply of yarn on a feed bobbin, and controls the yarn extraction speed as a function of the available supply signal. An alternative device for carrying out the method generates a signal representative of a yarn extraction tension and regulates the yarn extraction speed as a fuction of the yarn extraction tension signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, feeding and measuring a weft yarn of a jet weaving machine is provided with an annular housing containing at least one weft yarn-stopping device. In said stopping device a stop member is arranged for a displacement between a passive position and a stop position. Said stop member is actuated by a current-energizable solenoid coil. Said stopping device is provided with a bistable and self-holding mounting arrangement for the stop member. Said stop member is connected with a polarized permanent magnet. For an actuation of the stop member in order to displace it away from its initial end position said current-energizable solenoid coil is electrically connected with a current-direction-reversing-circuit.

Abstract: An air jet loom provided with a main nozzle, a plurality of auxiliary nozzles, and a weft measuring and storing device including a measuring pawl disengagable from a weft yarn to allow the weft yarn to be inserted. During a gaiting operation, a timing (in a loom main shaft rotational angle) of operation of the main nozzle, each auxiliary nozzle and the measuring pawl is controlled in timed relation to a slow rotational speed of the loom main shaft and in a different manner from that during a normal weaving operation, thereby automatically achieving a stable and accurate weft picking even during the gaiting operation.

Abstract: A weft feeder for gripper or projectile looms comprising a body housing a motor, a drum idly mounted on the motor shaft and held stationary around which a winding arm rotated by the motor winds up a weft yarn reserve, a bracket positioned alongside the drum and carrying sensors to detect and control the yarn reserve as well as a brake to stop the yarn against the end surface of the drum, and three compressed air devices acting on the yarn to automatically restore the continuity of the weft yarn from the feed spool to the loom is disclosed. The first device is positioned at the inlet of the weft feeder to withdraw therefrom broken yarn and introduce therein new yarn fed by the spool. The second device is positioned adjacent to the weft feeder drum to receive the new yarn fed by the first device and by the winding arm to send it to a fixed point. The third device consists of at least a suction nozzle mounted, downstream of the brake, at the end of the weft feeder bracket positioned alongside the drum.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a yarn storage and feeding device, particularly for a mechanical loom, comprising a storage surface adapted to have windings of a yarn wound thereonto and withdrawn therefrom by a consumer, and a control unit for a winding drive mechanism operable to adjust the winding speed in accordance with the consumption rate and in response at least to the actual value of the number of yarn windings on the storage surface, for adjusting the actual value towards a predetermined desired value, the desired value is altered in response to at least one alteration of the winding speed to thereby obtain an optimum smallness of the yarn supply on the storage surface. In a yarn storage and feeding device for performing this method, the control unit cooperates with a reference value memory (18) for the supply of desired values (nV) varying in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A bobbin discharge apparatus having a device for detecting a remaining yarn of a bobbin. A non-contact type sensor such as a photo sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the remaining yarn on a bobbin is arranged on a carrier passage of bobbins, and the bobbin and the sensor are provided relatively movably.

Abstract: In a measuring weft feeder for fluid jet looms, the continuity of the weft yarn from the feed spool or reel to the main nozzle of the loom is automatically restored by two compressed air devices acting on the weft yarn, the first of which--positioned at the inlet of the weft feeder, to withdraw therefrom the broken yarn and introduce therein new yarn fed by the spool or reel--comprises a first duct connected to the inlet of the weft feeder, along which duct there are positioned a clamp, a nozzle and a cutter. A second duct branches off from the first, close to its outlet into the weft feeder, which also comprises a nozzle, while the second device--positioned adjacent to the weft feeder drum, to receive the new yarn fed by the first device and by the winding arm and send it to a fixed point for feeding the main nozzle of the loom--comprises a curved profiled duct, which is either open or adapted to open longitudinally towards the drum and has an aerodynamic guide for the yarn.

Abstract: A device for supplying weft threads in a weaving machine includes a bobbin support over which it is possible to slip a bobbin, a thread guide duct extending axially through the bobbin support and which includes an opening at the top for permitting entry of a yarn end into the thread guide duct, a blower for providing an airstram in the thread guide duct, the airstream flowing towards the top of the bobbin support, a prewinder, and a suction and blower device mounted at an entry of the prewinder. The blower and the suction and blower device are simultaneously switched on to create an airstream between the thread guide duct and the prewinder to carry the yarn end situated in the thread guide duct to the prewinder.

Abstract: In a loom having at least two weft accumulators (10, 11) disposed lengthwise adjacent the loom, and a bobbin holder (2) to receive weft bobbins (220, 221), one of the weft bobbins (220, 221) mounted on a table (21) is moved into the operative position to deliver weft yarn (31) to a weft accumulator (10). The bobbin holder is disposed compactly in a space which is bounded by the weft accumulators (10, 11) and transversely thereto by the loom (1) and which is longitudinally adjacent the same and laterally adjacent the accumulators (10, 11). At least two tables (21) with the weft bobbins (220, 221) are received one above another in the bobbin holder (2) and the weft yarn (31) are guided substantially transversely to the loom longitudinal axis from the bobbin holder (2) to the weft accumulators. This arrangement increases the number of weft bobbins which can be stored adjacent the loom (1) without any appreciable increase in the amount of space required as compared with a bobbin holder with only one table.

Abstract: The metering device for metering the weft yarn of a loom comprises a metering roller which is disposed between a supply unit and a draw off unit and which, in metering operation, is wrapped around by the weft yarn and determines the weft yarn draw off speed. In the event of a weft yarn break, a new waft start is injected past the metering roller into a catching nozzle and by way of a deflector into a yarn accumulator. A brake terminates the injection step. While a draw off element applies tension to the yarn, the yarn is wrapped automatically and in a number of turns around the metering roller by being moved into a catching zone of a catcher, which is rotatable around the metering roller axis, through the agency of a relative movement between the injected weft yarn and the catcher. During one revolution of the catcher around the roller axis, the weft yarn is deposited on the metering roller in the form of a wrapping.

Abstract: A yarn storing and delivering device for a weaving machine includes a stationary base body and a hollow shaft which is rotatably mounted in the base body and which carries a laterally projecting yarn feeder element. Yarn is guided into the hollow shaft and wound by the yarn feeder element onto a storing surface of a storing drum which is maintained stationary relative to the base body. The yarn is axially withdrawn from the storing drum over a free edge of the storing surface and through a substantially central guide opening. A threading device equipped with air jet nozzles is provided for automatically threading the yarn up to a location within the guide opening. The threading device includes a compressed air conveying system disposed between the guide opening and a location adjacent the outlet of the yarn feeder element. The compressed air conveying system includes a plurality of stationary directional jet nozzles which, when activated, provide an air flow which delivers the yarn to the guide opening.

Abstract: A weft insertion apparatus for inserting a weft yarn in a picking direction into a main picking nozzle of a picking apparatus of a loom, which nozzle has at least one individual nozzle, and the loom further having at least one measuring and storing device with a winding yarn guide. The insertion apparatus has an air current generator for generating an air current in the picking direction inside the at least one winding yarn guide, and a yarn suction device disposed at a position offset from the axis of the main picking nozzle and opposite an exit of the winding yarn guide positioned at a predetermined rotary position in the at least one measuring and storing device. It furthermore has a yarn conveying member for engaging a weft yarn extending between the at least one measuring and storing device and the yarn suction device and guiding the weft yarn thus engaged to the inlet end of the at least one individual nozzle of the main picking nozzle.

Abstract: In a device for drawing a weft yarn (2) into a weft accumulator of a loom, weft yarn is wound during weaving by a winding tube (41') on to a stationary accumulator drum (400) and drawn off the same. To draw in the web yarn (2) the tube (41') is so rotated as to register with the inlet of a slotted tube (51). The same extends externally around the drum (400) as far as an eye (60) disposed on the draw-off side of the drum (400). An injector nozzle (43) on the entry side of the accumulator draws the weft yarn automatically through the winding tube (41') and the slotted tube (51) as far as the yarn eye (60).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering thread from a coiled thread supply to a thread user, is arranged and constructed to avoid twisting, snagging, and breaking of the thread, especially threads of the so-called "Lurex".RTM. type. For this purpose the supply spool is positively driven in response to a drive control which drives the spool in a direction of the original winding of the thread onto the spool, that is, opposite to the direction of the unwinding of the thread from the spool so that the take-off point where the thread separates from the winding on the spool, remains approximately stationary or even completely stationary due to the compensation of the tendency of the take-off point to travel in a direction opposite to the original winding direction. The take-off point remains able to travel axially back and forth along the spool.

Abstract: A method for adjusting weft yarn stretching in an ordinary or traversing shed and for adjusting the air consumption of relay nozzles forming a travelling zone in the shed of an air jet loom having one or more yarn feed systems. The weft yarns are picked from a weft preparation system by main nozzles with the assistance of relay nozzles. The arrival of the weft yarns is monitored by a weft stop motion, the weft yarns being stopped in their movement by stopper elements disposed before the shed and a facility is provided for controlling the pressure and timing of the main nozzles and the relay nozzles. By the measurement and statistical evaluation of a time difference .DELTA.t.sub.1 between the arrival of the weft yarn at a weft stop motion at the end of the shed and the actual stop shock when the weft yarn is stopped by the stopper elements before the shed, a signal representative of yarn deflection found which is of use for optimizing and controlling the adjustment of the relay nozzles.

Abstract: A method for supplying weft threads into the shed of a weaving machine includes the step of controlling at least one of the weaving machine elements which can influence weft insertion times as a function of the reopening of the shed. The method is particularly applicable to weaving machines of the type in which weft threads are inserted by a transport fluid. A device for carrying out the above method includes a computing unit and memory which controls an insertion time influencing element in response to signals related to a moving pattern of the harnesses and information regarding the weft pattern.

Abstract: When a weft thread is not used for weaving for a certain preset time, at least one weft length of this weft thread is automatically inserted into the shed and removed to prevent weaving errors caused because the weft thread is held too long in the insertion nozzle and consequently may be damaged. The weaving process then continues with a new length of new weft thread.

Abstract: In a system for automatically controlling the tension of weft yarns fed to a loom with continuous weft feed, the extent of braking of the weft yarn is controlled based on signals output from a device for measuring weft yarn tension. Specifically, signals from a weft yarn tension measuring device are output to an electronic interface unit, which processes those signals and directs an actuator to brake the weft yarn more heavily when the detected tension is below a predetermined level, and less heavily when the detected tension is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a measuring weft feeder for fluid jet looms, comprising a weft yarn reserve winding unit with variable turn length of the weft yarn that length can be adjusted with a single operation. For this purpose, the winding unit comprises a drum of adjustable diameter, formed by associating a fixed eccentric cylinder with a plurality of movable rods, parallel to the axis of the cylinder and surrounding a wide portion of its periphery, the distance of the rods from the cylinder being variable and adjustable for each rod or for groups of rods. For each rod or group of rods, a control arm is provided slidable in a guide of the winding unit positioned perpendicularly to the axis of the unit, the arms being movable simultaneously in the respective guides under the control of a single operating member.

Abstract: A weft feeder for weaving looms including a fixed drum, a rotating arm winding, a plurality of thread turns on said drum, an asynchronous motor for said rotating arm, braking means for breaking thread unwinding from said fixed drum, a guiding ring for guiding unwound thread and a piezoelectric transducer rigidly associated to the side of the solid of revolution generated by the unwinding thread and adapted to emit an electric pulse upon every passage of the thread at the generatrix of the solid of revolution which is arranged in the meridian plane which contains or intersects the axis of a feeler associated with the transducer.

Abstract: A weft thread monitor for an air weaving loom with air jets for inserting weft thread yarns of different qualities such as coarse, fine, thick or thin yarns into the loom shed, has an amplifier or comparator controlled in response to control signals which represent the different yarn qualities for providing a loom control signal which is substantially independent of these yarn qualities. The different quality yarns are pulled off from thread storage spools. The air jets of the main nozzles and of relay nozzles are controlled by an air jet insertion control forming part of a central processing unit. The weft thread monitor with its monitoring or sensor element or elements is arranged at the exit side of the air channel formed by profiled reed teeth of the air jet loom. The output of the sensor element is connected to the input of the amplifier or comparator.

Abstract: A shuttleless loom has an injection nozzle that is movable limitedly in the warp direction to one side of the warp and that has a filament-receiving upstream end and a filament-ejecting downstream end from which a weft filament is project in the weft direction through the warp. Separate generally stationary first and second yarn supplies to one side of the warp are associated with respective telescoping feed nozzles to the one side of the warp and each having a generally stationary upstream end and a downstream end displaceable between an advanced position relatively close to the injection nozzle and a retracted position relatively far from the injection nozzle.

Abstract: A weft processing apparatus includes a weft releasing device for releasing or detaching a leading end of a weft from the peripheral surface of a weft cheese, a fluid jetting device for moving the released weft leading end to a weft introducing port of a weft length-measuring and reserving apparatus, and a guide device for guiding the weft leading end and the jetted fluid stream. The weft releasing device is in the form of a blow nozzle device or a suction pipe. In the former case, the blow nozzle device serves also as the fluid jetting device. The suction pipe has an intake port provided with a holding member such as a net or brush for temporarily holding the weft in a congregated state.

Abstract: A thread feed device comprises at least one thread supply from which thread is taken and supplied to an intermediate store. A first thread feed nozzle is arranged before or after the intermediate store. A resilient thread guide element is arranged after the intermediate store and the first thread feed nozzle, which element the thread enters and leaves at an angle to the thread feed direction of a second thread feed nozzle. The thread feed device reduces stress peaks when the thread is abruptly stopped and is particularly suitable for intermittently feeding threads. Air looms with thread feed devices of this kind have a lower number of weft thread breaks among weft threads with a low braking strength. The spring element, which carries the thread guide element, can be mounted directly on the tube of the first thread nozzle.

Abstract: An electromagnetic unit coacts with the winding drum of a weft feeding device to control unwinding of weft yarn from the drum. The electromagnetic unit comprises a movable stem surrounded by a pair of adjacent coaxial electromagnetic coils. Energization of one coil causes the stem to move into a position where it blocks unwinding of the yarn, whereas energization of the other coil retracts the stem and permits free unwinding of the yarn.

Abstract: An adjustable knot-disalignment device for use in a loom in which weaving is effected by passing a shuttle containing a cop around which a weft yarn is wound between upper and lower warp yarns. The adjusting device includes a disk-shaped reel provided with a circumferential channel for accommodating a wound thread thereon, a thread holding device projecting outward of the circumferential channel of the reel for holding threads and a hooking device for hooking the threads held by the holding device and rotating the threads, thereby winding the threads onto the circumferential channel of the reel. By controlling the number of times the thread is wound around the disc-shaped reel, the knots which connect the threads from two different cops may be made to be disaligned in the woven fabric.

Abstract: A loom is provided with a closed path for the weft yarn from a yarn package to a picking nozzle. A first yarn guiding passage extends from a yarn clamp to a weft yarn storage device while a second yarn guiding passage extends from the storage device to the picking nozzle. Sensors are disposed along the path of the yarn in order to sense the presence or absence of a thread for searching/rethreading purposes. The second yarn guiding passage is articulated to the storage device and the picking nozzle in order to follow movements of the picking nozzles relative to a reed.

Abstract: A needle thread feeding assembly in which the thread is positively fed at a desired stitch pitch while being clamped in between a presser roller and a drive roller, whose rotation is frictionally transmitted from a drive source. An encoder detects a predetermined amount of rotation and signals to restrict the drive roller, while allowing the drive shaft to continue rotating. A main-shaft-angle-detector detects predetermined angles adapted to operate the required stitch pitch and to start counting of pulses at the encoder. When a required number of pulses corresponding to the stitch-pitch is counted, the encoder signals to restrict the drive roller. Thus, the needle thread is positively and intermittently fed according to the stitch pitch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device is provided for use, for example, as a yarn brake, a rely nozzle valve, a weft yarn stretching nozzle and the like. The electromagnetic device has a pole piece associated with a winding connectable to an electric line. A spring strip is fixedly mounted at one end and projects over a curved abutment surface on the pole piece. In the absence of a magnetic field, the spring strip is disposed in spaced relation to the abutment surface. When a magnetic field builds up in the winding and the pole piece, the free end portion of the strip engages with the abutment surface of the pole piece along an increasing length, for example, to brake a yarn therebetween and, as the magnetic field intensifies, more and more zones of the spring strip engage the pole piece. Consequently, the initial speeds at which the strip moves at engagement and upon cessation of energization of the winding are relatively high.

Abstract: An airjet weaving machine with a weft thread supply includes a plurality of yarn packages, thread preparation mechanisms, and thread blocking devices on the thread preparation mechanisms. A thread break detector is mounted between the yarn packages and the thread blocking devices. Upon detection of a thread break, a control unit deactivates the thread preparation mechanism in which the thread break has occurred, and thread removal devices are subsequently activated a pre-determined time interval after detection of the thread break so that at least a weft thread section into the main nozzle is removed in order to prevent the broken off piece of weft thread from becoming entangled with other weft threads and thus being blown together with the other weft threads into the shed, or to prevent the broken off piece from blocking other main nozzles.

Abstract: In a weaving machine, one of the guiding elements used to normally guide a weft thread between a thread preparation mechanism and the shed of the weaving machine is made moveable. The moveable guiding element may, for example, be an auxiliary weft insertion nozzle and can be used in place of supplemental threading and guiding mechanisms for such as purposes as retrieving a broken weft thread for automatic rethreading or extracting a defective weft thread from the shed.

Abstract: A weft treatment system and method for removing a mispicked weft yarn from a weft path of a fluid jet loom of the type wherein a weft yarn from a weft supply member is introduced through a weft storage unit to a weft inserting nozzle to be picked. With this system and method, a mispicked weft yarn is detected when mispick occurs. Then, the operation of a cutter and weaving operation of the loom are stopped. Subsequently, the loom is reversely run to expose the mispicked weft yarn at the cloth fell of a woven fabric. More specifically, the weft winding arm is reversely rotated around the storage drum to unwind the weft yarn on the drum. The thus exposed mispicked weft yarn is drawn through the weft storage unit by a weft traction device disposed between the weft supply member and the weft storage unit.

Abstract: A device for supplying weft threads in weaving machines with minimal twisting includes at least one rotatable set of thread supplies and one rotatable set of thread preparation mechanisms per set of thread supplies. The sets of thread preparation mechanisms are rotatable together with corresponding sets of thread supplies forming a rotatable assembly to prevent the weft threads from becoming tangled with one another as the sets rotate, for example to bring one of the thread preparation mechanisms adjacent a repair mechanism, or to change threads. A mechanism is further included which converts the rotational motion of the rotatable assembly into a translational motion essentially in the direction of the axis around which the assembly turns. By a suitable choice of the mechanism, lengthening of the thread after rotation can be fully compensated for by the translational motion of the thread supplies and of the corresponding thread preparation mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a weft to weave a carbon fiber fabric. A carbon fiber package is supported rotatably in such a manner that the axis of the shaft thereof is substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the carbon fiber. The package is rotated so as to deliver the carbon fiber of a prescribed length necessary for one shot weaving of the weft. The carbon fiber of the prescribed length is reserved in a reservoir under an adjusted constant tension before shooting the carbon fiber weft of the prescribed length.

Abstract: A weft threading system for threading a weft yarn prior to restart of weaving operations of a fluid jet loom. The weft threading system is comprised of a weft winding arm forming part of a weft storage unit, arranged to wind the weft yarn on a drum under relative rotation between the weft winding arm and the drum. The weft winding arm is pipe-shaped so that an air jet is passed therethrough and ejected from its tip end section. The tip end section of the weft winding arm is bent so that the air jet ejected therefrom is directed to a weft guide disposed separate from the weft storage unit and on the upstream side of a weft inserting or main nozzle. The weft guide ejects an air jet in order to suck the weft yarn and project it therefrom, so that the weft yarn from the weft winding arm is automatically passed through the weft guide into the weft inserting nozzle.

Abstract: A weft picking control system for accomplishing weft picking in a high response throughout a wide region of operating conditions of an air jet loom. The loom has a weft inserting nozzle which projects a weft yarn under the influence of air ejection therefrom. The weft picking control system has a first device for detecting a weft reaching timing at which the weft yarn projected from the weft inserting nozzle reaches a counter-weft picking side. A second device is provided to control an effective air ejection time for weft picking depending upon the air ejection of the weft inserting nozzle, in accordance with the detected weft reaching timing. The effective air ejection time is defined by at least one of a pawl disengagement timing (at which a weft retaining pawl is disengaged from a drum of a weft measuring and storing unit) and an air ejection termination timing (at which air ejection from the weft inserting nozzle is terminated).

Abstract: A method of threading a weft insertion jet nozzle so that a correct length of the leading end of the weft thread extends from the jet nozzle in the direction of the shed includes the steps of bringing a weft thread into its corresponding jet nozzle, inserting at least one weft length of said weft thread into the shed, cutting off the length of weft thread which has been inserted into the shed so that the correct length of weft thread extends from the outlet of the jet nozzle, and finally removing the cut-off length of weft thread from the shed. A weaving machine adapted for carrying out the described method includes a control unit connected to the weaving machine's prewinders, jet nozzles, a suction nozzle, a cutter, and to the drive of the sley of the weaving machine.

Abstract: A mechanism for supplying weft thread to the shed of a weaving machine includes at least three different weft supply mechanisms, at least one of which is arranged to operate with at least two different weft thread sources for the purpose of acting as a reserve thread supply for either of the first two weft thread supply mechanisms.

Abstract: A picking period setting device for a loom to decide an appropriate picking period for satisfactory picking operations. A shedding curve calculating circuit is used which calculates shedding curves representing the shedding motion of heddle frames. A shedding stroke calculating circuit calculates a set of desired shedding stroke curves. An appropriate picking period deciding circuit decides a precise picking period defined by the crank angles of the loom on the basis of the result of comparison of the shedding curves and the desired shedding stroke curves. Thus, the weaving operation of the loom is continued without interruptions caused by faulty picking.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the length of the weft thread to be inserted into the shed of weaving looms that provides an automatic correction of the weft thread length during each weaving cycle of the weaving process by adding to or subtracting a variable amount of weft thread from the accumulated length of weft thread prior to insertion of the thread into the shed.

Abstract: A method for repairing a weft thread on a weaving machine, in particular for repairing thread breaks between a yarn supply package and an accumulator, includes the step of providing at least two yarn supply packages, a second package automatically replacing the one in use when the one in use becomes empty. Additional steps include using a thread clip to hold a thread end of the second supply package, monitoring the weft thread for breaks between the supply package in use and the accumulator, and when a thread break is detected, gripping the thread end of the second supply package and joining it to the broken weft section which is connected to the accumulator. An apparatus is provided which includes means for carrying out each of the above-described steps.

Abstract: A device for greatly damping the oscillations and vibrations of weft yarns fed from a weft feeder to a loom, at the outlet of the feeder, particularly when yarn cutting takes place in the loom, comprises, in association with the conventional fixed yarn guide at the outlet of the weft feeder, a second fixed yarn guide, parallel to the first and downstream thereof, as well as an intermediate yarn guide, movable between a position in which it does not engage the weft yarn on its path between the two guides, and a position in which it engages the yarn and deviates it, forcing it to follow a winding path between the two guides. The positions of the intermediate yarn guide are controlled by an actuator and selected by the electronic circuit of the weft feeder, according to the working of the loom, so as to deviate the yarn when yarn cutting takes place.