Abstract: An integrated linear generator system includes, for example, a generator assembly, a control system, a frame system, an exhaust system, an intake system, a cooling system, a bearing system, one or more auxiliary systems, or a combination thereof. The generator system is configured to generate power, as controlled by the control system. The generator assembly may include an opposed- and free-piston linear generator, configured to operate on a two-stroke cycle. The intake and exhaust systems are configured to provide reactants to and remove products from the generator assembly, respectively. The cooling system is configured to effect heat transfer, material temperature, or both, of components of the integrated linear generator system. The bearing system is configured to constrain the off-axis motion of translators of the generator assembly without applying significant friction forces.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a roll paper container portion that accommodates roll paper formed into a roll by wrapping recording paper around a core; a transportation roller that transports the recording paper in a transportation direction; a buffering member that moves in contact with the recording paper; and a guide member that is provided upstream of the buffering member in the transportation direction and guides the core of the roll paper that is moved from an inside of the roll paper container portion to an outside.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of A roll-to-roll apparatus for processing metal tapes with a ceramic coating. In particular, the present invention relates to a roll-to-roll apparatus for pro-cessing metal tapes with a ceramic coating comprising at least two rolls with fixed axis position, and at least one roll with variable axis position to adjust the tape position and/or tension, wherein the position and the diameter of the rolls are adjusted to touch the metal tape only from one side and to limit the stress on the metal tape at any point such that the metal tape is not stretched by more than 0.15%.

Abstract: A method for automatically replacing reels in an unwinding assembly capable of carrying out the handling operations of the reels, as well as preparing and joining the tail of the web of the finished reel with the head of the web of the new reel in a simple, efficient way, reducing the risk of malfunctions and maintaining the correct orientation of the new web as that of the finished web.

Abstract: In preparation for the stop of a printer, a forward and backward movement of the recording medium in the form of a web is implemented so that the segment of the recording medium that is in contact with a roller of the printer given a stop of the printer is moved at least partially before or after the roller. In preparation for the stop, climatic properties of the recording medium may thus be adapted to the climatic properties of the local environment of the roller, where deformations of the recording medium may be advantageously reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A coiled product, a control installation, computer software product, a coiling machine and method for coiling a coiled product, wherein the coiling tension is settable to an envisaged coiling tension, particularly to a constant coiling tension via either a setting unit and/or a change in the respective rotational speed of either a coil body and/or a supply roll, a characterizing aspect being the equalization of the free length of the coiled product, where the free length is the spacing of the first bearing point of the coiled product on the coil body from the second bearing point of the coiled product on a deflection roller such that the free length change is equalized by the setting unit and/or by a variation of the respective rotational speed so that coiling tension of a product coiled onto the coil body can be set in a simple, rapid, and precise manner.

Abstract: A roller conveyor having a bed of rollers supported by air bearings and driven by a linear-motor stator. The rollers are made of electrically conductive or magnetic material to operate as rotors forming linear motors with the linear stator. Air bearings support the ends of the rollers. Intermediate air bearings support the middle of long rollers in wide conveyors.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyance device including a roll storage unit that stores a continuous sheet conveyance medium in a roll, a tractor that sequentially engages engaging parts in engagement holes formed along the length of the conveyance medium and conveys the conveyance medium stored in the roll storage unit, a roll drive unit that delivers the conveyance medium stored in the roll storage unit toward the tractor, a slack detection unit that detects slack in the conveyance medium between the roll storage unit and the tractor, and a control unit that controls the roll drive unit based on the detection value of the slack detection unit.

Abstract: An accumulating apparatus (4) has an upper arm (51) in which a plurality of upper rollers (511) are arranged, and a lower arm (52) in which a plurality of lower rollers (521) are arranged. An upper gear (61) is fixed to the upper arm and a lower gear (62) is fixed to the lower arm. The upper gear is engaged with the lower gear so that the upper arm and the lower arm are simultaneously moved in opposite directions with respect to a vertical direction. Therefore, when moving the lower arm in the vertical direction, influence of the weight of the lower arm is canceled by the weight of the upper arm, and a force to move the lower arm upward can be reduced. As the result, an air cylinder (63) for changing a distance between the upper arm and the lower arm can be downsized.

Abstract: A motorized yarn-winding drum holds a plurality of loops of yarn wound thereon and is driven to rotate for drawing said yarn from a reel and feeding it to a general downstream machine. A movable guiding member is biased to slideably engage the yarn unwinding from the drum and to deviate its path, by a spring acting in contrast to the tension of the yarn, thereby generating a reserve releasable in response to tension peaks on the yarn. The stroke of the guiding member is limited by a stop defining a position of maximum deviation of the yarn. The spring has one end operatively connected to the guiding member and one opposite end connected to driving elements operable for applying a load to the spring, with the guiding member abutting against said stop. The driving elements are controlled by a control unit which is programmed to adjust the load as a function of a desired feeding tension.

Abstract: A printer includes a supporting member, a print head and a guide member. The supporting member is configured to support a sheet print medium on an upper surface of the supporting member. The print head is provided to print on the sheet print medium fed onto the upper surface of the supporting member. The guide member is configured to guide the sheet print medium to feed the sheet print medium onto the upper surface of the supporting member. The guide member includes at least one guide collar around which the sheet print medium is wound and a guide bar provided in the at least one guide collar so that the at least one guide collar is rotatable around the guide bar.

Abstract: A motorized yarn-winding drum holds a plurality of loops of yarn wound thereon and is driven to rotate for drawing said yarn from a reel and feeding it to a general downstream machine. A movable guiding member is biased to slideably engage the yarn unwinding from the drum and to deviate its path, by a spring acting in contrast to the tension of the yarn, thereby generating a reserve releasable in response to tension peaks on the yarn. The stroke of the guiding member is limited by a stop defining a position of maximum deviation of the yarn. The spring has one end operatively connected to the guiding member and one opposite end connected to driving elements operable for applying a load to the spring, with the guiding member abutting against said stop. The driving elements are controlled by a control unit which is programmed to adjust the load as a function of a desired feeding tension.

Abstract: Device and method for constant tension feeding, threads or yarns fed to textile or winding machine or metallic wire to similar machine, in discontinuously with phase sequences. The thread motion has at least first and second feeding or absorption states following each other in time. A controller, connected to a tension detector and thread accumulator, intervenes on the accumulator based upon tension value from the detector. A compensator, between the accumulator and tension detector, cooperates with thread to compensate variation of feeding or absorption state of the thread upon passage between each first and second feeding or absorption state. The controller intervenes to modify the accumulator's action on thread and maintain tension value detected by the detector at set value. Interaction between thread and compensator keeping constant tension value during the changing phase of the feeding state. The compensator freely moveable under action of thread relative to a resting position.

Abstract: A motorized yarn-winding drum holds a plurality of loops of yarn wound thereon and is driven to rotate for drawing said yarn from a reel and feeding it to a general downstream machine. A movable guiding member is biased to slideably engage the yarn unwinding from the drum and to deviate its path, by a spring acting in contrast to the tension of the yarn, thereby generating a reserve releasable in response to tension peaks on the yarn. The stroke of the guiding member is limited by a stop defining a position of maximum deviation of the yarn. The spring has one end operatively connected to the guiding member and one opposite end connected to driving elements operable for applying a load to the spring, with the guiding member abutting against said stop. The driving elements are controlled by a control unit which is programmed to adjust the load as a function of a desired feeding tension.

Abstract: By the present invention method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a triaxial braided composite reinforcing fabric having axial yarns of varying length may be wrapped about a cylindrical shipping spool without deformation of the braided fabric. A tensioning device is interposed between the braiding tool and shipping or storage spool whereby the individual variable length axial yarns are subjected to constant tensioning. As the braided fabric is wound upon a cylindrical shipping spool, a conformable foam layer is interposed between each layer of braided fabric thereby permitting each axial yarn to seek out its own diameter by compressing the layer of conformable foam upon which it is wrapped.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device includes a sheave bracket assembly comprising a plurality of sheaves; and an outlet cable guide attached to the sheave bracket assembly, wherein when tension applied to a cable engaging the sheave bracket assembly reaches a first threshold level, the sheave bracket assembly is adapted to move from a wound state to an unwound state to decrease a path length of the cable with respect to the outlet cable guide.

Abstract: Device and method for constant tension feeding, threads or yarns fed to textile or winding machine or metallic wire to similar machine, in discontinuously with phase sequences. The thread motion has at least first and second feeding or absorption states following each other in time. A controller, connected to a tension detector and thread accumulator, intervenes on the accumulator based upon tension value from the detector. A compensator, between the accumulator and tension detector, cooperates with thread to compensate variation of feeding or absorption state of the thread upon passage between each first and second feeding or absorption state. The controller intervenes to modify the accumulator's action on thread and maintain tension value detected by the detector at set value. Interaction between thread and compensator keeping constant tension value during the changing phase of the feeding state. The compensator freely moveable under action of thread relative to a resting position.

Abstract: A tensioning device is described for mounting between a knotter and a twine supply roll in a baler. The device comprises a spring biased tensioning arm 210 for taking up slack in the twine 216 and a clamp 220 for gripping the twine 216 at a location between the tensioning arm 210 and the supply roll. In the invention, the clamp 220 is coupled to the tensioning arm 210 in such a manner that the force applied by the clamp 220 to grip the twine 216 varies with the position of the tensioning arm 210.

Abstract: By the present invention method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a triaxial braided composite reinforcing fabric having axial yarns of varying length may be wrapped about a cylindrical shipping spool without deformation of the braided fabric. A tensioning device is interposed between the braiding tool and shipping or storage spool whereby the individual variable length axial yarns are subjected to constant tensioning. As the braided fabric is wound upon a cylindrical shipping spool, a conformable foam layer is interposed between each layer of braided fabric thereby permitting each axial yarn to seek out its own diameter by compressing the layer of conformable foam upon which it is wrapped.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of correcting a loosely wound supply roll to be used with a label applying machine is described. The method includes providing a supply roll having a material web wound thereon, the supply roll mounted on a supply roll spindle such that the material web is aligned with an intake of a labeling mechanism on the label applying machine. The method further includes mounting a moveable web guide to apply pressure to the material web being supplied to the labeling mechanism, wherein the web guide includes an encoder. The method further includes determining the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll using the movable web guide and the encoder. Further still, the method includes adjusting the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll if the material web is determined to be too loosely wound about the supply roll to provide adequate tension to the web as the web leaves the supply roll.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining a constant tension on a web of material, in particular on a label web used in a labeling machine (E), said apparatus comprising: a stationary rotary axle device (30) with a geometric rotational axis (M) and a tension compensation device (40) rotatable from a starting position about said rotational axis (M) of said rotary axle device (30), said tension compensation device (40) comprising a force unit (60) which exerts a force on the tension compensation device (40) that counteracts the rotational movement of the tension compensation device (40) from the starting position. It is further provided that the force applied by the force unit (60) is a linear force acting on the tension compensation device (40) at a force application point (65) with a radial spacing to the rotational axis (M) of the rotary axle device (30).

Abstract: A web tensioning device utilizes a dancer device, either angular or linear, which can be positioned by a controlled servo motor. In a preferred embodiment, the controller for the servo motor receives an input signal based on the acceleration (positive or negative) of the dancer device caused by a web excursion and implements a compensation necessary to oppose the web excursion. The controller may also receive additional input signals indicative of the acceleration of the web itself, resulting from the web excursion.

Abstract: A cable management device includes a housing having a forward end, a rearward end, a base, opposing sidewalls, and a pair of vertically-spaced cross-members extending laterally within the housing between the sidewalls. A cable interconnecting electronic devices is routed forward and upwardly around the lower cross-member, rearwardly between the cross-members, rearward and upwardly around the upper cross-member and forwardly out of the housing forward end. The segment of cable extended out of the housing forward end may be pushed longitudinally along the segment back into the cable management device for stowage and subsequently extended back out of the device when needed.

Abstract: A web tensioning device utilizes a dancer arm which can be positioned by a controlled servo motor. In a preferred embodiment, the controller for the servo motor receives an input signal based on the acceleration (positive or negative) of the dancer arm and implements a torque component necessary to maintain predetermined web tension, for example, an applied torque component that changes the position of the dancer arm. The controller may also receive additional input signals indicative of the acceleration of the web itself.

Abstract: A cable unwinder/rewinder with continuous electrical connection which is suitable for use with heavy gauge cable and in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. A general embodiment is comprised of a frame; a user-side reel; a slack-side reel and a slack take-up mechanism. Exemplary embodiments of the slack take-up mechanism are a power pivotal arm, a spring loaded arm, a extension spring assembly, a compression spring assembly and a dual real assembly.

Abstract: A flexible member sensor for detecting motion and tension of a flexible member includes a rigid member pivotally connected to a base, in contact with the flexible member. A sensor detects pivotal motion of the rigid member in response to movement of the flexible member. The sensor may provide a corresponding signal to a motion control system that adjusts the tension of the flexible member accordingly. In one implementation, the flexible member sensor is integrated with a feedback control system for an electric seat belt retractor that includes a feedback control loop. The flexible member sensor measures tension in seat belt webbing retained by the retractor. A motor coupled to a servo amplifier rotates a spool of the electric retractor to extract or retract webbing in accordance with the output of the flexible member sensor. The seat belt tension may thus be continuously maintained at a desired level.

Abstract: A wire consumer, such as a bale binder, draws wire from a wire coil on an unreeling device. The entire unreeling device is mounted on a wheel-supported frame, and it comprises a wire loop and an acceleration balancer which is effective when the wire consumer starts to draw wire out from the unreeling device. The wire loop comprises a wheel, which is loaded by a spring, and an air cylinder, which is coupled to the wheel for damping the acceleration of the wheel.

Abstract: A cable unwinder/rewinder with continuous electrical connection which is suitable for use with heavy gauge cable and in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. A general embodiment is comprised of a frame; a user-side reel; a slack-side reel and a slack take-up mechanism. Exemplary embodiments of the slack take-up mechanism are a power pivotal arm, a spring loaded arm, a extension spring assembly, a compression spring assembly and a dual real assembly.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a mechanism for transporting continuous paper includes: a frictionally transporting section for frictionally transporting the continuous paper; a paper braking section provided on an upstream side of the frictionally transporting section; a paper-position restricting section constituted by a pair of rollers arranged between the frictionally transporting section and the paper braking section obliquely at a predetermined angle &thgr; with respect to a paper transporting direction; a buffer device provided between the paper-position restricting section and the frictionally transporting section to absorb slack of the paper; and a printing section disposed on a downstream side of the frictionally transporting section.

Abstract: A cabinet is provided downstream of a high speed laser printer, and provides an environmentally controllable environment for a web that must be “moisturized” before being fed to a downstream device for further processing. A single web loop is gravity biased as well as acted on by a constant force spring to accommodate abrupt speed changes in the web. The depth of the web loop is of sufficient height to accommodate reversals in web direction necessitated by the laser printer.

Abstract: A film storage device 20 to receive film 19 from a roll or roll 17 to deliver the film 19 to a packaging machine 10. The film storage device 20 includes a base 21 upon which there is pivotably mounted a carriage 22. The carriage 22 has a transverse passage 50 through which the film 19 passes to be wound about the periphery of the carriage 22. The carriage 22 is provided with a plurality of rollers 53 that facilitates movement of the film 19 through the device 20.

Abstract: A loading lid is provided with a roll holding mechanism. The roll holding mechanism is constituted of a holder plate, a first position regulate section and a second position regulate section. The holder plate and the loading lid are attached to a same shaft. The holder plate is biased by a spring toward the loading lid. After the printing paper roll is put on the loading lid, it is closed. On closing the loading lid, as it relatively moves to the holder plate, an open angle between the loading lid and the holder plate becomes smaller gradually. When first and second positioning plates and the holder plate contact to a periphery of the paper roll, the loading lid stops relatively moving to the holder plate. Thereafter, the loading lid and the holder plate move together while they keep the open angle in accordance with the largeness of the radius of the paper roll. When the loading lid is perfectly closed, a center of a roll core is set at a predetermined position, regardless of the largeness of the paper roll.

Abstract: A wire supply control assembly for creating a length of slack wire in readiness for use. The slack wire is stored by arching a length of wire upward along a feeder arm and downward to a baling machine. The wire feeder arm is biased in an upward position by a spring.

Abstract: A reel for coiled strip stock includes a coil support adapted to carry a coil of strip stock for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a pair of pivotally mounted stock guides that establish a variable-sized loop of stock substantially encircling the coil support between payoff from the coil and exiting to the using station.

Abstract: A movable shaft with fluid bearing low friction support for the movable shaft comprises a housing, where the housing contains a shaft, at least one fluid bearing adjacent a surface of the shaft, a source of fluid at a pressure of at least 16.7 psi into the at least one fluid bearing, at least one vent for carrying fluid from the shaft to a reduced pressure area, and at least one fluid pressure chamber at one end of the shaft. The fluid pressure chamber providing fluid pressure that provides a force along an axial direction of the shaft to move the shaft axially.

Abstract: A winding type flexible printed circuit board tape transferring system includes tape let-off wheel unit, a tape take-up wheel unit, two idle wheel units adapted to guide movement of the flexible printed circuit board tape from the tape let-off wheel unit to the tape take-up wheel unit, a tension control wheel unit adapted to control the tension of the flexible printed circuit board tape being transferred from the tape let-off wheel unit to the tape take-up wheel unit, and at least one work wheel unit adapted to rotate a respective rotary encoder upon movement of the flexible printed circuit board tape, enabling the rotary encoder to output a signal to a control unit indicative of the position of the flexible printed circuit board tape.

Abstract: A reel for coiled strip stock includes a coil support adapted to carry a coil of strip stock for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a pair of pivotally mounted stock guides that establish a variable-sized loop of stock substantially encircling the coil support between payoff from the coil and exiting to the using station.

Abstract: In some process contexts it is desirable to maintain a constant strain on the web instead of constant tension. The novel system measures the caliper of the web material and adjusts the tension to achieve the desired constant strain. The caliper may be measured by monitoring the radius of the expiring web reel in connection with the angular position of the reel. The web caliper is input into a control scheme that includes an algorithm determining the appropriate tension to applied to the web in accordance with its caliper. The control scheme outputs a variable force command to a dynamic dancer which adjusts the web tension and thus sets the constant web strain. The variable force may be injected via an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a spring with a dynamic ground, or an electromagnetically driven actuator.

Abstract: A multi-spindle fiber pay-out apparatus is provided that allows for fiber tension control. A frame supports a plurality of spools of fiber, with each spool of fiber being mounted on a spindle. The spindle is in rotational supporting relation to the spool of fiber and is operatively engaged with a magnetic particle brake, which is itself in control communication with an electronic controller. A fiber take-up system is mounted upon the frame in cooperative relation to the spool of fiber and is arranged so as to compensate for changes in the fiber-pay-out rate from the spool of fiber that are caused by activation/deactivation of the magnetic particle brake. A load cell transducer is mounted on the frame adjacent to the fiber take-up system.

Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.

Abstract: A dancer roll device has a support assembly that supports a roll. A ball screw is rotatably mounted on the support assembly. A weight member is mounted on the ball screw by a nut member that is threaded over the ball screw. When the ball screw is rotated about its own axis by a motor, the nut member and the weight member are displaced along the ball screw, thereby displacing the center of gravity of the support assembly. The moment applied to the roll is changed, thus changing the tension that is applied to a wide web or a narrow web via the roll.

Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.

Abstract: A method is provided for unwinding a cake of wound elastomeric yarn from a creel, passing the elastomeric yarn over a bend in a thread guide and beaming the elastomeric yarn onto a bobbin in a warper head. The method includes the step of positioning the bend in the thread guide so as to contact the elastomeric yarn passing over the bend and change the direction of the elastomeric yarn passing through the thread guide just one time. The thread guide is attached to a base member such that a portion of the thread guide moves in response to changes in tension in the elastomeric yarn. The base member includes a mechanism for monitoring the position of the thread guide, which generates an electrical signal if the thread guide moves beyond a desired range in response to an increase in tension in the elastomeric yarn. The monitoring mechanism may also generate an electrical signal in response to the absence of tension in the elastomeric yarn passing through the thread guide.

Abstract: A roll paper pulling load-buffering device enables smooth roll paper transportation and minimizes the space required for its installation in the printer. The load-buffering device has an arm 22a that moves a specified angle around the shaft 24 on which the roll paper turns. A roller 23 extends widthwise to the roll paper from the arm 22a at a point offset from the outside diameter of the roll. Paper pulled off the roll is draped around this roller 23. When a transportation roller is driven to advance paper from the roll by pulling from the end of the roll, tension applied to the paper causes the arm 22a to turn in one direction by way of the intervening roller 23. An urging means 25 such as a spring then urges the roller 23 and arm 22a in the opposite direction, maintaining even tension on both sides of the roller 23 and thereby enabling smooth roll paper transportation.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing peak tensions and tearing in perforated sheet (40) being drawn along a flow path from a stack (S) into a finishing machine (F) is comprised of a drag unit (22), for retarding motion of the sheet; an assist unit (20) for urging the sheet along the flow path; and, a dancer unit (24) for changing the length of the flow path. The assist unit comprises a pair of constant speed rollers (42, 44) supported by mounting blocks (40). The orientation of the assist unit is changed by rotating the mounting blocks. The roller (30) of the dancer unit is spring biased against the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: A device for actively steering and tensioning a web as it moves along a predetermined path is described. The web is partially wrapped around a rotatable guide roller. A first end of the guide roller is carried on a tiltable support member. The opposite end is attached to a pivotal bearing. A non-contact sensor is positioned to detect lateral misalignment of the web. A control device responsive to the sensor controls the tilting of the support member thereby to correct for lateral misalignment of the web. Pressure devices exert a predetermined pressure on each end of the guide roller independently of the position of the tiltable support member, to push the guide roller towards the web to generate the desired tension.

Abstract: An unwinding device for wire or materials containing several wires, having a rotating support for a reel, a coil or the like and a folding roller allocated to a processing device. According to this invention, a dancer is positioned between the support and the folding roller. A constant direction for unwinding and winding is maintained in such as way that the unwound or wound material is directed along the same plane of curvature as the curvature of the reel devoid of torque.