Abstract: The invention relates to a spinning station (1) of a spinning machine, wherein the spinning station (1) has a spinning means (2) for producing a yarn (3) from a sliver (4) fed to the spinning means (2), wherein the spinning station (1) has a winding apparatus (20) for winding the yarn (3) onto a package (16), said winding apparatus (20) being arranged downstream of the spinning means (2) in a transport direction of the yarn (3), wherein the spinning station (1) has a yarn clearer (5) arranged between the spinning means (2) and the winding apparatus (20), the yarn being monitorable for yarn defects with the aid of said yarn clearer (5), and wherein the spinning station (1) is assigned a controller (6) which is configured to interrupt the production of the yarn (3) if a defined yarn defect is detected.

Abstract: An on-line defect detection system for detecting a defect in a fibrous member and related processes are provided. The defect detection system may include first and second fiber contacting members where at least one of the contacting members is shiftable relative to the other contacting member. The defect detection system may also include a defect detection zone defined between at least a portion of the first and second fiber contacting members. The defect detection zone may be configured to receive at least a portion of the fibrous member in a manner such that the fibrous member contacts the first and second fiber contacting members in the defect detection zone. Further, the defect detection zone may also include a sensor configured to sense movement of one of the first and second fiber contacting members and generate an electronic signal based on the sensed movement of the at least one fiber contacting member.

Abstract: A method for electronically evaluating yarn or fabric samples by delineating a given sample into one or more cells and comparing the cells to each other or to one or more reference cells.

Abstract: A system or method for electronically simulating fabrics to assist in grading yarn and fabric qualities, in which the diameter or other qualities of one or more yarn samples along the total length of the samples is measured, and representations of the measured yarn qualities are evaluated in a fabric pattern to assist evaluation of the effects of the yarn quality variations on fabric which potentially would be produced from the sampled yarn.

Abstract: In method of yarn strength measurement, the yarn of which the strength is being tested is grabbed while the yarn is moving during a production or processing process, in a spinning machine or a yarn-processing machine, a spooling frame or open-end spinning machine, by a clamp and is made to tear. The forces arising during tearing are determined using a test device and utilizing the electronic infrastructure already extant in the yarn cleaner to ascertain the yarn strength.

Abstract: A stop motion device for a textile strand processing machine including a sensor positioned between a supply package and a take-up package for sensing the presence or absence of a strand within a defined sensing range of the sensor and a strand breaker positioned between the supply package and the sensor. The strand breaker includes a pivot for pivotally mounting the strand breaker for movement between an inoperative position in disengagement with the strand and a strand breaking position in engagement with the strand. The pivot is positioned with relation to the path of movement of the strand for pivotal movement of the strand breaker in the direction of movement of the strand and towards and into the path of movement of the strand for breaking the strand upstream of the take-up package. A release cooperates with the sensor and the strand breaker for releasing the strand breaker when the sensor senses the absence of a strand within its sensing range.

Abstract: For the setting of yarn clearers for fineness control the number of permissible false alarms for a given yarn length, i.e. the permissible alarm frequency, is fixed. During the clearing process measured values of the fineness are recorded continuously, and their distribution is determined. From this distribution of the measured values and from the predetermined permissible alarm frequency, response limits are fixed independently on the basis of statistical regularities. Thus, the yarn clearers can be set automatically in an optimum manner on the basis of actual production circumstances, and mistakes between yarns differing only slightly in their fineness cannot occur.

Abstract: An optical slub catcher, particularly suitable for open-end process weaving machines, comprises a special optical head for the measurement of yarn diameter, the analog signal of which is cleaned of the disturbances due to ambient light. This analog signal is furthermore normalized by an original compensating and normalizing unit, and is then digitized. The slub catcher of the present invention is also provided with the following: a detector unit for the detection of Moire defects, a detector unit for the detection of the % VC irregularities, and a unit for spectrogram processing.In addition, the slub catcher of the present invention compensates for dirt build-up, thermal drifts, and aging of the optical head which affect the performance of the slub catchers of the prior art.

Abstract: Device comprising two identical air capacitors for continuous measurement of the linear mass of textile products. The thread is passed through the air gap of one of the capacitors. Its presence causes differences in capacitance between the two capacitors which are used to detect any irregularities in the thread. The device is characterized in that it comprises a means of simultaneously modifying the air gap of both capacitors to enable different grades of material to be monitored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a doffing control system in an automatic winder. When a signal for turning off a drum motor for stopping a traversing drum is put out to stop rotation of the drum due to a full-winding signal and then the yarn is wound up on a package by an inertia rotation of the drum, the detecting action of the slub catcher is maintained even after emission of the full-winding signal until the yarn speed is reduced to a level corresponding to the critical limit of sensing yarn breakage by the slub catcher.

Abstract: To prevent the formation of remnant thread pieces due to response of a thread cutting apparatus 2, 3, 4 coupled to a thread or yarn cleaning device 36, which erroneously responds with an "off-size" signal upon a thread break, the cutter blade is guided in front of the thread when tensioned--under ordinary conditions--but loose if the thread should be broken. Under tension, movement of the cutter blade 2, 3 will sever the thread; when the thread is slack, the cutter blade can move into a groove 4, 4' of a counter element or anvil, which groove is deeper than the travel of the cutter blade to accomodate the slack thread. For heavier threads, the forward portion of the cutter element can be movable (FIGS. 4-6) to be pulled against a counter surface 14 by a taut thread, but to engage into the deeper groove 4' by a slack thread not having the pulling action on the blade.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the presence of a running thread takes advantage of the inherent physical irregularities of the thread to generate an alternating current signal as the thread passes through a capacitive element. The variations in capacitance resulting from the running thread are detected and amplified as an alternating current electrical signal, which disappears instantly with thread stoppage or breakage.

Abstract: High-speed spooling machines for yarn or thread are subject to the difficulty that, if the yarn or thread should break between a yarn cleaning, that is, size sensing and cutting apparatus and the takeup spool, stray remnant filamentary pieces may occur due to operation of the cutter apparatus since the thread size sensing apparatus may provide an erroneous "cut" signal upon absence of any thread in the sensing field. To prevent such operation, a thread sensing element is interposed in the path of the thread being spooled which, upon break of thread, will provide a "no tension" signal which will be below a predetermined threshold level. This signal is then used to inhibit operation of the cutter, regardless of the output of the thread size sensing element.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an electronic device for testing and controlling the clearing action of an electronic yarn clearer. The device comprises an individual fault measuring circuitry connected to the yarn sensing head of the yarn clearer for detecting yarn faults such as thick and thin places, and selector means for separating the non-tolerable faults from the rest. By comparing the output of the device and the output of the yarn clearer, the non-tolerable faults which have not been cut-out by the yarn clearer are detected. It is possible to eliminate also the latter faults from the yarn by actuating the severing device of the clearer.

Abstract: A two-piece snap-on yarn trapper including a molded U-shaped bracket that snaps onto a yarn detector switch and supports a plural-turn helical spring. This spring is held inwardly bowed in the bracket so that the turns are held open or separated on the yarn side to provide a series of V-grooves for receiving the yarn that is drawn tightly thereinto by the trip lever of the yarn detector switch thereby to trap the yarn when it goes slack. The bracket is provided with a pair of inner edges or guides to guide the yarn to the middle portion of the helix where trapping is most effective and reliable. The helical spring is compressed and snap-in assembled on a pair of angularly-disposed stubs received in opposite ends thereof to hold the spring in its bowed condition on the bracket due to the tension of the helix.

Abstract: A twist detecting device for use in a detwisting apparatus for a roped web of knit or woven fabric in a fabric processing system comprising a pair of sensing drums each having a plurality of axial grooves formed on at least a portion of the circumferential surface thereof and spaced apart from each other so that said roped web passes between said drums in a direction generally parallel with said grooves; means for supporting said drums rotatably about their respective axes so that as said twist in said rope is tightened, engagement of said twisted rope with said grooves on either one or both of said drums causes simultaneous rotation of said drums in the same direction, the direction of said rotation depending on the direction of said twist; and means for detecting said direction of rotation to produce a corresponding electrical signal which actuates a detwister so as to decrease or remove said twist in said roped web.

Abstract: Apparatus in a continuous processing line or wire wherein a welded joint, a disconnected part or an entangled part of a metallic wire, traveling continuously, is detected by sensing a variation in the electrostatic capacity between a detecting element and the wire member. The detecting element is so supported as to be displaceable when pressed by the metallic wire, which passes over an auxiliary roller which is disposed at a position opposite to the detecting element, with the wire moving therebetween. A pair of guide rollers disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the detecting element, in the traveling direction of the wire, and a pair of press rollers are disposed on the same side as that of the detecting element and between the detecting element and the guide rollers in order to normally hold the wire member to be detected in contact with the auxiliary roller.

Abstract: A measuring head is used to measure a yarn characteristic while generating a continuous signal proportional to variations in the measured characteristic. The signal is multiplied by an identical second signal obtained either from a second measuring head located downstream of the first measuring head a distance corresponding to a predetermined periodic interval of yarn length (L) or by a time-delay of the first signal corresponding to the periodic interval (L). The multiplication of the signal deviations occurring at the periodic intervals, should such be present, produces a strong output signal indicative of the yarn irregularities. This output signal can be used to interrupt operation of the yarn processing machinery.

Abstract: In the method, the number of defective portions of the yarn, occurring at periodic spacings within a predetermined time period, is detected to provide a detected value. This detected value is compared with a predetermined desired value of the number of defective portions within such predetermined time period. If the detected value exceeds the desired value, an output signal is provided or released to a stop device, control device, or the like of the spinning machine. The device comprises a thread monitor connected to a pulser which produces pulses responsive to variations in the yarn thickness. The output of the pulser is supplied to a thick portion monitor which detects long pulses produced responsive to relatively long defects in the yarn, and the thick portion monitor is connected to a time switch which, in turn, is connected to a signalling device, stop device, or control device for the spinning machine.