GB1289750A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1289750 Controlling strand handling machines; stop motions BENJAMIN BOOTH CO 2 Dec 1970 [2 Dec 1969] 57354/70 Headings DID and D1F An apparatus for controlling the operation of a strand handling machine comprises: a yoke 20 comprising a base 21 which base, together with two leg portions 22, 23 depending downwardly therefrom, defines a strand passage 24; and machine control means responsive to output from a strand sensing means associated with the strand passage 24. The strand may be any indeterminate length of textile material such as fibres, yarn, rope, tow, sliver, filament, and yarn bundles. The invention is applied to the stop motion system of a carding machine 10, Fig. 1, in which a web W of fibres from a peeler roll 12 is condensed to form a sliver S which after passing through calendar rolls 14, 15 passes through the yoke 20 under tension and then travels upwardly to a sliver wheel (30) of a coiler head. 16 mounted above a sliver storage can 17. Light, from a source within a control box B, is directed through a light conducting member 25 and across the passage 24 towards a photo-cell 26. The photo-cell 26 is normally obscured by the sliver S but is exposed to the light beam should the sliver S break, slacken to occupy a position such as S", or have a smaller than required cross-sectional size S'. The wheel (31), Fig. 3 (not shown), is designed to act as a back up stop motion and a production counter, and has, for this purpose, a magnet (32) attached to it for actuating a reed switch (34) once per revolution. A control circuit for use with the apparatus is also disclosed.