GB1580427A

GB1580427A - Spinning machines

Info

Publication number: GB1580427A
Application number: GB5258676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: James Mackie and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: James Mackie and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1976-01-26
Filing date: 1976-01-26
Publication date: 1980-12-03

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SPINNING MACHINES (71) We, JAMES MACKIE & SONS LIMITED, a British Company, of Albert Foundry, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 7ED, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- In the process of open-end spinning, the starting material which may be either in the form of a sliver or rove needs to be separated intb individual fibres before these are fed to the spinning rotor. The sliver or rove is thus fed to a toothed or pinned roller having a surface speed greater than that of the sliver or rove and known as an opening roller.The sliver or rove needs to be fed smoothly and under close control to the surface of the opening roller since any departure from the intended feed conditions tends to lead to breaking or chopping of the fibres by the teeth of the opening roller and to an uneven feed to the spinning rotor.

Consequently, the construction and operation of the feed section to the opening roller represents one of the major critical areas in the design of an open-end spinning machine.

Generally speaking, the feed section to the opening roller needs to include a pair of feed rollers with co-operating means comprising elements located on opposite sides of the path of the sliver or rove (subsequently referred to as "sliver" for the sake of brevity) between the feed rollers and the opening roller for supporting and guiding the sliver over this part of its path. One or more elements may be included on each side of the path and a variety of different combinations is possible. For example, a guide plate on one side of the path may co-operate with a driven apron on the opposite side or with a number of separate rollers, a roller preceded by a guide plate may co-operate with a driven apron on the opposite side of the path and so forth.

According to the present invention, at least one of the elements immediately preceding the opening roller is formed with a groove which, at least at its end adjacent the opening roller is narrower than the opening roller. The groove thus acts as a conductor for the sliver or rove and prevents any excess tranverse wandering of the sliver which might otherwise prevent it centering the opening roller cleanly and might for example, cause it to be fed down the side of the opening roller instead of onto the teeth.

As mentioned above, various combinations of elements on either side of the sliver path are possible, but some are particularly favourable when provided with a groove in accordance with the invention. Thus the grooved element immediately preceding the opening roller may be constituted by a guide plate which may constitute the only element on this side of the path or may be preceded by an apron. Alternatively the grooved element may be constituted by a roller preceded by a guide plate and, if required, this guide plate may also be grooved. As a further alternative, the roller may be preceded by an apron.

The grooved element itself may be constituted by an apron and this may be capable of yielding locally to form the groove by virtue of a grooved support plate or, alternatively, the local yielding may result from the construction of the apron itself.

With any of this variety of grooved elements on one side of the path, the co-operating element on the other side of the path may be constituted by a driven apron. As an alternative to an apron, a number of rollers may be used and the roller closest to the opening roller may be positively driven. Under some circumstances the elements on both sides of the sliver path may be grooved, but if the path is inclined and the elements on only one side of the path are to be grooved, these elements are preferably located on the upper side of the path.

Constructions in accordance with the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the feed section and opening roller of a pair of spinning heads; Figure 2 is an elevation to an enlarged scale showing the path of the sliver in Figure 1 immediately before passing to the opening roller; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing guiding elements constituted by the combination of a guide plate and separate support rollers; Figure 4 shows a further modification in which the guiding elements consist of a combination of a guide plate and roller with a supporting apron; and Figure 5 shows a further modification in which the elements are constituted by a pair of aprons.

Figure 1 shows a spinning unit comprising a pair of adjacent spinning heads of which the essential components are illustrated in detail only in respect of the right hand head. Each spinning head comprises basically a feed section indicated as 1, an opening roller 2, and a housing for a spinning rotor (not shown in the drawings). The two opening rollers 2 are driven by a common electric motor enclosed within a housing 4, as described and claimed in the copending application No.

2913/76 (Serial No. 1 580 426). Sliver or rove delivered to the feed section 1 is separated into individual fibres by the opening roller 2 and these fibres pass by way of a duct to the spinning rotor. Each opening roller 2 works within a casing 10 fitted with a cover 11, that on the right hand spinning head being shown removed to show the details of the opening roller 2. The toothed surface of the opening roller is seen at 12 and the feed section 1 is designed to feed the sliver or rove to the teeth 12 of the opening roller 2 smoothly and under close control.

The feed section 1 comprises a feed roller 15 and co-operating pressing roller 16 followed by a conductor 17 leading to the nip between an apron 20 driven by a roller 21 and a pressing roller 22. The pressing rollers 16 and 22 are loaded by way of a pivoted arm 25 pivoted at 26 and held in its operative position by a catch controlled by a handle 27.

The arm 25 also applies loading pressure by way of a spring loaded plunger 28 to a guide plate 30 which co-operates with the apron 20 and extends across both spinning heads, being separately loaded by the pivoted arms 25 of the respective spinning heads.

The invention is primarily concerned with the construction of the elements defining the path of the sliver between the feed rollers 15 and 16 and the opening roller 2, particularly the last part of this path as the sliver approaches the surface of the opening roller, i.e.

after leaving the conductor 17. This part of the sliver path is shown in more detail in Figure 2 and also in the modifications of Figures 3 and 4. After passing beneath the pressing roller 22, the sliver is controlled between the apron 20, which is supported by a plate 35, and the guide plate 30.

The first part of the path between these two elements is straight and thereafter changes direction in a smooth curve defined by a nose portion 38 of the guide plate 30.

In order to exert lateral control over the sliver, i.e. to control the extent of any lateral wanderings of the sliver and to ensure it passes cleanly through the gap shown as 45 in the cover 10 of the opening roller 2, the guide plate 30 is formed with a groove 46 which is slightly narrower than the opening roller 2 and is symmetrically located in relation to it, so that the edges of the groove come just inside the edges of the opening roller. The groove 46 is seen clearly over the upper part of the guide plate 30 (which is shown in cross section) and is indicated by the dotted line over the lower part of the guide plate. Preferably the groove decreases in depth towards the opening roller so as to compensate for the decreasing sliver thickness as it is drafted and the fibres separated by the action of the opening roller.This is not essential, however, and the groove may be of uniform depth over its full length.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the pressing roller 22 is correspondingly grooved as seen at 48. Quite apart from exerting lateral control over this part of the sliver path, this grooving ensures that the parts of the roller 22 on either side of the groove 48 will engage directly with the apron 20 so as to press the apron firmly against the driving roller 21 and thus obtain positive drive without slip. As illustrated, the apron 20 is not grooved, but such grooving is possible if required.

Although not seen in Figure 1, the guide plate 30 is provided with a similar groove 46 in line with the opening roller of the left hand spinning head of the unit and all the other components just described are similarly duplicated for this other spinning head.

The radius of the nose portion 38 of the guide plate 30 can be chosen in accordance with the length of the fibres being spun and this can, of course, be adjusted only by changing the guide plate 30. A small number of different guide plates may be supplied with each machine for this purpose. However in practice each guide plate is suitable for a relatively wide range of fibres and fibre lengths and if nip length adjustment is desired this can be obviated by adjustment of the position of the plunger 28 along the loading arm 25, the point of application of the pressure being moved upwardly, thus leaving a longer length between the loading point and the surface of the opening roller 2, for longer fibres.Details of this adjustment are not illustrated, but a slot is provided in the under surface of the arm 25, along which the plunger 28 can be moved and clamped in position by means of a nut.

Figure 1 also illustrates a stop motion comprising a bracket 50 and pin 51. The pivoting movement of the bracket 50 is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder (not illustrated) the supply of compressed air to which is controlled by breakage of the yarn being spun. In the event of a yarn break, the bracket 50 is pivoted upwardly so that the sliver is trapped between the pin 51 and the pressing roller 16, which in turn is lifted clear of the feed roller 15, hence stopping the feed of sliver.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figure 3, a modified guide plate is shown as 54, which, instead of having a curved nose portion 38 has an angled extension 55.

As in the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the guide plate is grooved at 46. Instead of an apron, however, the opposite side of the sliver path is defined by three small spaced rollers, 70, 71 and 72. The roller 72, which is nearest the opening roller is preferably driven by means of a drive (not shown in the drawings).

In the further modification of Figure 4, a guide plate 75 is used which has no extension or nose portion, but is followed by a roller 60 which defines the remainder of the path of the sliver. The guide plate 75 is grooved at 46 in the same way as the previous guide plates, and the roller 60 is similarly grooved as indicated by the dotted line 61. The use of this roller leads to greater versatility in that the radius of this part of the path can be changed more easily merely by changing the roller and without the need to change the guide plate. This roller is preferably rotatable in order to reduce the drag on the sliver and positive drive may be provided if required, although this is not illustrated in Figure 4.

The opposite side of the sliver path is defined by an apron 20 similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, but instead of a fixed nose piece, the apron 20 passes around a small grooved nose roller 64. In addition, the support plate 35 for the apron is grooved as indicated by the dotted line 63 so that the elements on both sides of the sliver path are grooved and contribute to the lateral control of the sliver.

The modification shown in Figure 5 differs from the previous constructions in that there is no change of direction in the sliver path which continues in a straight line which is substantially tangential to the opening roller 2. Each side of the sliver path is defined by a driven apron, the lower apron being shown as 80 and the upper apron as 81. The driving rollers are shown as 83 and 84 respectively and whereas the apron 80 passes around a fixed nose piece 85, the apron 81 passes around a small roller 86. Both aprons are provided with support plates 88 and 89 respectively, the latter being grooved as indicated by the dotted line 90. The nose roller 86 is similarly grooved as indicated at 91. The presence of the grooves exerts lateral control in the same way as previously described.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Open-end spinning apparatus including a spinning rotor, an opening roller for supplying fibres to the rotor and a feed section for feeding sliver or rove to the opening roller, the feed section including feed rollers and between the feed rollers and the opening roller, co-operating means comprising elements located on opposite sides of the path of the sliver or rove for supporting and guiding the sliver or rove and in which at least one of the elements immediately preceding the opening roller is formed with a groove which, at least at its end adjacent the opening roller is narrower than the opening roller.

2. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the grooved element is constituted by a guide plate.

3. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 2, in which the grooved guide plate is preceded by an apron.

4. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the grooved element is constituted by a roller which is preceded by a guide plate.

5. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 4, in which the guide plate is also grooved.

6. Open-end spinning apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 5, in which the groove in the guide plate decreases in depth towards the opening roller.

7. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the grooved element is constituted by a roller preceded by an apron.

8. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the grooved element is an apron which is capable of yielding locally to form the groove by virtue of a grooved support plate.

9. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the grooved element is an apron which is capable of yielding locally to form the groove by virtue of the construction of the apron itself.

10. Open-end spinning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the co-operating element which is located on the opposite side of the sliver or rove from the grooved element or elements is a driven apron.

11. Open-end spinning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the co-operating elements which are located on the opposite side of the sliver or rove from the grooved element or elements include a number of rollers.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the plunger 28 can be moved and clamped in position by means of a nut. Figure 1 also illustrates a stop motion comprising a bracket 50 and pin 51. The pivoting movement of the bracket 50 is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder (not illustrated) the supply of compressed air to which is controlled by breakage of the yarn being spun. In the event of a yarn break, the bracket 50 is pivoted upwardly so that the sliver is trapped between the pin 51 and the pressing roller 16, which in turn is lifted clear of the feed roller 15, hence stopping the feed of sliver. In the modified construction illustrated in Figure 3, a modified guide plate is shown as 54, which, instead of having a curved nose portion 38 has an angled extension 55. As in the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, the guide plate is grooved at 46. Instead of an apron, however, the opposite side of the sliver path is defined by three small spaced rollers, 70, 71 and 72. The roller 72, which is nearest the opening roller is preferably driven by means of a drive (not shown in the drawings). In the further modification of Figure 4, a guide plate 75 is used which has no extension or nose portion, but is followed by a roller 60 which defines the remainder of the path of the sliver. The guide plate 75 is grooved at 46 in the same way as the previous guide plates, and the roller 60 is similarly grooved as indicated by the dotted line 61. The use of this roller leads to greater versatility in that the radius of this part of the path can be changed more easily merely by changing the roller and without the need to change the guide plate. This roller is preferably rotatable in order to reduce the drag on the sliver and positive drive may be provided if required, although this is not illustrated in Figure 4. The opposite side of the sliver path is defined by an apron 20 similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, but instead of a fixed nose piece, the apron 20 passes around a small grooved nose roller 64. In addition, the support plate 35 for the apron is grooved as indicated by the dotted line 63 so that the elements on both sides of the sliver path are grooved and contribute to the lateral control of the sliver. The modification shown in Figure 5 differs from the previous constructions in that there is no change of direction in the sliver path which continues in a straight line which is substantially tangential to the opening roller 2. Each side of the sliver path is defined by a driven apron, the lower apron being shown as 80 and the upper apron as 81. The driving rollers are shown as 83 and 84 respectively and whereas the apron 80 passes around a fixed nose piece 85, the apron 81 passes around a small roller 86. Both aprons are provided with support plates 88 and 89 respectively, the latter being grooved as indicated by the dotted line 90. The nose roller 86 is similarly grooved as indicated at 91. The presence of the grooves exerts lateral control in the same way as previously described. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Open-end spinning apparatus including a spinning rotor, an opening roller for supplying fibres to the rotor and a feed section for feeding sliver or rove to the opening roller, the feed section including feed rollers and between the feed rollers and the opening roller, co-operating means comprising elements located on opposite sides of the path of the sliver or rove for supporting and guiding the sliver or rove and in which at least one of the elements immediately preceding the opening roller is formed with a groove which, at least at its end adjacent the opening roller is narrower than the opening roller.

12. Open-end spinning apparatus accord

ing to claim 11 in which the roller closest to the opening roller is positively driven.

13. Open-end spinning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the element or elements on both sides of the sliver or rove are grooved.

14. Open-end spinning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 in which the path of the sliver or rove is inclined and the grooved element is located on the upper side of the path.

15. Open-end spinning apparatus according to claim 1, in which the feed section is substantially as described and as illustrated with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or any one of Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.