GB2045424A - Apparatus and method to count and control crimps in a moving tow of yarn - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a target (the tow of yarn) (1), a stroboscopic light (2), condenser lens (3), mirror (4), transparent support (5), for the target, focusing lens (6), diode array (7) to sense variations in light intensity from the striations in the target, electronic board circuit with terminal board, programmable calculator, and read- out means, such as a light emitting diode display. When used to control the crimping apparatus it also comprises a controller, exit control gate of the crimper and means to exert pressure on the exit control gate. The method is to cause an intense light pulse to issue from the stroboscopic light, passing the pulse of light through the condenser lens against the mirror through the transparent support to reflect from the striations in the yarn tow back through the focusing lens into the diode array which counts the variations in light intensity caused by the striations. The variations counted are transmitted from the diode array as an electronic signal to optional storing and averaging means, such as a programmable calculator, then a read- out device. When controlling crimp, the signal is transmitted to a controller which influences a means to change crimp in the crimping apparatus, such as pressure on the exit control gate of a stuffer box crimper. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method to count and control crimps in a moving tow of yarn This invention relates to an apparatus and method to count closely spaced variations of light intensity; more specifically, it relates to a method and apparatus to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn. The method and apparatus can also be used whenever the number of striations in a target is required to be counted.

The amount of crimp or number of crimps per inch is an important parameter in the useful properties of natural or synthetic yarns used to manufacture apparel, carpet or other fabrics where bulkiness is required.

The most common method of counting the number of crimps par inch in yarn has been to cut away the sample, magnify it, and count the number of crimps by the human hand and eye.

This slow and expensive method does not make possible in-line control of a crimping apparatus to control the number of crimps per inch during the crimping process. An instantaneous measurement, if only to indicate a quick measurement for operator control, has been a desirable need in the art. Either or both of these needs have been met with applicants' invention.

The apparatus and method we have invented is broadly used to count closely spaced variations of light intensity or to count striations on a target and comprises, in combination, a target having striations to cause variation in light intensity from light transmitted through or reflected therefrom, a stroboscopic light, condenser lens, a diode array to sense said variations in intensity of light and transmit an electronic signal in response, means to read-out the electronic signal, and means to trigger the stroboscopic light. The stroboscopic light is located to transmit an intense light pulse, initiated by the means to trigger, through the condenser lens and then through or reflected from the target onto the diode array. The diode array is electrically connected to the read-out means, so that the number of striations on the target is indicated.The method broadly comprises causing an intense light pulse to issue from a stroboscopic light, then passing the pulse through a condenser lens, then reflecting the pulse against the target, then focusing the reflected pulse onto the diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from striations in the target, and finally reading out the electronic signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn comprises, in combination, a stroboscopic light, a condenser iens, a mirror, a transparent support for the tow, a focusing lens, a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in intensity of light from striations in the tow caused by crimps, an electronic board circuit, an electronic terminal board, a programmable calculator, a light emitting diode digital read-out device, and an enclosure to support the light, lens, mirror, array, circuit and board.The light, condenser lens, mirror, focusing lens, diode array, circuit and terminal board are all mounted in the enclosure, with the light mounted below the condenser lens, and the mirror mounted above the condenser lens so that light is directed through the condenser lens and reflected from the mirror through the transparent support onto the moving tow and then reflected from the tow into the focusing lens mounted above the diode array.

The diode array, mounted below the focusing lens, so that the light is focused onto the diode array causes an electronic signal to be transmitted through the electronic circuit and terminal board to the programmable calculator which averages multiple signals and transmits an electronic signal to the read-out device. This provides a reading of the number of crimps per inch of the tow.

A specific method to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn and to control the number of crimps in the yarn being continuous!y crimped by a crimping apparatus comprises causing an intense light pulse to issue from a stroboscopic light at an interval of between about 0.5 second to about two minutes, then passing the pulse through the condenser lens, then reflecting the pulse from a mirror through a transparent support for the tow onto the tow, then reflecting the pulse from the tow into a focusing lens, then focusing the focused light pulse onto a diode ray to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from striations in the tow of yarn caused by crimps in the 1 yarn, then transmitting the signal through an electronic board circuit and terminal board to a programmable calculator which stores and averages the signals, then transmitting the averaged signals as another signal to a controller which controls the pressure on the tow of yarn by the exit control gate in the crimping apparatus, and also transmitting the averaged signals to a light emitting diode display read-out device. This control on the gate of the crimping apparatus causes more or less crimping of tile tow of yarn to achieve control to a set crimp level.

In the board apparatus concept, the target can be moving; and the combination can also include a focusing lens and mirror, with the focusing lens being located so that the light reflected from the target is focused onto the diode array and the mirror is located so that the pulse of the stroboscopic light is reflected onto the target and the apparatus is located on the same side of the target as the pulse is reflected from. The combination can also include electronic means to convert the electronic signal from a diode array to data bits with the electronic signal transmitted by a diode array being converted to the data bit and then transmitted to the read-out means.This broad concept can also include a transparent support for the target; and the combination can also include a programmable calculator which stores and averages the signals from the diode array and then transmits the average signal as another signal to the read-out device.

In a slightly different embodiment, the stroboscopic light is located on the opposite side of the target or tow of yarn to the diode array and the pulse of light can pass through the target to the array, when the target is at least translucent.

The means to trigger the stroboscopic light can be a timing means. In the apparatus used to control, the combination can also include a controller and crimping means, including an exit control gate having pressure exerted thereon by a fluid, such as hydraulic or pneumatic, cylinder when the moving target is a moving tow of yarn exiting from the crimping device. Then the controller controls the discharge of yarn tow from the crimping means apparatus by regulating the pressure on the exit control gate by the fluid cylinder in response to the signal from the programmable calculator.

In the broader concept, the controlling apparatus combination can also include controller and crimping means, including a means to exert pressure on the crimping means, such as by exerting pressure on the exit of the crimping means, and the controller controls the discharge of yarn tow from the crimping apparatus by regulating the pressure means in response to any signal from the diode array or the signal from either the electronic means to convert the signal from the diode array to data bits or the programmabie calculator. Another method to control crimp would be by controlling the pressure of steam entering the crimp bos of the crimping means.

The crimping means may be the conventional stuffer crimping box, the fluid jet crimping apparatus known in the art, or the like.

The read-out means can be a light emitting diode or any type of printing means and the like.

In the broad method concept, the target can be moving; and the pulse from the stroboscopic light can be reflected from a mirror onto the target.

Also, the pulses can be caused at a regular interval, such as from about 0.1 second to about 5 minutes, or, preferably, from about 0.5 second to about 0.5 minute.

In a slightly different embodiment, the method can comprise causing an intense light pulse to issue from the stroboscopic light, then passing the pulse through condenser lens, then passing the pulse through the target which is at least translucent, then focusing the pulse onto a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from the striations on the target, and reading out the electronic signal.

Also, in addition to the broad concept the signals can be transmitted to a programmable calculator which stores and averages the signals then transmits the averaged signals as another signal to be read out.

The method to control the number of crimps in a moving tow of yarn comprises counting the crimps in the moving tow by causing an intense light pulse to issue from a stroboscopic light, then passing the light pulse through a condenser lens, then reflecting the pulse against the moving tow of yarn, then focusing the reflected pulse onro a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from striations in the tow caused by crimps and transmitting the signal to a controller.Then controlling the number of crimps in the tow is done by receiving the signal at the controller, then responding to the signal with the controller, to continuously and proportionally influence a means to change the crimp level and a means to crimp the tow of yarn in response to the count of crimps indicated by the signal, so that more or less crimping of the tow of yarn occurs to achieve control to a set level of crimps.

In addition, the additional steps embodying the additional elements described in the preceding paragraphs can be combined with the steps given just above.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a schematic showing the apparatus and demonstrating the method of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the inside of the control enclosure showing the basic elements of the apparatus of this invention. Figure 3 is a schematic showing the apparatus of this invention used to control the pressure on the exit gate of a crimping apparatus.

In all the figures, like numbers indicate like elements. Figure 1 shows yarn tow 1 above its transparent support 5. Stroboscopic light 2 issues a pulse of light through condenser lens 3 reflected from mirror 4 through transparent support 5 onto tow 1 and thence reflected back through focusing lens 6 onto diode array 7. Diode array 7, more specifically a scanner photodiode array, senses variations in intensity of light from the striations in the tow caused by crimps and transmits an electronic signal in response through electrical cable 8 to diode array driver board 9 and thence to array output analyzer 10 which is controlled by system control board 11. System control board 11 also receives a signal from diode array board and in return uses a clock to time the stroboscopic flashes or pulses to diode array driver board 9 and diode array output analyzer 10.Diode array driver board 9 also is connected electrically to programmable.filter 24 to level detector in system control board 11. Counters in system control board 11 communicate the number of zero crossings and spacing through cables 1 3 and 12, respectively, to bit multiplexer 14 which in turn transmits through 3 digit data bus 1 5 the data bits to BCD interface 1 6 which communicates with programmable calculator 1 8 through data bus 17.

BCD interface 1 6 also receives and sends through bi-direction communication bus 25 and communicates through BCD output cable 20 to three-digit BCD 21 which in turn communicates with 2.5 digit panel meter 23 and read-out analog device 22, such as a light emitting diode display.

An outline of enclosure 1 9 is shown.

In Figure 2, the mechanical layout of the inside of enclosure 19 is shown. Conway/Helios stroboscope 2 transmits light pulses through condenser lens 3 to reflect from mirror 4 through transparent support 5 onto tow 1, the pulse reflected from tow 1 passes back through transparent support 5 through focusing lens 6 to diode array 7. System control board 11 ar d electronic board 26 are also shown.

The apparatus used to control crimping in crimp box 29 is shown in Figure 3. Tow of yarn 1 passes through nip rolls 27 and 28 to crimp box 29 and exits past exit control gate 30 to pass over control enclosure 19. Control enclosure 1 9 transmits a signal communicating with controller 33 which communicates with fluid cylinder (pneumatic or hydraulic) 31 which exerts force through connecting rod 32 on crimp box exit control gate 30. Thus, the number of crimps per inch is increased when more pressure is exerted on crimp box exit control gate 30 and less crimps result vvhen the pressure is lessened by the control mechanism on crimp box exit control gate 30.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn consisting in combination, a stroboscopic light, a condenser lens, a mirror, a transparent support for said tow, a focusing lens, a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in intensity of light from striations in said tow caused by crimps, an electronic board circuit, an electronic terminal board, a programmable calculator, a light-emitting diode digital read-out device, and an enclosure to support said light, lenses, mirror, array, circuit and board, said light, condenser lens, mirror, focusing lens, diode array, circwt-and terminal board, mounted inside said enclosure, with said light mounted below said condenser lens, and said mirror mounted above said condenser lens so that light is directed through said condenser lens, and reflected from said mirror through said transparent support onto said moving tow and reflected from said tow into said focusing lens mounted above said diode array and thence into said diode array, which is mounted below said focusing lens so that said light is focused onto said diode array causing said electronic signal transmitted to said diode array to be transmitted through said electronic circuit and terminal board to said programmable calculator which averages multiple signals and transmits an electronic signal to said readout device, thereby providing a reading of the number of crimps per inch of said tow.

2. A method to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn and to control the number of crimps in said tow being continuously crimped by a crimping apparatus comprising causing an intense light pulse to issue from a stroboscopic light at an interval of between about 0.5 second to two minutes, then passing said pulse through a condenser lens, then reflecting said pulse from a mirror through a transparent support for said tow onto said tow, then reflecting said pulse from said tow into a focusing lens then focusing said focused light pulse onto a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from striations in said tow of yarn caused by crimps in said yarn, then transmitting said signal through an electronic board circuit and terminal board to a programmable calculator which stores and averages said signals, then transmitting said averaged signals as another signal to a controller which controls the pressure on said tow of yarn by the exit control gate in said crimping apparatus, and also transmitting said averaged signals to a light-emitting-diode readout device, thereby causing more or less crimping of said tow of yarn to achieve control to set a crimp level.

3. An apparatus to count closely spaced variations of light intensity comprising, in combination, a target having striations to cause variation in light intensity from light transmitted through or reflected therefrom, a stroboscopic light, a condenser lens, a diode array to sense said variations in intensity of light and transmit an electronic signa; in response, means to read-out said electronic signal, and means to trigger said stroboscopic light, said stroboscopic light being located to transmit intense light pulses, initiated by said means to trigger, to pass through said condenser lens and then through or reflected from said target onto said diode array, said diode array being electrically connected to said read-out means, so that the number of striations on the target is indicated.

4. An apparatus to count crimps in a moving tow of yarn exiting from a- crimping means comprising, in combination, a stroboscopic light, a timing means to trigger said stroboscopic light, a condenser lens, a mirror, a transparent support for said tow, a focusing lens, a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in intensity of light from striations in said tow caused by crimps, an electronic means to convert said signal to a data bit, an electronic board circuit, an electronic terminal board, a programmable calculator, a light-emitting diode digital read-out device, an enclosure to support-said light lenses, mirror, array, circuit and board, a controller, an exit control gate on said crimping means, a fluid cylinder, said light, condenser lens, mirror, focusing lens, diode array, circuit and terminal board, mounted inside said enclosure, with said light mounted below said condenser lens, and said mirror mounted above said condenser lens so that light is directed through said condenser lens, and reflected from said mirror through said transparent array to be transmitted through said electronic circuit to said electronic means to convert said signal and to said terminal board as a data bit to said programmable - calculator which averages multiple signals and transmits an electronic signal to said read-out device, thereby providing a reading of the number of crimps per inch of said tow, said exit control gate having pressure exerted thereon by said fluid cylinder, and said controller controlling discharge ofsaid yarn tow from said crimping means by regulating said pressure on said exit control gate by the fluid cylinder in response to said signal from said programmable calculator.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the combination also includes a focusing lens and a mirror, said focusing lens being located so that light reflected from said target is focused onto said diode array, and said mirror being located so that said pulse of stroboscopic light is reflected onto said target and said apparatus is located on the same side of said target as said pulse is reflected from.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 or 5 wherein said target is moving.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the combination includes electronic means to convert said electronic signal from said diode array to a data bit and said electronic signal transmitted by said diode array is converted to data bits and then transmitted to said read-out means.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 or 5 wherein the combination also includes a transparent support for said target.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means in the combination to trigger said stroboscopic light is a timing means and the combination includes a transparent support for said moving target and electronic means to convert said electronic signal from said diode array to data bits and said electronic signal transmitted by said diode array is converted to data bits, then transmitted to said read-out means and wherein the combination also includes a programmable calculator which stores and averages said signals, then transmits said average signals as another signal to said read-out device and a crimping means, including an exit control gate having pressure exerted thereon by a fluid cylinder and said moving target is a moving tow of yarn exiting from said crimping means, whereby said controller controls discharge of said yarn tow from said crimping means by regulating said pressure on said exit control gate by the fluid cylinder in response to said signal from said programmable calculator.

10. A method to control the number of crimps in a moving tow of yarn comprising, counting the crimps in said moving tow by causing an intense light pulse to issue from a stroboscopic light, then passing said light pulse through a condenser lens, then reflecting said pulse against said moving tow of yarn, then focusing said reflected pulse onto a diode array to sense and transmit as an electronic signal variations in light intensity from striations in said tow caused by crimps, and transmitting said signal to a controller, and controlling the number of crimps in said tow by receiving said signal in said controller, then responding to said signal with said controller to continuously and proportionally influence a means to change the crimp level in a means to crimp said tow of yarn in response to said count of crimps indicated by said signal, so that more or less crimping of said tow of yarn occurs to achieve control to a set level of crimps.