GB2186364A - Locating system - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for producing locating signals in dependence upon position of the device relative to a locating marker. The device comprises sensing means operable to produce: a first output when the device lies outside a predetermined coarse tolerance range (e-y) relative to the marker; a second output when the device lies inside said coarse tolerance range but outside a predetermined fine tolerance range (g-x) relative to the marker, and a third output when the device lies inside said fine tolerance range. Means are also provided to produce a control signal H in dependence on said outputs. The outputs are produced in response to detectors L, R, O & P which respond to movement of a flag, as a pair of wheels on the device engage the locating marker. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automat location system The present invention relates to systems for driving, guiding and locating relatively moving parts. The irivention will be illustrated by reference to a system for driving, guiding and locating a service tender relative to textile machine, in particular an open end spinning machine. However, the invention is not limited to this specific use. Several aspects are of quite general application, and even the more limited aspects can be used in textile machines other than open end spinning machines, e.g. automaticwinders andfilamenttexturising machines.The invention is most directly applicable to control of movements of a service tender relative to a stationary machine; however, several aspects will be equally applicable to a system in which the service device is held stationary and operating stations of the machine are moved relative to it, as is the case for example in several designs of automatic winder.

It is now conventional practiceto-provide a service tender or carriage to travel along multi-station threadprocessing machines (e.g. spinning machines, winders, twisters, etc.) the tender being adapted to perform predetermined service operations on a selected station. Forthis purpose, the tender must be moved, guided and finally accurately located relative to the individual selected station.

It is common practice extending over many years to move the tender to and fro past the operating stations at a relatively high running speed until a call signal is receivedfromastation requiring service.Thetender is then slowed down to a crawling speed as it approaches the calling station,this lower speed facilitating the subsequent locating operation -- see e.g. U.S. specification 3810352.

Various systems have been proposedforthe locating operation itself. The system described in U.S.

3810352 apparently relies on a trip switch applying a braking force via a drive motor. Such a system is unlikely to produce exact relative location of the relevant parts. Other systems have relied upon positive retention ofthe tender, e.g. by detent mechanismsasshown in U.S.specification 3911657 (fig. 4) and U.S. 4041 684.Apartfrom the obvious disadvantages of substantial wear on the interengaging mechanical parts, so that the accuracy of the location operation must deteriorate overtime, there is the problem of tolerances in assembly relative to the associated operating stations.The detent mechan isms cannot usually beincorporated intothe operat- ing stations themselves but must be built into the guide structu re forthe carriage, so that there is a substantial distance between the location "marker" and the stationatwhich the final service operations are-actuaiWto be performed. The same comments am tosgstms,such such as those shown in U.S.

specificatien33746l6and GB 1126214, in which the final locating movements of the tender itself are caused by mechanical interengagement of /'centering mechanisms".

The arrangements disclosed in herein enable the above disadvantages to be avoided. By means of suitable control signals, the relatively moving parts are driven into alignment with one another and they remain freely movable relative to each otherthroughout the location operation. Onlyaftercompletion of the location operation, and only when necessary in dependence on the subsequent operation to be performed, are the relatively movable parts secured againstfurther movement relative to each other. The signals generated include in particular directional signals indicating the required direction of relative movement in orderto bring the parts into alignment, but additional signals may be generated as required in dependence upon specific circumstances, as explained below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

As explained above, a service tender is conven tionally decelerated before a final locating operation.

The deceleration phase is generally initiated by the call signal received from the operating station or, in the case ofthe system described in US patent 3911657, bythe conjunction ofthe call signal and a position indicating notch. However, tolerances in the overall system, and more particularly ambiguities in the call signals, can lead to substantial variations in the spacing between the final location ofthe tender and the point at which braking was initiated. A proposal to overcome this problem is set forth in claim 6. In general, the braking phase is not initiated by reference to a call signal from an operating station, but by reference to a position marker, the position of which relative to the final location ofthe tender can be accurately determined, and which enables completion of braking beforethefinal location is reached.

Claim 7 shows an arrangement which improves the flexibility of a service tender by enabling it to derive information from a calling station regarding the operating state of that station. It is already generally known to make the obedience of a service tender to a call signal dependent upon additional information, e.g. regarding the presence or absence of a feed sliver in an open end spinning machine. According to the present proposals, such additional information is desirably derived from the condition ofthe cradle arm holding a package ofyarn formed during operation of the relevant station.

Finally, as is well described in the introduction to U.S. specification 3651628, the guidance and drive system for a servicetendercan present significant problems. Claim 8 presents a solution to the problem of movability of guide elements in the machine.

As outlined above, the present invention has various aspects. These aspects can be applied separ ately depending upon operating circumstances. They can, however, advantageously be combined as will be explained below in the course of description of the various illustrated embodiments ofthe above mentioned aspects ofthe invention.

In the drawings Fig.1 lisa diagrammatic planviewofan open end spinning machinetowhich the invention can be applied, Fig. 2 is a diagrammatiefrontelevationof a face plate of a spinning unit suitable forthe machine of Fig.

1, Fig. 3 is a side view ofthe plate shown in Fig. 3, Fig.4isan underplan of a rail elementshown in Figs.

2 and 3, and Figs. 4A, B and C show use ofthe illustrated locating "marker", Fig. 5 is an underplan of a locating device suitable for use with the rail element of Figs. to 4, Fig. 6 is a section through the device of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows a detail taken from Fig. 6 and viewed from a different direction, Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an electrical control system suitable for use with a locating device as shown in Figs. 5to7, Figs. 8A and 8B showing waveforms at different points in the circuit, Fig. 9 is a circuit and signal diagram showing one way of using a locating device such as that shown in Figs. 5to7, Fig. isa highly diagrammatic elevation of one spinning station of an open end spinning machine such as that shown in Fig. 1, Fig. lOAshowing an associated electrical detail, Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of several adjacent spinning stations such as those shown in Fig.

10, Fig. 12 and 13 are diagrammatic plan views of wheel assemblies for a service tender, Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of a wheel assembly as shown in Figs. and 13, Fig. 15 is a plan view of a wheel assembly as shown in Fig. 14, Figs. 16 and 17 show a sectioned elevation and plan respectively of a securing means for securing a service tenderto a rail structure, Fig.18 shows further details of a tender guide system, and Fig. 19 shows further details of one block of Fig. 8, Fig. i9Ashowing an idealised deceleration diagram based on the circuit of Fig. .19 and the layout of Fig. 11.

GENERAL Open end spinning machine 10 is an elongated structure having two rows of spinning stations 12 ranged on opposite sides of the machine. It is current conventional practice to provide approximately 100 spinning stations per machine side. The stations are designed to operate independently of one another, each receiving its own feed offibre material and processing its feed to produce a yarn which is wound into a package. When the package at a particular station reaches a substantially predetermined length, the spinning operation atthat station can be stopped and a package can be "doffed". In this doffing operation, the package is removed from its normal operating position in the spinning station and is transferred to a conveyor 14which runs along the centre of the machine andtransfersthe package to one end thereof.Afresh bobbin tube can then be mounted in the operative position in the respective spinning station 12, and the spinning operation atthat station can be restarted.

Occasionally, the thread at a particular station will break before completion of windingof a package of the required length. When this occurs, a "piecing" operation must be carried out. In this operation,the broken end from the package and thefeed material are brought together under carefully controlled condi tions in the actual spinning unit ofthe spinning station, so thatthe continuous spinning operation is thereby restarted. The most likely cause of a thread break is accumulation of dirt in the spinning unit. It is therefore currently common practice to carry out "preventive maintenance" involving interruption of the spinning operation, even though that operation is currently performing satisfactorily, and cleaning of the spinning unit.Following such a preventive maintenance operation, a normal piecing operation must be carried out because ofthe intentional thread break caused bythe interruption.

Details of all ofthe above operations are well known in the spinning art, and it is not believed necessaryto repeatthem in this specification. By way of example only, reference may be made to U.S. specification 41 25990 for description of a doffing operation, to U.S.

specification 3810352, for description of a piecing operation, and to German specification 2546436for description of a preventive maintenance operation.

The above cited references are not to be taken in any way as exclusive. Many other specifications, and much relevant literature, could be cited to show similar or alternative systems for performing the various operations outlined above. The cited references do, however, show the currently conventional practice of performing these operations by means of one or more patrolling service tenders. Such a tender is indicated schematically at 16 in Fig. 1 and it is suspended from a U-shaped rail extending along both sides and around one end of the machine 10.

In order to avoid unnecessary detail in the present specification, it will be assumed thattender 16 is designed to perform all ofthe operations outlined above. The invention is equally applicable to alternative systems, also known in the art, in which separate tenders are provided for performing the individual operations, such as piecing and doffing.

The illustrated tender 16 runs back and forth from one end of its rail 18tothe other, the direction of movement ofthetender being reversed at each rail end. This can be effected, for example, by a simple trip switch at each rail end. If all spinning stations are spinning, then thetenderwill maintain its continuous movement back and forth without interruption.

However, itwill be scanning the stations during such movement, and when it detects a "disturbance" at one station, it will stop and perform an appropriate operation atthat station. The "disturbance" may be completion of a package, an undesired thread break or interruption of spinning because preventive maintenance is due. A signalling system for indicating the disturbance to the tenderwill be described below.

Whichever operation isto be performed, however, the tender 16 must locate accurately relative to the appropriate station and a system for enabling this will now be described with a reference to figures 2to7.

SPINNING UNITS Firstly, some parts of the locating system provided onthe individual spinning units ofthe machine itself will be described with reference to figs. 2 to 4. Figure 2 shows in elevation the front face of one spinning unit.

Aface plate 20 is secured by any suitable means (not shown) to a carrier portion 22 at the bottom edge of the plate. Carrier portion 22 is secured by a suitable mounting (not shown) in the structure ofthe machine 10. The mounting permits pivotal movement ofthe carrier22aboutan axis extending longitudinallyofthe machine, thus permitting pivotal movement of the plate 20 as indicated by the arrows in fig. 3.

A latch (not shown) is provided to hold the plate 20 in the vertical position shown in fig. 3, in which position the spinning unit is closed. Upon releasing the latch, the plate 20, and its carrier 22, will pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in fig. 3, thereby opening the unitto give access to the operating parts therein. Since noneofthose parts is relevanttothe present invention, no further description ofthe interior of the spinning unitwill be included in this specification. The principles of a mounting system can be seen from US Patent Specification 3511045.

In addition to plate 20, carrier 22 supports a rail element 24 extending longitudinally of the machine.

When the spinning unit is closed, rail 24 presents a surface 26 disposed in a vertical plane as seen in fig. 3.

When all ofthe spinning units on one side of the machine 10 are closed, the surfaces 26 on their respective rail element 24 are disposed insubstantial- lythe same vertical plane. These surfaces 26 provide a guide surface for one or more rollers (not shown) provided onthetender 16and serving to supportthe tender against any tendency to swing on its suspen sionfrom rail 18.

LOCATING MARKERS As can be appreciated from figs. 3 and 4 taken together, the rail member 24 is of an inverted L-shape in cross section, the vertical leg ofthe L being joined to the carrier member 22 by struts 28 (fig. 4). The face 26 is therefore provided on the horizontal leg ofthe L.

Adjacent one end ofthe element 24, and integral therewith, is a locating element 30. As best seen in fig.

4, element 30 is triangular in plan with the base ofthe triangle merging into the vertical leg of the L-shaped rail element 24. The "peak" of the triangle is flattened and the resulting surface 32 is disposed inwardly (with regard to the machine 10) of the guide surface 26.

Surface 32 merges with side surfaces 34 and 36 respectively which are disposed at predetermined equal angles with respectto the guide surface 26.

Fig. 2 also shows the sliver inlet 38 through which fibresliverisfedintotheinteriorofthespinning unitin use. The sliver must be fed to the inlet 38 between the rail element 24 and the carrier 22, and a guide opening 40 is provided for this purpose. Numeral 42 in Fig. 2 indicates a signal lamp indicating a "disturbance" in a spinning unit. As will be further described later, the tender 16 is arranged to respond to this lamp.

PROFILE SENSOR Consider now the digrams of Figs. 4A, B and C in which the profiled locating element (or "marker") 30 is shown in conjunction with a profile sensor. The latter is represented in the diagrams by a pair of similar contact elements 31,33 mounted on a common carrier (notshown in Fig. 4). The sensor is assumed to approach the element 30 from the left as viewed in Fig.

4, but it will be clear from the following description that the principle of operation is applicable equally to approach from the right. During the approach phase, the contact elements are located to engage surface 34 without contacting the vertical leg of the rail element 24.

The carrier has a "normal" disposition during approach to the locating element such that an identifiable, imaginary axis 35 joining the contact elements extends parallel to the direction of approach.

Asecond imaginary axis 37 can be defined at right angles to the first and midway between the elements 31,33. When the leading contact element, 33 in Fig. 4, engagesthelocating element30,thecarriercontinues to move in its original direction. Element 33 moves onto surface 32. Due to the contact of element 33 with element 30, the carrier is forced to rotate so that axis 35 is shifted out of its disposition parallel to the direction ofthe (main) translatory movement ofthe carrier. Afterthe trailing contact element, 31 in Fig. 4, has engaged the locating element, continued translatory movement ofthe carrier in its original direction must be accompanied by an "auxiliary" translatory movement at right angles to the main direction as the trailing element also moves towards the surface 32.

The continued movement of the carrier in its original direction also causes rotational return ofthe axis 35 towards its normal disposition. The profile of locating element 30 is symmetrical about an imaginary axis 39 normal to the surface 32. Hence, due to the similarity ofthe contact elements 31,33, the axis 35 re-attains its normal disposition when axis 37 aligns with axis 39, the contact elements then being equally spaced to either side ofthe axis 39. Ideally, the carrier stops immediately in this position, without overrun.

The rotational shift of axis 35 is therefore cancelled when the location operation is perfect, but due to the auxiliary translation, the axis 35 has been shifted through a distance mfrom the roottowardsthe peak of element 30.

A location operation can be performed by reference to these shifts ofthe imaginary axes 35,37. A device for this purpose is illustrated in Figs. 5to 7.

LOCATING DEVICE In the underplan shown in Fig. 5, numeral 44 indicates a part fixed in the body of the tender 16 at a height approximately corresponding to the elements 22 and 24 described above. The directions of movement ofthe tender 16 are indicated by the doubleheaded arrow A in Fig. and the spinning units with their respective rail elements 24 are assumed to lie beyond the upper edge of Fig. 5.

Part44 has a recess 46 providing a guide for the body 48 ofthe locating device. Body 48 carries four rollers 50 which run on guide surfaces provided on the pa rt 44 to enable back and forth movement ofthe body 48 in the directions indicated by the double-headed arrow B, i.e. at right angles to the directions of movement of the tender 16. Body 48 is biased by a compression spring 52 into an "extended" position as shown in Fig. 5; in this position,the body 48 is at the limit of its permitted movement upwards as viewed in Fig. 5, i.e. in the direction of approach towards the spinning units. The body 48 can be withdrawn into its recess 46, against the bias of the spring 52, by energisation of an electromagnet 54, aswill be described further hereinafter.

For convenience, the side ofthe body 48 adjacent the spinning units, i.e. atthetop asviewed in Fig. 5, will be referred to hereinafter as the "front"; correspondingly, the side to the bottom as viewed in Fig. 5, engaged bythe spring 52, will be referred to as the "back".

A printed circuit board 56 is releasably secured to the backwall ofthe body 48 by any suitable means, details of which have been omitted. Board 56 carries fourphotodetectordevices P, L, O and R respectively.

As best seen in Fig. 6, each of these devices (the device 0 being shown by way of example only) has a pair of forwardly projecting arms 62,64 respectively, with an intervening recess 66. A light emitting device 58 is provided in one ofthe arms and a light sensitive device 60 is provided in the other arm, the two devices facing each other across the recess 66, so that the photo sensor receives lit from its corresponding photo emittor unless passage ofthe light across the recess is blocked.

As can be seen from Figs. and 6 taken together, the front wall of the body 48 has a forwardly projecting "step" 68, the depth ofwhich is much less than the depth of the main body 48. As best seen in Fig. 5, the step 68 tapers in the forward direction to a blunt "leading" edge 70. Formed integrally with this leading edge 70 is a socket 72 having a stepped bore receiving the bearing of a profile sensing device nowto be described.

PROFILE SENSOR The device comprises a turntable 74 located in an appropriate recess in the step 68. Turntable 74 is rotatably supported in socket 72 by means of a supporting stud 76 and the aforementioned bearings 78. Within the body 48, turntable 74 carries a stepped leaf 80 which is secured to the turntable by both the stud 76 and an additional pin 82so that the leaf must rotate about the axis ofthe stud 76 with theturntable.

On the outside ofthe body 48 projecting upwardly from the step 68,turntable 74 carries two rollers 84,86 respectively. Each roller is rotatably mounted by bearings 88 on a respective stud 90 which is fixedly secured to the turntable 74. As can be seen from Figs, 6 and 7, a line ("axis 35") joining the axes of the studs 90 intersectsthe axis of the stud 76. This line is disposed at right anglesto the longitudinal centre line ("axis 37") ofthe leaf 80 which passes through the axis of the stud 76 and the pin 82.

In the absence of any deviating forces on the turntable 74, the latter will adopt a "normal" disposition with the leaf 80 oriented as shown in full lines in Fig. 5. This normal disposition oftheturntable 74 and leaf 80 is defined by compression springs 92 and 94 (Fig. 5) each of which is secured atone endtothe leaf 80 and at its other end to studs 96 secured on opposite sides ofthe leaf 80.The mounting of one stud 96 is shown in Fig. 6 to comprise a strap 98 and screw 100 securing the strap to the body 48. Details of this mounting have been omitted, butthearrangement is such as to permit the springs to resist deviating forces applied to the turntable 74 bythe contact rollers 84,86 as will be further described below.Such deviating forces can pivotthe leaf 80 in either direction away from its illustrated disposition, e.g. into the disposition indicated in dotted lines 80A in Fig. 5.

Itwill be seen from Fig. 5 that the photo detectors L, O and Rare arranged in a row adjacentthefree end of the leaf 80 when the latter is in its normal disposition.

Detector 0 may be considered to have an imaginary centre line parallel to the plane ofthe drawing in Figs.

6 and located midway between the side edges ofthe forwardly projecting arms 62 and 64 when those arms are viewed in plan (Fig. 5). This centre line ofthe detectorO is aligned with the longitudinal centre line ofthe leaf 80 when the latter is in its normal disposition. The detectors Land R may also be considered to have such centre lines, these being equally spaced on opposite sides ofthe centre line of the detector 0.

The mounting for detector 0 includes suitable packing pieces so that this detector projects slightly furtherforwardlyfrom board 56 than the detectors L and R. Leaf 80 projects deeply into the recess 66 of the detector 0, blocking passage of light between the arms ofthe detector exceptwhen the leaf is in or near its normal disposition, at which time a rectangular slot 102 in the leaf permits the said passage of light. This slot cannot be seen inthefull line illustration ofthe leaf 80 in Fig. 5 because it is then hidden bythe arm 64of the corresponding photo detector 0. The slot can however be seen in the dotted line position 80A of the leaf. The dimension (Z) oftheslottransversetothe longitudinal axis ofthe leaf is closely defined.

In its normal disposition, leaf 80 projects partly into the recess 66 ofthe photo detector L but not enough to interfere with transmission of light in that photo detector. Because ofthe symmetrical arrangement of the detectors, the leaf 80 projects to the same extent into the recess 66 ofthe photo detector R, also without blocking transmission of light Accordingly, when the leaf 80 is in its normal disposition, photo detectors O, L and R provide identical outputs which are supplied to further processing circuitry (to be described below) by leads (notshown) extending through a duct 104which passes through the wall of body 48 and is secured within the body by means of a strap 106 (Fig. 6, omitted from Fig. 5).

Assume nowthatthe body 48 is in its extended position as shown in Fig. and the tender is moving along one side ofthe machine 10 as viewed in Fig. 1, i.e. the body 48 is being moved in one or other of the directions indicated bythe double headed arrow A in Fig. 5. Due to the suspension ofthetender 16, the locating elements 30 (Figs. 2to 4)will lie in the path of movement ofthe contact rollers 84 and 86.When it is desired to stop the tender 16 in alignment with a particluarstation 12,the location operation is enabled by interaction between the element 30 associated with that station and the contact rollers 84 and 86, in accordance with the principles described with refer ence to Fig. 4, rollers 84,86 providing the contact elements (31,33) previously referred to.

However, it is clearly undesirable to have contact between the rollers 84,86 and the locating elements 30 of stations at which no operation isto be performed, since the tender 16 will pass such stations at full speed without stopping. Accordingly, in the "running" condition of the tender, in which no operation isto be performed, the electro magnet 54 is energised to withdraw the body 48 slightly into the recess 46 to a degreesufficientto enable the rollers 84 and 86 to clear the peaks 32 ofthe elements 30 at stations which are simply passed by the tender.

However,when thetender receives a "disturbance" signal from the signal lamp 42 of a particular station (and certain further signals which will be further described below), the electro magnet 54 is deenergised to enable the spring 52 to move the body 48 to its extended position. Underthe previously assumed conditions, therefore, such a disturbance signal has been received and the rollers 84,86 are approaching the locating element 30 of a station at which an operation isto be performed (a "calling station").

Movementofthe body 48 to its extended position occurs after the rollers 84,86 have passed by the locating element 30 ofthe station preceding the calling station (considered in the current direction of movement ofthe tender 16) and before the rollers have reached the locating element 30 ofthe calling station. Accordingly, one or other ofthese rollers, depending upon the current direction of movement of the tender 16, will engage the relevant locating element 30 first; by way of example only, assume that the roller 84 engages first in the present case.

After receiving and processing appropriate signals from the calling station, the tender 16 will decelerate so that by the time the roller 84 reaches the locating element 30, the tender will be moving at a predetermined "crawling" speed which is substantially less than its normal running speed. The tenderwill, however, still be moving in its original direction of movementanditwill continue to move in that same direction at the crawling speed awaiting signals from the locating device. The mechancial enabling production of these signals will be described firstwith preference to Figs. 5 to 7, and the electrical system and the processing of these signals will then be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

LOCATING SIGNALS In its approach movement to the desired location, the roller 84first strikes one or other of the side surfaces 34,36 ofthe locating element 30. The tender continues its crawling movement in the original direction. The forward bias applied by the compress- ion spring 52 is much greaterthan the centering bias applied by the springs 92,94. Accordingly, turntable 74 is rotated on its stud 76 and the leaf 80 pivots away from its normal position. The outputs of the detectors L, 0 and Rare changed in a sense indicating the direction of pivoting of the leaf 80. The control system responds to this "out of symmetry" signal to cause continued movement ofthe tender in the original direction.

Eventually, therefore, roller 86 also comes into engagement with the locating element 30 on the face originallycontactedbytheroller84. Furthermove ment ofthetender in its original direction oftravel forces body 48 backwards into recess 46 against spring 52. The roller 84 ridews over the surface 32 and comes into contact with the other face of the locating element. Gradually, therefore, leaf 80 is permitted to return to its normal position, indicating equal spacing of the rollers 84 and 86 either side of the axis 39. If possible, the control system immediately stops the tenderwith the rollers in this position.In the event of a slight overrun, however, leaf 80 will be pivoted in the opposite sense as the roller 86 attempts to ride onto the surface 32.The corresponding out of symmetry signals from the detectors L, 0 and R will cause reversal ofthe drive of the tender to bring it back into the desired location with the rollers equally spaced to either side of the axis 39.

At this stage, the body 48 will be retracted very slightly into its recess 46 because engagement of both rollers with the locating element 30 inevitably causes slight compression ofthe spring 52. In this condition, a "flag" 108, fixed to the part 44 and projecting into the housing 48through a slot 110, is located in the recess 66 ofthe photo detector P (Fig. 5). The flag 108 has a slot (not shown) which permits light to pass between the arms 62,64 ofthe detectorwhen the slot is suitably located relative to those arms. When the body 48 is in its extended position (i.e. during the approach to the locating element 30), the slot in flag 108 is not aligned with the photo emittor/receiver system.However, movement of body 48 to its slightly retracted position with the rollers engaging opposite side faces of the locating element 30 causes movementoftheflag slot to the required position, producing a corresponding indication from detector P.

MOTOR CONTROL Weturn now to a description ofthe processing and control circuitry shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Figure 8 shows the motor Mforthetender 16. The motor Mis an asynchronous electric motorenergised from a single phase of an AC supply G. The statorwindings of the motor Mare arranged in a known mannerfor reversible operation. For this purpose, one side of the supply G is connected to the terminal U on the motor and the other side ofthe supply is connected in operation either via the switching device SR to the terminal V, or via the switching device SL to the terminal W. The motor M rotates in opposite directions depending upon whether it is supplied via the terminal V orthe terminal W.The motor speed can be controlled by adjusting the portion of a complete supply cycle over which the motor is acutally connected to the supply. For example, if Fig. 8A is taken to illustrate one cycle of the power supply G, then the appropriate switching device SR or SL may be operated to connect the motor M to the supply G over only the shaded portion of each half-cycle. The "firing point" ofthe switching device is adjustable to varythe selected portion of each half-cycle, thereby varying the energy sent to the motor and thus its output speed.

Change of condition of the switching units SL and SR is effected by firing units FL and FR respectively which provide the energy required to change the condition ofthe switches. The latter may, for example, be thyristor type switches, e.g. triacs. The timing of operation ofthefiring units FLand FR is controlled by respectivetiming unitsTLandTR. Each timing unit receives two inputs. One input is derived from the supply G viathe synchronising waveform generator SW. The waveforms supplied to thetiming units TL and TR by the generator SW are, however, different.

As shown in Fig.8B, the waveform (I) suppliedto the timing unitTL is in the form of a sawtooth wave with a virtually instantaneous decline from the peakto the trough of the sawtooth. The wave form (r) supplied to the timing unitTR is the inversion ofthewaveform (I).

As also shown in Fig. 8B, these wave forms have different average bias levels such that it is possible to define an intervening "neutral" level cn which does not intersect either wave form.

The second inputto each timing unitTLand TR is derived from a regulator RG as a variable selected level. If the regulator RG provides an output at the level cn, neither ofthetiming units TL and TR will respond, so thatthe firing units FL and FR will not be operated and hence both both switches SL and SR will remain in the closed condition so that no energy is supplied to the motor M. If, however, the level ofthe outputfrom regulator RG is raised above the level cn shown in Fig. the control level will begin to intersectthe wave form (r) and the timing unitTR will respond accordingly.If, for example, the control outputsupplied by regulator RG rises to the level cr shown in Fig. 8B,then timing unitTR will be switched on atthe pointXatwhichthecontrol intersectsthe inclined edge ofthe waveform (r) and will be switched off atthe points at which the control intersects the vertical edge of the samewave form. Accordingly, if each tooth ofthe waveform (r) corresponds with one half-cycle ofthe power supply G, then switching ofthe timing unitTR accurately controls the power supply to the motor as already described with reference to Fig.

8A.

By shifting the output from regulator RG downwardly relative to the level cn shown in Fig. 8B, it is possible toselectthe othertiming unitTL, and thus to "reverse" the direction of rotation ofthe motor. The speed ofthe motor in this "reverse" sense is determined by intersection ofthe regulator output from regulator RG with the waveform (I) in a manner similartothatdescribed forthe waveform (r).

The regulating outputfrom regulator RG determines both the direction of rotation ofthe motor M, depending upon the direction of deviation ofthe reference outputfrom the "neutral" level cn in Fig. SB, and the speed of rotation ofthe motor M, depending upon the intersection points ofthe regulator output with the synchronising waveform.

The regulator RG is a known type of feedback regulator, receiving an input on a feedback loop from the motor M via an intermediate device Qwhich provides a signal representing both the speed and direction of rotation ofthe motor M. Regulator RG comparesthisfeedbacksignal with avariablesetpoint signal c produced by the set-point unit SP. As will be described further below, unit SP producesthere- quiredsetpointsignal on the basis of signals it receivesfrom a programmable controller PC and from a unit represented in Fig. 8 bythe block LOC and corresponding with the locating device described above with reference to Figs. 5two7.

In Fig. the regulator RG and circuitry linking the regulatorwith the motor Mare of a generally known type, as used,forexample, by Schweiter Machine Works AG in control ofthecarousel-typeautomatic winders manufactured by that company. The opera- tion ofthe set-point unit is, however, specifically related to the locating system ofthe present invention, and will be described in further detail below. For ease of description, operation of unitSP in conjunction with unit LOCwill first be dealt with. The effect of the programmable controller PCwill be shown in detail later.

LOCATING SIGNALS-EVALUATION Fig. 9 is a circuit diagram ofthe device LOC, showing also possible signal outputs from this device during a locating operation and means for processing such outputs inthesetpoint unitSp.

As shown in Fig. 9, each photo detectorofthe locating device comprises a light emitting diode, the diodes being connected in series across a DC supply.

Associated with each diode is a respective photo transistor, the output of which is taken via a suitable buffer stage to respective output terminals indicated by reference letters corresponding with the references' indicating the detectors.

In orderto illustrate the principles involved, reference will be made to signals made up of "high" and "low" conditions at the terminals P, O, Rand L. Itwill be understood thatthis is purely by way of example; the form of each signal will in practice depend upon the type of circuitry used to process it.

Assume thatthe tender has been brakedtothe crawling speed, the body 48 has been moved to its extended position (Fig. 5) and the locating device is approaching a locating element 30 upon which the tender is to locate. The leaf 80 (Fig. 5) is in its normal (full line) position because neither of the rollers 84,86 has yet reached the locating element. In the signal diagram in Fig. 9, these conditions are represented at the vertical axis; terminal P is high and terminals 0,R and Lare all low.

At point a either roller 84 or 86 engages the relevant locating element, and leaf 80 is pivoted away from its normal position towards the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5. Assumethe tender is moving towards the right; continued movement in the same direction is required, so thatthe output atterminal R goes high, the conditions ofthe otherterminals remaining unchanged. At pointbthe output atterminal 0 goes high. At pointdthetender has reached a position in which both rollers are engaging the locating element 30. As described with reference to Fig. 5, body 48 has been forced back into its recess 46 to an extent sufficientto enable flag 1 08to change the state ofthe detector P. The output at terminal P goes low.

Leaf 80 is now returning towards its normal position. At point e, it has returned sufficientlyto change the state ofthe detector 0 so that the output at terminal 0 goes low. After a short delay, the purpose of which will be described further below and during which the leaf 80 continues its movementtowards its normal position, the output terminal Rgoeslowat pointg.

Each ofterminals P, O, Rand L is connected to a logic unit LU which forms part of the setpoint unitSP.

As indicated on the upper part of the signal diagram, logic unit LU produces an output signal H when all of its inputs go low. In response to signal H, the setpoint unit SP supplies a signal c corresponding to the neutral level cn into Fig. SB. The motor M therefore brakes the tender to a halt.

The points a, b, d, e, g correspond to predetermined relationships of the leaf 80to the photo detectors 0, R and L. These relationships correspond in turn to predetermined dispositions of the rollers 84,86 in relation to the locating element30. Accordingly, the points e and g correspond to predetermined toler ances in location ofthetender 16 about a desired exact location (39, Fig. 4) represented in the signal diagram of Fig. 9 bythevertical dotted line. At pointe, the tender is located within a desired maximum tolerance range from its exact position, and at point g the tender is located within a desired fine tolerance range from the exact position. The signal H is produced when the tender entersthefine tolerance range.

Assume nowthatthetenderoverrunstheexact location by an amount suficientto take it outside the defined maximum tolerances. The leaf 80 therefore begins to pivot away from its normal position in a direction opposite to its direction of pivot during the approach phase. At point x, i.e. when the tender leaves thefinetolerance range, output L goes high. After a delay, terminal 0 goes high at pointy. The logic unit LU cancels signal H at point, i.e. when the tender leaves the maximum tolerance range.

The control system responds to the cancellation of the signal H to restart operation of the motor to drive the tender backtowards the desired location. The required direction of rotation ofthe motorforthis purpose is indicated by the conditions ofthe terminals Rand L, the latter being high and the former low.

Whenthetenderreentersthe maximum tolerance range, terminal 0 again goes low, and when the tenderentersthefinetolerancerange,terminal Lgoes low. The signal H is again produced by logic unit LU and the motor again brings the tenderto a halt. The tender should now remain within the fine tolerance range, and the signal Hisproducedcontinuouslyso thatthetender remains stationary. If tender does not overrun the desired location following its first approach,thenthesignal Hwill be continuous after the point g as indicated by the dotted line continuation ofthesignal H shown in Fig. 9.

As can be seen by comparison of Figs. 5 and 9, the maximum tolerance range (of width z) is defined by the slot 102 inthe leaf 80. The size ofthisslot, and its position relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe leaf 80 (and hence relativeto detectorO) are readilycontroll able. Thefinetolerance range is determined by the positioning ofthe detectors Land R relative to the normal position ofthe leafSO, and may prove to be less accurately controllable than the maximum toler- ance range. The latter represents the maximum allowable tolerances in the location and must be set in dependence upon the the operational demands for which the system is designed.As will be explained further later, the dual tolerance range is desirable in view of mechanical aspects ofthetender drive and suspension system.

In the complete control system, setpoint unit SP must respond to other input information, most of which is passed to the unitSP bythe programmable controller PC. Details of the interaction ofthe setpoint unitSP and the controller PC will be given later in connection with the more complete circuit diagram in Fig. 19. Before dealing with the more detailed circuitry, however, it is desirableto describe certain functions of the contoller PC and in particular its relationships with "peripheral equipment" including various sensing devices which sense the states ofthe individual spinning stations as the tender passes those stations.

INFLUENCE C)F MACHINE TYPE In the description and the operation of the device thus far, there is no particularfeaturewhich limits its application to the open end spinning machine illustrated in Fig. 1. The system could equally be used, e.g.

for control of a carousel-type automatic winder as previously referred to above. In such a winder, the servicing equipment (equivalentto the patrolling tender 16) is stationary and the operating positions are moved pastthe servicing equipment on a rotary turntable. Any selected position can be stopped in registry with the servicing equipment. In general, the locating device thus far described can be used for bringing any two relatively movable parts into desired registry.

Where, however, the locating device is used with a system as shown in Fig. 1 in which the patrolling tender 16 is designed to perform all of the already mentioned servicing operations (cleaning, piecing and doffing), there are certain constraints which complicate the design of the overall control system, as will now be explained with initial reference to the diagrammatic representations in Figs. 10 and 11.

SPINNING STATION STATES Fig. is a highly diagrammatic representation of a single spinning station 12, showing also the tender 16 and its suspension rail 18.

Numeral 122 indicates a can containing infeed sliver 124which is drawn from the can into the spinning unit 126 where it is converted into ayarn 128. Theyarn is drawn out of the unit 126 by rolls 125 and passes over guide 127 to be wound into a package 130. The package forms on a bobbin tube 132 held between armsl34,136(Fig. (Fig.11) secured to a carrier 138 pivotally mounted in the machine structure.

The tube 132 is rotatably carried in its arms 134, 136 and the package and tube are rotated during formation of the package by frictional contact with a friction roll 140 (Fig. 10) which is incorporated in the machine structure and driven by the machine. Carrier 138 is pivotable to move arms 134, 136 between a lowermost position enabling contact of an empty tu be 132 with the friction roll 140, and an uppermost position in which even a package ofthe maximum dimensions for which the machine is designed will be spaced from the friction roll 140.

The arms 134,136 and carrier 138 together make up a package "cradle" which is part of a well-known "cradle mechanism" (notshown).Thecradlemechan- ism includes a weighting or loading system which normally urges the cradle downwardly to apply a controlled winding pressure between a package and the friction roll. However, the cradle mechanism includes an over-centre system such that when the cradle is moved over the dead point ofthe over-centre system, the resilient bias oftheweighting system will urge the cradle into a set upper position in which the cradle is stable. Such systems are shown, for example, in British Patent Specification 1349425.

The representation ofthe tender 16 in Fig. 10 shows the outline of one end plateofthetenderframeandthe location ofthe centre of gravity CG such that the lower part ofthe tender is urged by gravity towards the rail elements 24. During running ofthe tender, longitudinally ofthe machine, all ofthe operating parts designed to perform service operations on a spinning station must be maintained within the outline shown in Fig. 10 to avoid interference between the running tender and the spinning stations.

In this respect, the curved recess 142 in the upper part of the end plate, and the triangular recess 144 in the lowerpartthereof, are to be particularly noted.

Recess 142 enables the tenderto clearthe ends of the arms 136. The purpose ofthe recess 144 will be explained further below.

Fig. shows in diagrammatic plan the relationship between the sizes ofthe tender 16 and the spinning stations 12 as viewed longitudinally of the machine.

As shown there, the tender extends over slightly more than three spinning stations. After receiving a call signal from a station requiring service, the tender will locate itself with the calling station at aboutthe mid-line of the tender. Thus, assuming that the tender is correctly located for performing service operations in Fig. 1 1,then such opertions are to be performed on the spinning station 1 2B in thatfigure.

CALL SIGNALS It will be recalled from the description of Fig. 2 that a call signal is issued bythesignal lamp 42 ofthe calling station, and these lamps are located on the frontface of each spinning station. Itwill be noted, firstly, that the lamp 42 is not located atthe mid-line of its spinning station, but is adjacentthe lefthand side thereof as viewed in Fig. 11. The call signal from a spinning station is detected on the tender 16 by a detector 146 when the tender is moving to the left, as viewed in Fig. Tl,and a detector 148 when thetender is moving to the right as viewed in Fig. 11.In order to aliowforthe offset ofthe lamp 42 relative to its spinning station, the detectors 146,148 are not disposed symmetrically relative to the mid-line ofthe tender 16, but are spaced so thatthe lamp 42 on the calling station lies midway between the detectors 146, 148 when the axes 37,39 (see also Fig. 4C) are aligned.

The call signal issued from the calling station indicates to the tenderthat it should stop and perform service operations atthat particular station. Since, however, the tender is a multi-purpose unit, it requires further information from the calling station as to the particularserviceoperationwhich isto be performed.

There are a numberofways in which such additional information can be provided to the tender. For example, the call signal itself may be adapted to convey additional information. Assuming thatthe call signal is a light beam, the beam may be continuous or pulsed. A pulsed beam could, for example, indicate that one operation is required, and a continuous beam could indicate that another operation is required.

The tender has an additional detector 147 which receives the call signal after the tender has been correctly positioned and passes the received signal to detector circuitry (not shown) designed to determine whethera continuous or pulsed call signal is being emitted bythe calling station. Since this forms part of the operating functions of the tender, and goes beyond the present invention, itwill not be further described.

The signal lamp 42 is also shown in Fig. 10 and an energisation system forthis lamp is shown in Fig. 1 OA.

The lamp is energisable via either of two "switches" 129,131 respectively. Switch 129 is associated with a knownformofyarn monitor 133 (Fig. (Fig.10) such thatthe switch changes condition when the yarn breaks or suffers a drop in tension. Switch 129 then closes until re-establishmentofthe normal yarn flow, and lamp 42 is correspondingly continuously lit until that time, giving a continuous "call" signal.

Switch 131, which may be a semiconductorswitch, is controllable from a microprocessor 135 in the machine. The latter is responsive to a length measur- ing means (not shown) sothatthe microprocessor receives a trigger signal when a predetermined length of yarn has been wound up in a package. A thread breakisthen inducedandthespinning unitisstopped.

The microprocessor feeds or causes feed of a pulsating signal to alternately "open" and "close" switch 131 so that lamp 42 emits aflashing "call" signal.

In addition to detecting the type of operation required, itis also desirable forthetenderto obtain certain additional information regarding the condition ofthe spinning unit to be serviced. The tender illustrated in Fig. 11 is designed to acquire two further items of information from a calling station, namely - 1. whetherornotthe arm 136 of that station is in its uppermost position, and - 2. whether or not a bobbin/package is present betweenthearms 134 and 136.

In orderto provide this information, each arm 136 is provided with a reflector 150 and each carrier 138 is provided with a reflector 152. The tender 16 has a light beam emitter/receiver unit 154 adapted to send a beam to and receive a reflected beam from the reflector 150 on any arm 136 which is in its uppermost position when the unit 154 passes by, but not from the reflector 150 of an arm in any other position.

Unit 156 coacts similarly with reflectors 152, but unit 156 cannot receive a beam from any reflector 152 at a spinning station in which a tube 132 is present between the arms 134,136 ofthe station, since the tube prevents passage ofthe light beam to the reflector 152. The pair of units 154,156 are designed to perform the functions described during movement of thetender 16to the left as viewed in Fig. 11. For performance ofsimilarfunctions while the tender is moving to the right as viewed in Fig. 11, it is provided with a second pair of light emitter/receiver units 158, 160 respectively.

The tender can now be designed to respond only to predetermined combinations of "state" signals from a calling station, and to ignore other combinations and faults. Furthermore, the tender can be designed to recognise the need to perform a preliminary operation in some circumstances before a main servicing operation can be performed. For example, if the calling station is calling for a piecing operation, and the tender recognises thatthere is no tube in the tube holder, a suitable program control in thetender can cause the insertion of a tube from the tender into the tube holder before the piercing operation is begun.

Also, in such ci rcumstances, the piecing operation itself can be altered slightly in that there is no point in searching for a broken thread end on the newly inserted tube, and the tender can be programmed to take an auxiliary th read from a supply which it carries itself, to piece this thread into the spinning unit and then to transferthatthread to the newly inserted tube.

The use of plural input signals to the tendertherefore enables much greaterflexibility in programming of the tender and much greater adaptabilityto operating circumstanceswhich can occur in practical use.

INITIATION OF BRAKING PHASE The plural input signals can, however, bring problems in obtaining adequate control ofthe overall location procedure considered from the time the tenderfirst receives a call signal until it is finally accurately registered with the calling station. The running speed ofthetender is substantially higher than the crawling speed atwhich final location is achieved. Braking of the tender should not be initiated until all signals from the calling station have been received and a "correct" combination has been decoded. Tolerances in the system could then lead to substantial differences in the overall response ofthe tender to different stations.

Accordingly, it is preferred to provide for each spinning station an additional device indicating to the tenderthe beginning of the required "braking phase" if the tender is to stop in registry with the associated station. The tender must have a sensor responsive to these additional signal devices.

In the illustrated embodiment each brake signalling device is in the form of a bar 162 offerromagnetic material. The bars are located as shown in Fig. 11 at thejunction regions between adjacent stations, so that each station is associated with two bars.

The tender has a pair of sensors 164, 166. Sensor 164 is operative while the tender is travelling to the left as viewed in Fig. 11 and produces output pulses in response to the trailing edges of the bars 162 as viewed from the tender during this leftward movement. Sensor 166 is operative while the tender is travelling to the right as viewed in Fig. 11 and also responds to trailing edges ofthe bars, as viewed, however, during rightward movement of the tender.

The bar edges, therefore, function as "brake (reference) markers". Forthe station 12B shown in Fig. 11, therefore, sensors 164,166 respond respectively to the bar edges joined to them by dotted lines in that Figure. These bar edges are equally spaced from the centre line 163 ofthe spinning station.

Consider now the relationship between the brake markers and the state signal devices (42, 150, 152) of a given station. The location of each brake marker must be such that all "state" signals from the associated spinning station can be received and processed by the tender before it receives the brake signal. The tender is programmed to respond to a brake signal for a particular station only if the tender has previously received the call signalforthatstation and has decoded a "valid" combination of state signals from lamp 42 and reflectors 150,152. The state signals issued by any one station are preferably received by the tender substantially simultaneously, or at least within a time span which is very short in relation to the required braking time.Accordingly, the spacing ofthe detectors in the "lefthand set" (146 156, 154)and also the spacing in the "nghthand set" t148, 160, 158) should correspond with the spacing ofthe elements 42,152 and 150 at each spinning station. The brake markers can then be located to provide the brake signal a shorttime afterthe substantiallysimul taneous receiptofall state signals from a calling station, and to leave adequate time for braking before the locating device on the tender engages the relevant locating element 30.

The positioning ofthe brake "markers" relative to the spinning stations is not as critical as the positioning ofthe locating elements relative to the stations.

Accordingly, the brake markers do nothaveto be physically mounted in their associated spinning stations. The only requirement is an identifiable relationship between each brake marker and its associated station. In the preferred embodiment, the ferromagneticbars 162 are mounted on the suspen- sion rail 18.

When the sensors 146and 148 are arranged to respond to both flashing and continuously lighted lamps 42, a single detector may come into alignment with a lamp 42 in the period between successive flashes thereof. If the running speed ofthetender is high, a single detector may pass outofalignmentwith lamp 42 without recognising the flashes therefrom.

This risk can be reduced by duplicating the lamp detectors, as indicated at 146A and 148A.

TENDER SUSPENSION/ANCHORING It is a major advantage ofthe locating system now proposed thatthe parts which interengage during the location step are not locked to each other but remain free for relative movement. After completion ofthe locating operation, the tender can be separately secured in registry with the required station, and the locating device can then be withdrawn from the locating element, for example, to enable opening of the spinning unitforcleaning ofthe rotor. Each locating element can therefore be built into the spinning station itself. This renders the locating system less sensitive to assembly tolerances in the whole machine. Furthermore, since the locating system is not dependent upon the suspension rail, it is notsubjecttodisturbance due to distortion ofthe tender suspension during protracted use.

However, it follows from the above remarks that the locating system cannot provide any significant sup- portforthe tender against displacementforces which may be appliedto it during the service operations.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide additional securing means which will firmly secure the tender in the desired location determined by the locating device. This additional securing means conveniently forms part of the suspension and guidance system for thetender, one example ofwhich will now be described with reference to Figs. 12to 18 inclusive.

WHEELASSEMBLIES The diagrams in Figs. 12 and 13 show atubular bearer 168 which is mounted on the rail 18 by wheel assemblies 170 and 172 and which carriesthe remaining structure ofthe fully assembled tender (not shown). Between the wheel assemblies 170 and 172, bearer 168 also carries a securing device 174 (Fig. 12, omitted from Fig. 13). Wheel assembly 170 is a loadbearing assembly and is pivotally connected to the bearer 168 by a pin joint 176. Wheel assembly 172 is a load bearing and drive assembly, and is also pivoted to the bearer 168 by a pin joint 178. Wheel assembly 172 includes additional structure 180 containing drive motor M forthe tender and any required gearing coupling that drive motorwith the wheel of assembly 172.

The pivotal connections between the wheel assemblies and bearer 168 enable continued adequate drive contact between the wheel assembly 172 and the rail 18 as the tender travels around the U-bend in the rail 18 atone end ofthe machine 10 (Fig. 1, part also in Fig. 13). As seen in Fig. 13, the wheel assemblies 170, 172 adapt their orientation to the bearer 168 automatically as the tender passes around the rail bend.

Figs. 14 and 15 showfurtherdetails of a suitable wheel assembly 170. The wheel which rests on the upwardlyfacing surface of rail 18 and supports the weightofthetender is shown at 182 (Fig. 15). The wheel isjournalled in a housing 184 having side projections 186, 188 (Fig. 14) respectively above and belowthe bearer 168. The bearer 168 is cut away to receive an elongated, vertically oriented bearing block 190, which is welded into the cutout. Block 190 has a longitudinal bore receiving a bearing pin 192 retained at its ends in tubular portions 194, 196 secured to the projections 186,188 respectively. Thus the housing 184 can pivot on the longitudinal axis of pin 192.

Housing 184 also carries four guide rollers 198,200, 202,204. These rollers are mounted to hang belowthe housing 184 when it is mounted on the rail 18, and to engagetheside surfaces ofthe rail. Each roller is rotatable about a vertical axis, the axes ofthe rollers 198,200 being fixed relative the housing 184. The axes ofthe rollers 202,204 are carried on dog-leg levers 206,208which are pivotablymounted on the housing 184 at 210,212 respectively. The ends of the levers remote from rollers 202,204 are joined by a tension spring 214drawing the joined ends ofthe levers together and thereby urging the rollers againstthe side surface of the rail 18.The "fixed" rollers 198,200 are on the inside of the U-bend, and the spring-biased rollers 202,204 are on the outside ofthat bend.

Rollers 198,200 "steer" the wheel assembly around the bend, that is, they force the assembly to adapt its anguiar orientation on pivot pin 192 to the bend.

The wheel assembly 172 is the same in all essential respects as the wheel assembly 170. However, the housing 184 carries the additional structure 180 shown in the diagrams of Figs. 12 and 13. Further, the journal bearing holding the wheel 182 in the housing 184 of wheel assembly 170 is replaced in wheel assembly 172 by a suitable drive connection with the motorinthestructure 180.

ANCHORING SYSTEM The securing device 174 (Fig. 12 is shown in further detail in Figs. 16 and 17. The device comprises a carrier member 216 which is secured to the side ofthe bearer 168 to overlie the rail 18 and is an inverted U-shape in transverse section so that the open side ofthe carrier member 216 faces towards the upwardly facing surface of the rail 18. Two cross struts 218 extend between the side walls ofthe carrier member216 and provide pivot axes for respective levers 220. At its "outer" end (nearthe end ofthe carrier member216) each lever 220 carries a block 222 by way of a knuckle joint. Blocks 222 carry between them a plate 224 coated with a layer 226 of material exhibiting high friction in relation to the upper surface of the rail 18.

At its inner end, each lever 220 engages a cylinder element 228 of a piston and cylinder unit, the piston 230 of which is fixed to the underside of the top wall of carrier member 216. Asuitable pressure fluid connec- tion 232 is provided so thatwhen the unit is pressurised, cylinder 228 is forced downwardly relative to the piston. The inner ends of the levers 220, and hence the cylinder228, are biased upwardly (toward piston 230) by bias springs 234 secured to the levers and to pins 236 extending between the side walls of the carrier member.

When the tender is intended to be held in a fixed position relative to the machine 10, the piston and cylinder unitis de-pressurised sothatthe bias springs 234 draw the inner ends of levers 220 upwardly as viewed in Fig. 16. The blocks 222 therefore urge layer 226 into firm engagement with the rail 18, and the resultant frictional contact is sufficient to resist any displacing forces which will normally be applied to the tender. When the tender isto be moved again relative to the machine, the piston and cylinder unit is pressurised with a pressure sufficient to overcome the bias ofthe spring 234 so that layer 226 is lifted clear of the rail 18 and permits drive of the tender via the wheel assembly 172 as already described.

GUIDE ROLLERS It will be noted that the weight of the tender is carried solely bythe rail 18; no weight is borne by the rail sections illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. However, those rails provide guidance against forces tending to swing the tender about an axis extending longitudinally of the bearer 168. Provided all the spinning stations of a machine side are closed during running ofthetender, the rail elements 24 shown in Fig. 2will provide a substantially continuous rail along each machine side, and suitable U-shaped extension rails can be provided around the machine end. However, it may be desired to leave specific spinning stations open while still permitting thetenderto travel along the maching attending to the other stations.For example, where individual spinning stations are automatically discon nectedfrom the machine drive system when they are opened, it may be desired to leave defective stations open. The recess 144 shown in Fig. 10 ensuresthat there is no interference between the travelling tender and an open spinning station. However, the lower rail provided by the rail elements 24 is no longer continuous in these circumstances. Fig. 18 illustrates an arrangementfor providing transverse guidance of the tender even when its lower guides are adjacent an opened spinning station.

Fig. 18 is a viewsimilarto Fig. 3 but showing also the lower portion ofthe tender 16 adjacent the spinning stations. The rail element 24 and the front plate 20 of one spinning station are shown in full lines in the closed position corresponding with Fig. 3. Tender 16 has a guide roller mounted in the tender by means (not shown) so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis 240.

Guide roller 238 has a cylindrical portion 242 and a frustoconical portion 244.

When the spinning units are closed, the cylindrical portion 242 of roller 238 engages the vertical, outwardlyfacing surfaces ofthe rail elements 24. When a spinning unit is left open, itsfront plate 20 and rail element 24 lie in the dispositions indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 18. Thefrusto-conical portion 244 of the roller238 nowengagesthe same guide surface onthe rail element 24 as previously, butthat guide surface is nowinclinded atan angleto the vertical. Theangleof thefrusto-cone of portion 244 must of course correspond to the angle of pivot permitted to plate 20 and rail element 24 by the design ofthe individual spinning units ofthe machine. The illustrated angle is purely exemplary and in no way limiting.Depending upon the overall layout and the operating circumstances, it may well byfound unnecessaryto provicethe frusto-conical portions 244, adequate guidance being achieved by purely cylindrical guide rollers engaging the rail elements 24. in any event, the tender 16 preferable has a plurality of guide rollers which preferably engage rail elements 24 on respective different spinning units. Preferably further, guide rollers are provided adjacent the leading/trailing edges ofthe tender 16so that during a service operation the tender is supported on spinning units to either side of a spinning station which is being serviced.

Any convenient means may be used to mount the guide rolls in the tender 16. Forexample,vertical bearer pins could be secured in holders which are releasably secured in the body ofthe tender 16, the guide rollers (e.g. roller 238) being rotatable on respective bearer pins.

MACHINE LAYOUT As indicated in Fig. 1,thespinning stations 12 do not normallyextendtotheendsofan open end spinning machine. At one end ofthe machine there is normally a head stock 246 containing the drive motors and gear transmissions for the complete machine. At the other end,there may be a unit 248 containing further parts required for operation ofthe machine as a whole, e.g.

afan requiredto induce suction airflowsinthe individual spinning stations 12. There may also be equipment designed to handle doffed packages arriving on the conveyor belt 14. Such equipment is normally provided at the open end of the U-shaped rail system 18, so that the rail and the tender 16 running thereon do not interfere with access to the doffed packages arriving at the machine end. Where the tender 16 is designed to act as an automatic doffer, a bobbin tube loader 250 may also be provided adjacent one end of the rail system 18to enable periodic replenishment ofthe stock of bobbin tubes in a magazine (not shown) carried by the tender 16.

The lower rails, constituted by the rail elements 24 at the spinning stations 12 should clearly be extended by suitable extension elements on the units 246 and 248.

This will enablefirm support of thetender 16On both sides ofthe end stations 12whilethetenderis performing service operations on those stations. A curved extension 252 of the lower rail can also be securedto the head stock 246. The complete set of guide rollers carried bythetender 16 should be such thatthetenderdoes not swing aboutthe upper rail 18 as it passes around the curved portion;ofthat rail. For this purpose, it maybe necessaryto provide the tender 2 i6with additional guide rollers, the rotational axes of which are relatively close together when compared with the spacing ofthe axes of the main guide rollers 238 described above.These additional guide rollers are then suitably located to engage a tightly curved extension 252 and to maintain the upright orientation ofthe tender 16 as it passes around the rail curve. Preferably, these additional rollers are sightly displaced vertically above or below the main rollers 238, so thatthe additional rollers do not engage the rail elements 24 at the spinning stations and do not interfere with the action ofthe main rollers 238 in ensuring accurate upright disposition of the tender 16 during service operations on individual spinning stations 12.

REVERSAL AT RAIL ENDS As previously mentioned, the tender 16 must be reversiblewhen it reaches a limit position at our adjacent each end of the rail 18. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a ferro-magenetic body at each limit position on the rail 18, and a suitable sensor on the tender 16 responsive to the limit bodies.

Clearly, any other limit defining device could be used forthis purpose. The tender may, however, be movable beyond its normal limit at one end the rail 18 in orderto move into a loading position in which bobbin tubes can be transferred from a loader 250 to the magazine ofthe tender. This loading position of the tender may be either end ofthe rail 18, i.e. the tender may be located directly adjacent the loader 250, or it may be located on the opposite side ofthe machine from the loaderand suitable guide duct may extend from the loader 250 across the machine end to the tender 16 when the latter is in its loading position.

In either case, this loading position ofthetendermay be defined by a locating device as described above with reference to Figs. to 7.

The limit signals produced on the tender in re sponsetothelimitdefining bodies on the rail 18 are passed to the controller PC which then provides corresponding inputs to the set point unit SP. The tender 16 may also have a sensor responsive to the number of bobbin tubes remaining in the magazine, which sensor also provides input to the controller PC.

When the controller PC receives an appropriate limit signal and, simultaneously, a signal from the magazine indicating a low bobbin stock, the controller may be adapted to override the limit signal enabling the tender 16 to move beyond its normal limitto the loading position where it is located by the procedure already described above. Reversal ofthe running direction of the tender is then effected after complete tion of the loading operation, again underthe control of programmable controller PC.

It is now possible to deal in further detail with the interactions between the controller PC and the setpointunitSP. Referencewill bemadeto Fig. 19.

CONTROL SYSTEM Fig. 19 is a highly simplified circuit diagram showing the controller PC and the setpoint unit SP. In view of the scale ofthedrawing no attempt has been madeto follow conventional symbolism for representation of individual elements ofthe circuit; instead the functions of the various elements will be identified in the following description.

PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER Four inputs are shown entering the controller PC from the bottom edge of Fig. 19. These inputs carry signals from elements which have been described with referenceto Fig. a 11 the reference numerals used to identify the elements in Fig. 11 have been used againto identifythe corresponding inputs in Fig. 19.

Thus, the controller receives an input from the detector 146 which responds to the signal lamps 42 at the individual spinning stations.

Further,thereisan inputfrom the detector 154, which indicates whetherthe cradle arm at a particular station is in its uppermost position, and also an input from the detector 156 which indicates whether or not a bobbin tube is present in a cradle arm which is in its uppermost position. Further, there is an input from the sensor 164which responds to the reference markers indicating when the brake phase isto begin.

The controller PC receives a large number of other inputs which have not been shown on Fig. 19 in order to keep that ill ustration relatively simple. Reference has already been made above to the limit devices which indicate the ends ofthe rail 18, and also to sensors responsive to the stock of bobbin tubes in the tender magazine. In addition, the controller will be arranged to respond to a main on/off switch, and to various safety switches adapted to disable the tender in certain circumstances, e.g. if an obstruction is sensed in the normal path of movement of the tender.

Three outputs from the controller PC are passed to the setpoint unit SP. The first output S/S simply represents the condition of the main on/off switches and the various safety switches. The setpoint unit is enabied or disabled depending upon signals itre- ceives upon this output S/S. In order to showthe principle involved,the output S/S has been shown connected to two elements within the setpoint unit SP, butthissame output can be used as thought desirable to block other elements to ensurethatthe tender is made operative or rendered inoperative in accordance with predefined conditions.

The output R/L indicateswhetherthetender isto travel to the right orto the left in its normal run. The condition ofthis output is normally dependent upon the sensing of the limit defining devices described above. However, as already described, if the magazine is to be refilled, an appropriate limit signal inputto the controller PC will not change the R/L output but will instead act as the equivalent of a valid combination of signals on the four illustrated inputs, the effect of which is to change the condition ofthe N/C output as as will be now described.

Forthe purposes of a locating operation, it is irrelevantwhetherthe lamp 42 at the calling station is lighted continuoulsy or is flashing. The response of the controller PC to a "call" from detector 146 is therefore the same whetherthat call is continuous or pulsed. Processing ofthe signals from detectors 154 and 156 will be dependent upon the form of programmable controllerselected, and various possibilities are commercially available. In Fig. 19, it is assumed that any input signals from the detector 154 and 156 aretemporarily stored in a memory unit254 for subsequent processing by the controller.Further, memory unit 254 is responsive to the condition ofthe inputfromdetectorl46,sothatthememoryunitis onlyunblockedto store signals on its inputs if a call signal appearsontheinputfrom detector 146. If a valid combination of inputs is obtained then the controller changes the condition of its output N/C to indicate the requirementto brakethetenderfrom its running (or normal) speedto its crawling speed.Thecontrnlle.r also then operates electromagnet 54to extend the locating device (Figs. 5-7).

SETPOINT UNIT-GENERAL OUTLINE Output N/C is connected to two gates 256 and 258 respectively in the setpoint unit SP. The gate 256 is also connected to outputS/S, so that output N/C is ineffective to control operation ofthe tender unless the main switch and the various safety switches (which control the condition ofthe output S/S) are in the required condition. Gate25i8forms partofthe logic unit LU described with referenceto Fig. 9 and receives a second input from the detector P in the locating device LOC Gate 258 is blocked unless controller output N/C indicates thatthetenderis moving at its crawling speed or is being braked towards that speed.

Accordingly, during normal running ofthe tender, gate 256 is unblocked but gate 258 is blocked.

The "normal running" signal from the gate 256 is fed to two devices 260 and 262 respectively. Device 262 is a counterwhich issetbythenormal running signal and remains in its reset state until the normal running signal disappears from its reset input. The output of counter 260 is fed to a digital-to-analog converter 268 which also receives an inputfrom the R/L output of controller PC. The output of converter 268 is fed to one input of an operational amplifier 270.

Device 262 is a bistable device, for example a flip-flop. The instanteous state of device 262 is dependent in part upon signals it receives from gate 256 and in part upon the signal H from logic unit LU (see also Fig. 9). The output of device 262 is fed to, and determines the condition of, a logic decision device indicated as a unit bu the dotted line box 266.

Device 266 receives additional inputs from the R/L output of controller PC, and from the Rand Lterminals ofthelocating device LOC.Aswill be described further below, device 266 responds either to the right/left information it receives from controller PC orto the right/left information from device LOC, but not to both.

The current state of device 262 determines which set of right/left information is effective, the device 262 being set to select the information supplied on the R/L output of controller PC during normal running.

The output of device 266 is fed to asecond input of the operational amplifier 270. The output of amplifier 270 is the required setpointsignal c.

SETPOINT SIGNAL Amplifier 270 is such that in theabsence of a "deviation" signal on either of its inputs, the amplifier supplies an output signal c representing the "neutral" level cn discussed above with reference to Fig.8B.As will be described immediately/below, deviation signals representing performance of the motor M during normal running and braking are supplied to amplifier 270 on its input from converter 268. Deviation signals representing required performance of the motor M during the crawling phase and during the final stages of location ofthe tender on a locating element 30 are supplied to the amplifier 270 on its input from the logic device 266. Each deviation signal must comprises both a magnitude aspect indicating the required speed ofthetender and a direction aspect indicating the required direction oftravel ofthetender.

NORMAL RUNNING When counter 260 is reset by the normal running signal appearing on the output of gate 256,the counter supplies a predetermined signal in digital form to the converter 268. This predetermined signal represents a maximum magnitudeforthe deviation signal to be supplied to amplifier 270. The "sense" ofthe deviation signal appearing on the output of the converter 268 is determined bythe current condition of the output R/L ofthe controller PC. The deviation signal suppled to amplifier 270 on its input from logic device 266 may reinforce the signal supplied from the converter 268, but the signal supplied from the logic device has a relatively small magnitude, and the motor operating conditions are determined substantially by the output ofthe converter 268.

BRAKE PHASE When a brake signal appears on the output N/C of the controller PC, the output of gate 256 changes condition. There is no immediate change in the condition ofthe bistable device 262. However, counter 260 begins to count down from its preset maximum value, and the magnitude aspect of the output from converter 268 is correspondingly reduced, the direc- tion aspect remaining the same as determined by output R/L of controller PC. The control signal c therefore begins to converge with the neutral level cn, andtheregulatorRG (Fig. 8) controlsthe motor in known manner two brakethetender.

CRAWL When the output of converter 268 goes to zero, the output of amplifier 270 will be determined as to both magnitude and sense by the logic device 266, which will be supplying to the amplifier a deviation signal of a predetermined magnitude representing the desired crawling speed and a sense dependent upon the current condition of the output R/L of the controller PC.

Since this is unchanged during the braking phase, the tender continues in its original direction of movement but at substantialy reduced speed as described above.

PROCESSING OF SIGNALS FROM LOCATING DEVICES Meanwhile, gate 258 has been unblocked by the change of state of output N/C of controller PC. Using, byway of example, the same high/low convention used to explain Fig. 9, assume that the output of gate 258 is high during the braking phase and immediately thereafter because the output of photo detector P is then high. As described with reference to Fig. 9, the outputs from the photo detectors Rand Twill both be low until one ofthe rollers 84,86 strikes the locating element 30.

Terminals Rand L are connected to an AND gate 271,the output of which islowwhen its inputs are low.

The output of gate 271 is connected to a further AND gate 272, the second input of which is connected to the output of photo detector O. Until displacement of the leaf 80 (Fig. 5) from its normal position, the output of detector 0 will also be low, and therefore the output of gate 272 will be low. This output is connected to a furtherAND gate 274, the second input of which is connected to the gate 258. However, until the output of detector P goes low, when the body 48 (Fig. 5) is retracted slightly into its recess 46 due to contact of both rollers 84,86 with the locating element 30, the output of detector P is high, so that the output of gate 258 is high and gate 274 is blocked.When the output of gate 258 first goes low, the output of either detector R or L will be high (as described above with reference to Fig. 9)so that gate 274 will still be blocked. However, when the outputs of all four detectors P, O, Rand L go low, gate 274will be operated to provide the signal H (Fig. 9) to the bistable device 262 and also via a suitable bufferstage (notshown)tothe controller PC.

As described with reference to Fig. 9, the detectors O, Rand L are used to define both fine tolerances and maximum tolerances. In orderto maintain the signal H even afteroneofthe detectors Rand Lindicatesa shift of the tender outside the fine tolerance range while remaining within the maximum tolerances, the output of gate 272 is fed backvia a suitable element 276 to the gate input which is connected to gate 270.

If signal H is maintainedovera predetermined minimum period, controller PC suppl ies an output signal on its output CLto an operating device (not shown)forthe unit 174(Fig. 12 and Figs. 16 and 17) so as to secure the tender in the required location. The clamping signal from the controller PC is also fed to an AND-gate 278, the second input of which is connected to the output of gate 274 so that gate 278 provides an output signal fwhen it receives the clamp signal on its input. This signal f is fed tothe regulating circuit described with reference to Fig. 8 to ensure thatthe motor M is not energised sufficiently to shiftthe tender.For example, the signal f could be used to alter the bias levels applied to the synchronisation wave forms (r) and (I) to shift them apart away from the neutral level cn (Fig. 8B). The output of amplifier 270 has meanwhile been made two correspond to this neutral level cn as will now be described.

As soon as signal H appears on the outputfrom gate 274, bistable device 262 changes state and changes the output it supplies to device 266. This change of state of device 262 is irrevocable until the device receives a reset input from the gate 256; i.e. device 262 will not respond fu rther to cancel lation of signal Hon gate 274 due to overrunning ofthe locating element 30.Accordingly, as soon as the tender has reached the desired location from its original direction of approach, device 266 is re-conditioned so that any further deviation signal supplied by the logic device 266 is independentofthe current state of the output R/L of the controller PC but is dependent upon inputs which the logic device receives from the photo detectors Rand L. It follows thatthe latter detectors have no effect upon the amplifier 270 provided the tender achieves accurate location without overrun.

However, the direction of movement ofthe tender after it has once passed through the desired location can be controlled only by the states of the outputs of the detectors R and L.

RIGHT/LEFT DECISION UNIT Device 266 can be notionally divided into three "stages" -an output stage comprising gates 280 and 282 and a potential divider represented schematically in Fig. 19 by the resistance pair 290 -a"normal"driverstagecomprising gates 264 and 286, and -an "overrun" driver stage comprising gates 284 and 286.

Theamplifier279 isconnectedto a suitabletapping point in the potential divider. The potential at the tapping point can be driven into any one ofthree predetermined conditions representing respectively "travel to the right at crawl speed", "travel to the left at crawl speed"and "neutral".

Device 262 provides a control inputto each ofthe driver gates 264,288,284,286. Gates 264 and 288 are coupled directly to device 262. Gates 284 and 286 are coupled with device 262 by way of an inverter 289 so thatthe control signal supplied by device 262 to the overrun driver stage is the inverse of the control signal supplied to the normal driver stage. Thus the normal driverstage is enabled when the overrun stage is disabled and vice versa.

Considerfirsttheoverrundriverstage. Gate284 responds to the condition ofterminal Rand gate 286 responds to the condition of terminal L. When the overrun driver is conditioned operative by device 262, gate 284 drives gate 280 and gate 286 drives gate 282 to produce the appropriate conditions ofthe potential atthetapping point in the output stage.

Consider now the normal driverstage.This has to respond to only a single right/left information input, namelythe R/L output of controller PC which is coupled to gate 264. When the normal driver stage is conditioned operative by device 262, gate 264 drives gate 280 directly. The drive for gate 282 is then produced indirectly from gate 264 via gate 288.

The invention is not limited to any specific logic system to process the right/left information signals and produce the appropriate inputs to the amplifier 270. Purely by way ofexample,thefollowing arrangementwill be found to producethe required resultsthe signal convention (high/low) corresponds with that used in description of Figure 9 and aspects dealt with in description of Figure 0 will not be repeated herea) outputs of both gates 280 and 282 low represents "right" b) outputs of both gates 280 and 282 high represents "left" c) output of either gate 280 or 282 high and the other low represents "neutral" d) output R/L high represents "left" and output R/L low represents "right" e) output of device 262 high enables the normal driver stage and output device 262 low enables the overrun driver stage f) gates 264,282,284 and 286 are each NAND-gates g) gate 280 is an AND-gate h) gate 288 is an EXCLUSIVE-OR-gate.

On the basis ofthe above information, a person skilled in dealing with logic circuitry can derive a truth table showing thatthe required signal conditions are obtained- it is believed that no purpose would be served by showing the derivation of such a truth table here.

CRAWL SPEED REDUCTION In orderto ensure thatthe tender is driven back into the close tolerance range after overrunning the desired location, it may be desirable to reduce the crawling speed forthe return movement after an overrun. The signal required to initiativethis reduction of the crawling movementcan be derived, e.g., from the change of state of the bistable device 262, which change of state is induced bythe tender upon its first entry into the close tolerance range. The required signal is indicated at hon the dotted line output from the device 262 in Fig. 19. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the required reduction ofthe crawling speed is not achieved by adjustment ofthe setpoint signal c, but by acting on the device 0 shown in Fig. 8 so asto modify the inputto the regulator RG.For example, by causing the device Qto double its output to the regulator RG for a given motor speed, it is possible to halve the motor speed corresponding with a given setpoint signal c.

DISTANCE DEPENDENT BRAKE PHASE In its counting operation, counter 260 is driven by a train of input pulses fed to it on its input 1. Thistrain of pulses could be produced by a time-dependent clock signal and the braking effect of the motorMwould then be time-dependent, beginning with the time at which the sensor 164 (Fig. 11) senses a braking reference marker and extending over a preset time fol lowing the initiation of the count. It is preferred, however,to make the braking effectofthe motor M distance-dependent, again beginning with the sensing of a braking reference marker by the sensor 164.

This can be achieved, as shown in Fig. 19, by feeding count pulsesto the counter 260 from the device0 already described with reference to Fig. 8. These pulses can be related to rotation of the motor output shaft, which in turn is related to distance travelled by the tender.

Thus, f6reach spinning station, the positional reference marker (the trailing edge ofthe body 162 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 11) can be so located relative to the locating element 30 for that station, and the sensor 164 on the tendercan be so located relative to the locating device on the tender, that when the sensorsensesa particular positional reference mar key, the locating device is spaced a predetermined distance (D-Fig. 19A) in front ofthe associated locating element considered in the direction of travel ofthe tender at the time ofsensing ofthe positional marker.

That distance can then be notionally divided into a plurality of intervals, and the counter 260 can be arranged so that at the expiry of each such interval the counter controls the converter 268 to provide a deviation signal having a respective magnitude characteristic ofthat interval. This helps to ensure thatthe tender has been braked to its crawling speed while the rollers 84,86 are still located in front ofthe relevant locating element considered in the direction of travel of the tender.

Thefull line diagram in Fig. l9Arepresentsidealised distance-dependent speed of the tender. The corresponding time diagram is represented in dotted line and it will be seen that the tender deceleration is initially high and declines as the tender approaches the crawl speed.

In the description of Fig. 19, reference has been made only to the set of sensors which is operative during travel of the tendertowardsthe left as viewed in Fig. 11, namelytothe sensors 146,154, and 164.

It will be understood that the principles explained in detail with reference to leftward travel ofthetender areequallyapplicableto operation ofthesystem in response to the second set of sensors (148, 158, 160 and 166) during rightward travel ofthe tender.

MODIFICATIONS The locating device described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 constitutes in principle a device for providing right/leftsignalsforcontrollingthedrive motor of thetender. For this purpose, it has a feeler means (provided in the illustrated embodiment by the turntable74and roller pair84, 86) adapted to engage a locating marker (provided in the illustrated embodiment by the locating element 30). Alternative locating devices could be provided to respond to alternative markers. Forexample,thesystem could beofthe non-contact type; light beams or magnetic field producing elements could provide the locating reference marker.However,the mechanical system, operating by inter-engaging parts, is preferred because it is less liable to disturbance due to varying operating conditions.

A different form offeeler means could also be provided. The six pest form of feeler means involves a single location of contact with the corresponding locating element. However, such a system is unlikely to produce a stable indication and is not as well-suited to a symmetrical profile such as that shown for the element 30 in Fig. 4. The profile is preferably symmetrical aboutthe required line of alignment. The feeler device preferably makes initial contact with the profile at only one location, the subsequenttransferto multi-location contact with the profile defining the maximum deviation ofthe feeler means from its normal disposition in the locating device.

An indicator means (leaf 80) is provided in the illustrated embodiment to amplify the deviation of the feeler means from its normal disposition. Such an indicator may or may not be necessary depending upon the sensor system used to respond to the feeler deviation. For example, a sensing system could respond directly to rotation ofthe turntable 74 in Fig. 6, but the mechanical amplification of the movement of the turntable 74via the leaf 80 considerably improves sensitivity ofthe system.

It is not essential to use a rotatable feeler means. For example, an array of reciprocable rods could be used, the ends of the rods projecting outwardly from the locating device and the rods being forced back into the device against a biasing means when they contact a locating element. Sensors could respond to individual rods orto groups of rnds However, the illustrated arrangement is substantially simpler and less liableto disturbance in practice. In principle, all that is required is a recognizable mode of displacement of the feeler means from a normal disposition in response to misalignment of the locating device relative to the locating element.

In this specification, the words "signal" is used throughout in its broadest sense of an information conveying means, and is not to be equated with the medium of information transfer such as voltage, condition of a terminal or the flow of current. Using the signal diagram of Fig. 9 as an example, the locating device produces a first signal (constituted by the high condition oftheterminal R in combination with the lowconditionoftheterminal L)toindicatea require mentforcontinued movement of the tender towards the right. It also produces a second signal (constituted bythe high condition oftheterminal Lin combination withthelowconditionoftheterminal R) to indicate a requirementfor movementtowards the left.Athird signal is produced to indicate alignment ofthe locating device with the locating element. In principle in the signal diagram ofthe Fig. 9, this third signal could be constituted simply by the low conditions of the terminals Rand L. However, such a signal would be ambiguous in the illustrated embodiment, because it is produced both when the locating device is accurately aligned on the locating element and when the device is wholly displaced from the locating element during the approach phase. Accordingly, a further signal component must be added to resolve the ambiguity, and the third signal is constituted in the illustrated embodiment by the low conditions of each oftheterminals P, Rand L.

In the illustrated embodiment, an additional signal component enables definition of both fine and max imumtolerance ranges. In the signal diagram of Fig. 9 this additional signal is represented by the low -conditions oftheterminals P and 0 in combination with a low condition on either ofthe terminals Rand L and a high condition on the other ofthose latter terminals.

In the embodiment of Fig. 11,the lamp 42 and the reflectors 150 and 152 at each spinning station constitute signal directing means for directing signals to a specific zone on the path of movement of the tender, the specific zone being associated with the respective spinning station. Conveniently, as in Fig.

11, the specific zone of one station is the length of the path located immediately in front of that station.

However, this is not essential to the principle.

The lamp, along with its energising means (not shown) at the spinning station, constitutes a signal emitter, whereas the reflectors 150 and 152 merely act as signal returning means. It is preferred to ruse a signal emitterunderthedirectcontrol of the spinning station to issue the call signal which triggers off the stopping procedure in the tender. In principle, a signal returning device could be used forthe same purpose, e.g. bycausing the spinning station to changethe position of a signal reflector when a call signal isto be issued. The reflectors 150 and 152 enablethetenderto sense the state of a spinning station issuing a call signal.In principle, the required information could be transferred byfurthersignal emittersatthespinning station, but it is preferred that the station itself plays a passive role, enabling thetenderto obtain directly information it requires regarding the operating state ofthe station (location ofthe cradle arm and presence/ absence of a bobbin tube). The system could be designed to enablethetenderto acquire further information regarding the operating state of a station issuing a call signal, e.g.the presence or absence of a feed sliver. However, information derived from the cradle arm is particularly releva nt to the operations to be performed by a doffer/piecer ofthe type described in this specification.

Returning to the signal diagram of Fig. 9, the "further" component ofthe third signal referred to above could be used to enable definition offine and maximum tolerances ifthe production ofthis signal component can be controlled with sufficient accuracy forthe required purpose. In view of mechanical tolerances, however, such accuracy is unlikely to be obtainable in the embodiment as actually illustrated.

Correspondingly, the additional signal component which is used to enable definition offine and maximum tolerances if the production of this signal component can be controlled with sufficient accuracy forthe required purpose. In view of mechanical tolerances, however, such accuracy is unlikely to be obtainable in the embodiment as actually illustrated.

Correspondingly,the additional signal component which is used to enable definition oftwotolerance ranges could be used to resolve ambiguity in thethird signal referred to above; e.g., if the additional componentwere derived notfrom the mechanical right/left indicating system butfrom an additional signal emitter/receiverarrangementacting between a spinning station and the tender, then the additional signal component could provide both an unambiguous indication of alignment and a maximum tolerance rangeforsuch alignment.

The dual tolerance bands may not be required in all circumstances, the centre detector O can be omitted where they are not required. Consider, however, the arrangementshown in Fig. 10, where the locating device is mounted atthe lower end ofthetenderand the motor/suspension system (through which the locating device must exercise control ofthetender movements) is located at the upper end ofthetender.

The tender itself cannot be constructed as a perfectly rigid structure and the inertiai forces which arise in the tender during the final braking are sufficientto cause slight displacement of the suspended end of the tender (i.e. the locating device) relative to the suspension system. There is therefore a slight oscillation of the suspended portion ofthetenderaboutthe resting "point" ofthe suspension system.

If only a single tolerance band is defined, and the maximum permissible tolerance band is narrow, then the performance ofthe motor/suspension system will have to be very carefully controlled in orderto ensure thatthe locating device remains inside the allowed tolerances during the oscillations referred to, or the structure ofthetenderwill have to be designed to reduce the oscillations. The definition ofthe fine and maximum tolerance bands gives an added margin of error-the electrical system can be controlled to drive the suspension system into the fine tolerance band andthemaximumtoleranceband allowsfora degree of displacement ofthe locating device relative to the suspension system.Furthermore, as previously mentioned, it is easier to setthe maximum permissible tolerances exactly by means of a single central detectorthan by means of a pair of left/right displace ment detectors.

Regarding the wheel assemblies shown in Figs.

12-15, the assembly steering rollers 198,200 also act as retainers forthe tender. This is not essential.

Desirably, however, retaining devices are disposed on one side ofthe load-bearing wheels and the centre of gravity ofthe complete tender is disposed on the other side so thatthe retainers are drawn into contact with the rail structure. The axes of the steering rollers do not have to be disposed at right angles to the axes of the load-bearing wheels; furthermore, the distribution of loading between the various wheels ofthe assembly can be adapted as required, so that there may be more than one load-bearing wheel in each assembly.

The drive motor is preferably connected directly to the drive wheel or wheels without any intervening clutch mechanism, control therefore being effected by the energisation of the drive motor.

The securing mechanism of Figs. 16 and 17 is shown strictly by way of example only. Alternatives will be readily apparent. In particular, the tender does not have to be secured to the rail structure, although this forms the most convenient securing point. A securing means employing friction is not essential and alternative friction means, e.g. a clamp system, can be readily designed. The securing mechanism should clearly be designed to avoid distu rbance to the ach ieved position of the tender, although the dual tolerance system can provide some margin of error in this respect.

With regard to the lower guide system shown in Fig.

18, any desired means may be used to hold the spinning unit in its open position as shown in that Figure, e.g. reference may be madeto US specification 3511045, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. The desired guide surfaces on thetenderforcooperating with the rail element24 in its two positions may be made separate instead of being incorporated into a unitary body as shown in Fig. 18. The guide surface on the rail element does not have to be vertical when the spinning unit is closed, although this is preferred. The guide surface may be non-planar.

The locating element does not have to be built into the rail elements ofthe spinning stations. As indicated in the description, however, it is an advantage ofthe present system thatthe locating element can be incorporated in the spinning station, i.e., in the zone in which the service operations have to be performed.

The locating element is preferably in the form of a profile, but the simple profile shown in Fig. 4 is not essential. A more complex profile, e.g. having sides with graduated curves, could show for example the degree of deviation of the locating device from the desired location defined by the locating element.

Clearly, more complex sensing circuitry would be required in the locating device to sense the various dispositions ofthe axes defined in the profile sensor.

The sensing system could be designed, for example, to sense the rate of change ofthe angle of deviation of the leaf 80 from its normal position. Additional sensors could also be introduced to sense varying magnitudes ofthe angle of deviation ofthe leaf 80 from its normal position. The setting of the leaf 80 relative to its associated sensors would then, however, be considerably more complicated and still greater amplification ofthe movements ofthe profile contact elements might be needed to extract the desired additional information. In the illustrated system, the angle of swing of the leaf 80 merely has to be sufficient to ensure the required changes of state of the detectors O and R (or L) during contact of the profile sensor with the locating element.

As already indicated, the left and right indicating signals maytakeforms otherthan those described with reference to Fig. 9, and the processing circuitry may be adapted to deal accordingly with the resulting outputs.

For example, the system may be designed to produce left and right indicating signals which are balanced against each otherto produce a null signal when the locating device adopts a desired position relative to the locating element. Furthermore, the signal component which indicates cooperation between the profile sensor and the locating element (thereby resolving ambiguity in the null produced by the locating device) is not necessarily derived from backward movement ofthe locating device as described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. For example, the initial displacement of the leaf 80 from its normal position may be sensed as an indicatorthatthe locating device has entered an operating relationship with the locating element.Also, in the case of the more complicated sensing systems referred to above, the "centred" signal (null signal) may not be ambiguous as it represents only one element of a predetermined, unambiguous sequence. In such a case, the further signal component can be omitted.

The description of the programme controller PC and setpoint unit SP has concentrated upon the sequence of operations on stopping and locating ofthe tender.

The controller and setpoint unit may, however, be adapted to perform many other functions. For example, as indicated by the dotted line input atthetop righthandcornerofFig. 19,thesetpointunitmay include additional elements adapted to define a predetermined starting ramp signal as an outputfrom the setpoint unit upon restarting ofthe tender after completion of a service operation. Powertransmission for the control system, and for the various operating portions ofthe tender, can be transferred from the machinetothetenderviaacablewhich is dragged by the tender during its movements along the machine.The drag load placed upon the tender drive system by such a cable makes effective drive contact between the drivewheel(s) and the suspension rail 18 particularly important, thus emphasising the import- ance ofthe drive wheel orientation control described with reference to Figs. 12 to 15.

The programmable controller PC may be adapted to switch offthe supply of currentto the motor M after the securing device 174 has been operated to hold the tender readyfora service operation. The controller can then also condition the setpoint unit ready for a re-start operation after completion of servicing. Preferably, as shown by the diagram in Fig. 11, upon completion of a service operation upon one spinning station, the tender is able to respond immediately to an adjacent station. That is, while performing a service operation on spinning station 1 2B in Fig. 11, the lamp and reflector sensors are readyto respond to station 1 2A or 1 2C depending upon the current direction of travel ofthe tender.However, the system is preferably arrangedto ignore inputs from the adjacent stations until completion of a currentservice operation. If, then, a call signal is received from an immediately adjacent station, the tender preferably re-starts at the crawl speed instead of the normal running speed.

The controller PC can be programmed to respond differently to varying combinations of state signals from a spinning station. Byway of example only, sensing of a call signal in combination with a "cradle up" (cradle in its uppermost position) and "cradlefull" (bobbin tube or package held in the cradle) may be interpreted by the controller as an invalid combination indicating a defective station. The controllerwill not, therefore, respond to the brake markerforthat station and the tenderwill pass by. On the other hand, sensing of a call signal in combination with a "cradle up" signal and a "cradle empty" signal may be interpreted bythe controller as a valid combination indicating need for insertion of a bobbin tube preparatory to a piecing operation to re-startspinning atthe calling station.

The invention is not limited to a service tender which travels in opposite directions relative to the machine during normal running. It is known, e.g. to provide a continuous rail around the machine so that the service tender travels in one direction only on this continuous rail. l n this case the log ic decision unit 266 can be simplified, since the tender will always approach the locating elements from a given direction. In such a case, it is not essential to use a locating element with a symmetrical profile since "one-sided" operation only is required.

The signal acquisition sequence described with reference to Fig. 11 is not essential although it is importantthatthe brake marker is used to initiate the brake phase and therefore that all significant spinning station state signals are detected before the brake marker is sensed. If the call signal is such that it may be received only shortly before the brake signal, then it may be necessary to store other station state signals before the call signal is received--for example, the leading edge of each bar 162 (Fig. 11) could be sensed and used to gate state signals into the memory 254 (Fig. 19).The memory could then be wiped if the call signal for the corresponding station is not received within a predetermined time or distance after the leading edge ofthe barwas sensedfor example, if the call signal is not received before the trailing edge ofthe bar is sensed. The system is thus reset ready to examine the next station. The leading edges ofthe bars 162 thus function as signal acquisition markers.

ACCURACY The system is capable of establishing accurate location even where moving parts are of substantial weight. For example, for a service tender of the type shown in Fig. 10 and weighing in excess of 350 kg, a system as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 can locate a datum on the tender (axis 37, Fig. 4) relative to a datum on the machine (axis 39, Fig. 4) with a tolerance of +0.5 mm. Forthispurpose,thelocating element 30 was formed with a radiused surface 32 in place of the flat surface 32 shown in Fig. 4; the radius of surface 32 was 8 mm. The total height of the locating elementfrom base to peakwas8 mm and the flankangle included atthe basewas 20". The diameter of each roller 84, 86 was 12 mm and the spacing ofthe roller axes was 14 mm. The distance represented by M in Fig.4C was 3 mm.

Reference is made to ourco-pending British Patent Application Nos (entitled Open-end Yarn Piecer and Bobbin Inserting (entitled Open-end Yarn Piecerand Bobbin Inserting Device both filed on 20th May1983), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in the present specification by reference. However, the present invention is not limited to use in conjunction with the systems disclosed in those co-pending applications.

Claims (8)

1. A device for producing locating signals in dependence upon position ofthe device relative to a locating marker comprising sensing means operable to produce - a first output when the device lies outside a predetermined coarse tolerance range relative to the marker, - a second output when the device lies inside said coarse tolerance range but outside a predetermined fine tolerance range relative to the marker, and - a third output when the device lies inside said fine tolerance range, and means to produce a control signal in dependence on said outputs.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing means is adapted to produce a first signal componentwhen the device is displaced from said fine tolerance range in one direction, a second signal component when the device is displaced from the fine tolerance range in the opposite direction and an additional signal component when the device is in said coarse tolerance range, the first outputcompris- ing eitherthefirst orthe second signal component alone, the second output comprising the first or the second signal componenttogetherwith the additional signal component and the third output comprising the additional signal component alone.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said control signal producing means is adapted to produce a predetermined signal when the device enters the fine tolerance range and to maintain said predetermined signal until the device leaves the coarse tolerance range.

4. A machine comprising a plurality of operating stations and a service device, drive means operable to cause relative movement of the stations and the device, locating means at each operating station co-operable with corresponding means at the service device for bringing the service device and any selected station into alignment without interfering with relative movement ofthe stations and the device, and releasable securing means operable after the service device and a selected station have been brought into alignmentto preventfurther relative movement ofthe stations and the device.

5. A machine comprising a plurality of operating stations and a service device, reversible drive means operable to cause relative movement ofthe stations and the device, a plurality of locating markers associated with respective operating stations, a signal producing device associated with said service device and responsivetosaid markersto producea signal representing the required sense of said relative movement in order to bring the signal producing device into alignment with the locating marker for a selected station,and control means responsiveto said signal producing device and operable on said drive meansto cause relative movement under the control ofthe control means to bring the service device a selected station into alignment, wherein said control means is conditionable, having a first condition in which the control means is operable on said drive means to cause continuous relative movement in one sense and a second condition in which said control means is operable on said drive means to cause relative movement in either sense dependent upon signals produced by said signal producing device.

6. A machine comprising a plurality of operating stations and a service tender movable past said stations on a predetermined path, signal directing means at each station operable to direct at least one signal towards a respective predetermined zone on the path, said signal representing a predetermined operating state at the station, signal receiving means on the tender adapted to pass through said zones successively as the tender moves along said path and to receive a signal from a particular station while in the zone associated with that station, a plurality of positional reference markers spaced along said path and associated with respective stations, and sensor means on the tender responsive to the markers.

7. Atextile machine comprising a plurality of operating stations each including a cradle to carry a package ofyarn, said package being formed atthe station during operation thereof, a service tender movable past the stations on a predetermined path, and means on the tender operableto sense the condition ofthe cradle ata station passed bythe tender.

8. An open end spinning machine having a plurality of spinning stations and a service tender movable along a predetermined path pastthe stations, each station comprising a spinning unit having a part pivotable between a first position in which the spinning unit is closed and a second position in which the spinning unit is open, the part being retainable in each said position, each said part providing a rail element; guide means on the tender including a first guide elementto engage the rail element on a part in its second position.