GB966518A - Improvements in and relating to double twist spindles - Google Patents

Abstract

966,518. Tension control devices. COURTAULDS Ltd. Dec. 22, 1960 [Dec. 23, 1959], No. 43648/59. Heading D1D. Apparatus for controlling tension in a thread withdrawn from a two-for-one twister employing a stationary reel comprises two braked guides 7, 30 drivable together in rotation about the axis of the reel by a thread engaged with the guides and being withdrawn from the reel, the braking of the guides being variable in response to changes in the tension of the thread to maintain the tension at or near a predetermined value. The reel is mounted on a tapered shaft 1 and the thread 35 passes over a bowed guide 7, across a bowed guard plate 8, around a guide wheel 30, over wheels 32, 33 and into the bore 12 of the shaft 1. A cage 2 is rotated relatively to the shaft 1 by the thread 35. A flexible metal strip 13 is wound around a stationary carbon block mounted on the shaft 1 and exerts a braking action as the rotation of the cage 2. If the tension is greater than the predetermined value the thread causes the wheel 30 to move against the action of a tension spring 27 towards the guide 7, the spring 27 being connected between a lug 25 on an arm 22 extending from an independently rotatable annulus 21, Fig. 3, and a pillar 28 on the surface 9 of the cage 2. The rotation of the annulus 21 reduces the tension in a weaker spring 17 connected between an arm 20 on the annulus and a quadrant 15 which pivots to loosen the strip 13 to decrease its braking action on the block 10. Similarly when the tension is too low the strip 13 is drawn more tightly on the block 10. Instead of a friction brake a magnetic brake may be employed.