US2594510A

US2594510A - Yarn tension device

Info

Publication number: US2594510A
Application number: US159581A
Authority: US
Inventors: William T Stearn
Original assignee: Celanese Corp
Current assignee: Celanese Corp
Priority date: 1950-05-02
Filing date: 1950-05-02
Publication date: 1952-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1969-04-29

Description

April 29, 1952 w. T. STEARN YARN TENSION DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 2, 1950 INVENTOR. WILLIAM T. STEARN ATTORNEYS Apr 1952 w. T. STEARN YARN TENSION DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 2, 1950 INVENII'OR. WILLIAM T. STEARN Y K x ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 29, 1952 YARN TENSION DEVICE William T. ,Stea'rn, Cumberland, Md., assignor to Celanese Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 2, 1950, Serial No. 159,581

12 Claims.

This invention relates to yarn tension devices and relates more particularly to adjustable yarn tension devices and to textile equipment in connection with which said adjustable yarn tension devices are employed.

In textile operations wherein yarn is drawn from one point to another, such as in the winding of yarn from a supply to a take-up package, it is necessary to apply tension to the yarn during the winding operation. It has previously been proposed to apply tension to the yarn by devices of various types such as discs, whorls, gates and springs. Some of these types of tension devices are suitable for particular operations, but are unsuitable for others. Few are consistently satisfactory where adjustments are necessary during the winding operation.

For example, in cone winding the yarn is drawn vertically from a supply package and, after passing through some form of'yarn tension device, is traversed by a reciprocating guide onto a cone tube. The cone tube is mounted on a mandrel driven at a constant speed so that as the yarn builds up on the cone tube the rate of yarn takeup increases. This change in the rate of-yarn take-up tends to increase the yarn tension and some adjustment must be made in the yarn tension apparatus if the yarn tension is to be reduced during the entire winding operation, which reduction in tension is necessary to obtain a satisfactory cone. When the adjustments in the yarn tension devices must be made manually, the yarn tension is liable to considerable variation owing to faulty adjustments and to therelative infrequency with which the necessary adjustments are made. The variations in yarn tension often lead to the production of defective cones.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a yarn tension device which will be free from the foregoing and other disadvantages of yarn tension devices previously employed and which will be especially simple in construction and efficient in use.

A further object of this invention is'to provide a readily adjustableyarn tension device.

Another object of this invention isthe provision, in a textile apparatus wherein yarn is drawn from one point to another, of a yarn tension device that is automatically adjusted during operation.

Other objects of this invention, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be apparent from the following-detailed description and claims.

til

ing operation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a yarn tension device comprising a generally elongated friction surface, and means positioned at points spaced longitudinally of the frictionsurface for guiding the yarn generally longitudinally thereof and for bringing the yarn into contact therewith, said means being adjustable with respect to each other so as to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the friction surface thereby to adjust the yarn tension. The friction surface may advantageously have a generally circular cross-section and comprise a pair of tubes aligned one with the other. Yarn guide means may be positioned at points spaced axially of the tubes for guiding the yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, and additional, adjustable yarn guide means may be positioned intermediate said aforementioned yarn. guide means so as adjustably to wrap the yarn around-the tubes, thereby to adjust the yarn tension readily over a wide range. The regulation of the yarn tension may be effected automatically by linking the adjustable yarn guide means to the textile equipment in which it is employed. For example, in a yarn-winding machine, the wrap of the yarn around the tubes may bedecreased automatically in proportion to the increase in the yarn take-up rate so as to reduce the tension on the yarn during the wind- A preferred embodiment of the yarn tension device of this invention as applied to a coning machine is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the yarn tension device and a portion of the coping machine to'which it is applied,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged ,in the manner shown in my co-pending application S. No. 107,053, filed July 2'7, 1949, onto a cone It in a manner well known in the art. The reciprocating guide I3 is carried at the upper end by an arm l5 that is pivotally mounted on machine frame It by means of a shaft l1. Fastened counterweight I8 to rotate about the shaft H in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1).

The yarn tension device I2 comprises two chromium-plated stainless steel tubes I9 and 2| that are aligned one with the other. A brass plug 22 having an annular ring 23 projecting therefrom is press-fitted into the lower end of the tube I9, and a similar brass plug 24 having an annular ring 25 projecting therefrom is press-fitted into the upper end of the tube 2|. In the center, the two tubes I9 and 2| are separated one from the other by means of a brass plug 26 that has

bosses

21 and 23 projecting into the tubes I9 and 2| and is freely rotatable with respect to said tubes. Yarn guides, such as

pigtails

29, 3| and 32, through which the yarn II passes, are fastened to the

plugs

22, 24 and 26, the

pigtails

29 and 3| being aligned one with the other.

The plug 26 is secured to a shaft 33 extending lengthwise of the tubes I9 and 2| and mounted for free rotation with respect to the

plugs

22 and 24 in

ball bearings

34 and 35 positioned internally of the

annular rings

23 and 25. The upper end of the shaft 33 extends through the plug 24 and has fastened thereto a bevel gear 36 that meshes with a segmental bevel gear 31 mounted for free rotation on a stud 38. The bevel gear 31 is linked to the counterweight I8 by means of a rod 39. One end of the rod 39 extends through an angle bracket 4| welded or otherwise fastened to the counterweight I8, and is held in place by collars 42 positioned on both sides of said bracket. The other end of the rod 39 extends through the bevel gear 31 at a point above the stud 38, and is held in place by collars 43, positioned on both sides of said bevel gear. The yarn tension device I2 is mounted on a U-shaped support 44, the stud 38 extending through said support, the plug 22 being fastened to said support by means of a bolt 45 in threaded engagement therewith, and the plug 24 being fastened to said support by means of a stud 46 in threaded engagement therewith. The U-shaped support 44 is attached to the machine frame I6 by means of a bracket 41.

In operation, when the winding of the yarn I I onto a cone I4 is to begin, the arm I is rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1) to move the reciprocating guide I3 clear of the cone I4 and permit a new cone tube to be placed in position. As the arm I5 rotates in a clockwise direction, the rod 35 fastened thereto will cause the bevel gear 31 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) about the stud 38, driving the bevel gear 36 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2). The clockwise rotation of the bevel gear 36 will cause the shaft 33 and the plug 25 fastened thereto to rotate in the same direction, moving the pigtail 32 in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. The linkage between the counterweight I8 and the bevel gear 3l' and the ratio of the bevel gear 36 to the bevel gear 31 is so designed that when the arm I5 is moved to the starting position, the pigtail guide 32 will be aligned with the the

pigtails

29 and 3|, permitting the yarn II to be threaded readily through said pigtails and through the reciprocating guide I3 for fastening to the cone I4. The arm I5 is then permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) until the reciprocating guide I3 bears against the cone I4. The counterclockwise rotation of the arm I5 will cause the bevel gear 31 to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1), driving the bevel gear 36, the plug 26 and the pigtail 32 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) wrapping the yarn I I around the tubes I9 and 2| as shown in Fig. 1.

The winding of the yarn II onto the cone I4 may then be started, the tension on the yarn I I being determined by the frictional forces between said yarn and the tubes I9 and 2|. The frictional forces may be adjusted for tubes I9 and 2| of a given length and diameter, b varying the wrap of the yarn II around said tubes either by changing the mechanical advantage of the linkage between the arm IS and the bevel gear 31, or by altering the ratio between the

bevel gears

35 and 31 or by a combination of these expedients. As the yarn II builds up on the cone I4, which is driven at a constant speed, the rate of yarn take-up will increase, which increase will tend to raise the yarn tension. Simultaneously, however, the yarn II wound on the cone I4 will cause the reciprocating guide I3, the arm I5 and the counterweight I8 to rotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1). The clockwise rotation of the counterweight I8 will move the rod 39 to the left (Fig. l) and cause the bevel gear 31 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1), driving the bevel gear 35, the shaft 33, the plug 26 and the pigtail 32 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2), thereby decreasing the wrap of the yarn II around the tubes I9 and 2| and tending to reduce the yarn tension. With proper design, the reduction in yarn tension caused by the decreased wrap of the yarn II around the tubes I9 and 2| will more than balance the increased yarn tension caused by the increased take-up rate of said yarn so that the yarn tension will be gradually reduced during the winding operation.

The yarn tension device of this invention has a considerable number of advantages over the devices previously used for this purpose. It is positive acting and may be adjusted readily over an extremely wide range. It may be used successfully to wind yarn of extremely high twist without kinking, and also to wind yarns of extremely low twist without stripping fibers or filaments from the yarns. It reduces end breakage and improves yarn quality by eliminating the possibility of strained yarns. It obviates underwinding the cones and bulged cones caused by tension variations and permits of better density control thereby producing more uniformly wound cones even when the cones are wound with a high traverse. It also eliminates crushed cone tubes and permits of the use of lighter cone tubes effecting an important saving in costs. As compared with gates, the yarn tension device of this invention has a lower threading time, permits of higher winding speeds, and less frequent cleanings, and produces fewer stoppages as the result of vibration. In addition, because the area of contact between the yarn and the friction surface changes continuously during operation, wear of the friction surfaces against which the yarn bears occurs less rapidly.

While the yarn tension device of this invention has been described as having two tubes over which the yarn is drawn, it may be constructed with only a single tube although this form of construction is somewhat less desirable.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secureby-Letters Patent is:

1. A yarn tension device comprising a generally elongated friction surface, means positioned at points spaced longitudinally of the friction surface for guiding the yarn generally'longitudinally of the friction surface, and "means positioned intermediate said aforementioned meansforbringing the yarn into free contact with the friction surface, said latter means being angularly adjustable to vary the extent of free contact between the yarn and the friction surface thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

2'. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of generally elongated friction surfaces aligned one with the other, means positioned'at points spaced longitudinally of the friction surfaces for guiding a yarn generally longitudinally of the friction surfaces, and means positioned intermediate said friction surfaces for bringing the yarn into free contact with the friction surfaces, said latter means being angularly adjustable to vary the extent of free contact between the yarn and the friction surfaces thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

3. A yarn tension device comprising a friction surface having a generally circular cross-section, means positioned at points spaced axially of the friction surface for guiding a yarn generally parallel tothe axis of the friction surface, and means positioned intermediate said aforementioned means for bringing the yarn into contact with the friction surface, said latter means being angularly adjustable to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the friction surface thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

4. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of friction surfaces having a generally circular crosssection aligned one with the other, means positioned at points spaced axially of the friction surfaces for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the friction surfaces. and means positioned intermediate said friction surfaces for bringing the yarn into contact with the friction surfaces, said latter means being adjustable to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the friction surfaces thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

5. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, yarn guide means positioned adjacent the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest from each other for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, and a yarn guide means positioned intermediate the tubes for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes, said latter yarn guide means being adjustable to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

6. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, yarn guide means positioned adjacent the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest from each other for guiding the yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, a yarn guide means positioned intermediate the tubes for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes, and a shaft extending axially of at least one of the tubes for adjusting said latter yarn guide means to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

7. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, yarn guide means fixedly positioned adjacent the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest from each other for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, and a yarn guide means positioned intermediate the tubes for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes, said latter yarn guide means being rotatable with respect to the tubes to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

8. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, yarn guide means fixedly positioned adjacent the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest. from "each other for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, a yarn guide means positioned intermediate the tubes for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes, and means for rotating said latter yarn guide means with respect to the tubes to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

'9. A yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, plugs fixedly positioned in the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest from each other, yarn guide means fastened to said plugs for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, a plug positioned intermediate the tubes and rotatable with respect thereto, yarn guide means fastened to said latter plug for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes, and

a shaft extending axially of the tubes and fixed to said latter plug for rotating said plug and the yarn guide means fixed thereto to vary the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes thereby to adjust the yarn tension.

10. In a yarn winding apparatus wherein yarn is drawn from a supply and wound on a take-up package driven at a constant rotational speed so that the rate of yarn take-up increases as the yarn builds up on the take-up package, a yarn tension device comprising a pair of generally elongated friction surfaces aligned one with the other, yarn guide means positioned at points spaced longitudinally of the friction surfaces for guiding a yarn generally longitudinally of the friction surfaces, yarn guide means positioned intermediate said friction surfaces for bringing the yarn into free contact with the friction surfaces before it is wound on the take-up package, and means operated by the yarn on the take-up package for adjusting said latter yarn guide means angularly to reduce the extent of free contact between the yarn and the friction surfaces as the yarn builds up on the take-up package and the rate of yarn take-up increases thereby to adjust the tension on the yarn during the winding operation.

11. In a yarn winding apparatus wherein yarn is drawn from a supply and wound on a take-up package driven at a constant rotational speed so that the rate of yarn take-up increases as the yarn builds up on the take-up package, a

yarn tension device comprising a pair of friction surfaces having a generally circular crosssection aligned one with the other, yarn guide means positioned at points spaced axially of the friction surfaces for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the friction surfaces, yarn guide means positioned intermediate said friction surfaces for bringing the yarn into contact with the friction surfaces before it is wound on the take-up package, and means operated by the yarn on the take-up package for adjusting said latter yarn guide means to reduce the extent of contact between the yarn and the friction surfaces as the yarn builds up on the take-up package and the rate of yarn take-up increases thereby to adjust the tension on the yarn during the winding operation.

12. In a yarn winding apparatus wherein yarn is drawn from a supply and wound on a take-up package driven at a constant rotational speed so that the rate of yarn take-up increases as the yarn builds up on the take-up package, and the yarn is guided onto the take-up package by means bearing against the take-up package and mounted on a pivotally supported arm, a yarn tension device comprising a pair of tubes aligned one with the other, plugs fixedly positioned in the ends of the tubes that are spaced furthest from each other, yarn guide means fixed to said plugs for guiding a yarn generally parallel to the axis of the tubes, a plug positioned intermediate the tubes and rotatable with respect thereto, yarn guide means fixed to said latter plug for bringing the yarn into contact with the surface of the tubes before it is wound on the takeup package, a shaft extending axially of tubes and fixed to said latter plug for rotating said latter plug and the yarn guide means fixed thereto, and means including a link fastened to said pivotally supported arm and a pair of gears fastened to said link and to said shaft for rotating said shaft to reduce the extent of contact between the yarn and the tubes as the yarn builds up on the take-up package and the rate of yarn take-up increases thereby to adjust the tension on the yarn during the winding operation.

WILLIAM T. STEARN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,113,243 Parent Oct. 13, 1914 1,187,912 Houghton June 20, 1916 1,997,709 Williams Apr. 16, 1935 2,223,912 Guenther Dec. 3, 1940 2,223,914 Karns Dec. 3, 1940