US2810402A - Automatic control for loom - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1957 A. T. GoDscHALx 2,810,402

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Oct. 22, 1957 A. T. GoDs'cHALx 2,810,402

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Application May 14, 1954, Serial No. 429,923 42 Claims. (Cl. 139-1) This invention relates to weaving and it more specilically resides in a control for a loom comprising electrical circuit networks that govern operations of the loom whereby the circuit networks are responsive to loom operations for the determination of whether such operations have been satisfactorily performed to permit succeeding loom operations to be continued, said circuit networks functioning to provide timing of loom operations and to stop the loom and arrest the weaving process upon detection of an unwanted irregularity in the sequence of the loom operations.

The present invention provides a supervisory control, automatically performed, of fundamental loom operations repeatedly carried out in sequence for weaving warp and weft threads into a finished cloth. The operations sought to be governed include the movement of the lay between retracted and beat positions, the change of the heddles synchronized with the lay movement, the timing of the travel of the shuttle in its flight through the shed in relation to lay and heddle positions together with a determination of proper llight termination, and the manipnlation of the weft thread as a beat of the lay is made. ln the event of a malfunction of loom mechanism that carries out the above operations the invention will cause the weaving operation to be stopped.

Looms for which the circuit networks of this invention are primarily adapted to employ shuttles for drawing weft from a supply disposed to the sides of the warp threads and woven cloth, as is distinguished from looms employing pirn shuttles wherein a limited supply of weft is carried within the individual shuttles. In the employment of a weft supply disposed at the side of the warp threads the shuttle will grasp an end of a weft thread and draw it through the shed, the weft thread is then disengaged from the shuttle at the termination of the shuttle flight. The weft extending through the shed is then clampingly engaged for desired orientation as the lay is moved to the beat position. After the beat motion, in which the weft is formed as part of the woven cloth, the clamping engagement is released. In `the practice of this invention, circuit networks function to time the movements of the elements that engage the weft and to detect whether proper operation in the manipulation of the weft ensues as the loom proceeds through its sequence of operational steps.

It is an object of this invention to provide a control circuit for timing the sequence of loom operations.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a control circuit for a loom that may detect a malfunction in the performance of the loom and effect an immediate shutdown of the loom whereby the weaving operation is halted.

It is another object of this invention to provide a control for a loom that will function to cause weft clamping members to engage a weft in the shed that is to be beat by the lay in timed relation to lay movement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a control circuit for a loom in which improper engagement 2,810,402 Patented Oct. 22, 1957 of weft clamping members with a weft extending through the shed will be detected and the further operation of the loom stopped.

It is another object of this invention to provide a control circuit for a loom in which a failure of weft clamping elements, employed to position a weft for a beat of the lay, to properly release the weft will cause loom operation to be stopped with retention of the lay in the forward position.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a control circuit network for a loom that will function to detect the presence of a weft in the shed as a preparatory step for the beat of the lay and to cause loom operations to cease in the event of the absence of a weft.

It is another object of this invention to provide a circuit network for the automatic supervisory control of a continuous repetition of the sequence of weaving operations of a loom including the lay and heddle motions and the propelling of a shuttle in its flight, wherein means are also provided for individual manual control of such operations.

it is another object of this invention to provide a circuit network that precludes the firing of a shuttle during the time intervals in which weft engaging clamp members are operated to weft engaging position.

It is another object of this invention to provide a circuit network for the control of a loom wherein weft engaging clamp members may not be moved to weft engaging position unless a shuttle is properly housed within a shuttle box.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a specific form in which this invention may be embodied.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a loom embodying the invention and in which there is shown a plurality of loom elements cooperatively related to circuit networks of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation of the loom with parts broken away and in section showing clutch and brake operating elements for the drive motor,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of a portion of the lay and the right hand side frame of the loom showing a battery of switches operable by motion of the lay,

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation of the right side shuttle control unit mounted upon the lay,

Fig. 5 is an inner end view in elevation of the shuttle control unit shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section of the inner end of the shuttle control unit shown in Fig. 4 viewed through the plane 6-6 in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the control circuit network for the loom.

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram showing the active portion of the circuit shown in Fig. 7 when the selector switch forming a part of the circuit is placed in o position,

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the active portion of the circuit shown in Fig. 7 when the selector switch forming a part of the circuit is placed in manual" position, and

Fig. l() is a wiring diagram of the active portion of the circuit shown in Fig. 7 when the selector switch forming a part of the circuit is placed in semi-automatic" position.

Referring now to the drawings, reference will rst be made to Figs. 1 through 6 to describe the principal mechanical elements of the loom which cooperatively function with the control circuit networks embodying the invention. In Fig. 1 there is shown a loom designated by the reference numeral 1 that has right hand and left hand upright side frames 2 and 3. A breast beam 4 at the front of the loom 1 extends between and is securely fixed to the side frames 2 and 3 to form therewith the principal supporting structure for the loom 1. At the rear of the loom 1 there is mounted a rotatable warp roll 5 that likewise extends between the side frames 2 and 3. Wound upon the Warp roll 5 is a supply of warp threads 6, that are run forwardly to pass through a set of three heddles 7 as they are unwound from the roll 5. The warp threads 6 are raised and lowered by the heddles 7 in well known fashion upon shifting the heddles 7 to form the usual shed 8. The shed 8 comprises upper and lower strands of warp threads 6 converging toward a beat line 9 and forward of the beat line 9 is woven cloth 10 that travels about the breast beam 4 and is wound upon a rotatable finished cloth roll 1l supported between the side frames 2 and 3 beneath and slightly to the rear of the breast beam 4.

Pivotally mounted by the forwardly extending upper arms 12 of the side frames 2 and 3 is a lay 13, which may be swung rearwardly to a retracted, or dwell, position and forwardly to a beat position. The lay 13 has a pair of downwardly extending side arms 14 that support a horizontal lay cap 15 and a lay bottom 16 disposed beneath the cap 15, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Supported between the lay cap 15 and the lay bottom 16 is a reed 17 comprised of a plurality of vertical disposed thin closely spaced dents 259 between which the warp threads 6 are passed as they are drawn toward the beat line 9. Mounted upon the right hand end of the lay bottom 16 and disposed to the side of the warp threads 6 is a right side shuttle control unit 18, that will be described more fully hereafter. A similar left side shuttle control unit 19 is mounted upon the lay bottom 16 to the left of the warp threads 6.

To retract the lay 13 toward its dwell position there is provided a pneumatic lay retraction cylinder 20 having a reciprocable piston, not shown, from which extends a piston rod 21 connected at its forward end to the lay hottom 16. The cylinder 20 is pivotally mounted, by means not shown. in order that the piston rod 21 may tilt with change in lay position. Secured to one side of the cylinder 20 is a valve chamber 22 upon which is seated a lay retraction solenoid 23 for operating a valve within the chamber 22. The purpose of the chamber 22 is to vent and charge the pneumatic cylinder 20 in response to energization and deenergization of the solenoid 23. An energization of solenoid 23 will cause the cylinder 20 to he connected to a source of compressed air and the lay 13 will then be returned to, or retained at, the retracted position.

Extending across the front of the loom 1 is a manual clutch control pole 24 that may be shifted horizontally to rock a pivoted lever arm 25 secured to the right hand end of the pole 24. The lever arm 25 is pivoted on a shaft 26 that extends rearwardly to operate clutch elements to be hereinafter described. A control station 27 for electrical circuit components comprising manual switches and indicator lamps is mounted on the right hand side frame 2 and secured to the side of the control station 27 is a four position selector switch 28. Also mounted upon the right hand side frame 2 is a panel board enclosure 29 for housing electrical controls to be described. Secured on the inner side of the left hand side frame 2 is a group of three heddle switches 30 which are each actuated by an associated heddle 7 to be moved between contact open and contact closed positions as the respective heddle is moved between its lower and raised positions. Thus each heddle switch 30 indicates heddle position for electrical circuit networks to be described.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a bank of switches mounted upon the right hand side frame 2 together with actuating levers and cams mounted upon the right side arm 14 of the lay 13, which parts have been omitted from Fig. l for purposes of clarity. A pair of like normally open lay switches 31 and 32 are mounted upon the right hand side frame 2 in a position to have the operating plungers thereof engaged by a bracket 33 secured to the right side arm 14 and moved to contact closed position upon the lay 13 being swung to fully retracted position. Beneath the switch 32 there is mounted a third lay switch 34 which assumes a normally open contract position and is actuated by a cam 35 mounted upon a bracket plate 36 secured to the right side arm 14 of the lay 13. A fourth lay switch 37 is mounted upon the side frame 2 beneath switch 34 in position to be operated by a second cam 38 also mounted upon the bracket 36. The cam 3S engages the rocker arm 39 of the switch 37 upon the forward stroke of the loom 13 to move the switch 37 from a normal contact closed to a contact open position. The switch 37 is constructed so that upon the rearward stroke of the lay 13, toward the retracted position, the cam 38 will engage the rocker arm 39 without causing movement of the contacts therein.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a drive motor 40 for the loom 1 having an output shaft 41 which may be coupled through a combined friction clutch and brake assembly 42 to the input shaft 43 of a gear reduction unit 44. The gear reduction unit 44 has an output shaft 45, a part of which is shown, for driving the heddles 7 and other loom movements, such as let-off and take-up mechanisms which are well understood. A chain and sprocket drive 46 in driven relation to the shaft 45 drives an input shaft 47 of a cam assembly 48. The cam assembly 48 includes a set ol" seven switch actuating cams mounted upon the shaft 47, which cams are schematically shown in Figs. 7 through l() and are designated by the numerals 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. A set of switches 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 also shown in Figs. 7 through l0, are mounted in the cam assembly 48 and are associated respectively with the cams 49-55 to be operated thereby between open and closed contact positions in response to cam rotation.

Referring again to Fig. 2, there is shown a pivoted shift lever 63 connected to a movable member 64 of the clutch and brake assembly 42. A weight 65 is attached toand extended to the side of the lever 63 t-o urge the lever 63 to the left, in which position the clutch in the assembly 42 is disengaged and the brake therein is engaged to oppose rotation of the input shaft 43. Upon moving the shift lever 63 to the right the brake in the assembly 42 will be disengaged and the clutch therein engaged immediately after release of the brake, thereby connecting the drive motor 40 with the input shaft 43 of the gear reduction unit 44. A link rod 66 is pivotally joined to the upper end of the shift lever 63 and fits within a tubular link member 67 pivotally attached at one end to an arm 68. The arm 68 is mounted upon the rear end of the shaft 26 which is turned by action of the manual clutch control pole 24. Mounted on brackets 69 extending inwardly from the side frame 2 is a pole switch 70 having an operating linkage 71 connected by a pin 72 to the lever arm 75. Thus, movement of the clutch control pole 24, by the operator of the loom, will cause operation of the pole switch 70. As is shown in Figs. 7-10, the pole switch 70 has a first set of contacts 73 and a second set of contacts 74. The contacts 73 are closed when the clutch control pole 24 is disposed in a loom off position and the contacts 74 are open. Upon moving the pole 24 into an on position the contacts 73 are open and the contacts 74 closed. In moving the pole 24 from olf to on the contacts 74 will close prior to the opening of the contacts 73, and shortly after the closure of the contacts 74 the contacts 73 will be moved to open position.

The link rod 66 and tubular link member 67 comprise portions of an automatic clutch disconnect mechanism represented generally by the numeral 75, appearing in Fig. 2. A pneumatic cylinder 76 is mounted on the underside of the tubular link member 67 and houses a piston, not shown, with an upwardly extending piston rod 77 having an enlarged upper end. The piston rod 77 extends through an opening in the underside of the tubular link member 67 with a close iit and is adapted to seat in a groove 78 in the link rod 66. The piston rod 77 is spring biased downwardly toward a retracted position di'sengaging the upper end from engagement with the link rod 66. Upon disengagement the link rod 66 is free to slide within the tubular link member 67. When the piston rod 77 is moved upwardly, upon a charging of the air cylinder 76, to engage within the groove 78 of the rod 66, the link members 66 and 67 will be joined to form a unitary rigid member connecting the arm 68 with the shift lever 63. The clutch and brake assembly 42 may then be operated by manually shifting the clutch control pole 24 between its on and oil positions.

To charge and vent the cylinder 76 there is mounted on the underside of the tubular link member 67 a pneumatic valve housing 79 connected through piping, not shown, to a source of compressed air. A valve Within the housing 79 is operated by a clutch disconnect solenoid 80. Upon energization of the solenoid 80 the valve of the housing 79 is opened to charge the cylinder 76 and raise the piston rod 77 for connecting the rod 66 with the tubular link member 67. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 80 the valve of the housing 79 is shifted to vent the cylinder 76, to permit a downward movement of the piston rod 77 to occur. With the clutch control pole 24 in the on position, and the shift lever 63 moved to the corresponding clutch engaging position, as shown in Fig. 2, a deenergization of the solenoid 80 will cause a collapse of the link rod 66 and the tubular link member 67. Weight 65 will swing shift lever 63 to the left, disengaging the clutch and setting the brake in the assembly 42, and the link rod 66 will telescope within the tubular member 67. In order to regain control of the shift lever 63 the clutch control pole 24 must be moved to the off position toalignrthe'uppcr end of the piston rod 77 with the groove 78 of the link rod 66. Upon the solenoid 80 being energized the piston rod will move upwardly reuniting link members 66 and 67.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown the right hand shuttle control unit 18, parts of which will be described only, to make clear lche cooperative relation thereof with the present invention. The manner of con-struction and mode of operation of the shuttle control unit 18 is fully set forth and described in the copending application of Henman C. Frentzel entitled Improvements in Shuttle Control bearing Serial No. 378,259 and having the tiling date of September 3, 1953, now Patent No. 2,774,388. A hanged mounting plate 81 for the unit 18 is bolted to the front lface of the lay bottom 16 and on the rearwardly and upwardly facing top of the mounting plate 81 is mounted a bracket 82, as shown in Fig. 5. The bracket 82 may be slid along the mounting plate 81 to position the unit 18 with the inner end closely spaced from the side of the shed 8 `formed by the warp threads 6. Mounted upon the bracket 82 is a backbone 83 which forms the `primary mounting member for the elements comprising the shuttle control unit 18. Upon the outer end of the backbone 83 there is mounted a tiring motor cylinder 84, lfrom which extends a piston rod carrying a sheave block 85. Inwardly, to the left of the sheave block 85, is a stationary sheave bracket 86 secured upon the backbone 83. A shuttle firing cord 87 has one end anchored to a post 88 and passes between and about the sheaves of the sheave block 85 and sheave bracket 86. The cord 87 is then passed about a sheave 260 beneath the sheave bracket 86 and to the rear of the backbone 83 where it is connected at its opposite end to a shuttle throwing ram of which a part in the form of a shuttle engaging nose 97 is shown in Fig. 6.

It is one of the functions ofthe shuttle control unit 18 to throw a shuttle through the shed 8 of warp threads 6 from the right hand side to the left hand side of the loom 1. Throwing of the shuttle is accomplished by rapidly moving the sheave block away from the sheave bracket 86 to draw the tiring cord 87 around the sheave 260 to impart a high velocity to the shuttle throwing ram and drive the shuttle engaging nose 97 inwardly toward the shed 8. This motion of the shuttle engaging nose 97 will throw a shuttle from the control unit 18. The form of this shuttle throwing apparatus is not a part of the present invention and the apparatus set forth in the aforesaid application of Herman C. Frentzel, and shown here in part, is cited as illustrative of an apparatus with which the present invention may be employed. In the apparatus of Frentzel an appropriate triggering mechanism is employed for the shuttle throwing function, a part of which comprises a pivoted input lever 261 shown in Fig. 4, through which the triggering mechanism may be operated. A pneumatic valve and cylinder housing is disposed adjacent the input lever 261, and a reciprocable piston shaft 91 extending from the cylinder 90 is connected to the upper end of the lever 261. A shuttle ring solenoid 89 is mounted `atop the housing 90 with the plunger thereof operatively joined with the valve within the housing 90, to control venting and charging of the associated cylinder. The cylinder of the housing 90 is normally vented. Upon energization of the solenoid 89 the cylinder is charged and piston shaft 91 moved to rock the input lever 261 and cause the shuttle throwing function to take place.

A second function of the control unit 18 is to receive a shuttle thrown from the left hand side of the loom 1 and to terminate its flight. To this end a brake housing 92 is mounted upon the front face of the backbone 83 to house brake elements for decelerating a shuttle that is received within the control unit 18 for termination of its llight from the left hand side of the loom 1. Behind the brake housing 92 and extending beneath the cylinder 90 and associated shuttle tiring solenoid 89 there is located a shuttle box designated by the numeral 93 in Pigs. 5 and 6. The shuttle box 93 has a front wall formed by the backbone 83, a bottom tloor formed by a block 94 that contains shuttle braking and shuttle flight terminating elements operable in conjunction with those elements within the housing 92, and la cover plate 95 that is attached to the upper face of the backbone 83. The shuttle box 93 is enclosed at the rear by the dents 259 of the reed 17. ln Fig. 6 there is shown a shuttle 96 fully retracted within the shuttle box 93 in abutting relation to the shuttle engaging nose 97 of the shuttle throwing ram. It is a purpose of the elements in the housing 92 and block 94 to terminate shuttle flight with the shuttle 96 fully housed as shown in Fig. 6, however these elements are not shown herein since they do not form a part of the present invention.

A bracket 98, shown in Fig. 6, rises upwardly from the shuttle box cover plate 95 and supports a shuttle box switch 99. The switch 99 has a set of normally open contacts and is actuated to contact closed position by upward movement of a pin 100 that extends through an opening in the cover plate 95 to project downwardly within the shuttle box 93. Upon fully housing the shuttle 96 within the shuttle box 93 the pin 100 is engaged by the nose of the shuttle 96 and moved upwardly to actuate the switch 99 and thereby indicate shuttle position.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a weft thread 101 emerging from a tube 102. The thread 101 is drawn through the tube 102 to the inner end of the contr-ol unit 18 from a. weft dispensing reel 262 at the side of the loom 1, which is shown in Fig. l. From the tube 102 the weft 101 is passed through an opening in a pivoted blade 103, of thin cross section, with the free end of the weft 101 emerging from the inner end of the blade 103. Immediately prior to a departure of the shuttle 96 from the control unit 18 the blade 103 will be pivoted downwardly into the dotted position to dispose the lower edge thereof within a groove in the shuttle 96. As the shuttle 96 exists from the shuttle box 93 spring pressed teeth carried by the shuttle 96 will clamp upon the free end of the weft 101 projecting from the blade 103 and draw the weft 101 otf the reel 262 and through the shed of warp threads 6. This operation is fully described in the aforesaid ap plication of Herman C. Frentzel. For a shuttle flight from the left side of the loom 1 the shuttle 96 draws weft from a second weft dispensing reel 262' disposed to the left side of the loom l.

Disposed inwardly of the brake housing 92 and also mounted on the backbone 83 is a weft cutting and engaging unit 104. As shown in Fig. the unit 104 has an upper weft engaging arm 105 and a lower weft engaging arm 106, which are cach pivotally mounted. The lower arm 106 is moved upwardly and downwardly about its pivot by a piston 107 housed within an air cylinder 108 formed in the base 109 of the unit 104. The piston 107 is biased to move downwardly by a spring 110, so that upon a venting of the cylinder 108 the piston 107 will de scend and carry the lower weft engaging arm 106 to its lower, or open, position, as shown in Fig. 5. Upon charging the cylinder 108 the piston 107 will be moved upwardly to pivot the lower weft engaging arm 106 into a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 6.

A gear 111 forms an integral part of the lower weft engaging arm 106 and is in mesh with a second gear 112 that is an integral part of the upper weft engaging arm 105. As the gear 111 is rotated, upon a pivot of the arm 106, the gear 112 will be correspondingly rotated to cause the upper arm 105 to be moved between a horizontal position, such as shown in Fig. 6, and a raised po sition shown in Fig. 5. Thus, upon an upward stroke of the piston 107 the weft engaging arms 105, 106 will move toward one another and assume a closed position in the front of the entrance of the shuttle box 93, and upon a downward stroke of the piston 107 the weft engaging arms 105, 106 will separate and open the entrance to the shuttle box 93.

The swinging end of the upper weft engaging arm 105 mounts a weft cutting blade 113 and also carries a forked clamp clamp 114. The lower weft engaging arm 106 mounts a weft cutting blade 115, adapted to cooperate with the blade 113 upon closure of arms 105, 106 to sever the weft 101. Severing of the weft 101 will take place after the weft 101 has been drawn through the shed 8 from the supply reel 262 at the right side of the loom 1 by a flight of the shuttle 96. The severed portion of the weft 101 that is drawn through and laid in the shed 8 is then separated from the weft supply so that the lay 13 may beat the weft into the apex of the shed 8. The timing of the shuttle flight and the closure of the arms 105, 106 with respect to one another and the other loom operations will be discussed herein in connection with the operation of the control circuit networks.

The lower arm 106 is also formed with a ridge 116 which complements the forked clamp 114 of the upper arm 105. Upon movement of the arms 105 and 106 to the closed position a weft thread which has been drawn through the shed, in either direction will be clampingly engaged and held by the clamp 114 and the mating ridge 116. As is disclosed in the aforesaid application of Herman C. Frentzel a weft drawn from the supply reel 262' will not be severed by the cutting blades 113, 115 but instead will pass to one side of the blades 113, 115. This end of the weft will be released from the shuttle 96 upon a closure of the arms 105, 106, by mechanism not shown, and which does not play a part of the present invention. To escape the cutting blades 113, 115 a weft drawn by the shuttle 96 from the left side of the loom 1 to the right side is held by the spring pressed teeth in the shuttle 96, not shown, to one side of the path of the 8 weft 101 that emerges from the blade 103, which path is in alignment with the cutting blades 113, 115.

Mounted upon the inner side and at the end of the lower weft engaging arm 106 is a detecting probe 117 supported on an insulating grommet 118. A lead wire 119 is attached to the underside of the probe 117 and probe 117 is positioned so that a metallic weft thread clampingly engaged by the arms and 106 will fall across and make electrical contact with the upper edge thereof. Thus, an electrical indication may be made to indicate whether a weft thread is clampingly held between the weft engaging arms 105 and 106.

To control the charging and venting of the air cylinder 108 there is provided a control solenoid 120, shown in Fig. 4, mounted on a bracket 121 extending downwardly from the weft cutting and engaging unit 104. The solenoid operates a plunger 122 attached to a pivoted lever 123 on the underside of the unit 104 which is spring biased to a normal position in which a horizontal arm 124 of the lever 123 is held against the stern 263 of a control valve within the unit 104. In this position the stem 263 is moved upwardly and the associated valve vents the cylinder 108 permitting the piston 107 to assume its lower position. An energization of the control solenoid 120 moves the plunger 122 inwardly, or to the left as shown in Fig. 4, to pivot the lever 123 and lower the arm 124. The valve within the unit 104 is then permitted to open and charge the cylinder 108 for causing the piston 107 to be moved upwardly. Upon pivot of the lever 123 by the plunger 122 a latch arm 125 of the lever 123, clearly shown in Fig. 6, is caught in a notched depending catch 126 of a bell crank lever 127. The bell crank lever 127 is pivoted to the unit 104 and is spring biased to move the catch 126 against the latch arm 125. Upon the catch 126 engaging the latch arm 125 the arm 124 is held in depressed position and the cylinder 108 will remain charged. Therefore, a momentary energization of the control solenoid 120 will cause the weft engaging arms 105, 106 to be moved and retained in the closed position.

As is shown in Fig. 1. there is a weft engaging arm release 128 mounted on the breast beam 4 at the side of the woven cloth. The release 128 has a rearwardly extending arm 129 positioned to be engaged by the forward end of the bell crank lever 127, upon a movement of the lay 13 toward the beat position. The bell crank lever 127 will then be pivoted to swing the catch 126 clear of the latch arm 125, whereby the lever 123 may pivot in response to its spring bias to urge the arm 124 upwardly against the valve stem 263. Movement of the stem 263 will shift the associated valve to vent the cylinder 108 and open the weft engaging arms 105, 106.

Mounted on the front side of the weft cutting and engaging unit 104 is a plate 130 having a bore through which extends a pin 131. The upper end of the pin 131 is directly beneath an ear 132 extending from the upper weft engaging arm 105 and the lower end of the pin 131 is directly above an operating plunger of a weft engaging arm detection switch 133. With the weft engaging arm 105 raised, as shown in Fig. 5, the pin 131 is held in a lower position by the ear 132 and the contacts of the switch 133 are closed. Upon lowering the arm 105 to weft engaging position the ear 132 is moved upwardly to permit the pin 131 to rise and the switch 133 will move to the normal contact open position.

The left side shuttle control unit 19 is comprised of elements corresponding to those n the right side shuttle control unit 18, and therefore need not be described in detail. Parts of the apparatus associated therewith that are like those employed with the right hand unit 18 are designated by like reference numerals having a prime" sign aixed. Also, the electrical elements shown in Figs.

-10 that form a part of the left side control unit 19 and correspond to similar elements in the right side control unit 18 are designated by like reference numerals with a. prime" sign affixed. A shuttle tiring solenoid 89' corresponds to the solenoid 89 of the right side control unit 18, a shuttle box switch 99' corresponds to the shuttle box switch 99 in the right side control unit 18, a detecting probe 117 and a corresponding ridge 116' comprise electrical circuit elements for the left side control unit 19, a control solenoid 120 corresponds to the solenoid 120, and a weft engaging arm detection switch 133 corresponds to the switch 133 of the right side control unit 18.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a set of three power lines 134 that may be connected through a line switch 135 to leads 136, 137 and 138. A motor control switch 139 having a coil 140 and auxiliary contacts 141, 142 is employed to connect the drive motor 40 through a pair of overload safety switches 143, 144 to the leads 136, 137 and 138. The primary of a transformer 145 is connected across the leads 136 and 138. One side of the secondary of the transformer 145 is connected through a lead 146 to a principal power lead 147 which extends between a connection with one side of the switch coil 140 and a connection with one side of the primary of a step down transformer 148. The opposite side of the secondary of the transformer 145 is connected through a fuse 149 to a second principal power lead 150 which extends to a connection with the opposite side of the primary o the step down transformer 148. Disposed across the secondary of the transformer 145 is a pilot lamp 151 that lights to indicate closure of the line switch 135.

To complete an operating circuit for the coil 140 of the motor control switch 139 the side of the coil 140 opposite that joined to the lead 147 is connected through the contacts of the overload safety switches 143, 144 to a motor start button 152 having normally open contacts, and hence through a normally closed motor stop button 153 to the power lead 150. A pair of leads 154, 155 shunt the auxiliary contact 142 of the rnotor control switch 139 about the motor start button 152. One side of the set of contacts 73 of the pole switch 70 is connected to the power lead 150 and the other side of the set of contacts 73 is joined to the second set of pole switch contacts 74 and a lead 156. The lead 156 is connected with a lead 157 joined to the clutch disconnect solenoid 80. The opposite side of the solenoid 80 is joined to the power lead 147.

The manually operable selector switch 28 comprises a set of eight four position switches designated by the numerals 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, and 165 which are connected in a gang to be moved in unison upon operation of the operating handle for the switch 28. As is shown in Fig. 7, the selector switch 28 may be set in any ot four positions which are herein designated as 06, manual, semi-automatic and automatica and as the selector switch is moved each of the four position switches 158-165 is moved accordingly to insert or remove associated circuit elements in or from the active circuit network. Referring again to the lead 157, it is joined at one end with the four position switch 158 and upon placing the selector switch 28 in the off and automatic positions it will be connected to a lead 166. The lead 166 joins the four position switch 158 through the normally open contacts 167 of a power control relay 168 and a lead 169 to the power lead 150. Connected between the leads 157 and 166 is the cam switch 56, which is retained in closed contact position during the entire rotation of the cam 49 except upon occurrence of either of two diametrically opposite dctents in the cam 49 aligning with the cam follower of the switch 56.

The side of the set of contacts 74 of the pole switch 70 opposite that side connected to the set of contacts 73 is joined through a lead 170 to the four position switch 159 of the selector switch 28. For each position of the selector switch 28 the four position switch 159 will join the lead 170 with a lead 171 to the auxiliary contacts 141 of the motor control switch 139, and hence through a lead 172 to one side of the coil of the power control relay 168. The opposite side of the coil of the power control relay 168 is joined through a lead 173 to a lead 174 that joins at one end with the four position switch 162 for connection with a lead 175 upon placing the selector switch 28 in the olf and manual positions. The lead 175 connects to the power lead 147. The lead 174 may also be joined to the power lead 147 through a. circuit comprising normally open contacts 176 of a left side shuttle responsive relay 177, the normally open contacts 178 of a right side shuttle responsive relay 179 and the normally open contacts 180 of a safety disconnect relay 181.

The side of the coil of the power control relay 168 connected to the lead 172 is also joined through a lead 182 with the normally open contacts 183 of the the safety disconnect relay 181 and hence through a lead 184, the lay switch 34 and a lead 185 with a four position switch 163. The four position switch 163 joins the lead 185 through the lay switch 32 and a normally open manual shuttle throw push button 186 to the power lead 150 upon placing the selector switch 28 in manual position.

The four position switch 160 of the selector switch 28 is joined through a lead 187 with the power lead 150 and joins the lead 187, when the selector switch 28 is disposed in the off and manual positions with a lead 188. The lead 188 extends to a connection with one side of the normally closed manually operable contacts 189 of a lay position switch 190. The opposite side of the con4 tacts 189 is joined to the normally open manually operable contacts 191 of the lay position switch 190, which in turn are joined at the opposite side to one end of the coil of a lay position relay 192. The opposite end of the coil of the relay 192 is joined through a lead 193 to the power lead 147. The common connection between the normally closed and the normally open contacts 189, 191 is joined through a lead 194 to normally open contacts 195 of the relay 192 and hence through a lead 196 to a common connection with the normally open contacts 191 and the coil of the relay 192. A second set of normally open contacts 197 of the lay position relay 192 are connected on one side through a normally closed lay operating push button 198 and a lead 199 to the power lead 150, and are connected on the other side through normally closed contacts 200 of the safety disconnect relay 181 to one end of the lay retraction solenoid 23. The solenoid 23 is connected at its opposite end to the power lead 147.

The end of the solenoid 23 joined to the normally closed contacts 200 is also joined through a portion of a lead 201 and a lead 202 to the normally closed contacts 203 of a beat line relay 204, and hence through the contacts 203 and the lead 205 to the four position switch 161 of the selector switch 28. Four position switch 161 joins the lead 205 to the power lead 150 upon disposing the selector switch 28 in the semi-automatic1 or automatic positions.

The lead 201 also connects the solenoid 23 to the normally open contacts 206 of the safety disconnect relay 181, and then through the alternative circuits of normally open contacts 207 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 and the lead 208, or a lead 209 and normally open contacts 210 of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177, to a lead 211. The lead 211 extends to one side of the cam switch 58 operated by the cam 51, which closes the switch 58 for short intervals twice during each revolution. The opposite side of the cam switch 58 is joined through a lead 212 to the lead 182.

One side of the coil of the beat line relay 204 is connected through a lead 213 with the lead 17S, that is connected to the power lead 147. The other side of the coil of the beat line relay 204 is connected to a common connection with a set of normally open contacts 214, forming a part of the relay 204, and a normally open reset push button 215. The side of the push button 215 disposed away from the common connection is connected through a lead 2l6 to the side of the normally open contacts 214 that is likewise disposed away from the common connection with the coil of the relay 204. Thus, the push button 215 shunts the contacts 214. A lead 217 joins the side of the contacts 214 opposite the side connected with the coil of the relay 204 with the cam switch 57 associated with the cam 50. The cam switch 57 is held closed by the cam 50 with the exception of two intervals during each cam revolution, and connects the lead 217 through a lead 21S to the power lead 150.

A third set of contacts 219, which are normally open, for the beat line relay 204 join one end of the winding of the safety disconnect relay 181 through a lead 220 and a lead 223 with a set of normally open contacts 221 of a wett detect relay 222. The other end of the coil of safety disconnect relay 181 is joined directly to the power lead 147. The lead 223 is connected through the normally open contacts 221 of the weft detect relay 222 to a lead 224, which in turn is connected at one end through normally closed contacts 225 of the safety disconnect relay 181 and an indicating lamp 226 with the power lead 147. The other end of the lead 224 connects with the four position switch 164, which joins the lead 224 with the power lead 150 upon disposing the selector switch 23 in either the semi-automatic or automatic position.

The cam switch 59 operated by thc cam 52 and the cam switch 60 operated by the cam 53 are shown as having a common connection. The side of the switch S9 opposite the common connection is joined with the lead 174 and the side of the switch 60 opposite the common connection is joined through a lead 227 with a common corinection between the normally open contacts 178 of the right Side shuttle responsive relay 179 and the normally open contacts 180 of the safety disconnect relay 181.

The common connection between the cam switches 59,

6i) is joined through a lead 228 to a common connection between the normally' open contacts 176 of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 and the normally open contacts 178 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179. The cams 52 and 53 are `of configurations to open the cam switches 59 and 60 for substantial time intervals once each during a cam revolution. The cam lobes are positioned so that the switch open time intervals occur alternatively with equal time intervals therebetween.

Referring now to the shuttle firing solenoids 89 and 89', euch is connected at one end to the power lead 147. The end of the solenoid 89 opposite the connection with the power lead 147 is connected to normally open contacts 229 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 and then through a lead 230 to one side of the cam switch 62 associated with the cam 55. The cam switch 62 is closed for a substantial interval once during each cam revolution, and upon closure joins the lead 230 to one side of the shed switches 30, which are joined in parallel relation. Shooting the shuttle firing solenoid 89 and the normally open switch contacts 229 is an indicating lamp 231. One end of the shuttle firing solenoid 89 is joined through normally open contacts 232 of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 and a lead 233 to one side of the cam switch 61 associated with the cam 54. The cam switch 61 is closed for a substantial interval once during each cam revolution, and upon closure joins the lead 233 to the side of the shed switches 30 to which the` cam switch 62 is likewise joined. Shunting the shuttle firing solenoid 89 and the normally open switch contacts 232 is an indicating lamp 234. The side ofthe shed switches 30 opposite the connections with the cam switches 61, 62 is connected through the normally open contacts 235 of a weft engaging arm position responsive relay 236 to the lead 185. A second set of normally open contacts 237 for the relay 236 connect at one side through a lead 238 to the lead 216 and on the opposite side through a lead 239 to the power lead 150.

The secondary of the step down transformer 148 is connected across the input of a full wave rectifier 240,

which provides a source of low voltage direct current to feed circuit networks that include the switch elements disposed upon the shuttle control units 18 and 19. A pair of rectifier output leads 241 and 242 extend from the rectifier 240. Connected to the lead 242 is one end of the coil of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 and an end of the coil of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179. The coil of the relay 177 is connected at its opposite end through a lead 243, the Shuttle box switch 99 and the lead 244 to the output lead 150. An end of the coil of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 is connected through a lead 24S, the shuttle box switch 99 and the lead 246 to the output lead 150. A set of normally open contacts 247 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 and a normally open set of contacts 248 of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 are each connected at one side to the output lead 242 and are connected at the opposite sides of each to a common lead 249. Lead 249 joins with one end of the coil of a weft clamping relay 250. The opposite end of the coil of the relay 250 is connected through the lay switch 31 and the four position switch of the selector switch 28, when the selector switch 28 is placed in the semi-automatic and automatic positions, to the output lead 241. A weft engaging arm closing push button 251 having normally open contacts is shunted about the four position switch 165.

The weft engaging arm control solenoids 120 and 120' are connected in parallel, as shown, with one side connected to the output lead 242 and the opposite side connected through normally open contacts 252 of the weft clamping relay 250 to the output lead 241. One end of the winding of the weft engaging arm position responsive relay 236 is joined to an end of the output lead 242 and the opposite end of the winding is joined through a lead 253 and the weft engaging arm detection switches 133 and 133 to an end of the output lead 241. One end of the winding of the weft detect relay 222 is joined to the output lead 242, and the opposite end is joined to one side of a set of normally open contacts 254, forming a part of the relay 222, and hence through the contacts 254, when closed, a lead 255, and the lay switch 37 to the output lead 241. The side of the winding of the relay 222 connected to the contacts 254 is also connected through a lead 256, a normally open reset push button 257 and the lead 119 to the detecting probe 117, which is mounted upon the swinging end of the lower weft engaging arm 106 of the right side shuttle control unit 18 as hereinbefore described. The ridge 116 forming a part of the weft engaging arm 106 is grounded. Likewise, the ridge 116' of the left side control unit is grounded and the detecting probe 117 is connected to the output lead 241. Thus, the placing of a metallic weft thread across the probe 117 and the ridge 116 and simultaneously across the probe 117' and the ridge 116 will complete a circuit leading from the output lead 241 to the push button 257. To complete the circuit network of Fig. 7 a jumper lead 258 is extended between the lead 255 and the lead 119.

The four indicating lamps 151, 226, 231 and 234, as Well as the seven manually operable push buttons 152, 153, 186, 198, 215, 251 and 257 and lay position switch are mounted within the control station 27 for convenient use by an operator. Other circuit elements, not hereinbefore specifically located with respect to the loom mechanism are housed within the panel board enclosure 29.

OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT NETWORK SELECTOR SWITCH IN OFF POSITION It is a function of the selector switch 28 to provide for the isolation of circuit elements in a manner to permit individual testing of the loom operations to determine whether the apparatus is functioning to allow setting the loom in automatic operation, and to permit the manipulations of the loom required in readying the same for weaving.

Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown those portions of the circuit network of Fig. 7 which may be actively employed when the selector switch 28 is placed in the oiP position. The oil position allows starting of the drive motor 40, driving the sheds 7 continuously after the motor 40 is started, swinging the lay 13 between the retracted and beat positions at will by manual push button operation, and operating the weft engaging arms 105, 106 of the shuttle control unit 18 and the similar arms of the control unit 19.

Upon closure of the line switch 135 the indicating lamp 151 will be lit to inform the operator that the secondary of the transformer 145 is supplying power through the leads 146, 147, 150 and that the starting circuit for the motor 40 may be energized. Upon depressing the motor start button 152 a circuit for the coil 140 of the starting switch 139 is completed from the power lead 147 through the coil 140, the overload safety switches 143, 144, the motor start button 152, and the normally closed motor stop button 153 to the power lead 150. The switch 139 will close to join the motor 40 to the leads 136, 137 and 138, which in turn have been connected to the power lines 134 through the line switch 135. Thus, the motor 40 is placed in operation, and upon release of the motor start button 152 the switch 139 will be retained in closed position by the auxiliary contacts 142 shunted about the start button 152 by leads 154 and 155. The motor 40 may be disconnected from the power lines 134 in usual fashion by depressing the stop push button 153.

Upon the transformer 145 being connected to the power lines 134 the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 will be energized if the clutch control pole 24 is in its off position to close the pole switch contacts 73. The energizing circuit extends between the power leads 147, 150 and includes the closed contacts 73, leads 156 and 157, and the solenoid 80. Energization of the solenoid 80 operates the valve of pneumatic valve housing 79 to cause the piston rod 77, shown in Fig. 2, to be moved upwardly, and with the manual clutch control pole in o position to align the headed piston rod 77 with the groove 78 in the link rod 66, the link rod 66 and the tubular link member 67 will be rigidly connected with one another as has been hereinbefore described. Movement of the manual clutch control pole 24 to its on position, in which it is shown in Fig. 2, actuates the pole switch 70 and mechanically couples the motor output shaft 41 with the input shaft 43 of the gear reduction unit 44 through the clutch and brake assembly 42. The heddles 7 are then worked andthe cams 49-55 are set in rotation.

In actuating the pole switch 70 the contacts 74 are closed prior to the opening of the contacts 73. Closure of the contacts 74 establishes an energizing circuit for the coil of the power control relay 168 which runs from the lead 150, through the pole switch contacts 73 and 74, the lead 170, the four position switch 159 of the selector switch 28, the lead 171, the auxiliary contacts 141 of the motor control switch 139, the lead 172 which is joined to one side of the coil of the power control relay 168, the lead 173 joined to the opposite side of the power control relay coil, the four position switch 162 of the selector switch 28, and the lead 17S which joins with the power lead 147. Closure of the normally open contacts 167 of the power control relay 168 then ensues to close the circuit comprising the lead 169 joined to power lead 150, the contacts 167, the lead 166 and the four position switch 158 of the selector switch 28, which circuit shunts the pole switch contacts 73, so that upon an opening of the contacts 73 the power control relay 168 will remain energized through a self holding circuit. Also, the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 will remain energized through a circuit including the solenoid 80 joined to the power lead 147, the lead 157, four position switch 158, lead 166,

14 the contacts 167 of the power control relay 168, and the lead 169 joined to the power lead 150.

Upon an interruption of the energizing circuit for the power control relay 168 the contacts 167 will open to break the energizing circuit for the clutch disconnect solenoid 80. The pneumatic cylinder 76, shown in Fig. 2, will then be vented and the piston rod 77 moved downwardly, whereby the link rod 66 will move into the tubular link member 67 in response to action of the weight 65. The shift lever 63 will open the clutch and set the brake of the assembly 42 and rotation of the output shaft 45 of the gear reduction unit 44 will immediately cease, to stop heddle action and further rotation of the cams 49-55. To reengage the clutch of the assembly 42 it will be necessary to shift manual clutch control pole 24 to the oi position to close the contacts 73 for reenergizing the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 and aligning the piston rod 77 with the groove 78 of the link rod 66, so that the link rod 66 and the tubular link member 67 may again be reunited. The manual clutch control pole 24 may now be shifted to on position to again energize the power control relay 168 and to engage the clutch of the assembly 42.

In the circuit network of Fig. 8 a deenergization of the power control relay 168 might occur upon an opening of a motor overload safety switch 143 or 144 that interrupts the circuit of starting switch coil and causes the auxiliary contacts 141 of the motor control switch 139 to open. The auxiliary contacts 141, being in the circuit of the coil of the power control relay 168, will interrupt the energizing circuit for the relay 168. In this manner the power control relay 168 is responsive to a malfunction in the loom operation and will cause a shutdown of the mechanical operation of the loom elements driven by the motor 40. As will be hereinafter described, when the selector switch 28 is placed in semi-automatic" or automatic" position the coil of the power control relay 168 is placed in series circuit relation with several circuit switch elements that serve to detect malfunctions in loorn operation. The relay 168 is then responsive to a plurality of possible malfunctions in the loom operation for the purpose of stopping the weaving process to avert damage to the cloth and threads. Also, the power control relay 168 functions to stop the iapparatus when an operator opens the motor stop push button 153.

In moving the manual clutch control pole 24 from the off to the on position the contacts 74 of the pole switch 70 close, to permit the power control relay 168 to be energized prior to the engagement of the clutch members in the assembly 142. Thus, the power control relay 168 controls the energizing circuit for the clutch disconnect solenoid 80, and in the event of. a malfunction, to which the power control relay 168 is responsive, the solenoid 80 will be deenergized to disable the clutch engaging linkage before clutch engagement occurs.

With the selector switch 28 placed in the off position one side of the lay position switch is connected to the power lead 150 through the four position switch 160 and the lead 188. Upon closing the normally open manually operable conta-cts 191 of the lay position switch 19|) the lay position relay 192 is energized to close the contacts 195, 197. The contacts 195 are shunted about the normally open manually operable contacts 191 through the leads 194 and 196, so that upon a release of the contacts 191 the lay position relay 192 will hold itself in an energized state. Closure of the contacts 197 completes an energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 that includes the lead 199 joined to power lead 150, the normally closed lay operating push button 198, the contacts 197, the normally closed contacts 200 of the safety disconnect relay 181 and the solenoid 23 which joins with the power lead 147. Energizing the lay retraction solenoid 23 causes a venting of the lay retraction cylinder 20 through the valve chamber 22, and the lay will rapidly swing forwardly toward the beat line 9. 1f desired, the forward travel of the lay 13 toward the beat line 9 may be slowed by a rapid succession of opening and closing the lay operating push button 198. Opening the push button 198 interrupts the circuit of the lay retraction solenoid 23 whereby the lay retraction cylinder will be charged through the valve housing 22 to arrest forward lay motion. If it is desired to return the lay 13 to the retracted position and to disable the manual control for movement of t-he lay 13, the normally closed contacts 189 of the lay position switch 190 may be opened to interrupt the energizing circuit of the lay position relay 192.

lf desired, the action of the upper and lower weft engaging arms 105, 106 may be checked with the selector switch 28 in the off position. The shuttle 96 must be placed in the shuttle box 93 of the right side shuttle control unit 18,l or the corresponding shuttle box of the left side shuttle control unit 19 to cause closure of either shuttle box switch 99 or 99'. The corresponding shuttle responsive relay 179 or 177 will be energized to close either the contacts 247 or 248, whereby the coil of the weft clamping relay 250 is connected to the output lead 242. l` he lay must be in fully retracted position to cause closure of the lay switch 31, and upon depressing the nipper closing push button 251 the weft clamping relay 250 will be energized to close its contacts 252. Upon closure of the contacts 252 the weft engaging arm control solenoids 120 and 120 are energized to move the plunger 122, and the like plunger of the control unit 19, to cause closing movement of the weft engaging arms 105 and 106 of the control unit 18 and the like arms of the control unit 19. Opening of the weft engaging arms may be accomplished either by moving the lay forwardly to the beat position whereby the arms 129 and 129 will engage the bell crank lever 127 of the control unit 18 and its counterpart in the unit 19, or the bell crank lever may be operated by application of linger pressure.

Selector switch in manual position Referring now to Fig. 9, there is shown those portions of the circuit network of Fig. 7 which may be placed in active operation when the selector switch 28 is disposed in the manual position. Those portions of the circuit network which are now employed in addition to those shown in Fig. 8 are represented by heavy lines, while those circuit portions shown in Fig. 8 and still active are represented by light lines. Circuit elements that were represented as active in Fig. 8, but which are not when the selector switch 28 is in the manual position have been deleted in Fig. 9.

With the selector switch 28 in the manual position the weaving of cloth may be carried out by operating in proper sequence the manual controls provided for the individual loom operations. It is then possible to perform each step of operation and inspect the performance, before proceeding to the next function.

For the manual" position, the movement of the heddles comprises one shed change followed by a shutdown of the drive mechanism for the heddles, rather than a continuous shedding motion, as was had in the off position. The heddle movement is stopped with the shed fully open to permit the throwing of the shuttle through the shed. The manual control of the lay 13 remains the same as in the oil position of the selector switch 28, being operable at will without regard for the positions or conditions of other loom elements. Also, the manual control of the weft engaging arms 105 and 106 is like that of the 08" position of the selector switch 28. In addition to these functions the manual position provides for throwing the shuttle 96 through the shed between the right and left hand shuttle control units 18, 19 by manual operation of the push button 186.

In Fig. 9 the cam switch 56 operated by the cam 49 is placed in the self-holding circuit of the power control relay 168 in place of the four position switch 158 of the selector switch 28, which had been included in the circuit of Fig. 8. To energize the power control relay 168 the drive motor 40 is started and the clutch control pole 24 is moved from its off to orf position, as was done with the selector switch 28 in its ott position. The cam 49 will rotate, since the clutch of the assembly 42 has been shifted to place the motor 40 in driving relation to the gear reduction unit 44. Upon a detent of the cam 49 aligning with the cam follower of the cam switch 56 the switch 56 will open and the circuit of the power control relay 168 will be interrupted. The resulting opening of the contacts 167 will retain the power control relay 168 deenergized until the manual clutch control pole 24 is moved first to its off and then to its on position. The clutch disconnect solenoid will be deenergized, as has been hereinbefore explained, and the clutch of the assembly 42 opened with a setting of the associated brake to halt the heddle action. Before rotation of the cam assembly shaft 47 is stopped the detent of the cam 44 will pass by the cam follower of the switch 56 to reclose this switch, thereby making the circuit ready for another like operation upon once again moving the clutch control pole 24 to its on position. The detents of the cam 49 are spaced to have one complete heddle change occur before heddle action is stopped. Also, the apparatus will be brought to a halt with the shed in open position to receive the shuttle 96. Two heddle changes, or one revolution of each cam 49--55 is herein termed a cycle. This cycle permits for a shuttle Hight from right to left and a return ight from left to right.

Still referring specifically to Fig. 9, when the heddle action is stopped by action of the cam 49 one of the heddlcs 7 will be raised and the associated heddle switch 30 will be closed. With the shuttle 96 placed in the shuttle box 93 the shuttle box switch 99 will be closed and the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 will be energized through a circuit comprising the lead 246 joined to the output lead 241, the switch 99, the lead 245 and the coil of the relay 179 joined to the output lead 242. The normally open contacts 229 of the relay 179 will close. If the weft engaging arms and 106 are in open position the weft engaging arm detection switch 133 will also be closed, and likewise, with the weft engaging arms of the left hand shuttle control unit 19 in open position the switch 133' will be closed. The weft engaging arm position responsive relay 236 is energized to close the contacts 235. With the lay 13 positioned in the retracted position to cause closure of the lay switch 32 and assuming the cam switch 62 to be closed by the cam 55 an energizing circuit for the shuttle tiring solenoid 89 is readied for initiating a shuttle throw upon closure of the normally open manual shuttle throw push button 186. Closure of the push button 186 completes the shuttle tiring circuit comprising the shuttle firing solenoid 89 connected at one end to the power lead 147, the solenoid 89, the relay contacts 229, the lead 230, the cam switch 62, the closed shed switch 30, the relay contacts 235, the lead 185, the four position switch 163 of the selector switch 28, the lay switch 32, and the push button 186 connected to the power line 150.

In the event the cam switch 62 is not closed when the push button 186 is depressed the shuttle tiring solenoid 89 will not be energized and there will be no throw of the shuttle 96. In Fig. 9, the cam switch 62 is shown open, and a heddle change causing a half revolution of the cams 49-62 will be required for closure of the switch 62. This is accomplished through an operation of the manual clutch control pole 24, as has been described. Therefore, the cam 55 and the cam 54, which must close the switch 61 for throwing the shuttle 96 from the left side control unit 19, require the shuttle 96 to be in the proper shuttle control unit 18, 19 for coordinating shuttle movements with the position of the cams, particularly cams 52 and 53, the function of which is to be described.

In the event that the shuttle 96 is not housed within the shuttle box 93, the switch 99 remains open and the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 is deenergized. The relay contacts 229 of the relay 179 are then in open position to preclude energizing the shuttle firing solenoid 89. In this condition if the push button 186 be depressed and each of the other switches in the shuttle ring solenoid circuit be closed the indicating lamp 231 will be lit. This is an indication to the operator as to which shuttle box should receive the shuttle 96, or if the shuttle 96 be in the shuttle box that it is not properly housed.

The firing of the shuttle 96 from the left side control unit 19 is carried out in like manner as has been set forth with respect to the right side control unit 18. Closure of switch 99 is effected by disposing the shuttle 96 within the left side control unit 19 to energize the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 and close the relay contacts 232. The cam 54 must close the cam switch 61, and the remainder of the energizing circuit for the shuttle firing solenoid 89' is identical to that for the solenoid 89. Also, the indicating lamp 234 will function similarly as the indicating lamp 231.

To fire the shuttle 96 in either direction through the shed, when the selector switch 28 is in manual position, the circuit network functions to determine whether certain loom elements are properly disposed to permit the shuttle flight. The shed must be opened, as is determined by the heddle switches 30; the lay must be retracted, as is determined by the lay switch 32, the weft engaging arms must be open to permit exit and entry of the shuttle 96 from the shuttle boxes, as is determined by the detection switches 133, 133'; and the shuttle 96 must be fully housed to ensure proper launching from the particular control unit 18, 19 as is determined by one of the shuttle box switches 99, 99'. The circuit network thus acts to supervise loom operation by determining that the coordination of loom elements is proceeding correctly.

In summary, the loom operations that may be carried out with the selector switch 28 in the manual position can be performed in the following sequence to accomplish weaving:

(l) The drive motor 40 is started after closure of the line switch 135 by depressing motor start button 152 to energize the coil 140 of the motor control switch 139 and cause closure of the switch contacts.

(2) With the clutch control pole 24 in its off position the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 is energized. The clutch control pole 24 is moved to the on position to mechanically connect the motor 40 to the gear reduction unit 44 for driving the heddles 7 and the cams 49-55. Movement of the clutch control pole 24 also energizes the power control relay 168.

(3) Rotation of the cams 49--55 continues until cam switch 56 is opened. The power control relay 168 and the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 are deenergized, disengaging the motor 40 and halting the heddle drive and cam rotation with the shed open. An associated heddle switch 30 is closed. as dictated by the cam switches 61, 62 and indicated by (4) The shuttle 96 is placed in the proper shuttle box, the lamps 231, 234 upon a depression of the push button 186, which will be assumed to be the box 93 of the control unit 18, and the Shuttle box switch 99 will be closed to energize the right side shuttle tiring solenoid 179 and close the associated relay contacts 229, as a partial preparation for readying the energizing circuit of the right hand shuttle ring solenoid 89.

(5) With the weft engaging arms 105 and 106 of the right side unit 18 and the similar weft engaging arms of the left side unit 19 in open position, to permit exit and entry of the shuttle 96 from and to the control units 18,

18 19, the detection switches 133, 133 are closed to energize responsive relay 236 for closure of the relay contacts 235, as a preliminary step in readying the circuit for the shuttle firing solenoid 89.

(6) With air pressure being applied to the lay retraction cylinder 20 the lay 13 is held in retracted position and the lay switch 32 is closed to indicate this lay position to thc circuit for the shuttle firing solenoid 89.

(7) Normally open manual shuttle throw push button 186 is again depressed to complete the circuit for the shuttle tiring solenoid 89. The shuttle 96 is thrown from the shuttle box 93 through the shed toward the left side control unit 19 and draws the weft 101 to lay the same in the shed. The shuttle 96 is received by the control unit 19 and shuttle box switch 99' is closed to energize the left side shuttle responsive relay 177 and close its contacts 248. The right side shuttle responsive relay 179 is now deenergized.

(8) The lay 13, being in retracted position retains lay switch 31 closed and a closure of the weft engaging arm closing push button 251 completes an energizing circuit for weft clamping relay 250. The relay contacts 252 are closed to energize weft engaging arm control solenoids 120 and 120 which cause closure of the weft engaging arms and 106 of the right side control unit 18 and the like weft engaging arms ofthe left side control unit 19.

(9) Weft cutting blades 113, 115 sever the weft 101 upon closure of the weft engaging arms 105 and 106, and the weft engaging arms of each control unit 18, 19 clamp the ends of the weft in the shed to position the same for a beat of the lay. The detection switches 133, 133 are opened to deenergize relay 236 and open the contacts 235 to preclude a false throwing of the shuttle 96.

(l0) The lay position switch 190 is operated to swing the lay 13 forwardly for beating up the weft that had been laid in the shed, by closure of the normally open manually operable contacts 191. The lay position relay 192 is energized to close the relay contacts 197, which causes energization of the lay retraction solenoid 23 to vent the lay retraction cylinder 20. The lay falls for the beat and this movement will cause the arms 129, 129' to engage the bell crank levers 127 and cause an opening of the weft engaging arms of the units 18 and 19.

(ll) The normally closed manually operable contacts 189 of the lay position switch 190 are opened. The lay position relay 192 is deenergized to open the circuit of the lay retraction cylinder 23 whereby the lay retraction cylinder 20 is charged to return the lay 13 to the retracted position.

(12) The manual clutch control pole 24 is moved from the on to the off position to reset the link members 66, 67 and to reenergize the clutch disconnect solenoid 80. The clutch control pole 24 is now moved to the on position to energize the power control relay 168 and drive the heddles 7 through one change, as described in steps (2) and (3). The sequence of operation may then be repeated, with a shuttle throw from left to right.

From the foregoing it is seen that the loom may be operated step by step through the complete weaving operation by manual control. This permits testing of the individual loom operations for the initial readying of the loom for weaving, or for testing the loom to determine the location of a malfunctioning element which had caused interruption of the continuous weaving operation to be described in connection with the placing of the selector switch 28 in the automatic" position.

Selector switch in semi-automatic position Referring now to Fig. 10, there is shown the portions of the circuit network of Fig. 7 which are brought into active play upon placing the selector switch 28 in the semi-automatic position. Those portions of the circuit network which are now employed, but which did not appear in Fig. 9 are represented by heavy lines, while 19 those circuit portions shown in Fig. 9 and still active are represented by light lines. Circuit elements which were active in the manual position for the selector switch 28, but which do not play an active part in the semiautomatic" position are deleted from Fig. l0.

It is the purpose of the semi-automatic position to operate the loom 1 automatically through one-half a cycle, which half cycle includes a forward swing of the lay 13 to beat a weft thread laid in the shed, a grasp of the weft at the ends emerging from the shed during the forward swing, a release of the beat weft, a rearward retraction of the lay, a shed change, and throwing the shuttle to lay a second strand of weft in the shed preparatory to a forward swing of the lay, at which point in the sequence of operation the apparatus is brought to a halt.

Upon switching the selector switch 28 from the manual to the semi-automatic" position the lay retraction solenoid 23 may no longer be operated by the use of either the lay position switch 190 or the normally closed lay operating push button 198. Instead the lay retraction cylinder 23 will be operated in response to automatic switching operations to be hereinafter described. In the semi-automatic position the power control relay 168 is no longer joined through the four position switch 162 of the selector switch 28 and the lead 175 to the power lead 147, but instead the energizing circuit for the power control relay 168 will include and be dependent upon automatic switching operations to be described. Also, in the semi-automatic position the lay switch 32 and the manual shuttle throw push button 186, which had been employed in the energizing circuits of the shuttle throw solenoids 89, 89 are no longer active circuit elements. Instead, the solenoids 89, 89 may be energized only in response to automatic switching operations in a circuit which will now include the lay switch 34, the contacts 183 of the safety disconnect relay 181, the auxiliary contacts 141 of motor control switch 139, pole switch contacts 74, cam switch 56 and the contacts 167 of the power disconnect relay 168.

Preparatory to placing the selector switch 28 in the semi-automatic position it is iirst placed in the manual position, and with the motor 40 running the clutch control pole 24 is moved to on" position to index the cam 49 so that upon a subsequent movement of the pole 70 to on position the cam operation is halted. The shed is now open and with the lay 13 in retracted position the shuttle 96 is red through the open shed to lay a weft. For the position of the cams shown in Fig. l() this initial throw of the shuttle will be from the left side shuttle control unit 19 to the right side shuttle control unit 18, since the cam switch 61 is closed and the cam switch 62 is open. The selector switch 28 is now placed in the semi-automatic" position and certain relays will be energized to ready the circuit network for operation. These particular relays are readied as set forth in the following paragraphs l-6, and are readied in addition to the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 which was energized upon homing the shuttle to close shuttle box switch 99, and the weft engaging arm position responsive relay 236 which is energized since the weft engaging arms are open to close detection switches 133, 133'.

(l) The beat line relay 204 is energized by manually closing the reset push button 215. The coil of the relay 204 is then connected at one side through the lead 213 and the lead 175 to the power lead 147. The opposite side of the coil of the beat line relay 204 is connected to the power lead 150 through the reset push button 215, the leads 216 and 217, the cam switch 57, and the lead 218. The normally closed contacts 203 of the beat line relay 204 will now open to interrupt an energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 that includes the four position switch 161. The relay contacts 214 close to complete a self holding circuit shunting the reset push button 215 and closure of the relay contacts 219 partially 49 will time a half cycle before -f 2i) completes an energizing circuit for the safety disconnect relay 181.

(2) The weft detect relay 222 is energized by depressing the rest push button 257 to connect the coil of the relay 222 between the output leads 242 and 241 through a circuit comprising the coil of the relay 222, the lead 256, the push button 257, the leads 258 and 255 and the normally closed lay switch 37. Upon release of the push button 257 the weft detect relay 222 remains energized through its self holding contacts 254. The relay contacts 221 are closed to partially complete an energizing circuit for the safety disconnect relay 181.

(3) The safety disconnect relay 181 is now energized through a circuit extending between the power leads 147 and 150 that comprises the coil of the relay 181, the lead 220, the relay contacts 219 of the beat line relay 204 which have been closed, the lead 223, the relay contacts 221 of the weft detect relay 222 which have been closed, the lead 224, and the four position switch 164 of the selector switch 28. The relay contacts 225 are opened to open the circuit for the lamp 226, which lights upon a deenergization of the relay 181 to indicate the relay condition; the contacts 183 are closed to partially complete a shuttle throwing circuit; the contacts which are in the energizing circuit of the power control relay 168 close in order that the next movement of the clutch control pole 24 to its on position will cause cnergization of the relay 168; the contacts 206 close to partially complete a circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23; and the contacts 200 shown in Fig. 9 open to ensure that the manual control for the lay 13 is disabled.

(4) The weft clamping relay 250 is energized as soon as the selector switch 28 is placed in semi-automatic position. The energizing circuit includes four position switch 165, which is now active for the first time, the lay switch 31 which is closed since the lay 13 is retracted, the lead 249, and the contacts 247 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179.

(5) Closure of the relay contacts 252 of the weft clamping relay 250 energizes the weft engaging arm control solenoids 120, 120' to move the weft engaging arms of the control units 18, 19 to weft severing and clamping position, thus opening the detection switches 133, 133.

(6) Opening of the switches 133, 133 deenergizes the relay 236 to open relay contacts 235 in the shuttle throwing circuit, thus positively prohibiting shuttle throw, and the contacts 237. The function of the contacts 237 will be hereinafter described.

The following sequences of operational steps may now take place automatically upon the operator moving the clutch control pole 24 from the olT to the on position:

(l) Movement of the clutch control pole 24 closes pole switch contacts 74 to complete an initial energizing circuit for the power control relay 168 similarly as before, but which now includes the additional circuit elements of the cam switch 59 associated with the cam 52, the lead 228, the contacts 178 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 which are now closed, and the contacts 180 of the safety disconnect relay 181 which has also been closed.

(2) Energization of the power control relay 168 completes the portion of the energizing circuit which shunts the pole switch contacts 73 through the lead 169 connected at one end to the power lead 150, the self-holding relay contacts 167, the cam switch 56, and thc leads 157, 156. As has been hereinbefore described, this. portion of the energizing circuit retains the power control relay 168 energized after pole switch contacts 73 are opened. In the semi-automatic position of the selector switch 28 the power control relay 168 is dependent upon the proper function of a greater plurality of loom elements and circuit networks than for the off and manual positions of the selector switch 28. Initial energization of the relay 168 depends upon the shuttle 96 being fully housed within the correct shuttle box for closing the proper shuttle responsive relay 177 or 179, the motor control switch 139 .salama must be closed to insure proper operation of the heddlcs 7, and the safety disconnect relay must be energized so that test circuits to which it is responsive are operative. If one of these conditions is not fulfilled, then the power control relay 168 will not be energized and loom operation will not commence upon shifting the manual clutch control pole 24 to its on position.

(3) With the power control relay 168 energized in response to the shift of the manual clutch control pole 24 the clutch disconnect solenoid 80 will remain energized and the mechanical linkage between the clutch control pole 24 and the clutch and brake assembly 42 will disengage the brake and engage the clutch to drive the heddles 7 and rotate the cams 49--55.

(4) Rotation of the cams 49-55, in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. l0, will cause a lobe of the cam 51 to close the cam switch 58. Closure of the cam switch 58 completes an energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 comprising the solenoid 23 joined at one end to the power lead 147, the lead 201, contacts 206 of the disconnect control relay 181 which are now closed, contacts 207 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 which are now closed, the leads 208 and 211, the cam switch 58, leads 212, 182 and 172, the contacts 141 of the motor control switch 139, the lead 171, four position switch 159, the lead 170, the contacts 74 of the pole switch 70, the leads 156 and 157, the cam switch 56, the contacts 167 of the power control relay 168, and the lead 169 joined to the power lead 150. Energization of the lay retraction solenoid 23 causes a venting of the lay retraction cylinder 20 with an ensuing forward swing of the lay 13 toward the beat line 9. The lobes ofthe cam 51 are orientated to cause the lay 13 to be swung forward at a desired time sequence with respect to the other loom operations. However, before the cam 51 may initiate the lay motion the shuttle 96 must have completed its ight and been properly housed to close either shuttle box switch 99, 99' to operate the associated shuttle responsive relay 179, 177. ln the usual operation of the apparatus the shuttle is properly housed before a lobe of the cam 51 closes the cam switch 58. The circumferential length of the cam lobe is predetermined to provide the desired duration of time to include the forward swing of the lay 13 and any dwell in the beat position, if desired.

(5) As the lay 13 begins its forward stroke the cam 38 mounted on the bracket 36 attached to the side arm 14 oi the lay 13, as shown in Fig. 3, strikes the rocker arm 39 of the lay switch 37 to open the switch contacts. Opening of the lay switch 37 opens the circuit for the coil of the weft detect relay 222. If the relay 222 is deenergized the relay contacts 221 will open and interrupt the energizing circuit for the safety disconnect relay 181. A deenergization of the relay 181 will cause opening of the relay contacts 206 in the circuit of the clutch disconnect solenoid 23, which would in turn cause an immediate retraction of the lay 13 to the fully retracted position, before a completion of the forward stroke could be made. Also, a deenergization of the safety disconnect relay 181 would open the relay contacts 180 in the energizing circuit for the power control relay 168, thus deenergizing the power control relay 168 to halt the weaving operation, in the manner hereinbefore described. However, the weft detect relay 222 will not be deenergized if the wett laid in the shed on the last shuttle throw is properly engaged by the weft engaging arms 105, 106 of the right side shuttle control unit 18 and the similar weft engaging arms of the left side shuttle control unit 19. ln proper operation the weft, which is electrically conductive in the specific form of the invention shown in the drawings, will be grasped by the weft engaging arms 105, 106 so as to rest against the ridge 116 and the detecting probe 117 to form an electrically conducting bridge therebetween. Similarly, the weft will rest against the ridge 116 and the detecting probe 117 to form a second conducting bridge to complete a circuit shunting the lay switch 37. The shunt circuit through the weft will retain the weft detect relay 222 energized and weaving will continue. As the lay 13 proceeds in its forward stroke the lay switch 37 will reclose. Thus, the apparatus of this invention provides a test to determine whether the weft has been laid in the shed upon the last shuttle throw and is in proper position for a beat of the lay 13.

(6) The lay 13 will beat the weft into the apex of the shed at the beat line 9, and the weft engaging arms 105, 106 of the control unit 18, and the similar weft engaging arms of the control unit 19, will be opened by the mechanical unlatching effected upon the arms 129, 129 engaging the bell crank lever 127 and its counterpart in the control unit 19.

(7) Opening of the weft engaging arms causes closure of the detection switches 133, 133', thereby energizing the weft engaging arm position responsive relay 236 by connecting the coil thereof between the output leads 242 and 241. The resulting closure of relay contacts 235 partially readies the shuttle throwing circuit for the next shuttle throw and indicates to this circuit that the weft engaging arms are open to permit egress and ingress of the shuttle 96 from the shuttle boxes. The closure of the relay contacts 237 completes a shunt circuit about the cam switch 57.

(8) As the cams 49-55 continue rotation the cam 51 will open cam switch 58 to interrupt the energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 to effect return of the lay 13 to the retracted position. As the beat motion of the lay 13 is completed and the weft engaging arms are returned to open position the cam 50 will now cause the associated cam switch 57 to open. This interrupts the usual energizing circuit for the beat line relay 204, by disconnecting the coil of the relay 204 from the power lead 150, however, if the relay 236 has been energized as set forth in the preceding step (7), the open carn switch 57 will be shunted by the circuit comprising a portion of the lead 216, the lead 238, the contacts 237 of the relay 236, and the lead 239 which connects with the power lead 150.

In the event that both or either of the two sets of weft engaging arms have not opened to cause closure of both switches 133, 133' the contacts 237 of the nipper relay 236 will not have been closed, to timely shunt the cam switch 57. As a result the beat line relay 204 will be deenergized and the rclay contacts 219 opened. Deenergization of the beat line relay 204 will then in turn deenergize the safety disconnect relay 181 which has an energizing circuit including the contacts 219 of the beat line relay 204. Deenergization of the safety disconnect relay 181 opens its contacts 180 and works a deenergization of the power control relay 168, whereby the clutch disconnect solenoid is deenergized to disconnect the motor 40 from its driving relation with the heddles 7 and the cam assembly 48. Deenergization of the beat line relay 204 also causes reclosure of its normally closed contacts 203 to complete an energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 through thc solcnoid 23 joined at one end to the power lead 147, the lead 202, the relay contacts 203, the lead 205, and the four position switch 161 of the selector switch 28 connected to the power lead 150. The lay retraction cylinder 20 is then vented to cause the lay 13 to be retained at or immediately returned to the forward beat position before a substantial swing is made toward the retracted position. The deenergization of the safety disconnect relay 181 also functions, besides deenergizing the power control relay 168, to shut down the weaving operation by disabling the shuttle throwing circuit by opening the contacts 183 and disabling the energizing circuit for the lay retraction solenoid 23 that includes the relay contacts 206.

There is thus provided by the invention a circuit network for the determination of a malfunction in the operation of the weft engaging arms employed to hold the weft for the beat of the lay and to cause a shutdown of the weaving operation in the event of such malfunction. The lay 13 is then halted in its forward position to lessen the danger of injury to the threads and the cloth, and also to retain a proper scheduling of the loom operations. Upon a stoppage of the loom 1 the operator will have to correct the fault that interrupted automatic weaving, place the elements of the loom 1 in proper timecycle relation and it will be necessary to return the manual clutch control pole 24 to its off position before further operation may be carried out.

(9) ln the event that the weft engaging arms of the control units 18, 19 have timely opened and the lay 13 swings rearwardly the heddles 7 will be operated through well known mechanism, not shown, responsive to rotation of the shaft 45 to close and reopen the shed, whereby one heddle change will be made and one of the heddle switches 3() will be closed after the shed reopens. Closure of a heddle switch 30 indicates that the shed is ready to receive the shuttle 96 and partially readies the shuttle throwing circuit for initiating a shuttle flight.

(l) As the lay 13 nears the retracted position lay switch 34 will be closed by the cam 35. Also, as the lay 13 reaches retracted position the cam 55 will close cani switch 62 and the energizing circuit for the right side shuttle tiring solenoid 89 will be completed. The circuit for the right side shuttle firing solenoid 89 includes the solenoid 89 attached at one side to the power lead 147, the relay contacts 229 of the right side shuttle responsivr` relay 179 which are still closed so long as the shuttle 96 remains in the shuttle box 93, the lead 230, the closed cam switch 62, the closed heddle switch 30, the contacts 235 of the relay 236, the closed lay switch 34, the lead 184, the contacts 183 of the safety disconnect relay 181, the leads 182 and 172, the contacts 141 of the motor control switch 139, the lead 171, the four position switch 159, the lead 170, the contacts 74 of the pole switch 70, the lead 156, the cam switch 56, the contacts 167 of the power control relay 168, and the lead 169, attached to the power lead 150. Thus, before the shuttle may be thrown through the shed the elements of the loom 1 must be properly disposed to permit shuttle flight during a time interval as dictated by the rotating cams 419-55. The circuit network functions to determine whether the loom is ready for shuttle flight and automatically' initiates the flight if the preceding loom operations have proceeded properly. The shuttle 96 must be fully housed before shuttle [light may begin, this function being checked by the shuttle box switch 99, the shuttle llight commences only in the time interval in which the cam switch 62 is closed, the heddlcs 7 must be in position to present an open shed to close a heddle switch 3u, the weft engaging arms of the control units 18 and 19 must be open so that the flight of the shuttle 96 will not be impaired and to close the relay 236, the lay 13 must be in proper position to have the floor of the shed aligned with the floor of the shuttle box 93 as will be indicated by the lay switch 34, also the safety disconnect relay 181 and the power control relay 168 must both be energized to indicate a prior proper functioning of the loom elements. The lobes of the cams 54 and 55 are disposed so that the associated cam switches 62 and 6l will be closed only for intervals of time in which it is desired to initiate shuttle throw. At no other time may shuttle throw be initiated, and this interval of time for initiating shuttle throw is related to lay position and shed opening.

(ll) The cams 52, 53 function during the time interval for shuttle flight to set the limits of such interval and test whether satisfactory shuttle llight has occurred. lf improper action should occur the power control relay 168 will be decnergized to shut down the loom. r[he operation of these cams 52, 53 is as follows:

As the lay 13 swings rearwardly and before the shuttle 96 is thrown the cam switch 60 is open and the cam switch 59 is closed. With the shuttle 96 in the shuttle box 93 the circuit for the coil of the power control relay 168 is completed through the contacts 178 of the right side shuttle responsive relay 179 and the cam switch 59. lf a disturbing force were to now shift the shuttle 96 from fully housed position, whereby the shuttle box switch 99 were to be opened, the relay contacts 178 would open to deenergize the power control relay 163. Loom operation would then stop. With the shuttle 96 properly housed, however, the cam 53 will close the cam switch 60 shortly before the shuttle 96 is thrown. Departure of the shuttle 96 will not now deenergize the power control relay 168 since the cam switch 60 shunts the relay contacts 178 and maintains circuit continuity for the coil of the power control relay 168. The closing of the carn switch 6l) thus determines the beginning of the time interval in which shuttle flight may properly commence. Upon a satisfactory completion of the shuttle flight and a closure of the shuttle box switch 99' to energize the left side shuttle responsive relay 177, whereby the relay contacts 176 are closed, then the cam 52 will open the cam switch S9. Circuit continuity for the coil of the power control relay 168 is now maintained through cam switch 60 and relay contacts 176. If the shuttle 96 fails to house properly before the cam switch 59 opens, then the power control relay 168 is deenergized and the loom stopped.

(l2) The lay 13 will swing to its fully retracted position, at which point the lay switch 3l will be closed. Closure of the lay switch 31 will energize the weft clamping relay 250 through a circuit comprising the four position switch 165, the lead 249, and the contacts 248 of the left side shuttle responsive relay 177, which had been closed upon proper housing of the shuttle 96 in the left side shuttle control unit 19. The contacts 252 of the relay 250 will close to energize weft engaging arm control Solenoids 120, which cause closure of the weft engaging arms 105, 106 of the right hand side shuttte control unit 18 and the corresponding weft engaging arms of the left side control unit 19.

(13) With the lay 13 moved into fully retracted position the cam 49 will open the cam switch 56. The energizing circuit of the power control relay 168 is thereby opened and the loom is shut down having completed one half cycle of automatic Operation.

(14) By movement of the manual clutch control pole 24 first to the olf position and then to the "on position a second half cycle of operation will occur. ln this second half cycle of operation shuttle throw will be from the left to the right. The cam switch 6l will close for shuttle throw, cam 52 will determine the beginning of the proper time interval for shuttle ilight and the cam 53 will dictate the end of the time interval. The action of the right and left side shuttle responsive relays 179, 177 will be reversed from that described in connection with the first half cycle of operation.

Selector switch in autonu1tz'c" position Upon placing the selector switch 28 in the autom-ntic" position the four position switch 158 is again placed in the active circuit network. The four position switch 15S shunts the cam switch 56, thereby disabling the function of the cam 49, and upon commencement of loom operation there will be a continuons weaving operation in which each half cycle of operation will immediately be followed by another. The circuit network will function as has been described in connection with semi-automatic" operation. To stop the loom it is only necessary on the part of the operator to move the manual clutch control pole 24 to the otlm position.

The four position switch 159 of the selector switch 28 is constructed so that upon moving the selector switch 28 between the semi-automatic and automfitic" positions its contacts remain closed so as not to break the energizing circuit of the power control relay 168. Therefore upon moving the selector switch 28 from the auto-

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