US2981644A - Method of cleaning looms - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1961 M. s. FAIN METHOD OF CLEANING LOOMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1956 INVENTOR. MITCHELL S. FAIN ATTO R N EY April 25, 1961 M. s. FAlN 2,931,644

METHOD OF CLEANING 'LOOMS Filed April 25, 1956 4-- Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

k INVENTOR: L kt MITCHELL s. FAIN ATTORNEY.

April 25, 1961 s, N 2,981,644

METHOD OF CLEANING. LOOMS Filed April 25, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.

MITCHELL 3. FAN

A T TORNE Y.

April 25, 1961 M. s. FAIN 2,931,644

METHOD OF CLEANING LOOMS Filed April 25, 1956 4-,shets-sneet 4 INVENTOR:

MITCHELL S. FAIN M/Z) C ATTORNEY- METHOD OF CLEANING LOOMS Mitchell S. Fain, Providence, R.I., assignor to Grinnell Corporation, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 23, 1956, Ser. No. 579,914

2 Claims. (Cl. 134-37) utilizes cleaning apparatus adapted to pass over such machinery, and discharge downwardly thereagainst from a nozzle, an air stream of relatively high velocity, while the nozzle is rotated about an axis to move the stream back andforth across the material and machinery transverse to'the direction of travel of the apparatus, by directing said stream in a generally circular or elliptical path so that each filament of the central portion of the stream, and primarily the axis of said stream, is directed against the material at an angle to the general plane thereof which is advantageous for cleaning.

It has been found that the removal of lint, iiy and the like from certain types of machines and especially from the material being processed thereby may be achieved by overhead travelling cleaning apparatus which discharges a stream of air at high velocity against such machines and material. For example, textile looms, the yarns thereon and the cloth being woven from such yarns are particularly well adapted for cleaning by such a stream to prevent the accumulation of such lint and similar foreign matter which would interfere with proper loom opera tion and have an adverse effect on the quality and uniformity of the cloth. i i

It has been known that this air stream should be of relatively high velocity because machinery such as textile looms and especially the woven cloth thereon requires ,a stronger air blast for proper cleaning than some other types of machines and material in this art, as forexample,

spinning machines. Furthermore, in the case of looms atent 2 rotating stream against the material at an angle to this plane which is always substantially less than 90, at least throughout the movement of the stream in one direction transverse to the path offapparatus travel.

In addition I have discovered that when the stream is made to rotate at an inclined angle continuously about an axis in one rotative direction very rapid air stream movement can be achieved and each portion of material and machinery to be cleaned feels a succession of sharp pulis of air as the apparatus passes by, a condition which results in excellentcleaning. Accordingly another object is to provide a novel air movement in which the stream is applied to any given portion of the material and machinery to be cleaned, in the, form of a succession rof rapid sharp putts of air, byrapidly and'continuously 'ro- .tating said stream in one rotative direction about an axis.

Further, I have discovered that when the stream being directed toward the material and machinery to be cleaned lies at an inclined angle to the plane of the material of substantially less than 90. the continuously rotatingstream may be made to impinge against (the material and :machinery in substantially every rotative position. Accordingly it is anotherobject to direct said stream at such an angle to saidmaterial whereby the axis :of the stream if not moving alongthe machinery defines a hollow cone like figure in the space between the apparatus and material, and whereby the engagement of the axis of the material by the stream at a given instant follows a path called a curtate cycloid which is defined by the intersection of this moving cone-like figure with the plane of 'the material, and thus permits the air stream at least two opportunities to clean away a particle of dirt in a single pass of the cleaner.

Another object is to move the cleaningairstream with relation to the general plane of the material to be cleaned, whereby the engagement of this plane by the axis of the stream at a given instant follows a path over such plane substantially in the form of a-curtate'cycloid, and whereby the angle at which the axis of theair'stream engages the plane is substantially less than 90 and, remains sub stantially constant for all rotative positions of the stream about the axis. I Another object is to directthe cleaning airstream' so that it always has a horizontal component of force of considerable degree as well as a vertical component, with relation to the' plane of thematerial, beforeitimpinges on the material and machinery and is dispersed thereby.

Still further objects will appear hereinafter. A a

The best mode. in which it has been contemplated I applying the principles of the presentinvention are shown in the accompanying drawingsabut the latter are robe deemed merel y'illnstra tive becauseit isintended thatithe patent shall cover by suitable expression intlie appended claims whateverfeatures of pa tentable' novelty exist im-the invention disclosed.

F'gure lisa perspective view showing a ,preierredqform of apparatus mounted on a track in the process of carry-- insuch amanner across the path of travelof theapparatus that every part of the machinery and material wilhbe swept each time the apparatus passes i Y The present inventionprovides a novel air stream move} ment in which this necessary coverage motion is accomplished by rotatingthe stream about an axis and in Whichthis'motion is accompanied by the added feature angle with respect to the material ,to' be cleaned.

Thus, l'hav'e discovered that when this material lies lines 3 3 and 444,1 respectively of Figure-2; f

apparatus taken on line 5+5 of l=igure .2; l.

Figures 6 and7 are.cross section plan views'of a;por that the airin the stream is-di scharged at an advantageous I tion of the apparatns .spectively, ofFigure), i

70, Figure 8 is a perspective yiew of the nozzle and lower; generally in a plane, as suggested above, superior clean ing is achieved by directing the centrallportionxof the more clearly the various f ingout my novel Inethoc ipf cleaning a textile loom; t

, Figure; 2 is a side elevation view 'of zthe'cleaning-ap paraltusj of Figure l, with selected portions broken away;

i Figures 3 and 4 are cross section endviewsj takeniom jifFigure 5 is a. crosssection end view of a portion of duct end withpart of the latter broken awamos o;

the r Figure 9 is a fragmentary view showing the pivotal connection of the nozzle torthe duct.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows, in perspective,a preferred form of the apparatus for carrying out my invention and a textile loom being cleaned thereby. The apparatus of this preferred form is adapted to travel alonga track '10 which is supported from above the loom by depending rods 12 having their upper ends secured to'fixed overhead structure (not shown); Preferably the track is oriented so that in travelling along it the'apparatus moves longitudinally with respect to the loom and at substantially a constant height thereabo've.

'Inthe embodiment shown the track is formed of ordinary channel framing having tapped holes 14 (see Fig. 2) in the upper flange 16 to receive the threaded lower'ends 18 of the supporting rods 12. The upper flat surface 20 of this same flange 16 is engaged by the supporting'wheels 22 (see Fig. 3) of the travelling apparatus,

each of these wheels being rotatable on the enlarged end 24 of a short axle 26. The other smaller end 28 of each suchaxle is passed through a hole 29 in the upper end of a frame member 30 and is provided with a nut 32 threaded thereon. The transition ofthe axle diameter from the enlarged end 24 to the smaller end 28 provides a shoulder 34 which clamps the'end wall 36 of an apertured cup member 38 tightly against the frame member 30 when thenut 32 is tightened. The cylindrical side walls 40 of thecup member 38 overlie a portion of the supporting wheel to a point adjacent the edge 42 of flange surface 20. 'By providing the frame members 30 in pairs, with the members 30 in each pair being located on opposite sides of the'track, the cup members 38 keep the supporting wheels on the track and prevent them from striking the track supporting rods 12.on the opposite sides of which the wheels pass.

outer side portion 84 of each casing is provided with a central opening 92 which serves as an intake for air which is drawn into the casing by the rotating fan member and forced downwardly through duct 88. a

The two casings 82 are secured to the bracket 70 by welds 94 or other suitable means.

The circular lower end 90' ofeach duct 88 has a nozzle 96 pivotally mounted thereon by the provision of a flat bar member 98 (see Figs. 6, 8 and 9) extending diamet rically across the interior duct passage with one edge presented to the downward flow of air therethrough and with a short shaft 100 welded to the opposite edge and extending downwardly therefrom centrally with respect to the circular duct end 90. 'Similarly, the upper end of the nozzle 96 is provided with another bar member 102 extending across the nozzle passage with a central apertured hub 104 adapted to loosely receive the shaft 100 and be held thereon by nuts 106 threaded onthe shaft end. By this arrangement the nozzle 96 is capable of free rotation with respect to the duct and about the axis 108 thereof.

Such rotation is achieved by providing the bar 102 in the form of a propeller, for example by causing the bar ends to be slightly, but oppositely, twisted substantially as shown. Air driven downwardly in the duct 88 by the fan 76 rotates the nozzle as it passes over the propeller surfaces. As shown in Fig. 2, the nozzle is disposed so The apparatus shown has two pairs of frame members- 30 which extend downward below the lower track flange 44 and turn inward, as at 46, to form horizontal portions which are dove-tailed and secured together in eaeh'pair by a bolt.'48. These bolts also serve to fasten tox'the frame members a plate carrying at one end onjtsunderside a reduction gear unit 52 secured to the plate 50 by bolts 53. The gear unit is driven by an elec tric motor 54 mounted thereon and has a power take-01f shaft 56 (see Fig. 3) extending outward beyondone side of the plate 50 at substantially right angles to the track 1011 The shaft 56 is provided with a sheave 58 adapted to drivea V-belt 60 which in turn drives another sheave 62 mounted onashaft '64 (see Fig. 4) journaled in bearings 66 mounted 'on the upper surface of plate 50. Intermediate these bearings and directly below the under surface of the track flange 44 is a rubber or rubber-like drive wheel 68 secured to the shaft 64 and'engaging' the track flange 44.- By this arrangement the motor 54 propels the apparatus alongthe track] the end of the plate 50 remote from the reduction gear unit 52 and motor 54 a bracket 70 (see Figs. 2 and 5) is bolted to the underside of this plate to provide a mounting for a second electric motor 72 disposed below this bracket and securedthereto by bolts 74. The shaft 77 of this second motor is 'oriented at right anglesfto" the track 10 and'has both *itsfends extending outside ,the motor casing to receive fan members 76 suitably secured on:thes*e'shaft ends by'se'rews 78 and keys 80 so asto be driven by the mot'or 72. Each fan member 76 is housed in a casing'82having flatside portions 84 positioned close to the fan'member o'njeither side thereof and having a curved edge portion 86 'positionedclose to the periphery of' the'fan member at the underside of-the casing and. curving with, but diverging fro'nnthefan periphery eventually' toform a downwardly extending tangential duct that its upper flanged edge is close to the lower edge of the duct thereby preventing any appreciable leakage of air between these members. If it is desired the duct may have an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the upper nozzle end and may extend a short distance into this nozzle end to further prevent such leakage.

- lower end and of such length that substantially every part of the moving air entering the nozzle from the duct has its direction changed to a new direction at an angle to the axis 108. If the nozzle 96 is of sufficient length this 7 new direction may be parallel to the nozzle axis 112.

For short nozzles the new direction may form a some- '7 the motors 54 and 72 are provided with electric energywhat smaller angle with the duct axis 112, for example, along the line 112a (see Fig. .1). Aweight 113 (see Fig. 2) is secured to the nozzle to balance it about its pivot.

From the description thus far it will be seen that when the apparatus will be driven along the track, for example, in the direction of the arrow 114 in Fig. l, streams-of air will be discharged from the nozzles 96 and these nozzles will be'rotated about the duct axes 108 to cause plane moves'overthe plane in a substantially circular path modified into what will be termed herein a curtate.

881*initially of rectangular cross section, but having its lower end 90 converted to a circular cross section. The

the streams to move over objects, below;' When these objects he more or less in a p ane which is generally perpendicular to, the axis of rotation 108, as is the case, for example, of the yarns and cloth in the textile loom shown in Fig. l, the axis of theair stream impinging on, this cycloid because of the progression of the apparatus along the track relative to the circuit movement of the airstream. This is illustrated in Fig. 1. where the dotted lines '116'represent the boundaries of the center portion of the airstream 117 having the'cent'ral axis 112, and the dotted circle 118 represents the area against which this portion of the streamlimpinges when the near nozzle is in'the position shown. 'The dotted line'120 represents that path ofmovement of the center of this area for two nozzle revolutions, tracing the path referred to. Referring again to the electric motors 54 and 72, these receive their electric energy from brush contacts (see Fig. 3) mounted in the frame members 30 and spring loaded against bar conductors 132 which are in turn mounted on an insulator block 134 secured to the Web of the channel track 10. Cables 136 connect the brush contacts to the motors.

With reference to the objects it will be seen from Fig. 1 that each filament in the central portion of the rotating stream, is directed at an angle (for example angles B, B and B to the general plane of the cloth which is substantially less than 90, both when the stream is moving from front to back of the machine (see arrow 138) and when the stream is moving from back to front (see arrow 140). Because of the cone-like figure generated by the rotating stream, it will be appreciated that the axis of rotation need not be exactly perpendicular to the cloth, as shown, as long as the stream engages the cloth throughout the complete extent of such movement at an angle substantially less than 90. Such engagement assures excellent cleaning.

It will also be seen that very rapid air stream movement can be achieved by continuous rotation of the nozzle in one rotative direction, for example, nozzle speeds up to 1000 r.p.m. At such high speeds the air will impinge as a rapid succession of sharp puffs against any given area as the apparatus passes. This has also been found to result in excellent cleaning.

Iclaim:

l. The method of removing lint from looms arranged in a row, and from the yarns and material being processed thereby, said yarns and material lying in a substantially horizontal plane, said method comprising the steps of creating a high velocity stream of air from a source, directing said stream downwardly onto said looms at an angle substantially less than 90 to the said plane of the yarns and materials, rotating said stream continuously in one direction so that its axis generates a conical surface of revolution with said axis always being at an angle to said plane, moving said source over and parallel to said row at a rate causing the said airstrearn to intersect said plane in a closely overlapping circuitous path whose configuration is substantially that of a curtate cycloid and causing said air stream to substantially strike a point on said plane along the path of travel of and beneath said source at least twice, once during movement along the forward portion of its circuitous path and once during movement along the rearward portion of its circuitous path thus impinging said air stream on any given portion of the object being cleaned as a series of sharp rapid pulls having vertical and horizontal components with respect to said plane prior to said impingement.

2. The method of removing lint from looms arranged in a row, and from the yarns and material being processed thereby, said yarns and material lying in a substantially horizontal plane, said method comprising the steps of creating a high velocity stream of air from a source directing said stream downwardly onto said looms at an angle substantially less than to the said plane of the yarns and materials, rotating said stream con tinuously in one direction While maintaining said angle to said plane constant, moving said source over and parallel to said row at a rate causing the said airstream to intersect said plane in a closely overlapping circuitous path whose configuration is substantially that of a curtate cycloid and causing said air stream to substantially strike a point on said plane along the path of travel of and beneath-said source at least twice, once during movement along the forward portion of its circuitous path and once during movement along the rearward portion of its circuitous path thus impinging said air stream on any given portion of the object being cleaned as a series of sharp rapid puffs having constant vertical and horizontal com ponents with respect to said plane prior to said impingement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,000,112 Wheller May 7, 1935 2,325,023 Allred July 27, 1943 2,516,475 Miller et al. July 25, 1950 2,602,003 Wellborn July 1, 1952 2,695,039 Holtzclaw Nov. 23, 1954 2,814,176 Bowie Nov. 26, 1957 2,845,303 King July 29, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 267,656 Great Britain Mar. 24, 1927 OTHER REFERENCES Textile World adv. by American Monorail Co., January 1955, page 138.

Textile World adv. by Bahnson Co., October 1955, page 172.

Patent N00 2 98l 644 UNITED $TATES PATENT. OFFICE I GERTIFICATE OF GORREQTIeN April 25 1961 Mitchell SQ Fain It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l line 65 strike out motion; column 2 line 27 strike out axis of the" and insert the same after the in line 28 same eolumn 2; column 6 line l0 after "'source insert a comma Signed and sealed this 20th day of March 1962a (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF REMOVING LINT FROM LOOMS ARRANGED IN A ROW, AND FROM THE YARNS AND MATERIAL BEING PROCESSED THEREBY, SAID YARNS AND MATERIAL LYING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CREATING A HIGH VELOCITY STREAM OF AIR FROM A SOURCE, DIRECTING SAID STREAM DOWNWARDLY ONTO SAID LOOMS AT AN ANGLE SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN 90* TO THE SAID PLANE OF THE YARNS AND MATERIALS, ROTATING SAID STREAM CONTINUOUSLY IN ONE DIRECTION SO THAT ITS AXIS GENERATES A CONICAL SURFACE OF REVOLUTION WITH SAID AXIS ALWAYS BEING AT AN ANGLE TO SAID PLANE, MOVING SAID SOURCE OVER AND PARALLEL TO SAID ROW AT A RATE CAUSING THE SAID AIRSTREAM TO INTERSECT SAID PLANE IN A CLOSELY OVERLAPPING CIRCUITOUS PATH WHOSE CONFIGURATION IS SUBSTANTIALLY THAT OF A CURTATE CYCLOID AND CAUSING SAID AIR STREAM TO SUBSTANTIALLY STRIKE A POINT ON SAID PLANE ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF AND BENEATH SAID SOURCE AT LEAST TWICE, ONCE DURING MOVEMENT ALONG THE FORWARD PORTION OF ITS CIRCUITOUS PATH AND ONCE DURING MOVEMENT ALONG THE REARWARD PORTION OF ITS CIRCUITOUS PATH THUS IMPINGING SAID AIR STREAM ON ANY GIVEN PORTION OF THE OBJECT BEING CLEANED AS A SERIES OF SHARP RAPID

Images