US3094292A

US3094292A - Method and apparatus for traverse of strand material

Info

Publication number: US3094292A
Application number: US24459A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hebberling Friedrich
Original assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp
Current assignee: Owens Corning
Priority date: 1960-04-25
Filing date: 1960-04-25
Publication date: 1963-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1980-06-18

Description

June 18, 1963 F. HEBBERLING 3,094,292

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE OF STRAND MATERIAL Filed Apri1' 25. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. FRIEDRICH Heaamuua June 18, 1963 F. HEBBERLING 3,094,292

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE 0F STRAND MATERIAL Filed April 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS R g-i9.

4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. F R/EDRIC'H HEBBERLl/VG ATTORNEYS F. HEBBERLING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE OF STRAND MATERIAL TlME June 18, 1963 Filed April 25. 1960 fig-i 3,094,292 METHOD AND.- APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE OF STRAND MATERIAL Filed April 25, 1960 June 18, 1963 F. HEBBERLING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Big-l Eig-J INVENTOR. FRIEDRICH HEBBE/FL/A/G Y M A ITOP/VE Y5 United States Patent Ofi ice METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSE F STRAND MATERIAL Friedrich Hebberling, Mountain View, Calif., assignor to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 24,459 Claims. (Cl. 242-43) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the traverse of filamentary materials particularly for packaging or winding and more especially to a method and apparatus for effecting traverse of filamentary material, such as textile yarn, strand, thread or the like, during packaging or winding at high linear speeds of ten thousand or more feet per minute to provide for improved deposition of the filamentary material with a minimum of lateral thrust on the material during winding.

In the processing and packaging of filamentary materials, and particularly those formed of glass fibers or filaments, it is essential that the individual convolutions or Wraps on a package be disposed in angular relation to prevent or deter adhesion or wedging of the convolutions, conditions which impair the rapid Withdrawal or paying on or" the materials from the package during subsequent processing, of times resulting in breakage of the material with a consequent interruption of processing operations.

At comparatively low winding speeds, the difficulties of effecting traverse of the material to wind angularly arranged convolutions are not serious,but with the advent of increased linear speeds of many thousands of feet per minute, conventional mechanical traverse methods and means are not satisfactorily operable to traverse the material. 1

At increased speeds, the use ofmech-anicaloscillating traverse, wherein means engage and reciprocate the strand, is limited to comparatively low speeds because of the difficulties of the reversal of the filamentary material at the traverse means as mass at a high rate of speed.

Such difliculties are particularly encountered in the processing or packaging of filamentary materials formed of glass or filament-forming resins especially where the new- "ly formed filaments may be coated with a lubricant, sizing or other fluid such as water prior to winding a strand or bundle of filaments into package form. The primary traverse motion to secure deposition of .the strand lengthwise of a package is a slow, linear pretively high frequency and low amplitude and is referred to as micro traverse.

The present invention embraces a method and app-aratus adapted for high frequency or micro traverse of filamentary materials whereby traversing for winding or packaging of such materials may be carried on at much higher speeds than heretofore possible.

An object of the invention resides in a method of imparting high frequency oscillation or micro traverse motion to a filamentary material advancing at any com- Patented June 18, 1963 speed and applying simultaneously a relatively low frequency and large amplitude or macro traverse motion to the filamentary material as it is wound on a rotating collector whereby to provide a build up wherein the layers of wraps are generally parallel to the axis of the collectOT.

Another object of the invention resides in imparting high frequency oscillation to a rapidly moving body of filamentary material in a manner to establish a plurality of standing, transversal waves whereby the material is deposited in a particular pattern, called wind pattern.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of imparting forces to a rapidly advancing strand or linear bundle of fibers or filaments being under tension to excite the advancing strand by an oscillating medium to form a plurality of standing transversal waves of comparatively high frequency for traversing the bundle with a minimum of wear or degradation of the fibers or filaments.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of imparting forces to a linearly moving body of filamentary material to establish and maintain a continuous high frequency harmonic motion of the linear body to traverse the linear body in continuous small strokes in the zone of deposition of the body in a package while the body is undergoing a larger or macro traverse stroke lengthwise of the package whereby successive wraps of the linear body on the package are wound in nonparallel relation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of oscillating a rapidly advancing tensioned .linear body to form successive standing waves of high traverse strokes of lesser amplitude than the maximum amplitude of the transversal standing waves.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of driving an advancing tensioned linear body to establish a plurality of standing transversal waves through contact of an oscillating medium with the body with a minimum of expenditure of power in maintaining continuous standing waves of constant amplitude.

A further object of the invention resides in a method of and apparatus for forming continuous filaments of glass and oscillating or traversing a strand of the filaments at a high frequency in winding the strand into a package and superposing a comparatively slow precession of the strand along the length of the package to effect a substantially larger package than is possible with conventional traverse methods employed with glass strand with a minimum tendency of sloughing or overthrown ends in the package to provide a stable package which may be unwound for further processing at a high rate of speed and without tendency of entanglement of the con volutions of the filamentary material.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational semidiagrammatic view of an arrangement of apparatus for performing the method of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational semidiagrammatic view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view illustrating one form of means for vibrating or oscillating a moving strand of filaments at high frequency;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the construction shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the oscillator shown in FIGURE 3 illustrating the traverse movement imparted to a strand in a right-hand direction by the oscillator;

FIGURE '6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the strand in substantially neutral position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the position of the strand at its maximum amplitude in a left-hand direction;

FIGURE 8 is a graph illustrating an exemplary amplitude-time curve of the oscillation of a strand;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view illustrating a form of electrically energizable oscillator for vibrating or oscillating filamentary material;

FIGURE 10 is a side view of the oscillator shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a detail view of the moving components of the oscillator shown in FIGURES 9 and 10;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of another form of electrically energizable oscillator traverse means;

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oscillator shown in FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 14 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating another form of oscillator, and

FIGURE 15 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating still another form of strand oscillator.

The invention has preferred utility in the traversing filamentary material advancing at a high linear speed for deposition on a tube or other collector to form a package of the material with a desirable wind angle, but it is to be understood that the method and apparatus of the invention may be employed for imparting high frequency oscillations to other linear materials for other purposes wherever the invention may be found to have utility.

The apparatus of the invention provides for imparting successive displacements at high frequencies in alternate transverse directions to a strand, linear body or bundle of fibers or filaments to establish in the strand, linear body or bundle a series of successive transversal waves such that the amplitude of the transversal waves at the region of winding or deposition of the strand, linear body or bundle, while less than the maximum amplitude. of the waves, is adequately suited for obtaining a satisfactory wind angle at higher speeds of the body or bundle than has heretofore been attained.

An oscillation of the strand or linear bundle of filaments of several hundred cycles per second is attained by displacing the moving strand or bundle in a manner whereby comparatively little power is required to excite a continuous series of transverse waves in advance of the region of application of the successive impulses whereby a substantial length of the oscillating strand or body is continuously maintained providing a reserve or storage of oscillating strand or body effective for high frequency traverse available to lend stability at the winding zone of the package and to compensate for fluctuations in demand.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to the form-of apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 through 7 adapted to carry out the method of the invention, FIG- URES l and 2 illustrate in semidiagrammatic form an arrangement of apparatus for forming continuous filaments from streams of heat-softened glass, gathering the filaments in strand formation and collecting the strand into a package.

The invention is usable for oscillating linear bodies and particularly strands or yarns of fibers or filaments formed from natural fibers, fiber-forming resins, glass or other mineral materials.

As illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, a feeder 0r bushing 10 contains a supply of heat-softened or molten material, as for example, glass or other filament-forming material, the feeder being connected with a forehearth, furnace or other supply of filament-forming material, or the feeder may be arranged to be electrically heated to reduce pieces or a batch of material to a heatsoftened flowable or molten state. In either use, the feeder is heated to maintain the glass at the proper viscosity, the feeder being provided with a plurality of orifices from which flow streams S of the fiber-forming material which are attenuated to fine continuous filaments 12 in the embodiment illustrated by winding the same upon a collector or cylindrical member.

The filaments formed from the streams S are converged into a strand 14 by a guide means or gathering shoe 16 supported by an arm 18. In the embodiment illustrated, the guide means 16 may be in the form of a grooved roll.

In the formation of the filaments, particularly for textile uses, it is essential to apply a coating material to the newly formed filaments such as sizing and lubricant or water to provide a hydrodynamic film on the filaments. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a receptacle 20 is disposed above the gathering shoe 16 and is adapted to contain a sizing and lubricant or other material for coating the filaments.

-An applicator means includes a roller 22 journalled within the container 20 and associated with a means or member 23 arranged to be engaged by the filaments by wiping contact prior to the converging of the filaments into a strand.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the pattern of converging filaments resembles a fan shape and the applicator is disposed a sufiicient distance above the shoe so that each of the filaments maintains wiping contact with the applicator. The container is provided with inlet and outlet pipes connected with a supply of coating material and a suitable pump or other means (not shown) may be employed for establishing circulation of coating material into and through the receptacle 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the strand collecting arrangement is disposed a substantial distance below the gathering shoe 16 to accommodate the formation of a plurality of traverse waves or undulations 24 in the strand between the gathering shoe 16 and the region of collection of the strand into a wound package. The strand collecting arrangement is inclusive of a frame or housing 30 which journally supports a mandrel or arbor 32 rotated at comparatively high speed by suitable means, as for example, an electric motor (not shown) contained within the housing 30.

The arbor, spindle or mandrel 32 extends exteriorly of the housing 30 and is of'a dimension to snugly receive a strand collector such as a collet, tubular member or sleeve 34 which is mounted upon and rotates with the mandrel. As shown in FIGURE 2, the mandrel is rotated in a clockwise direction in the winding of the strand upon the sleeve 34.

The traverse and guiding arrangement for the strand, as illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, is inclusive of an oscillator for imparting a high frequency low amplitude traverse to the strand referred to herein as a micro traverse and, a concomitantly operating traverse of low frequency and high amplitude referred to as a macro traverse, the combined traverse motions being utilized to distribute the strand on the sleeve or collector 34.

The housing 30 encloses conventional mechanism for reciprocating or traversing the oscillator lengthwise of the package to obtain a macro motion or macro traverse of the strand. The mechanism within the housing reciprocates a rod or shaft 40 to effect distribution of the strand lengthwise of the package. Mounted upon the 'bar 40 is a member or casing 42 which supports the oscillator 44.

In the embodiment illustrated, the member 42 encloses a threaded-member or lead screw 45 which is journally supported in a boss portion 46 carried by member 42, the end of the threaded shaft or lead screw 45 being provided with a crank 47 for manually adjusting or rotating the lead screw. The lead screw 45 cooperates with a threaded nut (not shown) contained within the casing 42.

The housing 50 of the oscillator is mounted by projections 49 associated with the nut carried by the lead screw and the housing 50 of the oscillator thus moved in a direction generally parallel with the advancing or linear direction of movement of the strand 14 of filamentary material as the axis of the lead screw 45 is substantially parallel with the direction of movement of the strand 14.

The oscillator 44, shown in FIGURES 1 through 7, includes the housing 50 land a cover portion 51 as shown in FIGURE 3. The housing and cover portions are provided with aligned bores to accommodate antifriction or '

ball bearings

52, 53, 54 and 55, the pair of

bearings

52 and 53 journally supporting a shaft 58-, the pair of

bearings

54 and 55 journally supporting a shaft 60 arranged in parallelism with the shaft 58. The shaft 58 is provided with a gear 62 and shaft 60 provided with a gear 64 contained within a chamber 65 formed in the housing, said gears being of the same size and enmeshed for simultaneous rotation at the same speed.

The shaft 58 is driven by an electric motor 68 secure-d to the housing 50 and supplied with current through leads 69. Secured to the respective shafts 58 and 60 are blades, vanes or strand-engaging

members

70 and 72.

Each of the shafts is provided with a slot and the strandengaging members are snugly fitted into the slots and are secured by rivets 74 or other suitable means whereby the members rotate with the shafts without lost motion.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 5, the

impulse members

70 and 72 of the oscillator 44 are arranged ninety degrees out of phase whereby, during rotation of the members, the edge surfaces 76 of the members successively engage the strand 14 on opposite sides thereof to impart oscillations to the strand 14. The edge regions 76 of the

members

70 and 72 are rounded to minimize the drag of the edges 76 with the strand.

The strand 14 moving without oscillation would theoretically traverse an approximately sinusoidal or harmonic path midway between the axes of the shafts 58 and 60 and normal to a plane through the axes of the shafts. The strand-engaging edges 76 of the member 70 are at equal distances from the axis of the supporting shaft 58 and the edges 76 of the member 72 are at equal distances from the axis of the shaft 60.

Thus, during rotation of the

members

70 and 72 in the respective directions indicated by the arrows in FIGURES through 7, the members engage and impart transversely directed forces at high frequency to the strand 14 to set up or establish and maintain a series of standing waves 24 as schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1.

With particular reference to FIGURE 5, it will be apparent that the member 70 engaged with the strand 14 displaces the strand approximately sinusoidally, the blade 70 performing the displacement in the right-hand direction. FIGURE 6 illustrates a transition of engagement of

members

70 and 72 with the strand 14 as the strand moves transversely in a left-hand direction and is near the neutral axis of the strand. As shown in FIGURE 6, the member 72 is engaging the strand, imparting displacement thereto in a left-hand direction, while the member 70 is moving out of engagement with the strand.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the position of the

members

70 and 72 wherein member 72 has moved the strand 14 to 'its maximum position of amplitude at the left-hand side of the neutral axis of the strand.

The strand 14 is under tension set up by the winding of the strand on the sleeve 34 and the viscosity of the glass and that of the coating material delivered onto the filaments of the strand by the applicator 23 and is therefore in a taut condition between the gathering shoe 16 and the region of Winding the strand onto the package indicated at 33 in FIGURES 2 and 5. The winding tension is substantial as the strand is being wound at a comparatively high linear speed of upwards of twelve thousand or more linear feet per minute and facilitates the maintenance of the series of transversal standing waves at comparatively high frequencies of three hundred to six hundred oscillations per second.

To secure high frequency oscillations the motor 68 rotates the

members

70 and 72 at comparatively high speeds. The number and length of the waves 24 established in the strand during winding operations are dependent in a measure upon the frequency of the forces producing the standing waves, the winding tension and the linear speed of the strand.

In practice the gathering shoe 16, which becomes the node of the uppermost Wave of the series, is several feet above the zone of winding of the strand into a package.

By providing a substantial length of multifilament strand between the gathering shoe 16 and the winding zone and the standing waves 24 in the advancing strand, there is provided a reservoir of strand making available instantaneously a short length of strand to compensate for variations in demand or instability in the winding zone. The wave formation which is maintained by the successive forces imparted to the strand fosters a uniform micro travense of the strand at the package.

Through the establishment of a series of standing waves of uniform amplitude and length under the influence of the

members

70 and 72 of the oscillator, the system functions in a natural mode. In the present arrangement only a small fraction of the power usually applied with mechanical traverse mechanism is required in the establishment of the micro traverse to obtain the same wind angle. This substantial reduction in power and the reduced contact of

members

70 and 72 with the strand minimizes wear and degradation of the strand. Furthermore, a satisfactory wind angle of uniform character is provided through the utilization of the standing wave method of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 7, the vanes or

blades

70 and 72 of the oscillator are arranged in the region of maximum amplitude of a wave imparted to the linear body or strand. The upper nodal region of the wave in the linear body engaged by the oscillator is indicated at 73. Due to the boundary condition at the package, the nodal regions are not defined points but are regions of translation wherein there is slight transverse movement of the strand represented by the dotted lines.

The zone of winding of the strand on the collector indicated at 33, which is approximately a line of tangency of the strand to the periphery of the package, is at a greater distance, indicated at R, from the plane of rotation of the vanes 70 .and 72 than the distance Q from the plane of rotation of the vanes to the nodal region 73. The amplitude of the wave of the strand at the winding region 33 indicated by the dimension T is preferably from one third to one half the maximum amplitude indicated at I in FIGURES 5 and 7 which is substantially at the region of engagement of the

vanes

70 and 72 with the strand.

In the embodiment illustrated, the region of maximum amplitude of the strand is at the region of engagement of the oscillator vanes with the strand. This region of maximum amplitude is not exactly at half wave length but the

vanes

70 and 72 engage the strand at a region somewhat above the apparent half value of the wave.

The apparent half wave length of an arbitrary wave above the oscillator is always shorter than the apparent half wave length of an arbitrary wave below the oscillator with the strand in linear motion due to the Doppler effect.

While the number of waves or wave forms between the filament gathering shoe and the oscillator may be varied within limits, the following approximate dimensions and oscillation frequency have been found to result in a satisfactorily wound multifilament strand package at a high linear speed:

In the embodiment illustrated eight standing transversal Waves 24 are formed by the vanes or members of the oscillator acting against the strand forming the ninth wave of the series, the strand travelling at approximately twelve thousand feet perminute.

The region I of maximum amplitude is approximately three quarters of an inch set up by alternate engagement of the vanes or

blades

70 and 72 with the strand. The dimension T represents the amplitude of the strand at the region 33 of its collection upon the package 36 and is approximately three eighths of an inch.

The distance Q from a plane through the axes of rotation of the vanes or blades to the apparent nodal region 73 is approximately four inches and the distance R from the said plane to the approximate winding line indicated at 33 is approximately six and one half inches, this difference resulting by reason of the Doppler effect above mentioned.

The strand is oscillated by the

vanes

70 and 72 at a frequency or rate of four hundred cycles per second. Thus, the amplitude dimension T at the zone of winding of the strand on the package provides a wind angle pattern of sinusoidal shape in linear projection and causes the deposition of the convolutions or wraps on the package under a wind angle relation, superimposed on the low frequency, high amplitude motion of the macro traverse which distributes the strand lengthwise on the package 36.

The oscillator housing 50 being mounted upon a threaded member on the lead screw which is manually operable by rotation of the crank 47 provides for adjustment of the

oscillator vanes

70 and 72 in the direction of the length of the strand.

FIGURE 8 is an amplitude-time chart illustrating the relation between the time and the displacement at the region of excitation. On the chart, the time represented by A, for example, is one four hundredth of a second, which is the lapsed time from the peak of a wave in one direction to its maximum peak in the opposite direction. The distance or amplitude indicated at I is indicative of the maximum amplitude of approximately three-quarters of an inch 'of the wave form for the above specified exemplary conditions.

A time-displacement curve of the double blade oscillator approximates a sinusoidal or plain harmonic motion sufiiciently close to attain satisfactory angular deposition of the convolutions or wraps of the strand at high frequency.

Another factor which must be maintained reasonably constant in order to secure satisfactory results is the tension on the stand and consequently the viscosity or characteristics of the lubricant, sizing or coating applied to the filaments.

The filament coating material should be of a character to effectively integrate and maintain the filaments of the strand in strand formation during the high speed linear movement of the strand through the series of wave formations.

It is particularly important where a coating material is employed having viscosity characteristics sensitive to temperature variations, that the temperature of the coating material and hence its viscosity be maintained constant at the point of its application to the filaments in order to maintain constant the tension in the strand.

The form of mechanical oscillator shown in FIGURES 1 through 7 secures a near perfect dynamic balance as the centers of mass of the

vanes

70 and 72, the supporting shafts 58 and 60 and the

gears

62 and 64 are at the respective axes of rotation. When an oscillator of this type is employed for traversing a strand advancing at a linear speed of approximately twelve thousand feet per minute, the

vanes

70 and 72 are rotated at twelve thousand revolutions per minute generating twice the frequency to establish the requisite number of standing transversal waves in the strand between the oscillator and the strand gathering shoe 16.

It will be apparent that when the

vanes

70 and 72 of the oscillator are brought up to speed and the series of standing waves established in the tensioned strand, minute forces are imparted to the strand alternately by the respective vanes as the surge set upin the strand by the standing Waves is maintained in the wave region of the strand engaged by the vanes. 'Hence a minimum of energy is required to excite and maintain the standing waves in the strand so that there is a minimum of wear or abrasion of the strand by the engagement of the vanes therewith.

FIGURES 9 through 11 illustrate a form of electrically energizable oscillator for effecting micro traverse of a linear body or strand of fibers or filaments. This form f oscillator may be referred to as a g-alvanometer type wherein the armature is oscillated at high frequencies by electromotive forces. The oscillator construction includes a field core or frame formed of ferrous metal laminations, one leg 92 of the field construction supporting and forming a core for an energizing coil 94.

The coil 94 is supplied with direct current to establish a stationary direct current field. The

portions

95 and 96 of the field frame structure are spaced as shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10 forming pole pieces accommodating an elongated armature 98 provided withcoils 100 adapted to be energized by alternating current of high frequency supplied through flexible leads or slip rings (not shown).

The end regions of the armature 98 are preferably cone shaped as shown at 101 and 102, the apex of the cone shaped ortion 101 being supported by a bearing member 104 providing a pivot bearing for one end of the armature. The apex of the cone shaped portion 102 is supported by a removable frame member 106 forming a pivot bearing for the opposite end of the armature. The removable bearing member 106 is secured to the

portions

95 and 96 of the field structure 90 by means of screws 108.

An end region of the armature 98 may be provided with an enlarged portion or head 110 fashioned with a step portion 112. The head 110 of the armature supports the hub 114 of a traverse arm 115 which is provided with a reciprocally shaped portion for mating engagement with the step portion 112, the hub portion 114 of the arm 115 being secured to the head 110 by screws 116. The arm 115 is fashioned at its extremity with a slot 118 adapted to accommodate a strand or other linear body to be oscillated or traversed by oscillations of the arm 115.

The arm is fashioned of lightweight material and with a thin central web 117 to reduce its inertia to a minimum. The oscillator shown in FIGURES 9 through 11 is adapted to be mounted by the nut carried by a lead screw 45 as described in connection with FIGURE 1 and is arranged to be traversed lengthwise of the strand package in the manner hereinbefore described in reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.

The diameter of the armature should be made as small as strength and electromotive limitations permit in order to reduce the mass subject to oscillation. By modifying the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the coil 100 on the armature 98, the frequency of oscillation of the armature 98 and arm 115 may be varied within limits, and frequencies of 400 cycles or oscillations per second or more are attainable through the use of the galvanometer type oscillator shown in FIGURES 9 through 11.

FIGURES 12 and 13 illustrate a modified form of electrically energizable oscillator of the character illustratcd in FIGURES 9 through 11. In this form the oscilflator is inclusive of metal end frames and 162, and disposed between the end frames is a plurality of stacked ferrous metal laminations 164 providing a field structure for the oscillator. The laminations are configurated to provide

pole pieces

166 and 168, the pole piece 166 being surrounded by a coil and the pole piece 168 being surrounded by a cell 172.

The

coils

170 and 172 are adapted to be connected to a supply of alternating current of high frequency. Extending lengthwise of the oscillator is a tubular armature 174 which may be a permanent magnet which would provide the oscillating direct current field. With this type of armature the use of slip rings and current leads to the armature are unnecessary.

The armature is journalled in suitable bearings 17-8 carried by the end frames .160 and 162. Mechanical centering means for the armature is not required as the electrical field will maintain the armature in proper centered position. One end of the armature extending exteriorly of the end frame 160 is equipped with a traverse arm 180 secured by a bolt 181. The distal end of the arm is formed with a slot 182 to accommodate the strand to be traversed. The oscillator shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 may be mounted in the same manner as in the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1.

In the operation of the oscillator shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, an alternating current of high frequency supplied to the

coils

170 and 172 causes oscillation of the armature 174 and the arm 180 and corresponding traverse movement of the strand moving through the slot 182 to effect the establishment of a series of standing Waves in the strand in the same manner as described in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Another form of electrically energizable oscillator usable for strand traverse purposes is illustrated in FIG- URE 14. In this form the frame of the oscillator 190 comprises a series of ferrous laminations 192 arranged 'in the stacked relation. The laniinations are configurated to provide a core 194 which is surrounded by a coil 196 adapted to be connected with an alternating current of high frequency.

The laminations 192 are shaped to provide a post portion 198 to which is welded or otherwise secured one end of a fiexible plate or leaf spring 202 of magnetizable metal forming an armature. The arm or plate 202 extends across and is slightly spaced from the end of the core portion 194 of the field structure 190, the distal extremity of the arm being bifurcated as shown at 204 providing a slot 206 adapted to receive the strand to be traversed by movement of the arm 202.

In the operation of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 14, the energization of the coil 196 by high frequency alternating current causes a high frequency oscillation of the flexible plate or spring 202 in resonance to eifect micro traverse of the strand moving at high linear speed through the slot 206 formed at the end of the spring. The oscillator shown in FIGURE 14 may be mounted in the same manner as that shown inFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 15 illustrates another form of mechanically actuated oscillator usable as a high frequency strand traverse means. In this form a housing 210 journally supports a shaft 212 which is driven at comparatively high speed by a motor or other suitable means (not shown).

Mounted upon the-shaftis an eccentric 214. The housing or frame 210 is fashioned with a projection 216 to which is welded or otherwise secured a flexible plate or arm 220, the arm extending across and in contact with the eccentric or cam member 214, the distal end of the arm 220 being bifurcated as shown at 222 providing a slot 224 to accommodate a strand to be traversed.

The arm 220 is arranged with respect to the cam 01' eccentric member 214 so that upon high speed rotation of the eccentric 214 the same will, through contact with the arm 220, cause a high speed oscillation or vibration of the arm to establish a series of standing waves in an advancing strand moving through the slot 224. The oscillator shown in FIGURE 15 may be mounted in the same manner as the oscillator shown in FIGURE 1. In the forms of oscillating arm shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 a double tapered leaf spring may be employed to advantage in securing high frequency resonance.

In the use of the forms of oscillator disclosed, high frequency forces are imparted to strand moving at high llinear speed to establish and maintain a series of standing waves in the strand with a minimum of physical contact with the strand and attain a high frequency micro traverse enabling forming the filaments at higher linear speeds with a minimum of wear or degradation of the strand. The method of the invention attains an amplitude of micro traverse to secure a satisfactory wind angle for the individual wraps or convolutions in the package.

It should be noted that the invention is particularly usable in the formation and packaging of a strand or bundle of continuous filaments attenuated from streams of heat-softened glass. The method or process involves several variable factors and proper compatibility of the variables is essential or desirable for satisfactory packaging and the conditions hereinbefore referred to are exemplary of one set of operating conditions.

The variables influencing or controlling the construction of the wound package are essentially interdependent. For example, when a particular attenuating speed or linear travel of strand is employed, the other factors such as oscillator traverse frequency, traverse amplitude, wind ratio and forming tension must necessarily be compatible in order to attain most efficient and proper packaging of the material.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. A method of effecting traverse in the winding of filamentary material including simultaneously advancing a plurality of filaments, gathering the filaments into a strand, engaging the strand by an oscillator, actuating the oscillator at a frequency to excite the strand to establish a series of standing n-ansversal waves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a movable surface at a region of a Wave in the strand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, collecting the excited strand upon the surface during its oscillation, and adjusting the oscillator in a direction lengthwise of the strand to vary its region of engagement with the strand.

2. Apparatus of the character disclosed for traversing a linear body moving at high linear speed in the direction .of its length, guide means engagable with the moving body, a rotatable collector arranged to receive the linear .body, means for effecting relative movement of the collector to establish tension in the moving linear body, a member for exciting the linear body, means for effecting rotative movement of said member about an axis normal to the axis of the rotatable collector, said member being intermittently engagable with the moving body at a region between the collector and the guide means arranged to impart laterally directed forces to the linear body at high frequency to set up a series of standing transversal waves in the body whereby to effect traverse of the linear body on the collector in a wave path, and means for adjusting the linear body exciting member lengthwise of the linear body.

3. Apparatus for traversing a linear body during collection of the body in a package, in combination, a guide means engagable with the body, a rotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the linear body thereon to form a package, a high frequency oscillator engagable with the linear body at a region between the guide means and the collector, said oscillator being adapted to impart transverse impulses to the linear body at high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waves in the linear body whereby the body is traversed relative to the collector in an undulating path, means for adjusting said oscillator lengthwise of the linear body, and means for effecting reciprocatory movement of said oscillator lengthwise of the collector at comparatively low frequency for distributing the linear body on the collector.

4. The method of strand traverse in the winding of filamentary material including advancing a strand of filaments, rotating a pair of surfaces about parallel axes at comparatively high speeds, engaging the rotating surfaces alternately with the strand to excite the strand and thereby 1 1 establish a series of standing transversal waves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a rotating collector at a region of a wave in the strand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, and winding the excited strand upon the collector at an amplitude less than the maximum amplitude of a wave.

5. The method of strand traverse in the winding of filamentary material including advancing a strand of filaments, rotating a pair of surfaces about parallel axes in opposite directions at comparatively high speeds, engaging the -strand alternately with the rotating surfaces at regions thereof moving in the general direction of the advancing strand to excite the strand and thereby establish a series of standing transversal waves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a rotating collector at a region of a wave in the strand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, and winding the excited strand upon the collector at an amplitude less than the maximum amplitude of a wave.

6. Apparatus for traversing a linear body during collection of the body in a package, in combination, a guide means engageable with the body, a rotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the linear body thereon to form a package, means for exciting the linear body, said means including a pair of body-engaging members rotatable about spaced parallel axes, means for rotating the members at comparatively high speed, said members being arranged to alternately engage the linear body to impart transverse impulses to the linear body at high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waves in the linear body whereby the body is wound on the collector in anundulating path, said exciting means being movable relative to the package at comparatively low frequency for distributing the linear body lengthwise of the collector, and means for adjusting the body exciting means lengthwise of the linear body. I

7. Apparatus for traversing a strand during collection of the strand in apackag'e, in combination, a guide means engagable with the body, a rotatable collector, means for rotating the collector to wind the strand thereon to form a package, means for exciting the strand, said means including a pair of vanes rotatable about spaced parallel axes disposed normal to the axis of rotation of the rotatable collector, means for rotating the vanes at comparatively high speed, said vanes being arranged to alternately engage the strand to impart transverse impulses to the strand at high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waves in the strand whereby the strand is wound on the collector in an undulating path, said exciting means being reciprocable lengthwise of the package at comparatively low frequency for distributing the strand lengthwise of the collector, and means for adjusting the strand exciting means lengthwise of the strand. 7

8. Apparatus for traversing a strand of filaments advancing at a high linear speed, in combination, a rotatable strand collector, means for rotating the collector, a guide means engagable with the strand at a region spaced from the collector, a strand exciting means, a support for said strand exciting means, a housing, a pair of parallel shafts journaled on said housing,'a vane mounted by each of said shafts, means for rotating the shafts and vanes, said vanes being disposed relative to each other and the strand whereby rotation of the vanes'establishes alternate engagement ofthe vanes with the strand to excite the strand at a high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waves whereby to effect deposition of the strand on the collector in an undulating path, and means for adjusting the strand exciting means relative to the support and lengthwise of the strand.

7 9. Apparatus for traversing a strand advancing at a high linear speed, in combination, a rotatable strand collector, means for rotating the collector, a guide mean engagable with the strand at a region spaced from the collector, a strand exciting means, a support for said strand exciting means, a housing, a pair of parallel shafts journaled on said housing, a vane mounted by each of said shafts, said vanes being disposed relative to each other and the strand whereby rotation of the vanes establishes alternate engagement of the vanes with the strand to excite the strand at a high frequency to establish a series of standing transversal waves whereby to effect deposition of the strand on the collector in an undulating path, means for rotating the vanes in directions whereby the regions of the vanes engaging the strand move in the general path of movement of the strand, means for adjusting the strand exciting means relative to the support and lengthwise of the strand, and means for effecting reciprocatory movement of the strand exciting means lengthwise of the collector at comparatively low frequency for distributing the strand on the collector.

10. The method of processing "a strand of filaments including simultaneously advancing a plurality of filaments,

gathering the filaments into a strand, engaging the strand by an oscillator, actuating the oscillator at a sufiiciently high frequency to excite the strand and thereby establish a series of standing transversal Waves in the strand, engaging the excited strand with a rotating collector at a region of a wave in the strand of less than the maximum amplitude of the wave, and winding the excited strand upon the collector at an amplitude less than the maximum amplitude of a wave.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 2,352,781 Fletcher et al. July 4, 1944 2,433,304 Stream Dec. 23, 1947 2,721,371 Hodkinson et al. Oct. 25, 1955 2,955,772 Case Oct. 11, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 183,132 Great Britain July 5, 1923 518,750 Germany Feb. 19, 1931 1,012,078 France Apr. 9, 1952

Claims

1. A METHOD OF EFFECTING TRAVERSE IN THE WINDING OF FILAMENTARY MATERIAL INCLUDING SIMULTANEOUSLY ADAVANCING A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS, GATHERING THE FILAMENTS INTO A STRAND, ENGAGING THE STAND BY AN OSCILLATOR, ACTUATING THE OSCILLATOR AT A FREQUENCY TO EXCITE THE STRAND TO ESTABLISH A SERIES OF STANDING TRANSVERSAL WAVES IN THE STRAND, ENGAGING THE EXCITED STRAND WITH A MOVABLE SURFACE AT A REGION OF A WAVE IN THE STRAND OF LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM AMPLITUDE OF THE WAVE, COLLECTING THE EXCITED STRAND UPON THE SURFACE DURING ITS OSCALLATION, AND ADJUSTING THE OSCILLATOR IN A DIRECTION LENGTHWISE OF THE STRAND TO VARY ITS REGION OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STRAND.