US3137322A

US3137322A - Pneumatic loom

Info

Publication number: US3137322A
Application number: US264143A
Authority: US
Inventors: Strake Lambertus Te
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-02-24
Filing date: 1963-03-11
Publication date: 1964-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1981-06-16
Also published as: GB965254A; NL248721A; BE600396A; NL101134C; CH390177A

Description

June 16, 1964 Filed March 11, 1963 L. TE STRAKE PNEUMATIC LOOM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. TE STRAKE PNEUMATIC LOOM June 16, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1963 L. TE STRAKE PNEUMATIC LOOM June 16, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 11, 1963 June 16, 1964 L. TE STRAKE 3,137,322 PNEUMATIC LOOM Filed March 11, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,137,322 PNEUMATIC LOOM Lambertus te Strake, Deurne, North Brabant, Netherlands Filed Mar. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 264,143 Claims priority, application Netherlands Feb. 24, 1960 10 Claims. (Cl. 139-127) This invention relates to a device for transporting threads by means of air, and to a loom provided with such a device for blowing the weft thread into the shed. a

A natural selvedge can be made with pneumatic looms by blowing the weft threads in the shape of hairpins into the shed, i.e., by blowing a first measured thread-length into the shed from one side of the shed and storing a second length, of the same length as the first, of the same thread provisorily outside the shed. When the first measured length of the weft thread has been introduced and the strike has been accomplished, the second measured length of the weft thread, which has been stored provisorily outside the shed, is blown into the shed. Preferably, this occurs at both sides of the shed, so that at the two sides of the cloth a selvedge is formed which is not thicker than the middle part of the cloth.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved loom apparatus. It is a further object of this invention to provide weft inserting apparatus whereby the manufacture of the above described selvedge is simple.

According to the invention, the objects are achieved by the use of a blowing device of the injector type, in which primary air is injected through a blowing nozzle onto a mixing tube defined by. a shaft, which stores a loop of thread, and also defines conduit communicating with the mixing tube for conveying secondary air to the mixing tube.

This arrangement has the advantage that the thread coming into contact with the air jet from the blowing nozzle already is in a moving air column. Further, the thread in the moving air column in the shaft does'not make a frictional contact with the shaft walls, so that it becomes possible to blow the thread into the shed with a a substantially smaller quantity of air and yet with a larger velocity. V

A preferred embodiment is shown herein in which the blowing nozzle is spaced from the open end of the shaft so that a part of the shaft serves as a mixing tube for the secondary air.

With the-apparatus ofthis invention, a superatmospheric pressure of only one atmosphere sufiices for blowing a Weft thread over a certain distance into the shed, in contrast to the previous well-known pneumatic looms in which a superatmospheric pressure of atmospheres is used, and in contrast to a blowing nozzle provided with a mixing tube in which a hole or slit is formed for secondary air and in which a superatmospheric pressure of 3 atmospheres is required. s

The slit described in this construction is in the shape of a flat, longitudinally extending, narrow slit formed in the central part of the shaft. communicating at each side with channels, giving a cross-sectional appearance of a bar bell. Blowing devices or nozzles are positioned in enlargements of each of the channels. This providesthe advantage that no separatefeeding device for the weft thread needs to be used with the weft threads for obtaining a natural selvage to be laid in the shed in the form of v a hairpin. The hairpin configuration is obtained when halves of a measured length of a thread are blown suc cessively into the shed by the two free ends. v

Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent when the following descrip-.

V 3,137,322 Patented June 16,1964

device mounted on part of a loom;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 showing that the thread which has been blown into the .shed is beaten up before the next weft is inserted;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views in section witha portion of the inserting nozzle cut away, the section in FIG. 3 being taken along line3 -3 of FIG. 9 and the section in FIG. 4 being taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 9;

1 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 6 showing a portion of the nozzle; 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view partly broken away and sectioned near the open end of the nozzle;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the nozzle taken at the open end; I v

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a transparent model taken from the open end of the nozzle; and 2 perspective of driving mechanism line 12 and runs, via a thread guide 13, along a thread collecting suction nozzle 14 in which a suction action prevails (suction can occur intermittently). A third'clamp -15, in front of the nozzle 14, is provided for a purpose hereinafter described. The thread 12 then passes to the open end 16 of an inserting nozzle or shaft 17. The shaft 17 will be described hereinafter in detail in connection with FIGS. 5-9.

Two.

nozzles

18 and 19 are defined by the shaft 17 and in the position of the shaft 17 as shown in FIG. 1 there is a loop of thread in the shaft 17, the length of which loop correspondsto the width of the shed. The wrap threads are indicated bythe numeral 20. In that part of the cycle shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 18 comes into action and blows the loop out of the shaft 17 into the shed. Thereupon, theshaft17 turns, as hereinafter described,

to the position shown in FIG. 2 and the thread passes from the cloth 21 to the thread clamp 15. When the nozzle 18 is activated, the clamp 15 'is closed and retains the thread in order to besure that the correctlength 'of the thread is'blown into the shed. The clamp 15 is controlled mechanically, its operation being a function of the yield of the feeding roll 11. In the position shown in FIG. 2,. the clamp 15 is. open. Since the yield of the feeding roll 11 is constant, the correct quantity of yarn is stored provisorily in the nozzle 14. Then the shaft 17 exerts a suction actionon the thread so that anew loop of the thread is drawn into the shaft as shown in FIG. 2. Since at a given moment the shaft 17 does not continue to blow the' thread into the shed and the feeding roll 11 continues to' feed the thread, the thread is temporarily collected by means of the suction nozzle 14. The overall operation between a collecting nozzle and an insertion nozzle is disclosed in-U.S.- PatentNo. 3,024,814

issued March 13, 1962 to L. te Strake.

Then the shaft 17 returns to itsposition shown in FIG. 3. During the movement of the shaft17 from its position shown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FIG. 3, the

Finally, thenozzle 19 comes into operation, thefloop being blown out of the shaft into the 'shed so' that the threads, the curved end or bight between the legs of the,

hairpin forming the selvedge proper.

Hence, blowing

nozzles

18 and 19 work alternately. Between each period of blowing of one of the nozzles there is a suction action in order to get a loop of the thread into the shed as follows:

Nozzle 1t; blows one leg of hairpin into the shed.

Shaft 17 sucks loop for other leg of hairpin.

Nozzle 19 blows said other leg of hairpin into the shed.

Shaft 17 sucks loop for first leg of the next hairpin.

Nozzle 18 blows said first leg of said next hairpin into the shed.

Shaft 17 sucks loop for other leg of said next hairpin and so on.

The shaft 17 and its operation are shown in detail in FIGS. 5-9. Near the open end 16 of the shaft 17 air jet holes or

nozzles

23, 24 and 25, 26 are provided which are situated in and communicate with the widened ends or mixing

portions

27 and 28 of channels 29 and Ellcommunicating with the edges of a slit 31 formed in the shaft 17. Nozzle 18 is formed by mixing portion 28 and

air jets

2,5 and 25; nozzle 19 is formed by mixing portion 27 and

air jets

23 and 24.

Channels

29 and 3% are continually in communication with each other. by the narrow nected to the atmosphere via an opening 36 by a vent slit 6. The shaft 1'7 serves for drawing the loop in the weft thread 12 to be blown into the shed, the approximately .the

nozzles

23, 24 or 25, 2-5. A more detailed description of the principle of operation of Weft thread storage in a shaft is set forth in my copending application Serial No. 84,031 filed January 23, 1961 and now US. Patent No. 3,110,325 issued November 12, 1963, and the above US. Patent No. 3,024,814.

The enlargement 27 of the channel 29 forms a mixing tube for the primary air from the

jet nozzles

23 and 24 and the secondary air supplied through the channel 29.

Similarly nozzles 25 and 26 are arranged near the channel 39. The enlargement '28 of the channel forms a mixing tube for the primary air from the

nozzles

25 and 26 and the secondary air supplied through the channel 30.

Between the mixing

tubes

27 and 28 the continuation of the slit 31 allows passage of the loop of thread in and out. Because of the action of the

nozzles

23, 24 and 25, 26 a powerful air current in the channe.s 29 and 3t? comes into existence. The thread situated in the

channels

29 and 30 is suspended in this air current and does not come into contact with the walls of the

channels

29 and 30, so that these walls cannot exert a braking action on the thread. The secondary air current through the channels 29 and 39 toward the mixing tubes 27'and 28 contributes in giving to the thread initial velocity, so that the air nozzles need apply air friction contact on only a small part of the thread to be blown into the shed, in order to provide the required initial velocity to this thread. The nozzles 2'5 and 2 s or the

nozzles

25 and 26 may be switched on as desired, air being supplied to the

nozzles

23 and 24 through a hose 32 and to the

nozzles

25 and 26 through a hose 33 and shut on and off by means of valves not shown. When the thread is drawn into the shaft 17 by means" of a suction device connectedto a suction opening 34 (FIG,

9), which can be closed by a valve (not shown) in ahose 35 communicating with the opening 34-, the nozzles 23 and 2.4 or 25 and 26, respectively, are not in operation. (See copending application Serial No. 84,031, now US. Patent No. 3,110,325Qreferenced hereinbefore.)

'When either the

nozzles

23 and 24 or the nozzles 25 and 2d are put into operation the valve in the hose 35 is closed, so that air flow through the opening 3 1 is stopped.

At the same moment the interior of the shaft 17 is convalve (not shown) in a hose 37 coming into operation, in order to prevent the formation of troublesome pressure Waves. (See copending application Serial No. 84,031, now US. Patent No. 3,110,325, referenced above.) Through this opening 36 secondary air can enter the channels 29 and 3t To facilitate this entry of secondary air for the mixing 7 7 to the closed end to provide the longest air thread suspension currents in

channels

29 and 30.

As appears from FIG. 9, the shaft may be made bent,

the air nozzles and the mixing tubes being positioned in the upper part 40. The lower part may be provided with a transparent Wall 41 in order to monitor the course of the thread in the shaft and to monitor whether or notthe slits and channels are about to be clogged or to observe any other operation desired. p

A driving mechanism for the shaft 17 is shown in FIG.

9. The shaft 17 is provided with a pin 42 in a bearing 43 of a support 44 which is any suitable part of the loom.

A lever 45 is connected to the pin 42 and a rod :6 isconnected between the lever 45 and a bell crank 47 pivotally mounted on a shaft 4-8. A roller 49 is carried by an arm of the bell crank and abuts on a cam (not shown) or other control-device which acts periodically as a function ofthe stroke of the loom.

There has thus been described a weft inserting appar'atus for a weaving loom which comprises a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receivingslit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft. The shaft also has formed therein a suction aper! ture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure within the slit'whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit' openthread in a U-shaped loop when it is drawn into the slit.

the slit opening.

The shaft is provided with air nozzle means, shown in the specification as an air nozzle formed within the shaft which communicates at one end with one of said chan-' nels, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet of air through the nozzle and into the channel to transport a thread disposed in the channel out into a shed.- it is to be understood that any air nozzle means which may be adapted to the use shown in here may be used to complete applicants invention.

The shaft may also have a vent aperture therein providing communication between the atmosphere and the slit intermediatethe suction aperture and be formed in the shaft communicating with the vent aperture, the slit, and/ or one of thechannels receiving the jet'of air, in order to facilitate the flow of secondary'air; V Venting means may be provided to admit air directly to the one of the channels as so deinto the channels.

sired.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the shaft has formed therein an enlargement of at least one'of the arate-part (as may also .be done with the air nozzle, for

example), the separate part being disposed to form a con-i formed 7 One or more auxiliary channels may tinuation of and to communicate with said one channel having the air nozzle therein or communicating therewith. The tube also communicates withthe slit so that the thread may be drawn in and jetted forth into the shed.

1. Apparatus to be utilized in a loom, comprising:

thread feeding means; a thread collecting means; thread clamping means; a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread receiving slit, said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure within said slit whereby a In conclusion, it is pointed out that while the illusv ture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger insaid channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; said shaft having an, air nozzle formed therein communicating at one end with one of said channels, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet of air through said nozzle and into said channel to transport a thread disposed in said channel out into a shed; said shaft having a vent aperture formed therein providing communication .between the atmosphe're and said slit intermediate said suctionaperture and said slit opening. a V

4. Weft inserting apparatusfor a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposedadjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit; saidshaft having channels larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating withsaid slit; said chan- 'nels also communicating with said suction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread disposed adjacent said slit is drawn in a first loop into said slit; said slit having enlargedfirst and second channels formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit, said channels also communicating with said suction aperture whereby suction pull. established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; first and second nozzles disposed adjacent the openings of said first and second channels, respectively, of said shaft; said first nozzle being adapted to blow an end of said first loop of thread disposed in said slit into a shed thereby pulling the length of said first loop in said slit into said shed; the other end of said thread being restrained by said thread clamping means; means operative after said first nozzle has ceased operation to release said thread clamp whereby the suction pull in said slit is operative to draw a second loop of thread into said slit from said thread collecting means; means operative in response to said second loop of thread being pulled into said slit for severing and clamping said thread between said shaft and said thread feeding means; said second nozzle being adapted to blow said severed end of said thread into a shed thereby pulling the length of said second loop into said shed.

2. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit; said shaft having channels larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said channels also communicating with said suction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; said shaft having an air nozzle formed therein communicating at one end with one of said channels, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet of air through said nozzle and into said channel to transport a thread disposed in said channel out into a shed.

3. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be. utilized to lower the pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit;

said shaft having channels larger than said slit. formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said channels also communicating with said suction aperthread in a U-shaped loop; said shaft having an air nozzle formed therein communicating at one end with one of said channels, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet ofvair through said nozzle and into said channel to transport a thread disposedin said channel out into "a shed; said shaft having a vent aperture formed therein I providing communication between the atmosphere and said slit intermediate said suction aperture and said slit opening; said shaft also having formed therein anauxiliary channel communicating with said vent aperture, said slit and said one of said channels receiving said; jet of air to facilitate flow of secondary air into said one of said 5. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving, slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the 1 pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit; said shaft having channels larger than said slit formedlengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said channels also communicating withsaidsuction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintain? ing said thread in a U-shaped loop; said shaft having an air nozzle formed therein communicating at one end with 1 one of said channels, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a'jet of airthrough said nozzle and into said channel to transport a thread disposed in said channel out into a shed; said shaft having'a vent aperture formed therein providing communication between the atmosphere and said one of said. channels to facilitate flow of secondary air into said one channel during operation of said air nozzle.

6. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower thepressure within said slit whereby athread disposed adjacent said slit is drawn in a loop into said slit; said shaft having channels-larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said channels also communicating with said suction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture isstronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shapedjloop; at least oneof said channels being enlarged for a portion of its length back from said open shaft endjto form a mixing tube; said shaft having an air nozzle communicating at one end with said enlarged channel portion, the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet of air through said nozzle and into said enlarged channel portion; said shaft having a vent aperture formed therein providing communication between the atmosphere and said slit intermediate said suction aperture and said mixing tube.

7. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a sucin a U-shaped loop; at least one of said channels being enlarged for a portion of its length back from said open shaft end to form a mixing tube; said shaft having an air nozzle communicating at one end with said enlarged channel portion,- the other end adapted to be utilized to direct a jet of air through said nozzle and into said enlarged channel portion; said shaft having a vent aperture formed therein providing communication between the atmosphere and said slit intermediate said suction aperture and said mixing tube; said shaft also havingformed at least one auxiliary channel communicating with said vent aperture, said slit, and said one of said first-mentioned channels having said mixing tube formed at the end thereof to facilitate flow of secondary air into said one of said channels. I

8. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to the atmosphere at one end 'of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure 'within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit; said shaft having channels larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said channels also communicating with said suction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; and air nozzle means com-: municating with one of said channels adapted to direct 'a jet of air through said channel to transport a threa t out of said channel into a shed. a

9. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit openingto the atmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed thereina suction aperture adapted to be utilized to lower the pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the .slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit; said shaft having channels larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit; said chanif nels also communicating with said'suction aperture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture -is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; air nozzle meanscommunicating with one of said channels adaptedto direct a jet of air through said channel to transport a thread out of said channel into a shed; and venting means for admitting -air from the atmosphere to said one of said channels having said air nozzle means communicating therewith.

l0. Weft inserting apparatus for a loom comprising a shaft having formed therein a longitudinally extending thread-receiving slit opening to theatmosphere at one end of said shaft; said shaft also having formed therein a suction aperture adapted to beutilized to lower :the

pressure within said slit whereby a thread disposed adjacent the slit opening is drawn in a loop into said slit;

"said shaft having channels larger than said slit formed lengthwise adjacent to and communicating with said slit;

said channels also communicating with said suction aper-' J r "ture whereby suction pull established through said suction aperture is stronger in said channels thereby maintaining said thread in a U-shaped loop; a mixingtube larger'in cross-section than one of said channels disposed to form a continuation of and tocommunicate with said one channel; said tube also communicating with said slit; andair nozzle means communicating with said mixing tube adapted to direct a jet of air through said mixing tube to transport a thread disposed in said one channel and said tube out into a shed. i

References Cited in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,925,833 Te Strake Feb} 23, 1960 Te Strake Mar. 13, 1962

Claims

1. APPARATUS TO BE UTILIZED IN A LOOM, COMPRISING: THREAD FEEDING MEANS; A THREAD COLLECTING MEANS; THREAD CLAMPING MEANS; A SHAFT HAVING FORMED THEREIN A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING THREAD RECEIVING SLIT, SAID SHAFT ALSO HAVING FORMED THEREIN A SUCTION APERTURE ADAPTED TO BE UTILIZED TO LOWER THE PRESSURE WITHIN SAID SLIT WHEREBY A THREAD DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID SLIT IS DRAWN IN A FIRST LOOP INTO SAID SLIT; SAID SLIT HAVING ENLARGED FIRST AND SECOND CHANNELS FORMED LENGTHWISE ADJACENT TO AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SLIT, SAID CHANNELS ALSO COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SUCTION APERTURE WHEREBY SUCTION PULL ESTABLISHED THROUGH SAID SUCTION APERTURE IS STRONGER IN SAID CHANNELS THEREBY MAINTAINING SAID THREAD IN A U-SHAPED LOOP; FIRST AND SECOND NOZZLES DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OPENINGS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CHANNELS, RESPECTIVELY, OF SAID SHAFT; SAID FIRST NOZZLE BEING ADAPTED TO BLOW AN END OF SAID FIRST LOOP OF THREAD DISPOSED IN SAID SLIT INTO A SHED THEREBY PULLING THE LENGTH OF SAID FIRST LOOP IN SAID SLIT INTO SAID SHED; THE OTHER END OF SAID THREAD BEING RESTRAINED BY SAID THREAD CLAMPING MEANS; MEANS OPERATIVE AFTER SAID FIRST NOZZLE HAS CEASED OPERATION TO RELEASE SAID THREAD CLAMP WHEREBY THE SUCTION PULL IN SAID SLIT IS OPERATIVE TO DRAW A SECOND LOOP OF THREAD INTO SAID SLIT FROM SAID THREAD COLLECTING MEANS; MEANS OPERATIVE IN RESPONSE TO SAID SECOND LOOP OF THREAD BEING PULLED INTO SAID SLIT FOR SEVERING AND CLAMPING SAID THREAD BETWEEN SAID SHAFT AND SAID THREAD FEEDING MEANS; SAID SECOND NOZZLE BEING ADAPTED TO BLOW SAID SEVERED END OF SAID THREAD INTO A SHED THEREBY PULLING THE LENGTH OF SAID SECOND LOOP INTO SAID SHED.