US3535895A

US3535895A - Apparatus for pneumatically cleaning the work zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines

Info

Publication number: US3535895A
Application number: US712145A
Authority: US
Inventors: Otto Heinrich Krauss
Original assignee: Luwa Ltd
Current assignee: Luwa Ltd
Priority date: 1966-09-05
Filing date: 1968-03-11
Publication date: 1970-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1987-10-27
Also published as: GB1146414A; DE1585163C2; JPS4328800B1; DE1585163B1; ES345167A1; CH489653A

Description

Oct. 27, 1970 o. H. KRAUSS 3,535,895 APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK 9 ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES Filed March 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 0& He'mmcla. Heads-s qmamv ATTORNEY$ Oct. 27, 1970 O.H.KRAUSS 3,535,895

APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES Filed March 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 -55 Fig.2

ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1910 o. H. KRAUSS 3,535,895 APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE 0F CENTROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES Filed March .11, 1968 3 SheetsSheet 3 Fig.

5 Fig. 5

40c INVENTOR I /grlvfiii A lm ss BY QL gfimuw ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,535,895 APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATICALLY CLEANING THE WORK ZONE OF CEN'IROSYMMETRICAL TEXTILE MACHINES Otto Heinrich Krauss, Stuttgart-Munster, Germany, assignor to Lnwa AG, a corporation of Switzerland Filed Mar. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 712,145 Int. Cl. D04b 35/32 U.S. Cl. 66-168 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pneumatic cleaning apparatus for the working zone of textile machines, especially the needle zone of a circular knitting machine having a housing surrounding such needle zone. This housing is provided with an annular suction channel which communicates with a source of negative pressure, and further incorporates an annular blower channel which communicates with a source of compressed air. The suction channel is provided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone, and the blower channel is provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located in the working zone. The compressed air entering the working zone from the blower channel entrains any dust or other foreign material and such is removed from the working zone, without the possibility of again settling on the components in the working zone, via the suction channel means.

11 Claims BACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of a circular knitting machine.

An apparatus has already become known to the art for cleaning a circular knitting machine. This known apparatus is of the type in which the needle cylinder is equipped with bores which, on the one hand, communicate with a source of compressed air and, on the other hand, open into blower nozzles which are directed towards the work locations. By means of these bores, the down or fluff adhering to the needles is blown away and removed from the working area.

In so doing, however, this down or fluff has the tendency of depositing and collecting outside the work locations, so that it is necessary to periodically stop the machine and to clean it. The cleaning operation, which is generally undertaken by blowing away the foreign material or contaminants by means of a stream of compressed air, causes dust and fibers to be blown around, so that the workers are bothered and the neighboring machines are again contaminated by the settling of this dust and other foreign matter. Apart from the loss in production during the blowing operation, and which can not be overlooked, and further the requirement of an additional worker for undertaking the cleaning operation, the main drawback of this cleaning technique resides in the fact that the fly and dust is only repositioned by the blowing operation, however not removed.

Furthermore, it might be remarked that an apparatus is known in which the circular knitting machine is covered by a substantially truncated-shaped housing of transparent material from a location beneath the needle cylinder up to a region above the yarn delivery mechanism. This truncated-shaped housing encircles this machine in this operating zone substantially coaxially with respect to the vertical axis. Furthermore, this known apparatus utilizes the principle of disturbing or circulating the dust by means of a blower device at those locations where it tends to collect and then to remove such dust by means of a suc- 3,535,895 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 tion device. Accordingly, this physical construction of apparatus is equipped with two suction conduits at diametrically opposed locations of this housing and wherein such suction conduits are connected to the surface or jacket of the housing. Additionally, two compressed air conduits communicate with an annular or ring-shaped blower tube which is mounted internally of the housing and coaxially with respect to the housing and the machine. This ring-shaped blower tube is provided with discharge openings Which are directed towards the most prevalent dust collecting locations.

Now, such type blower air streams bring about, by virtue of their injection action, the placing into motion of an air volume which is a multiple of its own air volume. Hence, the dust which is placed into motion or circulation is distributed throughout the entire internal compartment of the housing, for the most part deposits upon the machine components located in the housing, and specifically at those locations which are not subject to the action of the air flow. Accordingly, only a small proportion of the dust and other foreign material arrives, according to the principle of diluting or thinning the dust, at the suction conduits, which are relatively spaced quite a distance away, and is then removed. Because of these reasons it is not possible to keep the Working machine components free of dust and fly or other contaminants, regardless of the intensity or strength of the blower air currents. Furthermore, the danger exists that with the under-pressure prevailing in the housing, additional contaminated air will be drawn from the surroundings of the machine through the passage openings for the yarn and the textile hose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for cleaning textile machines, in particular the needle zone of circular knitting machines, and which eflectively overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art structures.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for pneumatically cleaning a centrosymmetrical textile machine in a highly efficient and reliable manner, particularly during the operation of the textile machine, thereby overcoming the necessity for down-time of the machine which otherwise might have been necessary for carrying out the requisite cleaning operation.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved pneumatic cleaning system for textile machines, in particular circular knitting machines which results in a more eflicient and less time-consuming cleaning operation, thus providing also for less machine down-time and hence increased production, less contamination of the knit-goods, and generally more favorable and healthy working conditions for the operators in the plant.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive apparatus for pneumatically cleaning centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially circular knitting machines, incorporates a substantially ring-shaped or annular blower channel arranged externally of the needle cylinder. This annular 'blower channel is equipped with inwardly directed nozzle means. Further, the housing surrounding the needle zone is provided with a likewise annular or ring-shaped suction channel which communicates with a suction source and possesses suction openings which are directed towards the working zone or area.

Owing to these features directed air currents appear between the blower nozzles and the suction openings which contact or wipe the work locations and which entrain the dust which has been loosened from the work locations and withdraw such before this dust can again deposit upon neighboring machine components.

The suction openings preferably form one or a number of annular nozzles which render it possible to produce a uniform air flow or current of relatively high velocity throughout the entire peripheral region of the working zone or area. The blower channel and the suction channel and in particular the nozzles thereof are advantageously arranged as close to one another as the components of the circular knitting machine allow, so that short air paths are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of apparatus for cleaning the needle zone of a circular knitting machine;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of apparatus, illustrating an axial sectional view similar to the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a third embodiment of inventive cleaning apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a radial sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, taken along the line VV thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, and in particular, initially referring to FIG. 1, it should be understood that reference numeral 11 designates the partially illustrated frame of a circular knitting machine for instance. This frame 11 incorporates a crossbeam 12, support rods or columns 13, dial support means 14 and a machine table or bed 15. A feedwheel unit 17 provided with gears 18 is located beneath the crossbeam 12. Reference numeral 20 generally designates the apparatus for pneumatically cleaning the needle zone.

With the foregoing general arrangement in mind, and turning attention now to FIG. 2, there will be recognized a needle cylinder which is surrounded by cylinder cam means 26. A cylinder cam eccentric means 27 is arranged between the needle cylinder 25 and the cylinder cam means 26. The needle presser jacks 28 and the needle sinker adjustment 29 are secured to the cylinder cam means 2'6. Above the needle cylinder 25 there are disposed the dial cam 30 with a dial or dial plate 31 and a dial plate eccentric means 32. The dial cam 30 is supported at a dial cam support member 37. The dial or dial plate 31 and the needle cylinder 25 carry dial needles 33 and cylinder needles 34, respectively. Additionally, yarn guide means 35 possessing eyelets 36 are secured to the dial cam 30. A dial drive shaft 38 is arranged at the center of the circular knitting machine.

Continuing, it will be seen that the space between the machine bed 15 and the dial support means 14 is enclosed by a housing 40 which is associated with the inventive cleaning apparatus 20. This housing 40 is preferably formed of a suitable transparent material. Furthermore, the substantially cylindrical housing 40 is covered at its front end by means of a cover member 41 directly beneath the dial support means 14. This cover member 41 is secured to the dial support means 14 and, as shown, extends up to the location of the housing of the dial drive shaft 38.

As best recognized by inspecting FIG. 1, the cover member 41 is provided with radially extending slits 42 at all those locations where a yarn 39 is guided from a suitable non-illustrated yarn guide roll to the associated yarn guide means 35. These radially extending slits or slots 42 serve to permit the yarn 39 to enter into the housing 40. Additionally, it should be observed that the cylindrical jacket or outer surface 43 of the housing 40 extends between the outer edge of the dial support means 14 and the machine bed or table 15. This cylindrical jacket 43 is supported upon the aforementioned machine bed 15.

A respective

radial flange

45 and 46 extends from the jacket or outer portion 43 of the housing 40 inwardly towards the region of the cylinder cam means 26. More precisely, it will be seen that the radial flange 45 is located somewhat above the upper end of the yarn guide means 35 whereas the other radial flange 46 is disposed somewhat beneath the needle sinker adjustment 29. These

flanges

45 and 46 are interconnected by a vertical cylinder wall 47 which is provided with

openings

48 and 49, the purpose of which will be explained more fully hereinafter. The compartment which is bounded by the

flanges

45 and 46, as well as the jacket portion 43 and the cylinder wall 47, defines an annular blower channel 50 which is located substantially coaxially with respect to the housing 40. Furthermore, this annular blower channel 50 is subdivided in its peripheral direction into two halves or chambers 50a and 50b by the partition wall 58, as best recognized by inspecting FIG. 5. Each of these chambers 50a and 50b is operably connected via the connection means 54 or equivalent structure and the tubing 55 with a non-illustrated source of compressed air.

Furthermore, a substantially annular, or ring-shaped suction channel 53 is disposed beneath the annular blower channel 50. This suction channel 52 is likewise coaxially arranged with respect to the housing 40. Suction channel 52 is bounded by a portion of the cylindrical jacket 43, the flange member 46, the cylinder cam means 26 and the machine bed 15, as readily apparent by referring to FIG. 2. The annular suction channel 52 communicates with the annular work compartment 51 which is disposed radially inwardly of the cylinder wall 47 via a substantially annular or ring-shaped gap 53. This annular gap 53 is formed between the upper end of the cylinder cam means 26 and the oppositely situated flange member 46. This ring-shaped suction channel 52 operably communicates with a non-illustrated suitable negative pressure source through the agency of the connection means 56 and a pipe or conduit 57. As will be understood by referring to FIG. 4, the housing 40 is divided into four segments, such as the

segments

40a, 40b, 400, etc. of which only

segments

40a, 40b and 400 are visible in FIG. 5. These four segments, 40a, 40b, 400, etc. each extend for approximately peripherally of the housing 40, whereby one of the parting planes extends between the partition wall means 58 shown in FIG. 5. The partition wall means 58 are open at the region of the annular suction channel 52. Furthermore, as will be seen by referring to FIG. 1, the

aforementioned segments

40a, 40b, 400, etc. are detachably connected to one another by suitable brackets or fastening elements 44. The attachment of these segments with one another can be undertaken such that they can be removed individually or in groups, and it is preferable to pivotably attach the segments with one another so that they can be individually pivoted.

Considering now the openings or

apertures

48 and 49 which are provided at the cylinder wall 47, such are advantageously in the form of vertical slots (FIGS. 2 and 5) which are arranged in two superimposed rows at the region of the locations which are to be cleaned, such as the needle presser jacks 28, the needle sinker adjustment 29, the yarn guide means 35 and the needles 33, 34. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment each three

openings

48 or 49 collectively form a group. As shown in FIG. 5, each group of openings, such as the

openings

48 or 49, is spaced in the peripheral direction from the neighboring group, and specifically in such a manner that the gap or space between the groups always is disposed at the region of the lower associated yarn guide eyelet 36 of the machine.

During operation of the inventive cleaning apparatus, compressed air at a relatively low pressure, but in relatively large quantity, emanates from the substantially annular blower channel 50 through the

openings

48 and 49. This compressed air serves to keep the needles 33, 34, the yarn guide means 35 and its eyelets 36 as well as the needle presser jacks 28 and the needle sinker adjustment means 29 free of fly, dust and other contaminants. Owing to the negative pressure which prevails in the annular suction channel 52, the air which is blown into the annular work compartment 51 is sucked through the annular gap 53 at a great velocity, so that any foreign material or contaminants which are contained in the air do not have the possibility of settling. These contaminants are conducted together with the air through the suction pipe 57 to a suitable non-illustrated filter where they are separated. The cleaned air is then again conducted directly back, or, if desired, via an air conditioning installation, into the machine compartment.

The previously considered cover member 41 serves to shield the work compartment 51 against fiber tufts which drop from the feedwheel unit or furnishing wheel 17. Owing to the arrangement of the openings 48 in groups of 3 slits there is always obtained a directed air current between the yarn guide means 35 and the cylinder needles 34. This directed air stream causes intensive cleaning of the cylinder needles 34 and the portion of the yarn guide means 35 which confronts the needles. Furthermore, this directed air stream or current is superimposed upon the air current brought about by the revolving dial 31, and thus an intensive cleaning operation is provided. Additionally, such a directed air current can be also achieved by using non-illustrated guide devices which introduce the air tangentially into the annular work compartment 51.

When considering the remaining embodiments of the inventive cleaning apparatus, reference will not be made to the specific components of the circular knitting machine which are generally known to the art and which have been previously considered. Attention will be primarily drawn to the manner in which these variant forms of inventive cleaning apparatus differ from the construction previously considered. Thus, with regard to the embodiment of cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3, it should be understood that such differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 2, primarily in that a further substantially annular or ring-shaped channel 60 is provided radially inwardly of the dial cam 30 and above the support member 37. This further annular channel 60 is connected via a conduit 61 or equivalent structure to a nonillustrated suitable source of negative pressure. This annular suction channel 60 is provided with an annular gap 62 which is directed towards the work compartment 51 and serves to withdraw a portion of the air emanating from the blower channel 50. Consequently, there is provided an additional air current which wipes across the upper surface of the dial cam 30 and the dial cam support 37, and which makes it virtually impossible for fiber, dust and other contaminants to deposit upon these components.

With respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, such differs primarily from the construction described in connection with FIG. 3, in that in this case there is not provided a suction channel beneath the blower channel 50, and further the suction channel 60 disposed above the dial cam support 37 is increased in size. This enlarged suction channel 60 is separated by a conical wall surface 63 from the work compartment 51. Further, the wall surface 63 is advantageously provided with suction openings 64 which are distributed about the circumference or periphery thereof. Once again, directed air currents appear between the

blower openings

48, 49 and the suction openings 64. These directed air currents serve to remove the contaminants which have been separated from the incoming yarn and prevent any depositing of such contaminants in the working compartment 51.

In the event that the circular knitting machine is provided with a circular blower unit, such as for instance described in the commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. application, Ser. No. 658,911 of Hans Ferri, filed Aug. 7, 1967, then the blower air for supplying the blower channel 50 can be removed from such blower unit which is capable of delivering cleaned blower air.

It is advantageous if a slight overpressure is provided in the work compartment 51 in order to prevent the suc tion of impurities or contaminants into the housing 40 via the slits 42 from the room where the machines are housed.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of circular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising:

(a) housing means surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing an internal compartment;

(b) means providing a substantially annular suction channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means;

(0) a source of negative pressure communicating with said annular suction channel means;

(d) said substantially annular suction channel means being provided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone;

(e) means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channel means being located externally of the needle cylinder;

(f) a source of compressed air communicating with such substantially annular blower channel means;

(g) said substantially annular blower channel means being provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located in the working zone and said blower nozzle means being arranged in a number of superimposed and horizontally extending rows.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said suction channel means is disposed beneath said blower channel means, said suction opening means being in the form of an annular gap which communicates said suction channel means with the working zone of the textile machine.

3. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of circular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housing means surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing an internal compartment; means providing a substantially annular suction channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means; a source of negative pressure communicating with said annular suction channel means; said substantially annular suction channel means being provided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone; means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channel means being located externally of the needle cylinder; said suction channel meansbeing located above said blower channel means and radially inwardly of said blower channel means; a source of compressed air communicating with such substantially annular blower channel means; and said substantially annular blower channel means being provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located in the working zone.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including cylinder cam means, said housing means including an inwardly directed radial flange member, said annular gap being formed by said inwardly directed radial flange memher and said cylinder cam means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said blower nozzle means located in the horizontal rows are arranged in predetermined groups.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing means is formed of a number of detachable segments.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and further including means for fastening said segments together and said fastening means being constructed and arranged to permit individual removal of said segments.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and further including means for fastening said segments together and said fastening means being constructed and arranged to permit group removal of said segments.

9. An apparatus for pneumatically cleaning of circular type textile machines in their working zone, particularly circular knitting machines in their needle zone, comprising a first annular channel encircling said machine exteriorly of said working zone thereof, a pressure air source, means connecting said pressure air source to said first annular channel in at least one circumferential location of the latter for feeding compressed air from said pressure air source to said first annular channel and circumferentially evenly distributing said compressed air therein, said first annular channel having substantially inwardly oriented nozzle means adapted to direct a flow of air from said first annular channel toward said working zone and to entrain lint and dust accumulated in said working zone, said blower nozzle means being arranged in a number of superimposed and horizontally extending rows, a second annular channel adjacent said working zone, suction means communicating with said second annular channel to suck air from the latter, and air inlet means for said second annular channel facing said working zone, to withdraw into said second annular channel air contaminated with lint and dust from said working zone, to thereby clean the latter.

10. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of circular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housing means formed of a number of detachable segments surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing an internal compartment; means providing a substantially annular suction channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means; a source of negative pressure communicating with said annular suction channel means; said substantially annular suction channel means being provided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone; means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channel means being located externally of the needle cylinder; at source of compressed air communicating with such substantially annular blower channel means; said substantially annular blower channel means being provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located in the working zone, and further including dial support means, said housing means including a cover member at its upper end which is secured to said dial support means independent of the outer jacket of said housing means.

11. An apparatus for the pneumatic cleaning of the working zone of centrosymmetrical textile machines, especially the needle zone of circular knitting machines having a needle cylinder, comprising: housing means surrounding the needle zone, said housing means enclosing an internal compartment; means providing a substantially annular suction channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means; a source of negative pressure communicating with said annular suction channel means; said substantially annular suction channel means being provided with suction opening means directed towards the working zone; means providing a substantially annular blower channel means in said internal compartment of said housing means, said annular blower channel means being located externally of the needle cylinder; means defining an additional suction channel means spaced radially inwardly of said blower channel means; a source of compressed air communicating with such substantially annular blower channel means; and said substantially annular blower channel means being provided with inwardly directed blower nozzle means directed towards the machine components located in the working zone.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,378,998 4/1968 Shackelford 66l68 XR 3,274,803 9/1966 Schmidt 66l68 3,220,223 11/1965 Schmidt.

RONALD FELDBAUM, Primary Examiner