US3577721A

US3577721A - Yarn string-up device

Info

Publication number: US3577721A
Application number: US798667A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hayes J Schmick; Hans Van Doornewaard
Original assignee: Phillips Fibers Corp
Current assignee: Phillips Fibers Corp
Priority date: 1969-02-12
Filing date: 1969-02-12
Publication date: 1971-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-04

Abstract

A jet can be utilized to pass yarn through a deflection valve. The direction of rotation of the fluid in the jet and the resulting torque on the yarn can be varied to impart a desired amount of twist to the yarn. The deflection valve can pass the yarn to the next processing station or to waste, as desired, and cuts the yarn upon being charged from one condition to the other.

Description

United States Patent lnventors Hayes J. Schmick;

Hans Van Doornewaard, Greenville, S.C. Appl. No. 798,667 Filed Feb. 12, 1969 Patented May 4, 1971 Assignee Phillips Fibers Corporation YARN STRING-UP DEVICE 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. I

U.S. Cl 57/77.33, 28/1.4, 57/34,- 57/77.3 lnt.Cl D0lh 7/92, D02g 1/04 Field of Search 57/77.3,

77.45, 34, 34.5, 14 (B), 157 (F); 28/l.4, 72.12

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,079,746 3/1963 Field, Jr 57/77.33X 3,363,294 l/1968 Jeurissen et al.. 57/34X 3,445,995 5/1969 Bell et al 57/34 3,449,805 6/ l 969 Lubach 28/ l .4 3,460,213 8/ 1969 Ensslin et al. 28/1.4

Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney-Young and Quigg ABSTRACT: A jet can be utilized to pass yarn through a deflection valve. The direction of rotation of the fluid in the jet and the resulting torque on the yarn can be varied to impart a desired amount of twist to the yarn. The deflection valve can pass the yarn to the next processing station ,or to waste, as desired, and cuts the yarn upon being charged from one condition to the other.

PATENTEDHAY 41am swam 3 8 o In 3 5,;

\L rs 2 FIG. 4

INVENTORS H.J. SCH MICK HANS VAN DOORNEWAAR D A TTORNEYS PATENTEU HAY 41971 SHEET 3 BF 3 .INVENTORS H.J. SCH MICK HANS VAN DOORNEWAAR D 6 z E ATTORNEYS YARN STRING-UP DEVICE This invention relates to a string-up device for textile yarn processing operations.

In string up operations it is desirable to have some means of disposing of the yarn output from an upstream processing station while the next station is being readied. Then it is necessary to cut the yarn and insert the cut end of the yarn into the readied processing station. In the past, it has generally been necessary for the operator to manually cut the yarn and effect the yarn insertion into the next station.

It is an object of the invention to provide mechanical means for selectively passing yarn to waste or to the next processing station. It is an object of the invention to provide mechanical means for automatically cutting a yarn when it is desired to change the downstream path of the yarn. It is an object of the invention to provide means for varying the direction of rotation of the fluid and/or the amount of the resulting torque in a fluid string-up jet.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification, the drawing and the appended claims to the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a yarn string up device in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view in cross section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view corresponding to a portion of FIG. 3 and showing the valve slide member in the yarn passing position,

FIG. 5 is a transverse elevation view, partly in cross section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the yarn outlet end of the valve with several elements omitted, and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view along 88 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the yarn string-up device comprises an inlet section 11, a jet twisting section 12 and a valve section 13. Inlet section 11 comprises a member 14 having a yarn passageway 15 therethrough, and a nosing 16 attached to the inlet end of member 14. Nosing 16 has a conical entranceway 17 in axial alignment with the passageway 15. A jacket 18 is spaced from and surrounds nosing l6 and has one end curved inwardly in conformity with the inlet end of entranceway 17 with an opening 19 therein in axial alignment with passageway 15. An O-ring 21 seals the opposite end of jacket 18 to nosing 16. A conduit 22, containing a valve 23, provides communication between a source of aspirating fluid, for example air, and the chamber between nosing 16 and jacket 18. Y

The jet twisting section 12 comprises a jet-housing member 24 and a yarn inlet member 25. Housing member 24 is provided with a first cylindrical passageway 26, first and second

conical passageways

27 and 28 and a second cylindrical passageway 29, serially arrayed in axial alignment. The diameter of the first cylindrical passageway 26 will generally be equal to or greater than the diameter of the adjacent large end of conical passageway 27. The diameter of cylindrical passageway 29 will be at least equal to the diameter of the adjacent small end of conical passageway 28. Yarn inlet member is provided with a conical nose section 31, an intermediate cylindrical section 32, an externally threaded section 33 and a knurled section 34. The threaded section 33 of the yarn inlet member engages the corresponding internally threaded section of the housing member 24 to coaxially position the downstream or nose section 31 of the yarn inlet member within the conical passageway 28. Rotative movement of knurled section 34 varies the thickness of the annular passageway formed between nose section 31 and the wall of passageway 28. In general the angle of nose section 31 will be substantially identical to the angle of passageway 28, but different angles of inclination can be utilized where desired. The

conical passageway 27 will generally have a larger angle of inclination than passageway 28. Member 25 is provided with a yarn inlet passageway 36 in axial alignment with passageway 29. The member 14 of the inlet section is secured to member 25 by bolts 37 so that

passageways

15 and 36 are in axial alignment.

I-Iousing member 24 is provided with a cylindrical passageway 41 which radially intersects cylindrical chamber 26-. A conduit 42 communicates between a source of pressurized conveying fluid and passageway 41. Conduit 42 can be provided with a collar 43 to engage O-ring 44 to provide a sealed connected to passageway 41. A deflector vane 45 is positioned within passageway 41 and can be rotatively moved by knurled member 46 within the degree of freedom-permitted by pin 47 which extends through a slot 48 in deflector vane 45 into openings in the adjacent walls of housing member 24. Vane 45 is so shaped that when it is in the midposition of its path of rotative movement, the fluid from conduit 42 is directed radially against cylindrical section 32 and thus divides evenly around member 25 to provide a fluid flow of substantially zero torque into passageway 29. When vane 45 is rotated clockwise from midposition, asillustrated in FIG. 6, the major portion of the fluid from conduit 42 is directed toward the back side of chamber 25, as seen in FIG. 3, resulting in a fluid stream in passageway 29 having a counterclockwise torque, looking downstream. The counterclockwise movement of vane 45 from its midposition illustrated in FIG. 6 results in a fluid flow in passageway 29 having a clockwise torque, looking downstream. Thus, the position of vane 45 controls the direction and magnitude of the false twist, if any, applied to the yarn. The position of knurled section 34 controls the total flow rate of fluid through conduit 42.

Valve section 13 comprises a housing member 51 secured to housing member 24 by bolts 52. Housing member 51 is provided with a valve chamber 53, an opening 54, an internally threaded outlet opening 55, and a waste yarn outlet passageway 56. A bushing 57 of suitable material, for example, tool steel, is secured in inlet opening 54 by suitable means, for example by being provided with an annular flange 58' clamped between

members

24 and 51. Bushing 57 is provided with a cylindrical passageway 59 which is coaxial with passageway 29.

Valve slide member 61 is slidably positioned in valve chamber 53 and can be moved from a yarn-passing position, illustrated in FIG.'4, to a yam-deflecting position, illustrated in FIG. 3, and vice versa. Valve slide member 61 is provided with a cylindrical passageway 62 which, in the yam-passing position, is coaxial with passageway 59, and a curved groove 63 which, in the yarn deflection position, provided communication between passageway 59 and waste yarn passageway 56. Valve slide member 61 is also formed of a suitable material, for example tool steel, so that the upper edge of groove 63 and the lower edge of the wall of passageway 59 act to sharply sever the yarn when the slide member 61 is moved from the yarn deflecting position to the yam-passing position. Similarly, the lower edge of the wall of passageway 62 and the upper edge of the wall of passageway 59 act to sever the yarn when the slide member 61 is moved from the yarn passing position to the yarn-deflecting position. A conduit 64 is connected to housing member 51 to provide communication between waste yarn passageway 56 and a point of disposal of the waste yarn. The valve slide member 61 is resiliently urged against the end of bushing by ball detents 65 and 66 (FIG. 8). If desired, detent depressions can be provided in the adjacent surface of slide member 61 to cooperate with

ball detents

65 and 66 to accurately locate and maintain the slide member 61 in the desired operating position.

Valve slide member 61 is retained in valve chamber 53 by a cover plate 67 secured to housing member 51 by

bolts

68 and 69 and is provided with

pins

71 and 72 which project outwardly through

slots

73 and 74, respectively, in cover plate 67. Striker arm 75 is pivoted on pin 76 and contacts the lower surface of pin 71 to move the valve slide member upwardly to the yam-passing position or the upper surface of pin 72 to move the slide member 61 downwardly to the yam-deflecting position. Striker arm 75 is resiliently maintained in either one of its two stable positions by snap action spring 77, and is snapped from one position to the other by the displacement of spring 77 by the manually effected rotative motion of handle plate 78 about pivot pin 79. One end of spring 77 is coiled around pin 81 on striker arm 75 while the other end of spring 77 is coiled around pin 82 on handle plate 78. A handlebar 83 is connected to the end of handle plate 78 remote from pivot pin 79. Pivot pin 76 extends through a curved slot 84 in handle plate 78 to provide mechanical stability for plate 78 as well as provide stops or limits to the degree of rotative movement of handle plate 78.

Spacer collars

85 and 86 can be positioned on pivot pin 76 to establish the desired spacing between cover plate 67, striker arm 76 and handle plate 78.

A nozzle body member 91 is threaded into outlet 55. Member 91 has a conical entranceway 92 and an internally threaded section 93. An externally threaded nozzle insert 94 is secured in section 93, and is provided with a yarn passageway 95 which is coaxial with passageway 29. A bayonet lock member 96, or any other desired positioning means, can be secured to member 91.

In a string-up operation, the end of yarn 10 is inserted into the entranceway 17 of inlet section 11. Valve 23 is opened to pass air through conduit 22 to aspirate the yarn into and through passageways l and 36. Valve 97 is opened to supply air through conduit 42 to jet section 12. Vane 45 is moved from its midposition if it is desired to introduce twist into yarn 10. The valve slide member 61 is moved to the yarn-deflecting position by movement of handle 83 to cause the passage of the yarn through conduit 64 to waste disposal. When it is desired to forward the yarn to the next processing operation, the operator grasps handle 83 and causes the movement of the slide member 61 to the yarn passing position, thereby cutting the yarn and directing subsequent positions of the yarn through the nozzle 94 into the next processing unit.

The string-up device thus described combines in one piece of apparatus the functions of (1) false twisting yarn or fila ments, (2) passing the unwanted yarn to waste, (3) cutting the yarn, and (4) passing the false twisted yarn to downstream processing steps such as drawing, relaxing, heat setting, etc. Should one of the downstream processing steps encounter trouble requiring shut down for repairs, the operator can by a flip of handle 83 deflect the yarn to waste thereby keeping all upstream processing steps in operation. When said repairs are completed, another flip of handle 83 returns the yarn to downstream processing. Without the convenience of the string-up gun, it would generally be necessary to shut down the processing steps upstream of the step where trouble is encountered.

False twist is desired in some processing steps, i.e. texturizing, relaxing, etc. as a means of maintaining a plurality of filaments in a coherent bundle. In such systems the use of the present device can eliminate the need for a separate false twisting apparatus. Several of the string-up guns can be used to advantage in a multiple step textile manufacturing line.

While the invention has been described in terms of a slide valve embodiment, other forms can be utilized, for example a rotary plug valve wherein two passageways are provided, one for passing the yarn to the processing outlet and the other for passing the yarn to waste. The plug can be stepped in a single direction or rotated in alternate directions. Although air is the presently preferred aspirating fluid and twisting fluid, any other suitable fluid or fluids can be utilized, for example, steam, nitrogen, water.

The term yam" as used herein, includes textured or untextured filaments of natural or synthetic material, in the form of staple or continuous filaments, or combinations thereof. A single continuous filaments or a bundle of continuous and/or staple filaments can be processed in the device of the invention. The bundles can range from two filaments of small denier per filament to a two having a total denier of 100,00 or more.

Reasonable variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims to the invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus comprising a valve housing having an inlet passageway and first and second outlets, a valve member operatively located in said valve housing and having first and second passageways, means for selectively actuating said valve member from a first position in said valve housing to a second position in said valve housing and from said second position to said first position, said first passageway connecting said inlet passageway to said first outlet when said valve member is in said first position, said second passageway connecting said inlet passageway to said second outlet when said -valve member is in said second position, means for introducing a yarn in a conveying fluid into said inlet passageway the relative movement of the edge of the inlet opening of the one of said first and second passageways through which the yarn is passing and the edge of the adjacent outlet end of said inlet passageway upon the actuation of said valve member from either one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions effecting a severance of the yarn.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for selectively actuating said valve member comprises means for effecting a snap action movement of said valve member from either one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said edge of the inlet opening of each of said first and second passageways and said edge of the adjacent outlet end of said inlet passageway are sharp and are formed of a material which maintains the sharp edges.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising means for resiliently urging said valve member against the portion of said valve housing forming said outlet end of said inlet passageway.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said valve member is a valve slide member operatively positioned in said valve housing, and said means for selectively actuating said valve member comprises a snap action spring for effecting a snap action movement of said valve member from either one of said first and second positions to the other end of said first and second positions.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said material is a tool steel; wherein said inlet passageway, said first passageway and said first outlet being coaxial when said valve member is in said first position; wherein said second passageway is curved to deflect the yarn and conveying fluid from the axial direction of said inlet passageway to the axial direction of said second outlet; and wherein said first outlet is in the form of a nozzle.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for introducing a yarn in a conveying fluid comprises a jet-housing member having a first cylindrical passageway, at least one conical passageway, and a second cylindrical passageway serially arrayed in axial alignment; the diameter of said first cylindrical passageway being at least about the diameter of the adjacent large end of said at least one conical passageway; the diameter of said second cylindrical passageway being at least equal to the diameter of the adjacent small end of said at least one conical passageway; a yarn inlet member having a conically shaped nose section, and a yarn inlet passageway extending substantially axially through said nose section; said yarn inlet member being positioned in said jet-housing member and extending through said first cylindrical passageway with at least a portion of said nose section being located in said at least one conical passageway; means for introducing a conveying fluid into said fluid first cylindrical passageway; and means for varying the direction of rotation of said conveying fluid about said nose section and the amount of torque produced by the thus rotating conveying fluid.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for varying comprises a deflector vane positioned in the flow path of said conveying fluid into said first cylindrical passageway.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for introducing a yarn in a conveying fluid comprises a jet-housing member having a chamber therein, a yarn inlet member having at least a downstream section thereof positioned in said chamber to form a fluid passageway surrounding said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, an outlet passageway in said jet-housing member communicating with said fluid passageway and being substantially coaxial with said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, a yarn inlet passageway extending through said downstream section of said yarn inlet member in substantial coaxial alignment with said outlet passageway of said jet-housing member, means for introducing fluid into said fluid passageway, and means for varying the direction of rotation about said downstream section of said yarn inlet member of the fluid moving through said fluid passageway and the amount of torque produced by the thus rotating fluid on yarn passing from said yarn inlet passageway through said outlet passageway of said jet-housing member.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for aspirating yarn through said yarn inlet passageway in said yarn inlet member.

11. Apparatus comprising a jet-housing member having a chamber therein, a yarn inlet member having at least a downstream section thereof positioned in said chamber to form a fluid passageway surrounding said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, an outlet passageway in said jethousing member communicating with said fluid passageway and being substantially coaxial with said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, a yarn inlet passageway extending through said downstream section of said yarn inlet member in substantial coaxial alignment with said outlet passageway, means for introducing fluid into said fluid passageway, and means for varying the direction of rotation about said downstream section of said yarn inlet member of the fluid moving through said fluid passageway and the amount of torque produced by the thus rotating fluid on yarn passing from said yarn inlet passageway through said outlet passageway.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for varying comprises a deflector vane positioned in the flow path of said fluid into said chamber.

UNITED S'EATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,577,721 Dated: m I 1971 Hayes J. Schmick; Hana Van Doomewaard It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1;, line L2, "and" should be deleted; column A, line 68, after said delete "fluid".

Signed and sealed this 9th day of January 1 973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a valve housing having an inlet passageway and first and second outlets, a valve member operatively located in said valve housing and having first and second passageways, means for selectively actuating said valve member from a first position in said valve housing to a second position in said valve housing and from said second position to said first position, said first passageway connecting said inlet passageway to said first outlet when said valve member is in said first position, said second passageway connecting said inlet passageway to said second outlet when said valve member is in said second position, means for introducing a yarn in a conveying fluid into said inlet passageway the relative movement of the edge of the inlet opening of the one of said first and second passageways through which the yarn is passing and the edge of the adjacent outlet end of said inlet passageway upon the actuation of said valve member from either one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions effecting a severance of the yarn.

11. Apparatus comprising a jet-housing member having a chamber therein, a yarn inlet member having at least a downstream section thereof positioned in said chamber to form a fluid passageway surrounding said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, an outlet passageway in said jet-housing member communicating with said fluid passageway and being substantially coaxial with said downstream section of said yarn inlet member, a yarn inlet passageway extending through said downstream section of said yarn inlet member in substantial coaxial alignment with said outlet passageway, means for introducing fluid into said fluid passageway, and means for varying the direction of rotation about said downstream section of said yarn inlet member of the fluid moving through said fluid passageway and the amount of torque produced by the thus rotating fluid on yarn passing from said yarn inlet passageway thrOugh said outlet passageway.