System for measuring the count and twist of spun yarn in open-end spinning
United States Patent [191 Seidl 1 SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE COUNT AND TWIST OF SPUN YARN IN OPEN-END SPINNING [75] Inventor: Pavel Seidl, Usti nad Orlici,  
 Czechoslovakia [73] Assignee: Elitex, Zavody textilniho strojirenstvi generalni reditelstvi, Liberec, Czechoslovakia 22 Filed: Sept. 17, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 397,743  
 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 15, 1972 Czechoslovakia 6321-72 [52] US. Cl. 57/34 R; 57/58.89 [51] Int. Cl. D0lh 13/32; DOlh 1/12 [58] Field of Search 57/58.8958.95, 34 R, 81, 93, 94, 97  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,982,083 5/1961 Breitenbach 57/97 3,660,972 5/1972 Neill et al. 57/34 R 3,678,673 7/1972 Prochazka et al. 57/5895 3,680,299 8/1972 Lee, Jr. 57/34 R 3,704,579 12/1972 Tooka et al 57/34 R 3,791,128 2/1974 Landwehrkamn 57/93 Apr. 15, 1975 3,803,823 4/1974 Niestroj et al. 57/34 R Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or FirmMurray Schaffer [57] ABSTRACT In an open end spinning unit having feed means for delivering a sliver of fibrous material, a rotary twisting means for spinning fibrous material into a yarn and withdrawal means for taking up the spun yarn comprising, detecting means are located at a selected pair of the feed twisting or withdrawing means for sensing the motion of the fibers, the twist means of the spun yarn respectively and for providing an output having values proportional thereto. A first counter is connected to one of the detectors for receiving the output thereof and gating means is interposed between the first counter and its associated detector. A second counter is connected to thhe other of the detectors to receive the output thereof and switch means is interposed between the second counter and the gating means. The switch means provides a signal upon the reaching in the second counter of a predetermined input value, which operates to close the gating means and stop the passage of detected value to the first counter. Means for indicating the value received by the first counter is included.  
 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 5197s sum 2 of 2 SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE COUNT AND TWIST OF SPUN YARN IN OPEN-END SPINNING RELATED CASES The present invention and disclosure is related to corresponding applications Ser. No. 397,741 and Ser. No. 397,742, filed on even date herewith. Reference and incorporation of the subject matter disclosed therein is made as if more fully set forth herein.  
 BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for automatically measuring and indicating the count and twist factors of material spun in spindleless or open end spinning machines and in particular for the measurement of such factors so that the spinning units may be adjusted in response thereto.  
  The determination of the count and twist of the spun yarn is of decisive importance for the correct adjustment of the spinning unit so that the spun yarn may be of the proper and uniform quality, however, there is no known device for measuring these factors directly on the spinning machine. Conventionally, the count (size or number of the yarn) is determined by withdrawing a measured sample of the yarn thereafter measuring its length and weight, or by determining the draft of the machine and then multiplying the draft by the count of the sliver which is originally fed to the spinning unit. To determine the draft, which is actually the reduction in bulk and/or weight of the material, it has heretofore been necessary to measure both the feeding and withdrawing speed of the spinning unit with the use ofa va&#39; riety of tachometers and/or volt meters. The draft is then determined by dividing these two values to obtain a ratio indicative of the weight and/or length of the material fed to the unit to the weight and length of material which is withdrawn. The twist factor is obtained only by special calculation after the count of the spun material is determined by untwisting the known length of material and actually counting the number of twists in one meter of the yarn. A second method of determining the twist factor is by measuring the number of revolutions of the twist imparting element of the machine (i.e. the spinning turbine) together with the withdrawing speed of the yarn. By subsequent calculation the number of twists are determined as the proportion between the two values.  
  From the above, it is apparent that the measurement of the count and twist factor of the spun yarn, directly on the machine and/or on the spinning unit, is considerably complicated in view of the number and variety of the calculations required. Consequently, in practice the spinning units are adjusted only according to the calculated values of both the withdrawing and the feeding speeds. These indirect values (i.e. the withdrawing and feeding speed) do not accurately or precisely characterize the spun yarn although they may be derived from its properties. Moreover, the knowledge of these indirect values is not necessary or helpful in spinning machines which have a continuous and stepless adjustment for both the withdrawing and feeding speed.  
  It is the object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically determining the count and twist factor of spun yarn.  
  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for determining and indicating the count and twist factors in a spindleless spinning machine without the need for interrupting the spinning process &#39;to obtain samples of the spun yarn so as to determine by one measurement the count and by another measurement the twist factor.  
  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for the automatic and instantaneous measurement and indication of the count and twist factor of spun yarn without the need for extraneous and manual calculation and with greater accuracy than the methods heretofore used.  
  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for measuring and indicating the count and twist factors automatically during the spinning machine operation so that automatic adjustment of the spinning machine or spinning unit may be obtained without the necessity of introducing and measuring intermediate values.  
  The aforementioned objects, together with numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the following disclosure of the present invention.  
 SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a system for measuring and indicating the count and twist of the spun yarn formed in an open end spinning unit having feed means for delivering fibrous material to a rotary twisting means wherein the fibers are spun into a yarn and withdrawing means for taking up the spun yarn is provided. In this machine a pair of contactless detectors are located at selected pairs of the feed, twisting. and withdrawing means and the motion of the fibers. twisting means or the spun yarn respectively are sensed. The detectors provide an output having values indicative of such motion and preferably in the form of a&#39;series of pulses. The detector outputs are connected to a counting and indicator system wherein one of the outputs is measured and indicated with respect to the other of the outputs. This system comprises a first counter receiving the output of one of the detectors. A normally open gate is located between this first counter and its detector. A second counter is provided receiving the output of the other of the paired detectors. Switch means is interposed between the second counter and the gating means. The switch means providing a signal upon the second counters reaching a predetermined input value from its detector which signal operates to close the gating means and thus stop the input to the first counter. An indicator such as a digitronic readout indicator is connected to the first counter to record the value input therein.  
  The counting and indicating system includes a control circuit which enables the counters to be reset at defined or periodic intervals so that a continual measurement can be obtained.  
  Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following description and is shown in the accompanying drawings.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:  
  FIG. I is a perspective view showing a portion of a spinning machine in which at least one of the open end spinning units is provided with the present invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the measuring and indicating circuit, the signal and pulse directions being indicated by the arrows;  
  F IG. 3 is an embodiment of the measuring and indicating circuit shown in FIG. 2.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is applied to an otherwise conventional open end spinning machine which as seen in FIG. 1 comprises a frame 1 on which a plurality of spinning units are aligned, each spinning unit comprising a rotary twisting or spinning turbine 2 mounted about a horizontal shaft 3 which is rotatable by a belt (not shown) to rotate about its longitudinal axis. A sliver 4 of fibrous material is withdrawn from a container 5 and is fed into the turbine 2 via a feed means 6. In the chamber of the turbine the fibers are spun into a yarn 7 under the centrifugal action of the turbine. The yarn 7 is withdrawn between a rotating take up beam 8 and a hold down arm 8a to be taken up by a winding beam 9 into a bobbin 10. In general the thus described apparatus is conventional and well known and since it is embodied in several commercially available machines requires no further description in either its structure or operation to those skilled in the present art.  
  According to the present invention one or more of the spinning units is provided with sensing and detecting means located to sense the motion of the infed sliver 4, the motion of the rotating turbine 2 and the motion of the withdrawing beam 8. The sensing and detecting means located in connection with the turbine 2 comprises a contactless detector 11 such as a photoelectric cell or eye, directed to &#34;view&#34; the periphery of the turbine 2, which periphery is provided with a prede termined array of spaced optical markings or indicia l2 capable of being sensed by the detector. The detector provides a series of electrical pulses generated in response to the movement of the optical markings or indicia so as to provide a value indicative of the rotary speed of the turbine.  
  At the. infeed of the sliver 4 to the rotating turbine, a feed roller 13 is mounted. The feel roller may be freely rotatable or driven but in any event it comprises a portion ofthe feed mechanism 6 required to move the sliver 4 into the rotary turbine. Consequently the feed roller 13 is in direct contact with the sliver 4 and is thus directly indicative of the speed of movement of the sliver. The frontal face of the roller 13 is also provided with optical markings or indicia 14. A detector similar to the detector 11 is mounted in opposition to the frontal face of the roller so as to scan the markings 14 on the roller 13. It too is capable of producing an output having avalue indicative of the movement of the sliver 4.  
  Similarly at the withdrawing beam 8 a detector 16 is mounted to view a counter roll 17 rotatably journalled to tangentially engage the circumferential surface of the beam 8. The roller 17 has a frontal face lying in opposition to the scanner 16 which is also provided with optical markings or indicia 18. The roller 17 may be mounted in any conventional manner as for example on a pivotal arm and spring biased to maintain direct pressure in circumferential contact with the beam 8. In this manner the roller 17 is directly indicative of the speed of rotation of the beam 8 and consequently the speed at which the yarn 8 is withdrawn from the turbine 2.  
  The contactless detectors ll, 15 and 16 are preferably photocells of conventional type capable of producing a signal upon the passage of given optical markings. Preferably the markings l2, l4 and 17 are evenly disicounters. The control unit is adapted to reset the first tributed on the turbine roller 14 or wheel 17 in such a manner that uniform pulses are emitted by the detector. in particular the markings 14 on the roller 13 and its opposing detector 15 as well as the detector 16 and the opposing markings 17 associated with the beam 8 emit a pulse after the passage of one centimeter of sliver 4 or yarn 7 respectively.  
  The detectors are arranged to supply or provide their pulse signals to a measuring and indicating circuit system in selected pairs in order to determine either the count or twist factors. Suitable switch means (not shown) may be provided to obtain the selected pairs in a manner to be hereafter described.  
  Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown a basic measuring andindicating circuit system by which the signals from the selected pairs of detectors can be evaluated relative to each other. As is seen in FIG. 2 the circuit system comprises a pair of detector inputs D and D to which the outputs of the selectively paired detectors may be respectively connected. The first detector input D, is connected to a gate 20, which is normally open, the output of the gate 20 being connected to the input of a main counting device 21. The output of the ;main counter device is connected to a digital or electronic readout device 22&#39;. The second detector input D is connected to the input of a second counter 23, the ;output of which is connected to a switching unit 24 ;comprising a ten position adjustable switch inserted beitween the second counter and the gate 20. A control unit 25 receiving an input from the switching unit 24 has outputs connected to each of the first and second and second counters at periodic or defined intervals so that the counters can start from a zero value. It also controls the transmission of the measured value from the first counter into the digitronic indicator 22 as well as controlling the memory bank of the indicator. The control unit may contain a delay mechanism such as a timing relay to control these functions. The switching unit 24 comprises a preselection switch whereby the level of accumulation of pulses in the second counter 23 is controlled. The switch 24 provides an output signal to the gate 20 only upon the reaching of this level of input pulse in the second counter 23. The switch unit 24 comprises several ten position switches. connected by means of logic circuits to the stepping or sweep circuits of the counter 23 so that any selected multi-figure number at which the output signal is obtained can be set therein. The output signal from the switch unit 24 passes to the normally open gate 20. This signal closes the gate 20 stopping the passages of pulses from the detector input D into the first counter 24. This output pulse also passes into the control unit 25 which initiates the transmission of the value received in the first counter 21 into the indicator 22 and after the time delay resets the first and second counters to their zero value. The counter 23 and its associated switch unit 24 are formed so that the input pulses to the counter 23 are accumulated in a fractional portion as for example being divided by a hundred so that the output of the main counter can be &#39;held to a relatively small actual number. In other words. the speed of the spinning unit is such that the number of pulses obtained through any one of the sensing detectors ll, 15 or 16 would be so large and if these pulses were accumulated the indicated number in the digitronic indicator 22 would be unwieldy and difficult to read. Consequently the input pulses are divided so as to provide a decimal orientation.  
  A modification of the basic circuit system is shown in FIG. 3 in which a decade switch 26 is interposed between the detector input D and the second counter 23 so&#39; as to further provide a variable and more flexible accumulation of the pulses in the counter 23. A preselection circuit 27 is connected to the first counter 21 so as to obtain its output and to provide a one or more signals indicative of the reaching in the first counter of a predetermined level of pulse value, as set by the preselection circuit 27. The output from the preselection circuit may be used to automatically control the operation of the spinning unit or provide other signals for use as desired.  
 The apparatus may be used in the following manner:  
 To determine the count of the span yarn If it is desired to determine the count of the spun yarn the measuring and indicating circuit is attached to the spinning unit so that the detector input D is connected in fact to the detector 16 which senses the motion of the withdrawal beam 8 while the detector input D is in fact connected to the detector sensing the motion of the sliver 4. It will be appreciated that even that since the detectors l5 and 16 and their respective indicia carrying roller or wheels emit a pulse after each one centimeter of yarn length (or any other given fixed unit of length) the emission of pulses by the detectors is actually not synchronous since. because of the loss of bulk arising from the draft. the pulses will be out of phase. The number of pulses at the withdrawal end will be greater than that at the infeed end by a factor equal to the ratio of the draft. Thus for example if the draft value in the spinning unit is equal to the numerical ratio 60 the detector 15 sensing the motion of the sliver 4 would count one pulse for each 60 pulses counted by the detector 16 at the withdrawing beam 8. Thus if the full capacity of the second counter 23 were 100 pulses, the first counter 21 would register 100 pulses multiplied by 60. that is 6000 pulses.  
  Consequently. the need for maintaining the secondary counter as a decimal of the actual input pulses, is obvious. With this in mind we can now turn to the actual measurement of the count of the spun yarn.  
  The count of the spun yarn may be given by the following relationship: C C, P Where is the count of the spun yarn.  
 C the count of the fed sliver.  
 P the draft of the spinning unit.  
  The count of the fed sliver is known and provided by the manufacturer of the sliver itself. Consequently. it is necessary only to limit the accumulation of pulses in the second counter 23 to a limit proportional to the count of the fed sliver. This limitation is obtained by adjusting the switch unit 24 to the number proportional to the count of the fed sliver C Thus when C is equal to 0.28 denier the switch unit 24 comprising the several ten position switches may be set at the number 28. The secondary counter will thus receive the signal input pulses from the detector input D comprising 28 pulses while the first counter will receive input pulses from the detector input D in an amount equal to 28 by 60 (that is the draft ratio) which is now equal to 1,680 pulses. This may be decimally precised or shortened to 16.80. This latter number may then be indicated by operation of the control unit on the digital indicator 22 and as such indicates the value C-; or the count of the spun yarn.  
  Determination of the twist factor of the spun yarn The twist factor can be obtained from the following relationship:  
  7: a Z 3(Cz) K Where I a represents the twist factor to be found.  
 Z the number of twists in one millimeter of yarn length, and  
 C is the count of the spun yarn.  
  The count of the spun yarn C is known or is easily obtainable from the foregoing measurement of the count yarn by the employment of the present invention. In a similar manner to the measurements made in connection with the determination of the count the purpose of the present measurement is to make the twist factor a appear on the digital indicating unit 22. Thus the detector input D is connected to the detector 11 sensing the motion of the spinning turbine 2 and the detector input D is connected to the detector 16 sensing the motion of the withdrawal beam 8. From an appreciation of the formal similarity of the expressions determining C from the foregoing example and the expression given immediately above the determination of the twist factor can be determined analogously to that of the foregoing measurement. The number K which represents the constant in the measurement is set on the switch unit 24 so that when the measurement is actually finished the second counter 23 records the number of input signals or pulses as given by the number K. which has according to the relationship given above a value of 0.15A upon a metric count of the yarn C equal to 16. Thus the switch unit 24 is adjusted to a value of 16 so that the second counter 23 will count a maximum of 16 pulses before the production of a signal from the switch unit 24 closing the gate 20. Assuming that the number of twists in one meter length of a yarn as produced by the rotary turbine 2 corresponds to for example to the number 200 then the first counter 21 will record 0.16 times 200 pulses or the accumulated number of 32. Thus on receipt of the signal from the switch unit 24 the control unit 25 causes the first counter 21 to transmit this number to the digitronic indicator thus indicating a twist factor value a equal to 32. The control unit will thereafter after the proper time delay reset the first and second counters so that the measurement may be repeated again.  
  The operation of the measuring and indicating circuit as seen in FIG. 3 closely parallels that of the system as shown in FIG. 2 and operates in basically the same way. The addition of the decade switch 26 allows adjustment in variation the decades participating in the accumulation in the counter 23 and thus also the overall time and accuracy of the measurement as obtained through the counter 21 can be varied as desired.  
  In the event the spinning machine is provided with means for continuously varying and adjusting the speed of the withdrawing and feeding means, it is then possible to use repeated measurements of the twist factor to adjust the withdrawing speed and thus correcting the value of the twistfactor by continual adjustment of the withdrawing beam 8. The repeated measurement of the count C; can be employed to adjust the feed speed and consequently the resultant count. Thus a more uniform count and twist can be obtained by feeding back the readout from the digitronic indicator to the spinning unit itself. The preselection circuits 27 permit the determination and checking of whether or not the measured value has been achieved to a level within a range of admissible values or whether or not it is lower or higher than the required value for either the twist or count. This preselection circuit can alternately be used 4 for maintaining the adjusted value by feeding any one of its outputs to the means for rotating the feeding mechanism and/or the withdrawing beam.  
  It will be obvious that the basic circuitry of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be employed to measure and indicate alternately the operation of several spinning units in a single spinning machine. This can be easily done by selective switching means switching the detector inputs D and D to selected pairs of detectors in selected spinning units. The preselection circuit 27 however is limited to only one spinning unit since it is desired by this preselection unit to determine the value achieved at a single unit and to feed back the signal to the control mechanism for that particular unit.  
  As used herein the counter may be defined as a device or circuit which counts input pulses, accumulates and stores the pulses and provides an output signal directly or proportionately indicative to the number of such pulses received.  
  The digitronic indicator as used herein is a digital readout device or electronic analog readout device or a combination of both in which the output of the counter may be received, stored, memorized and/or recorded.  
  The switch unit and/or decade switches as used herein may be defined as having two or more sections each having ten times the value of the preceding section and each section being divided into ten equal parts. Each section has a ten position selector switch or its equivalent arrangement so that the switch as a whole may be set at any given desired value within its range.  
  Since many modifications, changes and embodiments have been described and alluded to in the foregoing disclosure it is intended that the disclosure be taken as illustrative only and not as limiting of the scope of the present invention.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A system for measuring and indicating the count and twist of spun yarn formed in an open end spinning unit having feed means for delivering a sliver of fibrous material, a rotary turbine twisting means for spinning said fibrous material into a yarn and withdrawal means for taking up the spun yarn comprising detecting means located at each one of a selected pair of said feeding means, twisting means and withdrawing means for sensing the delivery of the fibers, the twist of the spun yarn and the speed of withdrawal respectively and for providing an output having values proportional to each thereto, a first counter connected to one of said detectors for receiving the output thereof, gating means interposed between said first counter and its associated detector, a second counter connected to the other of said detectors to receive the output thereof, switch means interposed between said second counter and said gating means, said switch means providing a signal upon the reaching in said second counter of a predetermined input value, said signal operating to close said gating means and stop the passage of detected value to said first counter and means for indicating the value received by said first counter.  
  2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said first counter is responsive to a detector at said withdrawing means and said second counter is responsive to a detectorat said infeed means and said switch means is set at a value proportional to the count of said sliver, thereby thd indicator will indicate the count of said yarn.  
  3 The system according to claim l.wherein said first counter is responsive to a detector at said turbine and said second counter is responsive to a detector at said withdrawing means and-said switch is set at a value protrol unit, the output of which is connected to both&#39; counters and its input is connected to said switch means.  
  5. The system according to claim 1 including a prese- V leiction circuit connected to the first counter.  
  6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said second counter is provided with a variable decade switch. j 7. The system according to claim 1 wherein said feed means includes a roller having at least one optical mark and said detecting means comprises a photocell.  
 .f 8. The system according to claim 1 characterized in that the twist means comprises a turbine on which is provided at least one optical mark and said detecting means comprises a photocell.  
  l9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the withdrawing means includes at least one roller on which is provided at least one optical mark and said detector associated therewith comprises a photocell.