US3721376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tensionless variable feed system for a traveling strip
Assignee: PIEDMONT ENG AND MACHINE CO
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Filing: 1971-05-03
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved system is disclosed for feeding a strip of material at variable speeds under substantially tensionless conditions. The strip is fed into a loop forming area where a light source is disposed along one side thereof and extends therealong. A single photosensitive device is disposed along an opposite side of the loop forming area and is provided with a lens system, such as a wide angle lens, to enable the photosensitive device to receive light from substantially the entire length of the light source. The photosensitive device is operatively associated with a control circuit which generates an electrical signal proportional to the size of the input to the circuit from the photosensitive device. The proportional electrical signal is then used to regulate the speed of the traveling strip so as to maintain the substantially tensionless conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 D Christian
- 👤 J Minchey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:36
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D15/00; G05D15/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A tensionless feeding system for a variable speed traveling strip comprising: a. a loop forming area for receiving a loop of strip; b. a light source disposed on one side of said loop and extending at least substantially along the length of said loop; c. a single photosensitive device disposed along an opposite side of said loop, said photosensitive device having a lens system associated therewith capable of receiving light from at least substantially all of the length of said light source; d. a controlled circuit associated with said photosensitive device, said circuit comprising a variable gain, variable offset amplifier, said control circuit generating an electrical signal proportional to the amount of light received by said photosensitive device; and e. a strip drive means operatively associated with said control circuit, said drive means receiving input from said control circuit to control the speed thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A tensionless feeding system for a variable speed traveling strip comprising: a. a loop forming area for receiving a loop of strip; b. a light source disposed on one side of said loop and extending at least substantially along the length of said loop; c. a single photosensitive device disposed along an opposite side of said loop, said photosensitive device having a lens system associated therewith capable of receiving light from at least substantially all of the length of said light source; d. a controlled circuit associated with said photosensitive device, said circuit comprising a variable gain, variable offset amplifier, said control circuit generating an electrical signal proportional to the amount of light received by said photosensitive device; and e. a strip drive means operatively associated with said control circuit, said drive means receiving input from said control circuit to control the speed thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tensionLess strip feeding system as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source is a single elongated light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tensionless strip feeding system as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source is a bank of separate lights.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tensionless strip feeding system as defined in claim 1 wherein the strip is a textile material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tensionless strip feeding system as defined in claim 1 wherein the strip is a magnetic recording tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A loop control system for maintaining a constant loop in a traveling strip comprising: a. strip feed means; b. a loop forming area adjacent said strip feed means; c. a light source disposed along one side of said loop forming area and extending therealong; d. a single photosensitive device disposed on an opposite side of said loop forming area, said photosensitive device having a lens system associated therewith to enable said photosensitive device to receive light from the length of said light source; and e. a control circuit operatively associated with said photosensitive device, said circuit comprising a variable gain, variable offset amplifier, said circuit receiving input from said photosensitive device and generating an electrical signal proportional thereto, said electrical signal providing input to said feed means to regulate the speed thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A loop control system for maintaining a constant loop in a traveling strip comprising: a. strip feed means; b. a loop forming area adjacent said strip feed means; c. a light source disposed along one side of said loop forming area and extending therealong; d. a single photosensitive device disposed on an opposite side of said loop forming area, said photosensitive device having a lens system associated therewith to enable said photosensitive device to receive light from the length of said light source; and e. a control circuit operatively associated with said photosensitive device, said circuit comprising a variable gain, variable offset amplifier, said circuit receiving input from said photosensitive device and generating an electrical signal proportional thereto, said electrical signal providing input to said feed means to regulate the speed thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A loop control system as defined in claim 6 wherein said strip feed means is received on a first unit of equipment and a strip removal means is received on a second unit of equipment, one of said feed and removal means being operatively associated with said circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tensionless strip feeding system as defined in claim 1 wherein strip feed means comprises a fabric unwinding machine and further comprising strip removal means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tensionless strip feeding system as defined in claim 8 wherein said strip removal means comprise an inspection frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |