Electronic-pneumatic yarn plug control system for yarn texturing device

Claim 2

In a process for texturing yarn by directing heated yarn in a current of heated fluid against a yarn plug in a stuffer tube and discharging said yarn, the improvement comprising controlling the location of the end of said yarn plug at the discharge end of said stuffer tube by sensing the plug end location with at least one jet of fluid issuing from a port near the discharge end of said stuffer tube, at least one of said ports communicating with a pressure sensor controller which actuates a control valve which controls flow of said heated fluid.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein the heated fluid is steam.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein the jet of fluid is an air jet.

Claim 5

Apparatus for controlling the location of a plug of textured yarn near the discharge end of a stuffer tube, said yarn being textured by directing heated yarn in a current of heated fluid against said yarn plug in said stuffer tube and discharging said yarn comprising a stuffer tube having at least one port, said port issuing a jet of fluid, said port communicating with a pressure sensor controller, so that when the yarn plug is located to be impinged by said jet of fluid issuing from said port, the resulting back pressure can be sensed, means to transmit said output from said pressure sensor controller to actuate a flow control means in said heated fluid supply means, so that said yarn plug end is located adjacent said port in said stuffer tube by controlling flow of said heated fluid supply means responsive to back pressure of said fluid jet issuing from said port.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling the location of a plug of textured yarn near the discharge end of a stuffer tube, said yarn being textured by directing heated yarn in a current of heated fluid against said yarn plug in said stuffer tube and discharging said yarn comprising a stuffer tube having at least one port, said port issuing a jet of fluid, said port communicating with a pressure sensor controller, so that when the yarn plug is located to be impinged by said jet of fluid issuing from said port, the resulting back pressure can be sensed, means to transmit said output from said pressure sensor controller to actuate a flow control means in said heated fluid supply means, so that said yarn plug end is located adjacent said port in said stuffer tube by controlling flow of said heated fluid supply means responsive to back pressure of said fluid jet issuing from said port.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the port is elongated longitudinally.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are between two and five longitudinally spaced ports located near the discharge end of said stuffer tube.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ports are closely adjacent.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are two ports located near the discharge end of said stuffer tube.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said port is located beyond the end of said stuffer tube.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the ports are recessed in said stuffer tube and communicate with said stuffer tube through a manifold having a series of orifices opening into said stuffer tube.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said controller is a fluidic amplifier.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output of said controller is through a three-way valve connected to said texturing process so as to override said output with a constant signal to open said flow control means enough to keep said stuffer tube hot when said process is not operating.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said amplifier has fixed gain, adjustable, and rate controlled output relay.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said amplifier controller maintains a minimum opening of the fluid control valve at absence of plug in said stuffer tube.