Automatic tracking control for looping tower

Claim 3

A method of improving tracking in a looping tower according to claim 1 wherein the tension in the strip is induced by torque motor means connected to movable sheave means on the looping tower.

Claim 4

A method of improving tracking in a looping tower according to claim 2 wherein the rate of change of strip in the looping tower is detected by measuring the rotation of the said torque motor means.

Claim 5

Looping tower apparatus for strip comprising: a. a first series of positionally fixed rolls around which the strip passes, b. a second series of movable rolls opposed to the first set of rolls and around which the strip passes in between passage about the first set of rolls, c. tension means operatively connected to the second series of rolls to maintain tension in the strip as it passes through the looping tower, d. detection means to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls in the looping tower, and e. means to direct an energization signal to the tension means proportional to the rate of change of the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls.

Claim 6

Looping tower apparatus for strip comprising: a. a first series of positionally fixed rolls around which the strip passes, b. a second series of movable rolls opposed to the first set of rolls and around which the strip passes in between passage about the first set of rolls, c. tension means operatively connected to the second series of rolls to maintain tension in the strip as it passes through the looping tower, d. detection means to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls in the looping tower, and e. means to direct an energization signal to the tension means proportional to the rate of change of the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tension means of (c) is comprised of torque motor means.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the rate of change in the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls is detected by detecting the rotation of the torque motor means.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the second series of movable rolls of (b) are mounted upon movable frame means and the detection means of (d) detects the amount of strip accumulated in the looping tower by detection of the position of the movable frame means.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means of (d) to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated in the looping tower comprises tachometer means which detects movement of the movable frame means.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls is detected by detecting the rotation of the torque motor means.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein Said tension means of (c) is comprised of torque motor means operatively connected to the movable frame means.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means of (d) to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated in the looping tower comprises potentiometer means which detects movement of the movable frame means.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the rate of change in the amount of strip accumulated between the first and second series of rolls is detected by tachometer means positioned at the entrance and exit of said looping tower and the means of (e) directs an energization signal proportion to the speed differential between the said tachometers to the torque motor means.

Claim 17

A method of improving tracking in a looping tower according to claim 13 wherein the tension in the strip is induced by torque motor means connected to movable sheave means on the looping tower.

Claim 18

A method of improving tracking in a looping tower according to claim 14 wherein the rate of change of strip in the looping tower is detected by measuring the rotation of the said torque motor means.

Claim 21

A method of improving tracking of strip over the rolls of a looping tower according to claim 16 additionally comprising: d. continuously altering the tension in the strip above the predetermined minimum tension in response to continuing detection of positive and negative changes in the accumulation of strip in the looping tower in proportion to the rates of such changes in the amount of strip accumulated in the looping tower.

Claim 22

A method of improving tracking of strip over the rolls of a looping tower according to claim 17 wherein the alteration in the tension in the strip is directly proportional to the rate of changes in the accumulation of strip in the looping tower.

Claim 23

A method for improving the tracking of strip over the rolls of a looping tower according to claim 18 wherein the tension in the strip is induced by torque motor means connected to movable sheave means on the looping tower.

Claim 24

A method for improving the tracking of strip over the rolls of a looping tower according to claim 19 wherein the rate of change of strip in the looping tower is detected by measuring the rotation of said torque motor means.

Claim 27

A method of improving tracking of strip over the rolls of a looping tower according to claim 21 wherein the alteration in the tension in the strip is directly proportional to the rate of changes in accumulation of strip in the looping tower.

Claim 28

Looping tower apparatus for strip comprising: a. a roll support means, b. a plurality of rolls around which the strip passes and which are arranged upon said roll support means in at least two oppositely disposed series of rolls between which the strip passes back and forth and is accumulated in the looping tower, at least one of said series of oppositely disposed rolls being movable with respect to the remaining series of rolls in order to vary the distance between the series of rolls and thereby vary the total accumulation of strip in the looping tower between the series of rolls, c. tension means operatively connected to at least one of the series of rolls to maintain tension in the strip as it passes through the looping tower proportional to an energization signal directed to the tension means, d. detection means to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated between the series of rolls in the looping tower, and e. means to direct an energization signal to the tension means proportional to the rate of change of the amount of strip accumulated between the series of rolls in the looping tower in accordance with and as signals are received from said detection means.

Claim 29

Looping tower apparatus for strip comprising: a. a roll support means, b. a plurality of rolls around which the strip passes and which are arranged upon said roll support means in at least two oppositely disposed series of rolls between which the strip passes back and forth and is accumulated in the looping tower, at least one of said series of oppositely disposed rolls being movable with respect to the remaining series of rolls in order to vary the distance between the series of rolls and thereby vary the total accumulation of strip in the looping tower between the series of rolls, c. tension means operatively connected to at least one of the series of rolls to maintain tension in the strip as it passes through the looping tower proportional to an energization signal directed to the tension means, d. detection means to detect a change in the amount of strip accumulated between the series of rolls in the looping tower, and e. means to direct an energization signal to the tension means proportional to the rate of change of the amount of strip accumulated between the series of rolls in the looping tower in accordance with and as signals are received from said detection means.