US3858415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic yarn feed rate control system for warp beam knitting machines
Assignee: PATTERN Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An automatic yarn feed rate control system for a warp beam knitting machine. The system comprises a digital pulse generator, a pulse multiplier, and a runner length multiplier coupled in series to the knitting machine crankshaft, for generating a digital pulse train, the number of pulses of which is proportional to the knitting machine knitting speed and the length of yarn consumed by the knitting machine during a predetermined knitting cycle. A plurality of interconnected counters adjusts the number of pulses of this pulse train to produce another pulse train, the number of pulses of which is inversely proportional to the instantaneous diameter of the knitting warp. The pulses of this latter pulse train are transmitted to a multivibrator and amplifier and drive a stepper motor which rotates the warp beam of the knitting machine at a speed which is inversely proportional to the warp diameter to maintain a constant yarn feed rate.
Inventors
- 👤 M Van Wilson
- 👤 Gary L Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:39
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04B; D04B27/00; D04B27/10; D04B27/16; D04B27/20; D04B27/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a warp beam knitting machine of the type including knitting needles driven by a crankshaft, and drive means for feeding yarn from a warp wound on the warp beam to the knitting needles, an automatic yarn feed rate control system comprising: first means for generating a first electrical signal which is proportional to both the knitting speed of the knitting machine and the length of yarn consumed by the knitting machine during a predetermined knitting cycle; and second means, coupled to said first means and to said drive means, for generating a second electrical signal which is inversely proportional to the instantaneous diameter of the warp, said second electrical signal driving the warp beam at a rotational speed dependent upon the diameter of the warp so that yarn is fed from said warp to said knitting needles at a constant feed rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a warp beam knitting machine of the type including knitting needles driven by a crankshaft, and drive means for feeding yarn from a warp wound on the warp beam to the knitting needles, an automatic yarn feed rate control system comprising: first means for generating a first electrical signal which is proportional to both the knitting speed of the knitting machine and the length of yarn consumed by the knitting machine during a predetermined knitting cycle; and second means, coupled to said first means and to said drive means, for generating a second electrical signal which is inversely proportional to the instantaneous diameter of the warp, said second electrical signal driving the warp beam at a rotational speed dependent upon the diameter of the warp so that yarn is fed from said warp to said knitting needles at a constant feed rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The control system recited in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises signal generating means coupled to said crankshaft for generating an electrical signal which is directly proportional to the knitting speed of the knitting machine, and means, coupled to said signal generating means, for multiplying said electrical signal generated thereby by the ratio of a desired length of yarn and a predetermined maximum length of yarn to be consumed by the knitting machine during said knitting cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
The control system recited in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a pulse generator coupled to said crankshaft for generating a pulse train, the number of pulses of said pulse train generated during said kNitting cycle being proportional to the knitting machine knitting speed, and a first multiplier, coupled to said pulse generator, for multiplying said pulse train by the ratio of a desired length of yarn and a predetermined maximum length of yarn to be consumed by the knitting machine during said knitting cycle, and thereby adjusting the number of pulses of said pulse train so that said number of pulses thereof is additionally proportional to said desired length of yarn consumed during said knitting cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The control system recited in claim 3, wherein said first means further comprises a second multiplier, coupled to said pulse generator and to said first multiplier, for increasing in number the total number of pulses generated by said pulse generator during said knitting cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control system recited in claim 3, wherein said pulse generator comprises a rotatable disc coupled to said knitting machine crankshaft, having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential slots disposed on the periphery thereof, a light source disposed adjacent said disc on one side thereof, and photoelectric detection means, disposed on the other side of said disc opposite said light source, for detecting light pulses generated by said disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The control system recited in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises means, coupled to said first means, for multiplying said first electrical signal by a factor which is inversely proportional to a selected diameter of the warp, and means, coupled to said multiplying means, for adjusting the magnitude of said factor as a direct function of the instantaneous warp diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
The control system recited in claim 1, wherein said first electrical signal comprises a first pulse train, the number of pulses of which is proportional to said machine speed and length of yarn consumed, and said second electrical signal comprises a second pulse train, the number of pulses of which is inversely proportional to the instantaneous warp diameter; and wherein said second means comprises a first counter, coupled to said first means, for counting in succession a predetermined number of said first pulse train pulses and generating in response hereto one pulse of said second pulse train each time said number of first pulse train pulses is counted; a second counter, coupled to said first counter, for counting said second pulse train pulses and generating an output signal after a predetermined number of said second pulse train pulses corresponding to a selected number of revolutions of said warp beam are counted; and a third counter, coupled to said first and second counters, for incrementally decreasing by a predetermined amount said number of first pulse train pulses counted by said first counter each time an output signal is generated by said second counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The control system recited in claim 7, wherein said first counter comprises a plurality of serially connected downcounting decade counters, AND logic gate means coupled to said decade counters, and a multivibrator coupled to said gate means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control system recited in claim 8, wherein said second counter comprises a plurality of serially connected down-counting decade counters, coupled to said first counter, AND logic gate means coupled to said second counter decade counters, and a multivibrator coupled to said second counter gate means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control system recited in claim 9, wherein said third counter comprises a plurality of serially connected downcounting decade counters, coupled to said second counter multivibrator and said first counter decade counters.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |