US3961500A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines
Assignee: Gould Inc
•
Filing: 1974-10-15
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1994-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A yarn runner-length controller for warp beam knitting machines utilizes information of the yarn unwinding rate from a warp beam section and continuously compares this information to a signal related to the desired runner-length of the yarn. This continuous comparison yields an error signal with a magnitude proportional to the difference between the desired runner-length and the actual runner-length. The error signal is sampled and this sampled error signal activates a control device operating on the angular velocity of the warp beam section so as to adjust this velocity in the direction that reduces the difference between the actual runner-length and the desired runner-length. The magnitude of the sampled error signal is reduced to zero before the next sampled error signal is received by means of a signal from the control device related to the amount of adjustment made to the beam section's angular velocity. When the sampled error signal is reduced to zero, the control device maintains the beam section's angular velocity to the last adjusted value. The continued sampling of the error signal thus maintains the actual runner-length to within close tolerances of the desired runner-length throughout the duration of the knitting process. An error display panel indicates any deviation between the actual and desired runner-lengths. A fail-safe module shuts down the knitting machine if the deviation between the actual and desired runner-lengths is greater than a predetermined amount. In addition, data acquisition means are included which can monitor such conditions as actual and desired runner-lengths, error between actual and desired runner-lengths, number of knitting interruptions, and duration of knitting interruptions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Braley
- 👤 Mircea Tenenbaum
- 👤 Edward J. Milano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:38
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04B; D04B27/00; D04B27/10; D04B27/16; D04B27/20; D04B27/22; D04B35/00; D04B35/10; D04B35/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce the fabric as the yarns are unwound from the beam section, and producing a length output signal corresponding thereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means for transforming the output of the second metering means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. an error monitoring means connected to the output signals of the first metering means and the convertor for producing an error signal related to their difference; and E. a means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the error signal, whereby the length of yarn unwound from the beam section will approximate the desired runner-length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce the fabric as the yarns are unwound from the beam section, and producing a length output signal corresponding thereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means for transforming the output of the second metering means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. an error monitoring means connected to the output signals of the first metering means and the convertor for producing an error signal related to their difference; and E. a means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the error signal, whereby the length of yarn unwound from the beam section will approximate the desired runner-length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines as defined in claim 1, wherein the error monitoring means accumulates said error signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 2, further comprising error sampling means for sampling and updating the accumulated error signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for adjusting the beam section's angular velocity is activated when the sampled accumulated and updated error is nonzero, and is deactivated when said accumulated and updated error is zero.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 4, wherein the error sampling means incorporates means for monitoring said adjusting means, whereby the sampled error magnitude is reduced to zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second metering means are encoders generating pulse information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the error monitoring means generates a digitized error signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said angular velocity adjusting means in inhibited during intermittent knitting operation in which the beam section is periodically stopped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said angular velocity adjusting means is inhibited during the shorter time duration partial runner-length of a two speed knitting operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A yarn runner length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said signals is transferred to at least one interconnected external device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
278 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments unwound from a beam section of a knitting machine comprising: A. a first measuring device communicating with at least one filament of the beam section for continuously measuring the length of filament unwound from the beam section and generating a filament length output signal corresponding to said length; B. a second measuring device coupled to the main shaft generating a continuous shaft signal related to the angular movement of said shaft; C. a signal transforming device connected to receive said shaft signal from said second measuring device and generating a continuous target output signal corresponding to a desired runner-length and compatible with the length output signal of the first measuring device; D. an error measuring device connected to receive the output signals of the first measuring device and the signal transforming device and generating in response thereto an error output signal related to the difference between the output signals of said measuring device and said transforming device; said error output signal resettable to a first predetermined value; E. an error sampling device communicating with the error measuring device, periodically sampling the error output signal and causing the resetting of said error measuring device output signal; F. a controlled drive device communicating with the error sampling device and generating a control signal in response to the sampled error output signal; and G. a beam section angular movement adjusting mechanism connected to be controlled by the output of the control drive device whereby the angular movement of the beam section is adjusted in a manner to cause the length output signal to approximate the target output signal of the transforming device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
278 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments unwound from a beam section of a knitting machine comprising: A. a first measuring device communicating with at least one filament of the beam section for continuously measuring the length of filament unwound from the beam section and generating a filament length output signal corresponding to said length; B. a second measuring device coupled to the main shaft generating a continuous shaft signal related to the angular movement of said shaft; C. a signal transforming device connected to receive said shaft signal from said second measuring device and generating a continuous target output signal corresponding to a desired runner-length and compatible with the length output signal of the first measuring device; D. an error measuring device connected to receive the output signals of the first measuring device and the signal transforming device and generating in response thereto an error output signal related to the difference between the output signals of said measuring device and said transforming device; said error output signal resettable to a first predetermined value; E. an error sampling device communicating with the error measuring device, periodically sampling the error output signal and causing the resetting of said error measuring device output signal; F. a controlled drive device communicating with the error sampling device and generating a control signal in response to the sampled error output signal; and G. a beam section angular movement adjusting mechanism connected to be controlled by the output of the control drive device whereby the angular movement of the beam section is adjusted in a manner to cause the length output signal to approximate the target output signal of the transforming device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments unwound from a beam section of a knitting machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the error measuring device in producing said error output signal algebraically sums the difference between the output signals of the measuring device and the transforming device; whereby said algebraically summed error output signal is reset to a predetermined value after it is sampled by the error sampling device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 12, wherein the control drive device incorporates clocking means that activate the generation of the control signal when the sampled error output signal is nonzero.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 13, wherein said error sampling device incorporates means for receiving information from the control drive device regarding the generated control signal; whereby the sampled error output signal is reduced to a zero value prior to the next sampling of the error sampling device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said first measuring device and said second measuring device generate pulse information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said error measuring device and said error sampling device incorporate means for generating digitized signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said control drive device incorporates means for generating a pulsed control signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said beam section angular movement adjusting mechanism incorporates a stepping motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, further comprising an error display device communicating with the output signals of the first measuring device and the signals transforming device for indicating the difference between the first measuring device and the signal transforming device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 19, wherein the error display is reset to zero when the accumulated signal of the second measuring device reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, further comprising a display device communicating with the signal transforming device and the first measuring device for indicating the actual runner-length.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, further comprising a fail-safe device communicating with the error measuring device for terminating the knitting operation when the error output signal is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said beam section angular movement adjusting mechanism is inhibited during intermittent knitting operations in which the beam section is periodically stopped.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein said beam section angular movement adjusting mechanism is inhibited during the shorter time duration partial runner-length of a two speed knitting operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control apparatus for controlling the runner-length of filaments as defined in claim 11, wherein at least one of said signals is transferred to at least one interconnected external device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
189 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn unwound from a beam section; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular velocity of the main shaft; C. an adjustable metering means convertor communicating with the second metering means for transforming the output of said means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. an error monitoring means communicating with the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor for producing an error signal related to their difference; E. an error sampling means communicating with the error monitoring means for sampling the error signal and for resetting the error monitoring means to a predetermined value; F. a beam section angular velocity adjusting means communicating with the error sampling means for adjusting the beam section's angular velocity when the sampled error signal has a value different than a predetermined value; and G. means communicating with the error sampling means for reducing the sampled error signal to said predetermined value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
189 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn unwound from a beam section; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular velocity of the main shaft; C. an adjustable metering means convertor communicating with the second metering means for transforming the output of said means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. an error monitoring means communicating with the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor for producing an error signal related to their difference; E. an error sampling means communicating with the error monitoring means for sampling the error signal and for resetting the error monitoring means to a predetermined value; F. a beam section angular velocity adjusting means communicating with the error sampling means for adjusting the beam section's angular velocity when the sampled error signal has a value different than a predetermined value; and G. means communicating with the error sampling means for reducing the sampled error signal to said predetermined value.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for controlling the runner-length of filaments used in knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising the steps of: A. continuously measuring the length of yarn unwinding from the beam section and generating a length signal related thereto; B. continuously measuring the rotational movement of the main shaft and generating a signal related thereto; C. transforming the measured rotational movement signal to a continuous target signal representing a desired runner-length for the filament; D. comparing the measured length of the unwinding yarn to the desired runner-length target signal and generating an error signal related to their difference; E. accumulating the error signal; F periodically sampling the accumulated error signal; G. resetting the accumulated error signal being accumulated at Step E to a predetermined value after said accumulated error signal is sampled; H. increasing the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is less than the predetermined value until the sampled error signal is adjusted to said predetermined value; I. decreasing the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is greater than the predetermined value until the sampled error signal is adjusted to said predetermined value; J. maintaining the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is equal to the predetermined value; and K. adjusting the sampled accumulated error signal toward the predetermined value in response to the increasing or decreasing of the beam section angular velocity.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for controlling the runner-length of filaments used in knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising the steps of: A. continuously measuring the length of yarn unwinding from the beam section and generating a length signal related thereto; B. continuously measuring the rotational movement of the main shaft and generating a signal related thereto; C. transforming the measured rotational movement signal to a continuous target signal representing a desired runner-length for the filament; D. comparing the measured length of the unwinding yarn to the desired runner-length target signal and generating an error signal related to their difference; E. accumulating the error signal; F periodically sampling the accumulated error signal; G. resetting the accumulated error signal being accumulated at Step E to a predetermined value after said accumulated error signal is sampled; H. increasing the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is less than the predetermined value until the sampled error signal is adjusted to said predetermined value; I. decreasing the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is greater than the predetermined value until the sampled error signal is adjusted to said predetermined value; J. maintaining the angular velocity of the beam section when the sampled accumulated error signal is equal to the predetermined value; and K. adjusting the sampled accumulated error signal toward the predetermined value in response to the increasing or decreasing of the beam section angular velocity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, further comprising the step of: J. terminating the knitting machine operation when the error signal is at least equal to a second predetermined value.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, wherein the magnitude of the sampled accumulated error signal is reduced to the predetermined value prior to the next periodic sampling of the accumulated error signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, further comprising the step of: J. visually displaying the error signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, wherein the visual display is reset to zero when the signal representing the rotational movement of the main shaft reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, further comprising the steps of: J. algebraically adding the error signal; K. visually displaying a number corresponding to said algebraic sum; and L. resetting said algebraic sum to zero when the target signal equals a third predetermined value.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, wherein the increasing and decreasing of the angular velocity of the beam section is inhibited during intermittent knitting operations in which the beam section is periodically stopped.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, wherein the increasing and decreasing of the angular velocity of the beam section is inhibited during the shorter time duration partial runner-length of a two speed knitting operation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of controlling the runner-length of yarn used in knitting machines as defined in claim 27, wherein at least one of said signals is transferred to at least one interconnected external device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
192 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce fabric as the yarns are unwound from the beam section, producing a length output signal corresponding hereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means for transforming the output of the second metering means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. counting means for continuously algebraically computing a momentary error signal corresponding to the difference between the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor; E. sampling means for repetitiously retrieving after a fixed interval of time the momentary error signal of the counting means and substantially simultaneously resetting said counting means error signal to a predetermined value while said counting means continues said algebraic computing of a new momentary error signal; and F. means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the sampled momentary error signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
192 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce fabric as the yarns are unwound from the beam section, producing a length output signal corresponding hereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means for transforming the output of the second metering means to a continuous target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. counting means for continuously algebraically computing a momentary error signal corresponding to the difference between the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor; E. sampling means for repetitiously retrieving after a fixed interval of time the momentary error signal of the counting means and substantially simultaneously resetting said counting means error signal to a predetermined value while said counting means continues said algebraic computing of a new momentary error signal; and F. means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the sampled momentary error signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 36, wherein the means for adjusting the beam section's angular velocity is activated when the sampled momentary error signal is not equal to said predetermined value, and is de-activated when the momentary error signal is equal to said predetermined value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 37, wherein the sampling means further incorporates means for monitoring the angular velocity adjusting means whereby the sampled error signal is reduced to said predetermined value prior to the next sampling of the new momentary error signal generated by the counting means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 36 wherein the first and second metering means are encoders generating pulse information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 36, wherein the counting means generates a digitized momentary error signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 36, wherein the angular velocity adjusting means is inhibited during intermittent operations in which the beam section is periodically stopped.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said angular velocity adjusting means is inhibited during the shorter time duration partial runner-length of a two-speed knitting operation.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
273 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce fabric as yarns are unwound from the beam section, and for producing a length output signal series of electronic pulses corresponding thereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft and for producing an angular movement output signal series of electronic pulses corresponding thereto; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means output signal for transforming this output to a target output signal series of electronic pulses related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. counting means for continuously algebraically computing a momentary digitized error signal corresponding to the difference between the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor; E. sampling means for repetitiously retrieving after a fixed interval of time the momentary digitized error signal of the counting means and substantially simultaneously resetting said digitized counting means error signal to a predetermined value while said counting means continues said algebraic computing of a new momentary digitized error signal; and F. means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the sampled momentary digitized error signal so as to increase the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is less than the predetermined value, to decrease the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is greater than the predetermined value, and to maintain the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is equal to the predetermined value.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
273 words
A yarn runner-length controller for knitting machines having a main shaft and at least one beam section comprising: A. a first metering means for continuously monitoring the length of yarn used to produce fabric as yarns are unwound from the beam section, and for producing a length output signal series of electronic pulses corresponding thereto; B. a second metering means for continuously monitoring the angular movement of the main shaft and for producing an angular movement output signal series of electronic pulses corresponding thereto; C. a metering means convertor connected to the second metering means output signal for transforming this output to a target output signal series of electronic pulses related to a desired yarn runner-length; D. counting means for continuously algebraically computing a momentary digitized error signal corresponding to the difference between the outputs of the first metering means and the metering means convertor; E. sampling means for repetitiously retrieving after a fixed interval of time the momentary digitized error signal of the counting means and substantially simultaneously resetting said digitized counting means error signal to a predetermined value while said counting means continues said algebraic computing of a new momentary digitized error signal; and F. means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section in response to the sampled momentary digitized error signal so as to increase the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is less than the predetermined value, to decrease the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is greater than the predetermined value, and to maintain the beam section's angular velocity if the momentary error signal is equal to the predetermined value.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 43, wherein said metering means convertor is manually selectable for transforming the second metering means output signal to a target output signal related to a desired yarn runner-length.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 43, wherein said means for adjusting the angular velocity of the beam section incorporates a stepping motor responsive to the sampled momentary digitized error signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
100 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 43, wherein the angular velocity adjusting means generates periodic clocking pulses if the instantaneous value of the sampled error signal is not equal to said predetermined value, and wherein the sampling means further incorporates means for monitoring said angular velocity adjusting means and for reducing the instantaneous value of the sampled digitized error signal an amount corresponding to the number of periodic clocking pulses, whereby the sampled digitized error signal is reduced to said predetermined value prior to the next sampling by the sampling means of the new momentary digitized error signal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
A yarn runner-length controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said metering means convertor is manually selectable for transforming the second metering means output signal to a target output signal related to a desired runner-length.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said signal transforming device is manually selectable for transforming the second measuring device shaft signal to a target output signal related to a desired runner-length.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |