Tension controlling apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for packaging roving from a plurality of continuous glass strands comprising: a plurality of glass strand serving packages each mounted for linear withdrawal of a strand from one end thereof; a rotatable collector spaced from the serving packages upon which the roving is wound as a package; means for rotating the collector including speed control means for varying the angular speed of the collector during package collection so that the roving is wound at a constant linear collection speed, the speed control means including an electrical means effective to provide an electrical signal which varies in response to the changes of the diameter of the package during package collection; gathering means between the packages and the collector for combining the strands into the roving; means for tensioning the roving along its path to the collector including a first bar and a second bar in spaced relation located at opposite sides of the path and upon which the roving is turned during its travel along the path to the collector; and means for controlling the tension in the roving including means for holding the first bar on a fixed axis, pneumatic means including an air cylinder for movably holding the second bar in a biased relationship with the roving so that changes in the disposition of the second bar modifies the turning of the roving upon the bars to modify the tension in the roving, and a pressure control for regulating the air pressure in the cylinder, such control including means for sensing the varying electrical signal from the electrical means and for regulating the air pressure in response to the sensed signal.