Abstract An apparatus which feeds a fiber lap to a fiber processing machine has a reserve chute connected to a pneumatic fiber tuft conveying duct to receive fiber tufts therefrom; a feed chute connected to the reserve chute; a feed roller arranged for advancing fiber tufts from the reserve chute into the feed chute; a drive for rotating the feed roller; an arrangement for delivering a compressing air stream into the feed chute for densifying a fiber tuft column therein; a plurality of air outlet openings to provide a passage of the air stream out of the feed chute; a pressure sensor situated in the feed chute; a pressure regulator connected with the pressure sensor and the drive for altering the rpm of the feed roller as a function of the pressure prevailing in the feed chute. There are further provided a desired pressure value setter connected with the pressure regulator; a fill-level measuring device situated in the feed chute; a fill-level regulator operatively connected to the fill-level measuring device and the desired value setter of the pressure regulator for applying signals from the fill-level measuring device to the pressure regulating device via the fill-level regulator; and a common control device operatively connected to the fill-level regulator and the pressure regulator for receiving signals from the common control device.
Inventors
👤 Ferdinand Leifeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-08 12:00
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01G; D01G23/00; D01G23/02; D01G23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
In an apparatus for feeding a fiber lap to a fiber processing machine; the apparatus having a reserve chute connected to a pneumatic fiber tuft conveying duct to receive fiber tufts therefrom; a feed chute connected to said reserve chute; a feed roller arranged for advancing fiber tufts from the reserve chute into the feed chute; drive means for rotating the feed roller; means for delivering a compressing air stream into the feed chute for densifying a fiber tuft column therein; said tuft column having a top face constituting a fill level of the feed chute; means defining a plurality of air outlet openings to provide a passage of the air stream out of said feed chute; a pressure sensor situated in the feed chute; a pressure regulator connected with the pressure sensor and said drive means for altering the rpm of said feed roller as a function of the pressure prevailing in the feed chute; the improvement comprising (a) a desired pressure value setter connected with said pressure regulator; (b) a fill-level measuring device situated in said feed chute; (c) a fill-level regulator operatively connected to the fill-level measuring device and the desired value setter of said pressure regulator for applying signals from said fill-level measuring device to said pressure regulating device through said fill-level regulator; (d) a common control device operatively connected to said fill-level regulator and said pressure regulator for receiving signals from said common control device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
In an apparatus for feeding a fiber lap to a fiber processing machine; the apparatus having a reserve chute connected to a pneumatic fiber tuft conveying duct to receive fiber tufts therefrom; a feed chute connected to said reserve chute; a feed roller arranged for advancing fiber tufts from the reserve chute into the feed chute; drive means for rotating the feed roller; means for delivering a compressing air stream into the feed chute for densifying a fiber tuft column therein; said tuft column having a top face constituting a fill level of the feed chute; means defining a plurality of air outlet openings to provide a passage of the air stream out of said feed chute; a pressure sensor situated in the feed chute; a pressure regulator connected with the pressure sensor and said drive means for altering the rpm of said feed roller as a function of the pressure prevailing in the feed chute; the improvement comprising (a) a desired pressure value setter connected with said pressure regulator; (b) a fill-level measuring device situated in said feed chute; (c) a fill-level regulator operatively connected to the fill-level measuring device and the desired value setter of said pressure regulator for applying signals from said fill-level measuring device to said pressure regulating device through said fill-level regulator; (d) a common control device operatively connected to said fill-level regulator and said pressure regulator for receiving signals from said common control device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said fill-level measuring device comprises two vertically spaced sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said vertically spaced sensors comprise optical barriers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said air outlet openings have an upper boundary; at least one of said sensors is situated at a level above said upper boundary.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a computer including said common control device and a memory connected to said common control device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said computer is arranged for generating a signal when a predetermined fill level is sensed by said fill-level measuring device and for applying said signal to said memory as a desired pressure value.