Use of microwaves in the spinning industry
AssigneeRieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
InventorsJoachim Dammig, Chokri Cherif
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention suggests the use of microwaves in the spinning industry in order to determine the band mass of an elongated, substantially non-twisted fiber structure. In addition, a method for measuring the sliver mass from the frequency detuning and the damping of resonance signals of a microwave sensor while taking into consideration the moisture of the fiber structure with a computer is suggested. Likewise, a corresponding spinning preparation machine and a laboratory device for measuring the sliver mass are part of the invention. Lastly, a method and a spinning preparation machine for recognizing foreign matter in a moved fiber structure with the aid of microwaves is suggested.
Claims65
The use of microwaves in the spinning industry in order to determine the band mass of an elongated, substantially non-twisted fiber structure (1).
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the band mass of the fiber structure (1) is determined independently of the moisture.
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber moisture is eliminated by computer [calculation] during the determination of the band mass.
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) consists substantially of natural fibers, especially of cotton and/or of synthetic fiber materials.
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microwaves for measuring the band mass are used in a continuously moved fiber structure (1).
The use according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one elongated fiber structure (1) containing moisture is introduced into at least one microwave resonator (14′) of a microwave sensor (14;
- 114), in which microwaves with a variable frequency are coupled into the resonator (14′) and the microwave frequency is coordinated with a new resonance frequency (self resonance) in particular as regards fiber density and fiber moisture of the fiber structure (1) currently located in the resonator (14′), and in which resonance frequency signals are coupled out and evaluated as regards detuning and damping, that result on account of the presence of the moist fiber structure (1), for determining the band mass of the fiber structure (1) while taking its moisture into account.
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined values for the band mass are used to stabilize fluctuations of band mass in the fiber structure by controlling at least one draw part (21, 22, 23) of a spinning preparation machine (10) in which the fiber structure (1) is drawn.
The use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spinning preparation machine (10) is a regulated card, a card with a regulated drafting device, a combing machine with a regulated and, optionally, an unregulated drafting device or a draw frame (10).
A method for determining the band mass of a moved fiber structure in a spinning preparation machine (10) with several successive draw parts (21, 22, 23) for drawing the fiber structure (1), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
- Microwaves are coupled into at least one resonator (14′) of a microwave sensor (14;
- 114) with variable self resonance,
- The fiber structure (1) is guided through or along the at least one resonator (14′) in such a manner that the self resonance varies on account of the varying band mass and moisture of the fiber structure (1),
- The microwave frequency is adapted by processor-controlled coordination to the self resonance,
- The frequency-adapted microwaves coupled out of the at least one resonator (14′) are detected as regards frequency detuning and damping,
- The band mass is calculated from the frequency detuning and the damping with the aid of a processor, taking into account the moisture of the fiber structure (1) by calculation [with a computer].
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that microwaves with at least two different frequencies are supplied to the resonator (14′), that the shifts in resonance frequency are detected by a comparison of the resonance curves of the resonator (14) that are not influenced and those that are influenced by the fiber structure (1) and that the damping is detected by a comparison of the amplitudes of the resonance curves at the frequencies of the supplied microwaves.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the microwave resonance measurements are performed at the inlet (12) and/or at the outlet (13) of a drafting device (2) of the spinning preparation machine (10).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fluctuations of band mass at the inlet (12) and/or at the outlet (13) are monitored and, if necessary, the spinning preparation machine (10) is cut off and/or a warning signal emitted when threshold values of the band mass or of fluctuations of band mass are dropped below or exceeded.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the microwave sensor (14, 114) is designed to detect band breaks of the fiber structure (1) or of a sliver (1′) of the fiber structure (1).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that a regulating unit (16) of the spinning preparation machine (10) controls at least one of the draw parts (21, 22, 23) for stabilizing the fluctuations of sliver mass using the calculated values for the band mass (inlet regulation).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that a regulating unit (16) of the spinning preparation machine (10) regulates at least one of the draw parts (21, 22, 23) for stabilizing the fluctuations of sliver mass using the calculated values for the band mass (outlet regulation).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the local fiber temperature of the fiber structure (1) is determined and that the local fiber temperature and/or the fiber moisture determined with the aid of the at least one microwave sensor is/are used in addition to the determined fiber density to control the spinning preparation machine.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the measured frequency with which the adaptations of resonance frequency are performed is adapted to the run-in speed of the fiber structure (1) running into the spinning preparation machine (10) or to the delivery speed of the fiber structure (1) leaving the spinning preparation machine (10).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the measured frequency is adapted to a fixed, preferably constant scanning [sensing] length (length-oriented scanning).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the measured frequency is adapted to a fixed time span (time-oriented scanning) that is a function of the speed of the fiber structure.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the scanning detecting a certain fiber structure section per measurement is carried out along the fiber structure (1) in several overlapping measurements that are staggered relative to each other.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that a spectrogram or a part of a spectrogram of the fiber structure (1′) is prepared or supplemented using the measured valued obtained with the at least one microwave sensor (14, 114).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) is guided substantially free of oscillations through the at least one resonator (14′).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) is transported with lateral guidance through the at least one resonator (14′).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) is guided through the at least one resonator (14′) under tension and that the tension is realized by guide means (30, 31;
- 37, 39) in front of and behind the at least one resonator (14′).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that several fiber structures (1′) are guided from the inlet (12) to the outlet (13) adjacent on each other and, viewed from above, running substantially in parallel through the spinning preparation machine.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) or individual groups (1″) of slivers (1′) forming the fiber structure (1) are guided through at least one funnel or by guide elements, e.g., guide sheets or guide rods before running through the at least one resonator (14′).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the fiber structure (1) or individual groups (1″) of slivers (1′) forming the fiber structure (1) are guided via at least one guide means (37) with guide surfaces (38) rising to the sides before running through the at least one resonator (14′) and that the fiber structure (1) or the slivers (1′) of at least one group (1″) are compressed.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims in which the fiber structure (1) consists of several slivers (1′) guided substantially adjacent to each other, characterized in that the slivers (1′) are guided in at least two groups (1″), guided at an interval, through one or more resonators (14′).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the slivers (1′) are guided in such a manner that the slivers (1′) of a group (1″) substantially do not move relative to each other from the resonator (14′) to the drafting device (2).
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the at least one resonator (14′) is cleaned at time intervals with compressed air or a vacuum current.
The method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that at least the section of the at least one resonator (14′) which section receives the fiber structure (1) is shifted out of its measuring position into a cleaning position during a fiber structure standstill for an automatic or manual cleaning.
A spinning preparation machine, especially a card (50), draw frame (10) or combing machine, especially for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one sensor (14;
- 114) for measuring the band mass of continuously moved fiber structure (1), which at least one sensor (14;
- 114) comprises:
- At least one microwave generator (25) for producing microwaves of processor-controlled, variable frequencies,
- At least one microwave resonator (14′) into which the microwaves of variable frequency can be coupled,
- A specimen volume for receiving the fiber structure (1) as part of the microwave resonator (14′), a detector (26) for detecting microwaves coupled out of the resonator (14′) and
- An evaluation unit for evaluating the microwave resonance signals as regards the band mass of the fiber structure (1), with computer-aided consideration of the fiber structure moisture.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (14) is arranged at the inlet of the spinning preparation machine.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (14) is arranged at the outlet of the spinning preparation machine.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor (14) is connected to a regulating unit (16) that controls and/or regulates at least one draft part (21, 22, 23) of the spinning preparation machine using the measured values for the band mass of the fiber structure (1).
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that several slivers can be guided adjacent to each other and running in parallel through the at least one microwave sensor (14).
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that several slivers can be guided from the inlet to the outlet adjacent to each other and, viewed from the top, running substantially in parallel through the spinning preparation machine.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that guide means (30, 31;
- 37, 39;
- 21;
- 23) are provided in front of and behind the sensor (14;
- 114) for guiding the fiber structure (1) with a tension.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the guide means (30, 31;
- 37, 39;
- 21;
- 23) comprise at least a compression element designed as a funnel, guide sheets or guide rods in front of the at least one resonator (14′) for brining together the fiber structure (1) or individual groups (1″) of slivers (1′) of the fiber structure (1).
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the guide means (30, 31;
- 37, 39;
- 21;
- 23) comprise at least one compression element (37) with guide surfaces (38) rising transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fiber structure for bringing together the fiber structure (1) or individual groups (1″) of slivers (1′) of the fiber structure (1).
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that deflection elements (42) for deflecting slivers (1′) of the fiber structure (1) are arranged between the sensor (14) and a drafting device (2) of the spinning preparation machine (10) in such a manner that the slivers (1′) traverse substantially the same path stretch between the sensor (14) and the drafting device (2).
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that the material at least of the specimen-volume section that makes contact with the fiber structure (1) is designed to be substantially wear-resistant.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized by means for generating a current of suction or of air blast wind that can be brought into a working connection with the specimen volume of the at least one resonator (14′) for cleaning the specimen volume.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that at least the specimen volume of the at least one resonator (14′) is designed so that it can be moved.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that it is designed as a card with a regulated drafting device or as a combing machine with a regulated drafting device and that an unregulated drafting device can be located in front of the regulated drafting device.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that it is designed as a card (50) or combing machine to whose outlet a regulated drafting device (2) in the form of a module can be delivered.
The spinning preparation machine according to one of the preceding device claims, characterized in that it is designed as a card (50) on whose outlet the at least one microwave sensor (14) is arranged instead of a mechanical path measuring sensor.
A laboratory device for measuring the band mass of fiber structure (1) with at least one microwave generator (25) for generating microwaves of processor-controlled, variable frequencies, with at least one microwave resonator (14′) into which the microwaves of variable frequency can be coupled, with a specimen volume for receiving the fiber structure (1) as part of the microwave resonator (14′), with a detector (26) for detecting microwaves coupled out of the resonator (14′), and with an evaluation unit for evaluating the microwave resonance signals as regards the band mass of the fiber structure (1) while taking the fiber structure moisture into consideration with a computer.
The use of microwaves in the spinning industry for recognizing foreign matter in a strand-shaped textile fiber structure (1).
A method for recognizing foreign matter in a moved fiber structure in a spinning preparation machine (10), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
- Microwaves are coupled into at least one resonator (14′) of a microwave sensor (14;
- 114) with variable self resonance,
- The fiber structure (1) is guided through or along the at least one resonator (14′) in such a manner that the self resonance varies on account of the presence of foreign mater in the fiber structure (1),
- The microwave frequency is adapted by processor-controlled coordination to the self resonance,
- The microwaves coupled out of the at least one resonator (14′) and adapted in frequency are detected as regards frequency detuning and damping,
- The band mass is calculated from the frequency detuning and the damping with the aid of a processor [and?] the presence of foreign matter [“is also calculated”;
- “recognized” understood?]. [This sentence is ungrammatical as it stands. Some word or phrase appears to have been omitted and the intended thought is therefore unclear—see the last phrase in claim 11 above for a similar statement and other statements using the term “detuning” and claim 65, which appears to elucidate this “detection of foreign matter”]
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.