Piecing apparatus for an open-end spinning machine

Abstract

A mobile piecing device is providing for an open-end spinning machine of the type which has a plurality of separate spinning assemblies each having a rotatable storage spool for storing yarn as it is spun. Preferred embodiments of the invention include an auxiliary spool driving wheel for driving the storage spool during piecing operations, as well as a pair of feeding rollers for feeding the yarn to the spinning rotor and back to the spool. In order to prevent/reduce the formation of a loop and kinking of the yarn during the acceleration phase after the initial piecing, due to the different inertia movements of the spool and the thread and feed rollers, preferred embodiments of the invention include supplemental control mechanisms for controlling the course of the yarn between the feed rollers and the spool. In certain preferred embodiments, the driving mechanism for the spool is adjusted to assure corresponding rapid acceleration of the greater inertia spool as for the feed rollers and returning thread. Other preferred embodiments additionally include yarn tensioning means for maintaining a constnt yarn tension, even in the event of a small loop being formed between the feed rollers and the spool.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.