Apparatus for controlling passage of material through textile spinning or twisting machine

Apparatus for regulating the passage of moving material through a textile spinning machine or the like comprising a first assembly having means operable for controlling the entry of said material into said machine, a second assembly located downstream from said first assembly for determining the continuity of said material moving through said machine comprising means for impinging a light source on said material, means for sensing the light reflected from said moving material and for converting said reflected light into an electrical signal of alternating intensity, means for modulating said alternating intensity electrical signal, and light emitting means responsive to said modulated alternating intensity electrical signal for emitting a modulated light beam, and a third assembly for producing a command signal for operating said control means comprising a receiver for said modulated light beam spaced remotely from and arranged in line of sight with said light emitting means providing an electrical output and means for converting said electrical output into an alternating voltage comprising an amplifier receiving the output of said receiver, and an identification circuit responsive to said amplifier for rectifying the output signal and a pulse generator providing a pulse for operating said means for controlling the entry of said material.