Yarn sensor

Abstract

A pneumatic sensor is provided for detecting and indicating the tension in running strand material, such as yarn, wire and the like. A source of compressed air is connected to an air escape nozzle having an outlet opening in one end thereof and a closing member is supported adjacent the outlet opening and is normally spaced a predetermined distance from the outlet opening to regulate and partially restrict the escape of air therefrom. The strand engages the closing member and varies the space or gap between the closing member and the nozzle outlet in accordance with the amount of tension in the strand. A pressure gauge is provided for indicating the amount of air pressure in the pneumatic pressure system and for thereby indicating the amount of tension in the running strand. A pressure/electric transducer is operable by the pneumatic pressure system and may operate a control system for a variable speed motor in a yarn take-up system to vary the takeup rate to maintain a predetermined tension on the yarn being taken up. The variation in air pressure in the pneumatic pressure system may also be utilized to operate a pneumatic cylinder for varying the braking force applied to a wire let-off beam in an unwinding operation so that the tension in the wire is maintained within a predetermined tension range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.