US 4,835,699 A · Automated distributed control system for a weaving mill

Abstract

An interactive real-time, distributed control system for textile weaving machines including real time, interactive bi-directional communications centrally manages the whole range of activities of a weaving room. Microcontrollers at each weaving machine control most of the routine weaving functions and operations, but communicate in real time with a central computer which provides large-scale data storage and analysis. Easy, consistent automatic machine set-ups result from electronically downloading cloth style and dobby control data from the central computer to the weaving machine microcontrollers. Because communications between the microcontrollers and the central computer as well as much of the analysis performed by the central computer occur interactively on a real time basis, correction and optimization of the weaving process at individual machines is possible, resulting in higher productivity and quality. Less of quality product is produced since weaving machines are stopped automatically when out-of-control conditions occur and/or real time adjustments in independent weaving variables (e.g., filling angle of release) are made.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A distributed real-time interactive textile weaving machine control system of the type controlling a plurality of textile weaving machines, said system comprising:

plural local real time monitoring and control digital signal processing means, disposed at and associated with plural corresponding weaving machines, for continually monitoring the operation of said weaving machines in real time and for automatically controlling said weaving machines in real time in response to said monitored operation;
a further digital signal processor;
data signal communicating means, operatively connected between said local processing means and said further processor, for communicating, in real time, signals indicating said monitored operation from each of said local digital signal processing means to said further digital signal processor and for communicating, in real time, digital control signals generated by said further processor to said local processing means;
said further processor including signal processing means for comparing, substantially in real time, said communicated indicating signals with predetermined normal values and for generating a control signal specifying at least one independent weaving parameter if said comparison reveals a substantial difference between said normal values and said signals communicated by the local processor means associated with a weaving machine;
said further processor also including means for transmitting said control signal to the local processing means associated with said weaving machine for which said substantial difference was revealed via said data signal communicating means;
said local processing means associated with said weaving machine optimizing the operation of said weaving machine in response to said transmitted control signal.

3 more elements

A method of controlling a textile weaving machine comprising:

(1) continually monitoring the operation of a weaving machine;
(2) in response to a predetermined stop condition, automatically stopping said weaving machine with a local digital signal processor disposed at and associated with said weaving machine;
(3) transmitting, in real time, signals indicating said stopped condition from said local digital signal processor to a further digital signal processor;
(4) automatically generating a request for human intervention with said further digital signal processor in response to said stopped condition indicating signals;
(5) timing how long it takes a person to arrive at said weaving machine in response to said request;
(6) timing how long it takes the person arriving at said weaving machine to restart the weaving machine;
and
(7) storing the durations timed by said timing steps (5) and (6) in a memory associated with said further processor.

5 more elements

A system for controlling a textile weaving machine comprising:

monitoring means for continually monitoring the operation of a weaving machine;
first digital signal processor means disposed at and associated with said weaving machine and connected to said monitoring means for automatically controlling said weaving machine in response to said monitored operation;
means connecting said first digital signal processor means to a further digital signal processor means for transmitting, in real time, signals indicating said monitored operation from said first digital signal processor means to said further digital signal processor means;
said further digital signal processor means for comparing, substantially in real time, said indicating signals with predetermined normal values and, if said comparison reveals a substantial difference between said indicating signals and said normal values, generating a control signal specifying at least one operating parameter of said weaving machine;
said transmitting means also for transmitting said control signal to said first digital signal processor means;
and
said first digital signal processor means also for controlling, substantially in real time, the operation of said weaving machine in response to said control signal.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated distributed control system for a weaving mill

Life of this patent

Automated distributed control system for a weaving mill

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31