Package feed for a prescribed weft length of carbon fiber

A method for feeding a weft to weave a carbon fiber fabric, comprising the steps of:

• rotatably supporting a carbon fiber package having a shaft;
• rotating said package so that said carbon fiber having a prescribed length necessary for one shot weaving of said weft is fed out;
• reserving said carbon fiber having said prescribed length in a reservoir, wherein a running direction of said carbon fiber between said carbon fiber package and said reservoir is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft of said carbon fiber package;
• and
• shooting said weft of said carbon fiber having said prescribed length into a warp shed;
• wherein said step of reserving said carbon fiber in said reservoir comprises the further step of:
• suspending said carbon fiber on a rotatable guide pulley, a slide pulley and a draw-out pulley, said slide pulley descending to a prescribed position when said carbon fiber is fed out, wherein a length of said carbon fiber that is suspended between said guide pulley and said draw-out pulley via said slide pulley corresponds to said prescribed length.

An apparatus for feeding a weft to weave a carbon fiber fabric comprising:

• a carbon fiber package mounted on a shaft, said carbon fiber package and shaft being rotatable, wherein the axis of said shaft is directed substantially perpendicular to a running direction of the carbon fiber;
• driving means for causing said package to rotate so as to feed out said carbon fiber of a prescribed length necessary for one shot weaving of said weft;
• a reservoir for reserving said carbon fiber of said prescribed length in advance of shooting said weft into a warp shed;
• means for applying tension to the reserved carbon fiber;
• and
• first detecting means for detecting said carbon fiber reserved in said reservoir to be of said prescribed length necessary for one shot weaving of said weft, said detecting means comprising means for outputting a control signal to said driving means for automatically stopping the rotation of said package.

An apparatus for feeding a weft to weave a carbon fiber fabric comprising:

• a carbon fiber package mounted on a shaft, said carbon fiber package and shaft being rotatable;
• driving means for causing said package to rotate so as to feed out said carbon fiber of a prescribed length necessary for one shot weaving of said weft;
• a reservoir for reserving said carbon fiber of said prescribed length in advance of shooting said weft into a warp shed, wherein a running direction of said carbon fiber between said carbon fiber package and said reservoir is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft of said carbon fiber package;
• and
• means for applying tension to the reserved carbon fiber;
• wherein said reservoir comprises:
• a rotatable guide pulley and draw-out pulley mounted on both ends of a headpiece, said headpiece being supported on first and second supporting rods;
• and
• a slide pulley mounted on a slider, said slider being slidably mounted on said first and second supporting rods and being slidable to a prescribed position when said carbon is fed out, said carbon fiber being suspended on said guide pulley, said draw-out pulley and said slide pulley, wherein a length of said carbon fiber that is suspended between said guide pulley and said draw-out pulley via said slide pulley corresponds to said prescribed length.