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US 7,318,456 B2Granted
Modular weaving system with individual yarn control
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsSamir A. Nayfeh, Jonathan D. Rohrs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular weaving machine includes a loom chassis and a plurality of modular warp units. The warp units are each configured for supporting a plurality of removable bobbins thereon, the bobbins being pre-loadable with a plurality of warp threads. The loom chassis is configured to receivably support the warp units thereon, so that the warp threads are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending in a downstream direction. A plurality of shedding actuators are coupled to the loom chassis and configured to form a shed with warp threads of each of the warp units. A weft insertion module is configured to insert a weft thread through the shed.
Claims38
A modular weaving machine comprising:
- a loom chassis;
- a plurality of modular warp units;
- said warp units each supporting a plurality of removable bobbins thereon;
- said bobbins configured for being pre-loaded with a plurality of warp threads;
- said loom chassis configured to receivably support said warp units thereon, wherein said warp threads of each of said warp units are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending from said bobbins in a downstream direction;
- a plurality of shedding actuators coupled to said loom chassis, and configured to form a shed with warp threads of each of said warp units;
- and
- a weft insertion module configured to insert a weft thread through the shed.
5 more elements
A method of weaving, comprising:
- (a) pre-winding a plurality of warp threads onto a plurality of bobbins;
- (b) loading a plurality of the bobbins onto a plurality of modular warp units, wherein the warp threads extend in parallel, spaced relation, in a downstream direction from the bobbins;
- (c) placing said warp units onto a loom chassis configured to receivably support said warp units therein, wherein the warp threads of each of said warp units are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another;
- (d) forming a shed of said warp threads with a shedding actuator coupled to the loom chassis;
- and
- (e) inserting a weft thread through the shed with a weft insertion module coupled to the loom chassis.
3 more elements
A modular weaving machine comprising:
- a plurality of modular warp unit means for supporting a plurality of removable bobbin means thereon;
- said bobbin means each configured for being pre-loaded with a plurality of warp threads;
- chassis means for receivably supporting said warp unit means thereon, wherein said warp threads of each of said warp unit means are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending in a downstream direction from the bobbin means;
- a plurality of shedding actuation means for forming a shed with warp threads of each of said warp units, said shedding actuation means being coupled to said loom chassis means;
- and
- weft insertion means for insert weft thread through the shed.
3 more elements
A modular weaving machine comprising:
- a loom chassis;
- a plurality of modular warp units;
- said warp units each configured for being pre-loaded with a plurality of warp threads;
- said warp units configured to releasably support a plurality of quick-release heddles;
- said loom chassis configured to receivably support said warp units thereon, wherein said warp threads of each of said warp units are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending in a downstream direction;
- a plurality of shedding actuators coupled to said loom chassis, and configured to form a shed with warp threads of each of said warp units;
- and
- a weft insertion module configured to insert weft thread through the shed.
5 more elements
A modular weaving machine comprising:
- a loom chassis;
- a plurality of modular warp units;
- said warp units each configured for being pre-loaded with a plurality of warp threads;
- said modular warp units removably supporting a reed bracket configured to removably support individual reed blades thereon;
- said loom chassis configured to receivably support said warp units thereon, wherein said warp threads of each of said warp units are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending in a downstream direction;
- a plurality of shedding actuators coupled to said loom chassis, and configured to form a shed with warp threads of each of said warp units;
- and
- a weft insertion module configured to insert weft thread through the shed.
5 more elements
A method of weaving, comprising:
- (a) loading a plurality of quick-release heddles threaded with warp threads extending therethrough, onto a plurality of modular warp units, wherein the warp threads extend in parallel, spaced relation thereon;
- (b) placing said warp units onto a loom chassis configured to receivably support said warp units therein, wherein the warp threads of each of said warp units are disposed in parallel, spaced relation to one another;
- (c) forming a shed of said warp threads with a shedding actuator coupled to the loom chassis;
- (d) inserting a weft thread through the shed with a weft insertion module coupled to the loom chassis;
- and
- (e) between said forming (c) and said inserting (d), loading a plurality of warp threads into other modular warp units.
3 more elements
A modular warp unit for use in a modular weaving machine, the warp unit comprising:
- a body configured for being received within a loom chassis;
- said body configured for supporting a plurality of removable bobbins;
- said bobbins configured for being pre-loaded with a plurality of warp threads;
- said body configured to support said warp threads in parallel, spaced relation to one another, extending from said bobbins in a downstream direction;
- and
- a plurality of heddles engagable by a plurality of shedding actuators coupled to said loom chassis, to form a shed with said warp threads through which a weft insertion module associated with the loom chassis is configured to insert a weft thread.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.