A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
B65H 59/26 - Co-operating surfaces mounted for relative movement and arranged to deflect material from straight path
B65H 59/38 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating speed of driving mechanism of unwinding, paying-out, forwarding, winding, or depositing devices, e.g. automatically in response to variations in tension
B65H 63/024 - Warning or safety devices for use when unwinding, paying-out, forwarding, winding, coiling, or depositing filamentary material, e.g. automatic fault detectors or stop-motions responsive to reduction in tension, failure of supply, or breakage, of material responsive to breakage of materials
B65H 63/04 - Warning or safety devices for use when unwinding, paying-out, forwarding, winding, coiling, or depositing filamentary material, e.g. automatic fault detectors or stop-motions responsive to excessive tension or irregular operation of apparatus
D02H 13/24 - Tensioning devices for individual threads
2.
LOW VOLTAGE LOOSE WIRE DETECTION SYSTEM WITH HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE
A loose wire detection system includes a plurality of loose wire sensors arranged on a wire tree. The sensors are integrated with a control circuit. When a wire becomes sufficiently loose to contact the sensor, the loose wire detection system provides indication that one of the wires is loose.
B65H 59/38 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating speed of driving mechanism of unwinding, paying-out, forwarding, winding, or depositing devices, e.g. automatically in response to variations in tension
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
A creel system includes a plurality of tension controller apparatuses that hold spools of wire. The tension controller apparatuses apply tension to the wire and may be manipulated to fine-tune or control the tension applied to the wire. The creel system may further include a plurality of sensors that measure operation of the creel system as well as the condition of the wire. In such embodiments, the creel system may include a user-interface that provides data to the operator in real time and with which the operator may interact to control operation of the creel system.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
B65H 57/18 - Guides for filamentary materialsSupports therefor mounted to facilitate unwinding of material from packages
B65H 59/38 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating speed of driving mechanism of unwinding, paying-out, forwarding, winding, or depositing devices, e.g. automatically in response to variations in tension
A creel threader for use with a creel system that holds a plurality of spools where each spool carries a filamentary material includes a guide supported by the creel, an endless loop carried by the guide, a drive assembly coupled to the endless loop and at least one gripper carried by the endless loop. The gripper receives the filamentary material from at least one of the spools, and the drive assembly moves the gripper and the received filamentary material from the spool to an output end of the creel system for further processing. Related methods of operation are also disclosed.
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support that maintains an inverted cam surface and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism includes a brake drum rotatable with the spindle assembly, a friction band adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller engages the cam surface and causes the friction band to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
6.
Self-compensating filament tension control device with friction braking
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support that maintains a cam surface and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism includes a brake drum rotatable with the spindle assembly, a brake shoe adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller engages the cam surface and causes the brake shoe to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
7.
Self-compensating filament tension control device with eddy current braking
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the payout of filamentary material from a spool includes a fixed support and a spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. An eddy current braking system includes a conductive member rotatable with the spindle assembly and a magnetic member carried by the fixed support. The spindle assembly and the conductive member move linearly toward a side-by-side relationship with the magnetic member when the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force. Linear movement of the spindle assembly and the associated conductive member can be obtained by either a straight line mechanism or a linear ball bushing mechanism. A supplemental brake may also be used.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
8.
SELF-COMPENSATING FILAMENT TENSION CONTROL DEVICE WITH FRICTION BAND BRAKING
A self-compensating tension control device (20) for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool (s) includes a fixed support (22) that maintains an inverted cam surface (140) and a spindle assembly rotatably (30) carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. A braking mechanism (120) includes a brake drum (121) rotatable with the spindle assembly, a friction band (182) adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm (130) that engages the cam surface (140). When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller (136) engages the cam surface and causes the friction band to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
9.
SELF-COMPENSATING FILAMENT TENSION CONTROL DEVICE WITH FRICTION BRAKING
A self - compensating tension control device (20) for regulating the withdrawal of filamentary material from a spool (s) includes a fixed support (22) that maintains a cam surface (140) and a spindle assembly (30) rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support (22). A braking mechanism (120) includes a brake drum (121) rotatable with the spindle assembly, a brake shoe (123) adapted to engage the brake drum and a rocker arm (130) that engages the cam surface. When the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force, the cam roller (136) engages the cam surface (140) and causes the brake shoe to generate a braking force on the brake drum. Withdrawal of the filamentary material at a regular rate occurs when the biasing force is balanced with the tension force.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
10.
SELF-COMPENSATING FILAMENT TENSION CONTROL DEVICE WITH EDDY CURRENT BRAKING
A self-compensating tension control device (20) for regulating the payout of filamentary material from a spool (S) includes a fixed support (22) and a spindle assembly (30) rotatably carrying the spool. A tension force applied to the filamentary material, in opposition to a biasing force, moves the spindle assembly linearly in relation to the fixed support. An eddy current braking system includes a conductive member rotatable (62) with the spindle assembly and a magnetic member (124) carried by the fixed support. The spindle assembly and the conductive member move linearly toward a side -by- side relationship with the magnetic member when the tension force applied to the filamentary material is reduced and unable to overcome the biasing force. Linear movement of the spindle assembly and the associated conductive member can be obtained by either a straight line mechanism or a linear ball bushing mechanism. A supplemental brake (130)may also be used.
B65H 59/04 - Adjusting or controlling tension in filamentary material, e.g. for preventing snarlingApplications of tension indicators by regulating delivery of material from supply package by devices acting on package or support
