Title of Invention

SLIVER THICKNESS SENSOR

Abstract

ABSTRACT The invention relates to a sliver thickness sensor comprising a slit condenser (1), a bottom stepped roller (2) and a top stepped roller (3) is provided. The bottom stepped roller is mounted on a flexible shaft (4) and supported by a fixed bearing (5) located at the rear and a bearing is mounted on a floating bracket (6) located at the middle of the flexible shaft (4). The bottom stepped roller is capable of moving in the upward and downward directions. The top stepped roller (2) has a shaft and mounted in a housing (6) supported by bearings. A sensor (8) is fixed on the floating bracket (6) to produce an output signal proportional to the sliver thickness. The bottom stepped roller (2) and the top stepped roller (3) are provided with a drive (9).

Full Text

The invention provides a sliver thickness sensor for using with a carding machine. Autoleveller is a standard part of a card for producing sliver. The conventional system uses a tongue and groove roller to measure the mass of the sliver delivered. The deviation from the required mass thus measured is conveyed through a central system for controlling the speed of the feed roller. This will result in controlling the material fed to the card and produce a continuous even sliver with preset mass or hank of sliver. The invention provides a simple sliver thickness sensor having less components and provide accurate and consistent signals corresponding to the thickness of the sliver fed to the sliver thickness sensor. Accordingly the present invention provides a sliver thickness sensor comprising a slit condenser, a bottom stepped roller and a top stepped roller, the said bottom stepped roller being mounted on a flexible shaft and supported by a fixed bearing located at the rear and a bearing mounted on a floating bracket located at the middle of the flexible shaft, the said bottom stepped roller being capable of moving in the upward and downward directions, the said top stepped roller having a shaft and mounted in a housing supported by bearings, a sensor fixed on the floating bracket to produce an output signal proportional to the sliver thickness and the said bottom stepped roller and the top stepped roller are being provided with a drive. The sliver thickness sensor is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings : The sliver thickness sensor is provided with a slit condenser (1), a bottom stepped roller (2) and a top stepped roller (3). The sliver is passed from the slit condenser (1) to the stepped rollers. The stepped rollers are driven by means of a drive (9). Any suitable drive such as double side toothed belt, flat belt, rope, V-bcit or pair of gears can be used to drive the stepped rollers. The bottom stepped roller (2) is mounted on a flexible shaft (4) and supported by bearings. One of the bearings is a fixed bearing located at rear end of the flexible shaft (4) and the other bearing is located at the middle of the flexible shaft (4). The bearing at the middle is mounted in a floating bracket (6) providing upward and downward movement. A sensor (8) is fixed on the floating bracket (6). The sensor (8) is preferably selected from a strain gauge, a linear proximity or linear variable differential transducer, a photosensor with emitter and receiver and a pneumatic sensor. The sliver from the slit condenser (1) is passed through the drivenstepped rollers. When there is a thickness variation in the sliver the bottom stepped roller (2) with the flexible shaft (4) deflects. The sensor produces a signal corresponding/the thickness of the sliver. This signal from the sensor may be processed and provided for controlling the -feed of material and thus obtain sliver with even thickness throughout the production. A locking lever (10) with a locking support (11) is provided for locking the entire unit. The top stepped roller along with the housing can be moved up by releasing the locking lever (10) for mannual attendance during condenser chocking and roller lapping. The profile of the locking support (11) hold the stepped roller along with the housing in exactly the same position when the system is locked to provide accurate sensing of the sliver thickness. The entire unit may be fixed on a hinge point (12) provided on the housing. The sliver thickness sensor according to the invention has the following merits. 1. The system is very simple and has less components. 2. The profile of the stepped rollers enable free release of the top stepped roller as well as the movement of the bottom stepped roller. 3. The slit condenser and the profile of the stepped rollers facilitate easy piecing. WE CLAIM : 1. A sliver thickness sensor comprising a slit condenser (1), a bottom stepped roller (2) and a top stepped roller (3), the said bottom stepped roller being mounted on a flexible shaft (4) and supported by a fixed bearing (5) located at the rear and a bearing mounted on a floating bracket (6) located at the middle of the flexible shaft (4), the said bottom stepped roller being capable of moving in the upward and downward directions, the said top stepped roller (2) having a shaft and mounted in a housing (6) supported by bearings, a sensor (8) fixed on the floating bracket (6) to produce an output signal proportional to the sliver thickness and the said bottom stepped roller (2) and the top stepped roller (3) are being provided with a drive (9). 2. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (8) is a linear proximity or a linear variable differential transducer. 3. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (8) is a photo sensor with emitter and receiver. 4. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (8) is a pneumatic sensor. 5. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top and bottom stepped rollers (2, 3) are driven by means of a drive belt (8). 6. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top and bottom stepped rollers (2, 3) are driven by means of a pair of gears. 7. The sliver thickness sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top stepped roller (3) along with the housing (6) is provided with a locking lever (10) and a locking support (11) for holding the top stepped roller (3) and housing (6) in a fixed positions. 8. A sliver thickness sensor, substantially as hereinabove described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Documents:

2107-mas-1996 abstract.pdf

2107-mas-1996 claims.pdf

2107-mas-1996 correspondence others.pdf

2107-mas-1996 correspondence po.pdf

2107-mas-1996 description (complete).pdf

2107-mas-1996 drawing.pdf

2107-mas-1996 form-1.pdf

2107-mas-1996 form-26.pdf

2107-mas-1996 form-9.pdf

2107-mas-1996 petition.pdf