Patent ID: 6527216
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A multi-spindle fiber pay-out apparatus providing fiber tension control comprising:a frame supporting a plurality of spools of fiber wherein each spool of fiber is mounted on a spindle having a first end and a second end, said first end being in rotational supporting relation to said spool of fiber and said second end being operatively engaged with a magnetic particle brake; a fiber take-up system mounted upon said frame in cooperative relation to said spool of fiber and arranged so as to compensate for changes in fiber pay-out rate from said spool of fiber caused by activation of said magnetic particle brake; and a load cell transducer mounted on said frame adjacent to said fiber take-up system, at least partially engaged by said fiber, and in electrical data communication with said magnetic particle brake so as to (i) activate said magnetic particle brake when a tension in said fiber is detected below a predetermined magnitude, and (ii) deactivate said magnetic particle brake when said tension in said fiber is at or above said predetermined magnitude.