Patent GB-779124-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the control of apparatus such as looms
Inventor: MITCHELL ALAN
IPC: D03C3/20
Filed: 1952-09-26
Abstract: 779,124. Control arrangements for looms. AUTOMATIC SWITCHING, Ltd. Dec. 24, 1953 [Sept. 26, 1952], No. 24153/52. Drawings to Specification. Class 142 (2). [Also in Group XXXV] The operation of the shuttles and heddles of a loom or group of looms is effected through a sequential switching system comprising cycling selector switches, e.g. uniselectors, which are stepped by pulses produced one at each beat of the reed of the loom controlled. The circuit connections to the switches determine the different successive combinations of shuttle and heddle operation to be effected in executing the particular pattern required, and individual fixed contacts of the banks of contacts in the uniselectors are connected to outlets such as telephone-type jacks, whereby the circuit connections may be modified, e.g. by inserting suitably connected plugs in the jacks, to determine the pattern as required. Switching may be effected between patterns, the number of picks executed in particular patterns being controlled by counting-switches, or by manual switching. Indicator lamps are provided shewing the particular shuttles and heddles being operated and the operating conditions set up in the equipment. For testing purposes, a pulse generator is provided to replace the beating of the reed, and a key for manual stepping is also provided. In the embodiment described, the apparatus is made up in units for rack mounting, each unit having a front panel on which the appropriate indicator lamp is visible and which carry the jack outlets, where provided, for the uniselectors. The rear panels of the units carry multi-way sockets for the plugconnected main cables and jacks for cord connections by which the appropriate connections between the units in use are set up as required, in accordance with the sequence in which the units operate. Reed pulses are applied via a unit termed the Loom Control and Reed Simulator Unit, which is used whatever the pattern requirements. This unit comprises a uniselector which is stepped at each pattern change and carries the pulse generator for simulating reed pulses. The unit also carries connections to the operating magnets for four heddles and relays in coded connection for selecting each of the operating magnets for eight shuttles employing three lines through the equipment. A counter is also provided for indicating the total number of picks effected in a given sequence of operations. The various operating switches for starting, establishing test and loom-driving conditions, manual stepping &c. are also included in this unit. Normally, associated with the Loom Control and Reed Simulator Unit is a Pattern Sequence and Counter Unit. This unit comprises counting-switches to which the reed or reedsimulator pulses are relayed, the switches being set limit the operation on the selected pattern to a particular count determined by inserting plugs in the appropriate outlet jacks connected to the switch contacts. When a count is complete, the uniselector of the Loom Control and Reed Simulator Unit is stepped to effect a pattern change. Parallel-connected jack outlets are provided for the counting-switch to allow for different counts on successive patterns. The unit may also provide for limited selection, e.g. of shuttles, so that for simple patterns a separate unit is not required for shuttle selection. The control of the pattern is normally effected through a Pattern Selection Unit which comprises a uniselector switch with its outlets connected to jacks, plugs being inserted at the appropriate levels in the switch to select the appropriate shuttles and heddles to be operated as the switch is stepped in response to the reed pulses. If desired a simplified Pattern Selection Unit may be employed with fixed connections on the outlets, for example, for operating heddles in a standard sequence, this being used with the Pattern Sequence and Counter Unit to execute a simple pattern. In the case of more complex patterns, the Pattern Selection Unit used determines both the heddles and shuttles operated at each pick. Facilities are also provided for enabling the same Pattern Selection Unit to be used repeatedly if desired. For this purpose, the operation of the Pattern Selection Units may be controlled by a switch in the Pattern Sequence and Counter Unit, which switch may be caused to reverse at the completion of a pattern and select the same pattern selection unit for use again. The Specification describes operation for a number of pattern sequences in detail.