Improvements relating to Spinning-machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1889
Specification Accepted, 8th June, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements relating to Spinning-machines.
1, THEODORE JENNY, of Sabadell, in the Kingdom of Spain, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement.
This invention relates to automatic tension-apparatus for the cold diving the
spindles of spinning machines, and to the regulation of the torsion of the thead.
The irregularity or difference in the torsion of the thread upon the bobbins of the
same spinning machine has for a long time engaged my attention, and having
observed that the said irregularity has been due in great measure to the unequal
tension of the cord for actuating the spindles, I have endeavoured to devise apparatus
enabling this inconvenience, which also ficquently occurs with the thread of the same
bobbin, to be obviated
When carefully examining the movement of the spindles, it will be seen that the
iri egularity in the torsion of the thread must be attributed more especially to the
irregular tension of the cord by which motion is imparted to the spindles.
The following are the principal causes of the aforesaid irregularity, viz. :-
(1) The cord for driving the spindles becomes slack through wear or long use and
slides upon the small pulley, so that it will impart a smaller number of revolutions to
the spindle and consequently diminish the torsion of the thread.
(2) By reason of a change in the temperature, the cords will contract or expand,
which also gives rise to differences in the torsion.
(3) When the spinner puts on a new cord, he generally stretches it very much, so
that between the tension of this new cord and tension of the old one which is replaced
there is a great difference, and the torsion will not then be the same as that transmitted
by the old cord.
(4) By stretching the new cords too much the friction between the journals and
bearings is augmented, from which results the premature wear and tear of these parts,
the necessity for an excess of motive power, and for more frequent lubrication.
The inconveniences of an irregular torsion are very numerous and too well known
to render it necessary to enumerate them in a detailed manner

page_text: However, I may observe that in thick chains, for example, it sometimes happens
that the thread of the same bobbin, which is very tight at the commencement,
gradually becomes almost as untwisted, as it were, as the weft, which in the
subsequent weaving operations (spooling, warping, sizing) causes breakages of the
threads by reason of the tension to which they are subjected.
If the thread does not break and passes into the fabric it becomes very apparent
therein on being dyed.
In fact, the more the thread is twisted the more difficult it is to the dye to
penetrate the same; and the less it is twisted the more easily it will absorb the dye;
so that the dye is more marked and more ostensible in some parts of this thread than
in others, thereby rendering the fabric defective
The regular torsion of the thread has accordingly been the object to be attained,
and having observed that the action of the cord for driving the spindles plays a
principle part in this operation, I have endeavoured to obtain a uniform tension for
this coid being persuaded that almost all the defects stated will disappear when this
result is produced.
I have succeeded in obtaining this result by very simple and inexpensive apparatus
hereinafter described. This apparatus is applicablo irrespective of the cord employed
and the position of the cylinders or drums (vertical or horizontal) to any kind of
spinning machines, either mule-jennies or ring-throstles.
The improved apparatus presents, moreover, several advantages which will doubtless
be highly appreciated by spinners, and the following of which are the most
important.
1. Usually a good cord for operating spindles will last three or four weeks, but
with my tension device it will last from ten to twelve weeks when vertical drums or
cylinders are usod, for as it is not crossed and as the threads do not rub against each
other, the wear is reduced to a minimum. Hence a comparatively considerable
economy of expenses on this article, and perceptible increase in the production,
because the frequent stoppages are obviated
2 A single cord is sufficient for actuating all the spindles of a vertical drum, or
cylinder and about twenty spindles of a horizontal drum or cylinder with a single tie.
Now as the cord will generally break at the knot and as the number of knots is very
small many breakages and consequently stoppages or losses obviated.
It should be observed that the employment of a single cord for imparting motion to
twenty spindles in machines having horizontal drums or cylinders constitutes a great
progress. In fact in the latter machines each spindle is usually operated by a cord
and has only a single point of contact with the drum or cylinder, whence arise very
frequent sliding motions, whereas with my apparatus the same cord is capable of
actuating from 15 to 25 spindles and has as many points of contact with the drum or
cylinder, which renders any sliding movement upon the latter and upon the small
pulley impossible, and which must cause a more regular torsion.
3 The tension of the cord is always kept uniform by the improved apparatus,
whatever may be the temperature in the building
4 This apparatus also enables the tension of the cord to be graduated, that is to
say augmented or diminished in accordance with the oxigencies of the spinning
operation.
In order to render the operation of the improved tension apparatus better under-
stood, I proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings
which illustrate the mode of application in case the spindles are operated by vertical
drums or cylinders and by horizontal drums or cylinders.
Figures 1, 1, 2 and 3 represent an arrangement designed for spinning machines
having vertical cylinders.
Figures 1 and 1b are side elevations
Figure 2 is a plan and Figure 3 a front elevation.
In the side elevation Figure 1 is shown how the tension-apparatus is arranged when
the drum or cylinder is actuated from below, and in the side elevation Figure 1b is

page_text: Pran, an
Figure 6 a front elevation
Figures 7 and 8 represent an anangement likewise designed for machines having
horizontal dias or cylinders, but with the tension apparatus M improved; Figure 7
being a side elevation and Figure 8 a plan
The tension-apparatus is principally composed of a cast iron support or guide D, E,
E, I, M Figues 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
In the guide a is provided an axis c, and upon the latter a small groove pulley b
is adapted to slide from one extremity to the other of the guide a.
Although the base of the action of the tension apparatus is always the same, the
machines for which it is designed not being all constructed alike it is necessary to
slightly vary the form of the apparatus according to its application, as shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Thus the device D, Figure 1, is provided with a small weight e suspended by a
cord d from the axis c of the grooved pulley 6, but this weight is not necessary in
the other tension-apparatus.
In like manner the tension apparatus I Figure 4 is provided with a second grooved
pulley the object of which is to conduct and maintain the cord in its path in the
middle of the small pully, irrespective of the position which the pulley occupies
in the guide a. lastly, in the tension apparatus M, Figure 7, there are two grooved
pulleys S and T mounted upon a support R the use of which will be hereinafter set
This tension apparatus is moreover attached by means of a bolt to a part N
which enables the inclination to be varied, owing to the pressing screw and the
fixed point j
for th
1
Figures 1, 1, 2 and 3 show the application of the tension-apparatus to self-actors
having vertical drums or cylinders and its 'mode of operation
The apparatus can be fixed either by means of a bolt or a bolt or nut upon a
wooden plate carrying bearings, as at D Figure 1 or below the plate for closing the
camage as at E Figure 1
Two tension-ipparatus are represented in this figure whereas one is sufficient for
actuating all the spindles of a drum o cylinder, but this is simply to show their
application according as the apparatus D or the apparatus E is used.
It the construction of the machine permits it, the tension-apparatus E is preferably
employed In this case the pulley b has a motion which is almost double that of the
tension apparatus D, and the weight is not necessary. By reason of the inclined
position of this latter apparatus the weight of the pulley band of the axis c, which
can be augmented according to requirements, is sufficient for the tension. Thus in
the tension-apparatus D the weight which is necessary for the bench of bobbins for
combed wool, separated 0 043 mm, is about 350 grammes This weight is compensated
for in the tension-apparatus E by about 500 grammes, which is the weight of the
pulley band of the axis c.
Figure 1, as above stated, has no other object than to demonstrate the application
of the tension apparatus Ee when the drum oi cylinder is driven from above, for in
Figure 1 it is represented with the driving gear below.
Figure 3 is an elevation and figure 2 a plan showing the mode of arranging the
cold.
The end of the cord is passed to the left hand side of the spindle 1 and conducted
behind the cylinder K to the right hand side of the spindle 2 Continuing in the
same path the cord is caused to pass from a spindle bearing an uneven number and
one bearing an even number so on to all the spindles. Having passed to the last of
the spindles bearing even number³, the two ends of the cord are connected in front
of the spindles.

page_text: The cord having been arranged in the described manner, the drum or cylinder K
is turned a few times in order that the cord shall be in its proper place.
Figure 2 shows in plan the manner of arranging the cord upon the apparatus.
If the tension-apparatus D is employed upon the wooden plate carrying the
bearings, the cord of the spindle 1 must be passed to the groove of the pulley b.
If however the tension-apparatus E is used below the plate for closing the carriage,
the cord of the last spindle bearing an even number is placed upon the pulley
In any case it is advisable to always fix the tension-apparatus so that it will receive
the cord in a straight line, and for this reason it is as well to give a few turns to the
cylinder in order to make sure that the cord is in its proper position.
The tension apparatus operates here at all points in the same manner whether the
torsion is effected either on the right or left hand side.
It may happen that the knot of the cord on passing from the last spindle bearing
an even number to the spindle 1, Figure 3, will touch the pulley of the spindle 3,
thereby causing the cord to slip from the pulley of the spindle 1.
In order to obviate this, it is necessary to lower the pulley of the spindle 1 some
millimetres and raise the pulley of the spindle 3, and also that of the last spindle of
the drum or cylinder Moreover, if the groove in the pulley of the spindle 1 is not
deep enough to retain the cord in its path so that this cord is liable to slip off a
small cone of wood 19 arranged upon this pulley, as shown in the case of the
spindle 1, Figure 3 For new spindles the cone and pulley of this first spindle can
be made of one piece
All these precautions have for their object to provide for a free passage for the
knot and to keep the cord in its path If the knot is kept in a good condition, the
cord will last a long time, for it always breaks at this point.
The tension devices D and E when applied to vertical drums or cylinders must
have the same degree of inclination as the spindles or rather a little more than les>,
in order to obtain the same tension. In other words it is necessary that these
tension apparatus shall be at a right angle to the spindle
Figures 4, 5 and 6 represent the application of the tension apparatus to self-acting
machines having horizontal drums or cylinders, either for carded wool or for cotton.
The same apparatus can be used for ring throstle frames. The tension apparatus 18
here arranged only upon the wooden plate carrying the bearings.
The number of spindles which can be controlled by each tension-apparatus is
variable, and depends upon the length of each section of the horizontal drum or
cylinder. If each of these sections comprises on an average sixty spindles, it is
advisable to employ three apparatus, that is to say about twenty spindles for each
tension-apparatus.
To obviate the crossing of the cord upon the horizontal drum or cylinder, it is
necessary to take as the starting point for the displacement of the tension-apparatus
the first spindle situated by the side of each support for the said drum or
cylinder.
The movement of the cord is effected in two manners according as the torsion
shall be right handed or left handed.
In Figures 5 and 6 is shown the mode of effecting the motion for right-handed
torsion. The cord passes to the left hand side of the spindle 1, then above the
drum or or cylinder L to be conducted to the right hand of the spindle 2, it is
caused to leave on the left hand side of the latter, passes again upon the drum or
cylinder, to travel to the right hand side of the spindle 3, and so on to the last
spindle. The two ends from the first and the last spindle are united and the knotf is
made on the front side of the spindles.
For left handed torsion, which has not been illustrated in the figures, the cord
passes from the right hand side of the spindle 1, above the drum or cylinder L, 1s
then conducted to the left hand side of the spindle 2, leaves on the right hand side of
the latter to pass upon the drum or cylinder and next to the left hand side of the
spindle 3 and so on to the last spindle. The end of the cord is now conducted behind
the last spindle, being caused to pass around the pulley of the same on the right

page_text: hand side and then above the cord the end from the spindle 1 is now conducted
around the pulley of the latter to the left hand side, and passed below the cord, and
the two ends are connected by a knot f at the rear of the spindles.
The cord having been arranged in the described manner for right-handed or left-
handed torsion, the drum or cylinder is caused to make a few revolutions in order
that the cord shall be put in a proper position. Then the tension-apparatus I is
placed upon the wooden plate carrying the bearings, and is fixed by means of a bolt
or a bolt and nut, care being taken that the cord. which passes from the drum or
cylinder below the pulley and above the pulley 9, shall move in a straight line
to the middle of the groove in the pulley of the spindle which is opposite the tension
apparatus.
Although for right handed torsion the apparatus can be employed with any spindle
controlled by it, if nothing interferes, it is better to use it with one of those
at the centre
For left handed tortion it will be necessary to use the tension apparatus with the
first spindle on the right hand side, that is to say, with the cord coming from the
drum or cylinder L. In spinning machines where the drum or cylinder turns in
the opposite direction this apparatus will be used with the first spindle on the left
hand side, but instead of causing the end of the cord to pass below as above described,
it is arranged to pass above.
It is advisable to lower the pulley of the first and last spindles controlled by each
tension apparatus a distance which is nearly equal to the thickness of this pulley in
order to afford a free passage to the cord (h, Figures 5 and 6).
2
In Figures 7 and 8 is represented the application of the improved tension
apparatus to self actors having horizontal drums or cylinders, either for combed or
carded wool or for cotton, the same apparatus being also adapted for use in ring
throstles
The improved tension apparatus M which is designed for the same object as the
tension apparatus I described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 must be employed
in preference to the latter, whenever the construction of the machine permits it, for
it presents much more practical advantages.
In the first place the adjunction of two pulleys S and T which are mounted upon a
support R hereinbefore mentioned, enables the movement of the cord in a normal
position without fatiguing it and without causing any friction by the knot rubbing
against the rim of the pulley
In the next place the device comprising the part N, point, and pressing screw k
enables the inclination of the tension-apparatus to be varied so that, if the tension is
to be augmented or diminished it is not necessary to change the weight of the
pulley b and axis, but only to give it more or less inclination.
The tension-apparatus M, like the apparatus I, is fixed through the medium of a
bolt or a bolt and nut upon the wooden plate carrying the bearings (Figure 7), and
although it can be used with any of the spindles which it controls, if nothing
intervenes, it is preferable to use it with one of the spindles at the centre.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the arrangement of the cord for left-handed torsion.
The cord on the right hand side of the spindle 1 passes upon the drum or cylinder L,
travels to the left hand side of the spindle 2 upon the pulley thereof to proceed to the
said drum or cylinder L, and then to the side of the spindle 3, and so on to the last
spindle The end leaving the left hand side of the last spindle passes around the
pulley of the latter and is conducted around the drum or cylinder L to the groove of
the pulley T, thence to the groove of the pulley b, next to that of the inclined
pulley S, and finally upon the drum or cylinder L in order to move to the left-hand
side of the spindle 1; the end hanging from the right hand side of the latter spindle
is then connected with the other end of the cord by a knot f
In order to effect the right-handed torsion the cord which passes around the
pulleys S and T must not be touched; it is sufficient to simply raise each spindle and
to cross the cord so that the part of this cord which was on the right-hand side of the
pindle will be on the left-hand side, and vice versa.

page_text: As regards the number of spindles which the tension apparatus M can control, and
obviating the crossing of the cord upon each section of the drum or cylinder, the
observations referring to the tension apparatus I are applicable in this case
The two grooved pulleys S and T mounted upon the support R must also be secured
upon the wooden plate carrying the bearings. between the twentieth and the twenty-
first. spindle for example, if the tension-apparatus is to control twenty spindles,
and between the fifteenth and the sixteenth if it controls only fifteen
The pulley S, by reason of its inclined position, guides the cord above the drum
or cylinder L, and the horizontal pulley T receives the cord from below the said drum
01 cylinder.
The function of the tension-apparatus arranged as hereinbefore described is easily
explained by the continual and regular tension which the pulley b exerts upon the
cord actuating the spindles When, by reason of the work and this tension, the cord
is lengthened, the pulley b gradually descends along the guide a always bringing the
same weight to bear, and before it reaches the end of its movement care must be
taken to cut the knot and make another, shortening the cord so that the pulley returns
to its original position at the upper part of the guide a
This
It is expedient to stretch the cord as much as possible before using it.
stretching operation can be carried out through a device which is lined by a piece of
cloth or leather in order to avoid heating At the moment when the ends are united
the normal tension should be imparted to the cord.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim 18:
In spinning machines, the regulation of the torsion effected by all the spindles.
(whether driven by a vertical or a horizontal drum or cylinder) by setting the spindles
in rotation through the medium of a single endless cord which passes around the
pulleys of all the spindles, and which after its passage around each of the said
pulleys is conducted around the driving cylinder on drum before passing around
another pulley, the said cord being provided with a tension-apparatus comprising a
grooved pulley around which the cord passes and which can be freely displaced in a
suitable guide or support, either by its own weight, or by a counter-weight, the
tension being uniformly distributed upon all the spindles, substantially as hereinbefore
described and represented in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 1st day of May 1889.
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.