Circular Expander for Treating Tubular Fabric

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to provide a circular expander ( 1 ) that allows an easy-to-adjust, continuous passage of textiles while not impairing the quality of the passing tubular fabric ( 12 ). For this purpose, a magnetic bearing ( 8 ) is provided optionally at the inlet or outlet of the circular expander and a conventional roller bearing ( 9 ) is provided at the opposite end of the circular expander.

1 . A circular expander for treating textile tubular fabric ( 12 ), comprising 
 a telescopically displaceable central carrier ( 3 ), on which outwardly spreadable supports are articulated, the supports being connected to elements for the longitudinal guidance of the tubular fabric ( 12 ),    a first device, formed at one end of the central carrier ( 3 ) as a tubular fabric entry ( 4 ), for delivering the tubular fabric ( 12 ),    a second device, formed at the other end of the central carrier ( 3 ) as a tubular fabric exit ( 5 ), for discharging the tubular fabric ( 12 ),    a lifting apparatus ( 11 ), engaging selectively on the first or the second device, for setting the size of the circular spread, and    an apparatus, operatively connected to the central carrier ( 3 ), for locking the set size of the circular spread, characterized    in that, selectively, the first or the second device consists of a preferably rotationally symmetrical body ( 7 ) arranged at one free end of the central carrier ( 3 ) and of modules ( 8 . 1 ) equipped with electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ), which modules ( 8 . 1 ) partially surround the body ( 7 ) so as to form a first fabric gap ( 14 . 1 ),    in that each of the modules ( 8 . 1 ) possesses distance sensors ( 8 . 3 ) for regulating the magnetic forces of the electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ),    in that the electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ) generate magnetic forces which form a magnetic bearing for the central carrier ( 3 ),    in that, arranged at the other free end of the central carrier ( 3 ) is a roller mounting ( 9 ) known per se which consists of pairs of supporting rollers and fixing rollers, between which a second fabric gap ( 14 . 2 ) is formed.    
   
   
       2 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that the rotationally symmetrical body ( 7 ) consists completely of ferromagnetic material.  
   
   
       3 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that the rotationally symmetrical body ( 7 ) consists partially of ferromagnetic material.  
   
   
       4 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that ferromagnetic elements are integrated in the outer circumference of the rotationally symmetrical body ( 7 ).  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that the electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ) and the distance sensors ( 8 . 3 ) are integrated in the modules ( 8 . 1 ).  
   
   
       7 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that, in addition to the electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ), permanent magnets are also integrated in the modules ( 8 . 1 ).  
   
   
       8 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that, for setting and regulating the first fabric gap ( 14 . 1 ), at least three distance sensors ( 8 . 3 ) and at least three electromagnets ( 8 . 2 ) are arranged, distributed circumferentially at equal intervals, on the modules ( 8 . 1 ).  
   
   
       9 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that in each case an electromagnet ( 8 . 2 ) and a distance sensor ( 8 . 3 ), together with a controller ( 8 . 4 ), form a control loop.  
   
   
       10  to  12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that permanent-magnet elements are integrated in the outer circumference of the rotationally symmetrical body ( 7 ).  
   
   
       14 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 9 , characterized in that all the control loops of the magnetic mounting ( 8 ) are fed from one power source ( 8 . 5 ).  
   
   
       15 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 9 , characterized in that each control loop of the magnetic mounting ( 9 ) is fed from a specific power source ( 8 . 5 ).  
   
   
       16 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 1 , characterized in that one controller ( 8 . 4 ) controls all the control loops of the magnetic mounting ( 8 ).  
   
   
       17 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 16 , characterized in that all the control loops of the magnetic mounting ( 8 ) are fed from one power source ( 8 . 5 ).  
   
   
       18 . The circular expander as claimed in patent  claim 16 , characterized in that each control loop of the magnetic mounting ( 9 ) is fed from a specific power source ( 8 . 5 ).