Automated apparatus for composite self-twist-yarn braiding

Abstract

An automated apparatus produces braided yarn starting from strands for spinning into yarn. A controller provides the automation. A tension roller holds the plurality of strands in tension. A spinning and/or twisting block has pathways extending through it and each pathway contains one tensioned strand. The spinning and/or twisting block includes air jets operated by valves, each air jet acts on one tensioned strand to a produce a twisted strand within the pathway. A take-up apron receives each twisted strand while maintaining the twist of each twisted strand. A tensioning take-up roll for each twisted strand receives each twisted strand from the take-up apron. A grooved cam with fork guide moves the twisted strand. A ring with booster jets directs a vortex of pressurized air to the twisted strands to produce a braided strand. Finally, a winding machine winds the braided strand received from the ring with booster jets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated apparatus configured to produce braided yarn, the automated apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of strands for spinning into yarn;   a controller programmed to control operation of the automated apparatus;   a tension roller for the plurality of strands, the tension roller configured to hold the plurality of strands in tension, whereupon each strand in the plurality of strands is then a tensioned strand;   a spinning and/or twisting block defining a plurality of pathways therethrough, each pathway extending between two openings on opposite ends of the spinning and/or twisting block, each of said pathways configured to contain one tensioned strand;   the spinning and/or twisting block comprising a plurality of air jets operated by valves, each air jet in the plurality of air jets being configured to act on one tensioned strand to produce a twisted strand;   a take-up apron configured to receive each twisted strand from the spinning and/or twisting block while maintaining the twist of each twisted strand;   a tensioning take-up roll for each twisted strand configured to receive each twisted strand from the take-up apron;   a plurality of grooved cams, each grooved cam within the plurality of grooved cams includes a fork guide, each grooved cam and fork guide is configured to guide one twisted strand, received from the tensioning take-up roll, back and forth and up and down;   a plurality of winding take-up rolls configured to receive each twisted strand guided from a grooved cam and fork guide so as to maintain the tension and twists of each said twisted strand;   a ring with booster jets configured to direct a vortex of pressurized air to each of twisted strand to produce a braided strand; and   a winding machine configured to wind the braided strand received from the ring with booster jets.   
     
     
         2 . The automated apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of air jets is connected to each pathway so as to flow pressurized air into the pathway causing a vortex that twists the strand within. 
     
     
         3 . The automated apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller operates two valves to send pressurized air through four air jets and further operates two other valves to send pressurized air through four other air jets. 
     
     
         4 . The automated apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of winding take-up rolls comprises a first winding take-up roll, second winding take-up roll, and a third winding take-up roll;
 wherein the first winding take-up roll is configured to receive each twisted strand guided from the plurality of grooved cams and pass each twisted strand between the first winding take-up roll and the second winding take-up roll;   wherein the second winding take-up roll is configured to roll up each twisted strand half around said second winding take-up roll, and further configured to pass each twisted strand between said second winding take-up roll and said third winding take-up roll;   wherein the third winding take-up roll is configured to pass each twisted strand through the ring with booster jets;   wherein a speed of rotation of said plurality of winding take-up rolls is regulated by the controller.   
     
     
         5 . The automated apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of strands comprises at least three strands. 
     
     
         6 . The automated apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the braided strand is selected from the group consisting of: a stable Z-twist ply strand braided from at least three S-twist strands wherein the stable Z-twist ply strand includes composite strands changing their respective positions during braiding while a self-twist process locks each strand's respective position; and at least three Z-twist strands braided into stable 5-twist ply.