Beam Brake System And Method

Abstract

A system for braking rotational movement of at least one beam is disclosed. The system can comprise a frame and at least one beam rotatably supported on the frame. Each beam of the at least one beam can comprise at least one sheave groove on at least one longitudinal end. A rope can have a first end and a second end. Each of the first end and second end can be fixedly coupled to the frame. The rope can be received within a portion of at least one of the at least one sheave groove of each beam. A tensioning assembly can be configured to selectively cause a predetermined braking tension in the rope.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 applying a first resistance to rotation of a beam upon a condition, wherein the beam has yarn wound therearound, wherein the yarn is fed into a textile machine, wherein the first resistance to rotation of the beam reduces a feed rate of yarn from the beam.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a second resistance to rotation of the beam after applying the first resistance to rotation of the beam, wherein the second resistance is lower than the first resistance. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is an electrical signal from the textile machine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is indicative of stopping of the textile machine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the condition is in response to a stop button of the textile machine being pressed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the second resistance to rotation of the beam after applying the first resistance to rotation of the beam comprises applying the second resistance a predetermined time after the condition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined time is greater than a stopping time of the textile machine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beam comprises a sheave groove, wherein applying the first resistance to rotation of the beam upon the condition comprises applying a predetermined braking tension to a rope, cable, or strap that is received within at least a portion of the sheave groove. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying a second resistance to rotation of the beam after applying the first resistance to rotation of the beam by applying a predetermined resistance tension to the rope, cable, or strap that is received within the at least a portion of the sheave groove, wherein the predetermined resistance tension is less than half of the predetermined braking tension. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the beam is one of a plurality of beams positioned on a rack. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the beam is mounted on a frame, wherein the rope, cable, or strap has a first end and a second end, wherein the rope, cable, or strap defines a rope path between the first end and the second end of the rope, cable, or strap, and a tensioning assembly in contact with the rope along the rope path, wherein the tensioning assembly is configured to effect tension in the rope. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a movable sheave that is in engagement with the rope along the rope path; and a piston that is coupled to the movable sheave and is configured to apply a force to the movable sheave to thereby cause the predetermined braking tension in the rope. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tensioning assembly further comprises:
 a first pressure regulator that is configured to maintain a first output pressure;   a second pressure regulator that is configured to maintain a second output pressure, wherein the second output pressure is greater than the first output pressure; and   a pneumatic actuator in communication with each of the first and second pressure regulators, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to selectively apply one of the first output pressure or the second output pressure to the piston.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein applying the predetermined braking tension to rope, cable, or strap that is received within the at least a portion of the sheave groove comprises actuating the pneumatic actuator to effect movement of the piston. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first pressure regulator is a bleed pressure regulator that is configured to allow air pressure between the piston and the first pressure regulator to decrease to the first pressure when the first pressure regulator is in communication with the piston. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a quick connect coupling is in communication with the piston. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling an air source to the quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the beam comprises a main body and a pair of end plates positioned at opposed longitudinal ends of the beam, wherein at least one end plate defines the sheave groove. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the textile machine is a tufting machine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising applying the second resistance to rotation of the beam before applying the first resistance to rotation of the beam.