Suction-air system of a textile machine

Details Suction-air system of a textile machine Suction-air system of a textile machine

1999-07-07

2001-11-13

Nerbun, Peter (Department: 3765)

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application

Specific application, apparatus or process

Product assembly or manufacturing

C700S143000, C057S305000, C340S628000, C019S205000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06317645

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a suction-air system of a textile machine, especially a rotor spinning machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a suction-air system having at least one suction-air conduit, at least one spark sensor for detecting flying sparks within a measuring extent of the suction-air system wherein the sensor comprises a measuring device whose sensing range overlaps the measuring extent at least partially, at least one electromagnetic wave receiver which generates an output signal when a spark enters into the sensing range, and a driver and evaluation circuit for the measuring device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suction-air systems of the basic type described above are known. Thus, for example, German Patent Publication DE 24 26 961 B2 describes a fire detector which is arranged in a suction-air system of a rotor spinning machine. The task of such a fire detector is to monitor fiber fly of the rotor spinning machine transported within a suction-air conduit for any spark formation. Such a spark formation can arise, e.g., because a rotor of the rotor spinning machine overheats, which can cause an ignition of fibers. Such ignited fibers can be transported via the suction-air conduit over relatively large distances, e.g. into air-conditioning equipment, so that considerable fire damage can occur.
It is known that such fire detectors (referred to herein as spark sensors) can be provided with an optical receiver for electromagnetic waves which receiver senses, in particular, infrared signals emitted by a spark. Such electromagnetic waves can be converted into an electrical signal by a photoelement, e.g., a photodiode. This electrical signal can be evaluated with a driver and evaluation circuit. Normally, the photoelements are loaded with a resting current, or zero-signal current, which changes into a switching current after the incidence of an electromagnetic wave to initiate an event-dependent action. This action can be, e.g., an alarm signal to operating personnel of the rotor spinning machine, an automatic deactuation of the rotor spinning machine, the activation of an extinguishing device or the like.
While they are being used according to regulation, spark sensors are exposed to significant stress, so that a checking of the operation of the spark sensors is necessary for reliable operation. As a result of the defined switching states of the spark sensors between the resting current, on the one hand, and the switching current, on the other hand, an electrical check can be performed by means of a testing algorithm via the driver and evaluation circuit. In the case of any short circuit of the leads to the measuring device, a current flows which is greater than the resting current, whereas in the case of an interruption of the lead of the measuring device no current flows. In the case of both error states, an alarm signal can be generated which indicates a failure of the spark sensor.
However, it is a disadvantage that checking of the optical structural elements of the spark sensor is not possible, so that an operational safety of 100% can not be assured by the electrical test.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a suction-air system of the basic type described above which offers increased operating safety in a simple manner.
The invention solves this problem by providing a suction-air in a textile machine which basically comprises at least one suction-air conduit, at least one spark sensor for detecting flying sparks within a measuring extent of the suction-air system, the sensor comprising a measuring device having a sensing range overlapping at least partially the measuring extent, at least one receiver of electromagnetic waves adapted for generating an output signal when a spark enters the sensing range of the measuring device, and a driver and evaluation circuit for the measuring device. According to the present invention, at least one source for generating electromagnetic waves is provided in association with the at least one electromagnetic wave receiver and is operable for purposefully initiating the spark sensor. As a result, the optical components of the spark sensor can be checked in an advantageous manner in addition to the checking of the electrical and electronic components of the spark sensor, so that a recognition of sparks by the spark sensor becomes significantly more reliable.
A preferred development of the invention provides that that the at least one electromagnetic wave generating source can be actuated periodically and the alarm function of the driver and evaluation circuit can be faded out or otherwise deactuated, preferably during the periodically repeating actuation of the electromagnetic wave generating source for self-testing of the optical components of the spark sensor. Thus, the optical components of the spark sensor can be checked in a simple manner and at determinable intervals, during which the initiation of the alarm current of the spark sensor does not result in an initiation of a false alarm signal as a consequence of the testing of the measuring device.
A further, preferred development of the invention provides that the electromagnetic wave source is a light-emitting diode which can preferably be driven via the driver and evaluation circuit of the measuring device. As a result thereof, the periodic activation of the electromagnetic wave source can be combined in a simple manner with the deactuation of the alarm function without any great expense for circuit technology being necessary.
Furthermore, another preferred development of the invention provides that the source for generating electromagnetic waves and the spark sensor are arranged in a common housing. This makes it possible to create a compact structural form of the spark sensor. A common electrical interface with the driver and evaluation circuit of the spark sensor can preferably be used. This results in a simplified assembly expense since the arrangement and the electrical connection of additional components is not necessary.
The invention will be further explained and understood from the description of an exemplary embodiment set forth in the following specification with reference to the associated drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5819373 (1998-10-01), Schlicter et al.
patent: 5936531 (1999-08-01), Powers
patent: 619 991 A5 (1980-10-01), None
patent: 676 475 A5 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 2 426 961 (1974-12-01), None
patent: 297 19 245 U1 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 0000 033 B1 (1990-10-01), None

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