TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and equipment for continuous strain measurement. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus or a device that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that can be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Tension is an important parameter of concern in many mechanical technologies and more so, in a generally mechanical oriented field such as the textile field. Particularly, in this field, it is relevant because its knowledge can decide the efficiency associated with producing a higher quality and the same time, a product which can be mass produced. For example, tension associated with yarns, silk threads, or threads in general are a matter of concern since this tension related to these lines correlate to the general lifespan and the quality associated with products made of these lines.

[0004] In the current art, tension is generally measured through handheld tension meters or sensors using loadcell sensing elements. It is also well-known in the art that these techniques have drawbacks such as that of having lesser long-term stability, being expensive to produce, and being expensive to maintain.

[0005] With regards to sensing elements (i.e. the elements upon which a moving line moves or travels) in the current art, current technologies measures the strain applied on the sensing element due to the tension of the moving yam. This particular strain is a small amount and requires a very high amplification resulting into errors and noise. In addition, due to low fatigue resistance of sensing element, these sensing element drifts and hence requires calibration through hardware or software to compensate it. The moving line is also in direct contact with the loadcell sensor which makes the current design prone to failure and expensive to maintain.

[0006] In other solutions extant to the current problem, for example, with regards to mechanical components, other category of devices uses a mechanical spring arrangement which are not suitable for continuous monitoring. These devices have a multitude of moving parts resulting in them being less accurate. The response time is also less and as a result, they cannot capture small peaks. In addition, the signals associated with detecting tension has the issue of not being able to be digitized for further analysis.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a reliable and efficient tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line. [0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0009] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[00010] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[00011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[00012] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[00013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a tension sensor that affords ease of assembly with respect to components and parts thereof.

[00014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a simple and cost effective tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

[00015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a reliable, efficient, and accurate tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

[00016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line that have longer lifespan.

SUMMARY

[00017] The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and equipment for continuous strain measurement. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus or a device that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

[00018] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of a system for time bound availability check of an entity, which are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining/limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[00019] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an apparatus to measure strain or stress associated with a moving line. The apparatus comprises a line guide assembly and a sensor assembly. The line guide assembly includes a line guide configured to guide the moving line, a cantilever spring member having a permanent magnet attached thereto. The sensor assembly includes a hall effect transducer, an amplifier, and a data acquisition system. [00020] In an aspect, during operation, the line guide assembly is configured to reversibly move downwards with respect to the moving line based on the tension associated with the moving line.

[00021] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is disposed at a distance perpendicular to the permanent magnet and in turn the entire line guide assembly forming an air gap between the hall effect transducer and the permanent magnet.

[00022] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is configured to detect a change in magnetic flux based on a movement of the permanent magnet with the movement being caused by the moving line’s tension upon the line guide assembly.

[00023] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is further configured to generate a signal associated with the change in magnetic flux.

[00024] In an aspect, the amplifier is configured to receive and amplify the signal generated by the hall effect transducer.

[00025] In an aspect, the signal amplified by the amplifier is transmitted to the data acquisition system for reading.

[00026] In an aspect, the line guide is attached on an upper portion of the cantilever spring member and the permanent magnet is attached on a lower portion of the cantilever spring member with the line guide and the permanent magnet being parallel to each other from a side perspective of the line guide assembly.

[00027] In an application, the cantilever spring member is made of an alloy or a material whose properties include high fatigue resistance and long-term stability.

[00028] In an application, the line guide is made of ceramic.

[00029] In an aspect, the line guide is defined by a first inclined face, a second inclined face, and a centre edge with the inclined faces meeting at the centre edge; and wherein the centre edge serves to guide the moving line in an operational position.

[00030] In an aspect, the sensor assembly is sealed by epoxy including its components with respect to ambient conditions.

[00031] In an aspect, wherein the apparatus further comprises an overload stopper disposed at a distance beneath the permanent magnet.

[00032] In an aspect, during operation, the permanent magnet is further configured to register with the overload stopper and cease further movement such that the overload stopper serves to provide an overstress protection mechanism with respect to the apparatus.

[00033] In an aspect, the amplifier is based on one circuit capable of conditioning analogue signals with offset, gain, and response time. [00034] In an aspect, the cantilever spring member includes an elongate flat plate whose thickness is based on various tension ranges associated with the moving line during operation.

[00035] In an application, the moving line is a yarn or a thread.

[00036] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00037] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[00038] FIG. 1 shows a partially schematic and a side perspective view of an exemplary apparatus that can measure stress or strain associated with a moving line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00039] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a line guide assembly that guides a moving line having a tension thereof to be measured, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00040] FIG. 3 shows a partially schematic and a top perspective view of an exemplary apparatus that can measure stress or strain associated with a moving line with a sensor assembly thereof being more representative, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00041] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[00042] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. [00043] Embodiments of the present invention may include various steps, which may be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.

[00044] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[00045] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[00046] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. [00047] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[00048] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[00049] The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and equipment for continuous strain measurement. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus or a device that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

[00050] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an apparatus to measure strain or stress associated with a moving line. The apparatus comprises a line guide assembly and a sensor assembly. The line guide assembly includes a line guide configured to guide the moving line, a cantilever spring member having a permanent magnet attached thereto. The sensor assembly includes a hall effect transducer, an amplifier, and a data acquisition system. [00051] In an aspect, during operation, the line guide assembly is configured to reversibly move downwards with respect to the moving line based on the tension associated with the moving line.

[00052] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is disposed at a distance perpendicular to the permanent magnet and in turn the entire line guide assembly forming an air gap between the hall effect transducer and the permanent magnet.

[00053] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is configured to detect a change in magnetic flux based on a movement of the permanent magnet with the movement being caused by the moving line’s tension upon the line guide assembly.

[00054] In an aspect, the hall effect transducer is further configured to generate a signal associated with the change in magnetic flux.

[00055] In an aspect, the amplifier is configured to receive and amplify the signal generated by the hall effect transducer.

[00056] In an aspect, the signal amplified by the amplifier is transmitted to the data acquisition system for reading. [00057] In an aspect, the line guide is attached on an upper portion of the cantilever spring member and the permanent magnet is attached on a lower portion of the cantilever spring member with the line guide and the permanent magnet being parallel to each other from a side perspective of the line guide assembly.

[00058] In an application, the cantilever spring member is made of an alloy or a material whose properties include high fatigue resistance and long-term stability.

[00059] In an application, the line guide is made of ceramic.

[00060] In an aspect, the line guide is defined by a first inclined face, a second inclined face, and a centre edge with the inclined faces meeting at the centre edge; and wherein the centre edge serves to guide the moving line in an operational position.

[00061] In an aspect, the sensor assembly is sealed by epoxy including its components with respect to ambient conditions.

[00062] In an aspect, wherein the apparatus further comprises an overload stopper disposed at a distance beneath the permanent magnet.

[00063] In an aspect, during operation, the permanent magnet is further configured to register with the overload stopper and cease further movement such that the overload stopper serves to provide an overstress protection mechanism with respect to the apparatus.

[00064] In an aspect, the amplifier is based on one circuit capable of conditioning analogue signals with offset, gain, and response time.

[00065] In an aspect, the cantilever spring member includes an elongate flat plate whose thickness is based on the tension associated with the moving line during operation. [00066] In an application, the moving line is a yarn or a thread.

[00067] FIG. 1 shows a partially schematic and a side perspective view of an exemplary apparatus 100 that can measure stress or strain associated with a moving line 140, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00068] The proposed apparatus 100 primarily includes a line guide assembly 110 that is generally capable of guiding a line and a sensor assembly 120 that is generally capable of sensing a parameter. The line guide assembly 110 further includes a line guide 112 that is configured to provide a pathway or a guide for the moving line 140, and a cantilever spring member 114 which in turn includes a permanent magnet 116 attached to an underside of the cantilever spring member 114 as shown in FIG. 1. The permanent magnet 116 is also generally parallel in location to the line guide 112 as again shown in FIG. l.The sensor assembly 120 includes a hall effect transducer 122, an amplifier 124 that is localized with respect to the proposed apparatus 100, and a data acquisition system (not shown). Each of the components 122, 124, 126 of the sensor assembly 120 are at least in electronic communication with each other to the extent they can perform the intended function as herein explained.

[00069] The line guide assembly 110, being capable of guiding a moving line 140 is disposed at an angle with respect to an apparatus base 160. The line guide assembly’s 110 top portion, as shown includes the line guide 112 and the permanent magnet 116 being disposed on opposite sides of the cantilever spring member 114 with the line guide 112 being slightly above in position with respect to the permanent magnet 116. The cantilever spring member 114 is so named because of a spring mechanism 118 located at a bottom portion of the line guide assembly 110. The spring mechanism 118, in addition to providing a spring function i.e. a function that would revert the spring or an associated component to revert (or reverse itself) back to an original position after being caused to move to a tensed position, also provides a cantilever mechanism at the spring mechanism 118 with the top portion of the line guide assembly being disposed to gravity thereof.

[00070] Referring now to FIG. 2, it shows an isometric view of the line guide assembly 110 that guides a moving line 140 having a tension thereof to be measured, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the line guide 112 is typically made of a ceramic material and is defined by a first inclined face 112-2, a second inclined face 112-4, and a centre edge 112-6 with the inclined faces 112-2, 112-4 meeting at their respective lower ends on the centre edge 112-6. This arrangement of the line guide 112 generally serves to provide a secure and streamlined position for the moving line 140 owing to the fact that the moving line 140 is arrested from slipping off the line guide 112. The streamlined position, here, without limitation refers to a position associated with the moving line 140 wherein, during operation, the moving line 140 owing to its transverse movement with respect to the line guide 112 does not slip either towards the left or the right. Therefore, in other embodiments, other arrangements which can serve this purpose can be implemented. For example, without limitation, the inclined faces 112-2, 112-4 can be curved instead of being inclined or otherwise the entire line guide 112 itself can be U-shaped.

[00071] FIGs. 1 and 2 also show the cantilever spring member 114 which virtually holds the load that may be associated with the line guide 112, the permanent magnet 116, and the moving line 140 along with its possible tension during both an in-use operational position and a non-use stationary position. As shown in FIG. 2, the cantilever spring member 114 is an elongate flat plate with a corresponding thickness ‘t’. The thickness ‘t’ is typically based on the tension that maybe associated with the moving line 140 and can include other variant methods and techniques for designing the same in other embodiments. In addition, since the cantilever spring member 114 is an integral part of the present disclosure being associated with load-bearing functions, it is typically made of an alloy or a material whose properties include having a high fatigue resistance and a long-term stability.

[00072] FIGs. 1 and 2 also show the permanent magnet 116. The permanent magnet 116 is a typical magnet that affords the presence of a magnetic flux and associated magnetic field around it. More specifically, the permanent magnet’s 116 magnetic flux and associated magnetic field are capable of being detected by an appropriate sensor known in the art including the sensor provided in association with the instant disclosure (i.e. the hall effect transducer 122). The permanent magnet 116 can appropriately have a defined shape and weight as can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

[00073] Referring again to FIG. 1, the sensor assembly 120 includes the hall effect transducer 122, the amplifier 124, and the data acquisition system. The hall effect transducer 122 is disposed in the vicinity of the permanent magnet 116 to at least electronically, electrically, or magnetically interact with the permanent magnet 116. In other words, the hall effect transducer 122 being representative of its namesake function i.e. that of detecting a change in potential difference across an electrical conductor when a magnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to that of the flow of current. The amplifier 124 has a localized disposal in that the entire sensor assembly 120 can form part of a single electronic circuit. The sensor assembly 120 is typically sealed by means of an epoxy material or other material that can afford to prevent external ambient conditions. In some embodiments, the components associated with the sensor assembly 120 can be individually sealed instead of merely sealing just the sensor assembly 120 as a whole.

[00074] The hall effect transducer 122 is typically configured to detect a change in magnetic flux based on a movement of the permanent magnet 116 with the movement being caused by the moving line’s 140 tension upon the line guide assembly 110. The hall effect transducer 122 is also configured to generate a signal associated with the change in magnetic flux that may transpire due to the movement of the permanent magnet 116 and transmit the signal to the amplifier 124 for amplification. The hall effect transducer 122 can be based on any transducer that is known in the art that can detect a change in magnetic flux associated with an electrical conductor.

[00075] FIG. 3 shows a partially schematic and a top perspective view of the proposed apparatus 100 with the sensor assembly 120 thereof being more representative. As shown in FIG. 3, the hall effect transducer 122 is disposed at a distance perpendicular to the permanent magnet 116 and in turn the entire line guide assembly 110 forming an air gap 130 between the hall effect transducer 122 and the permanent magnet 116. The air gap 130, as the name indicates a region with no physical components being present so as to serve as an effective vehicle for the hall effect transducer 122 to detect the change in magnetic flux associated with the permanent magnet 116.

[00076] The amplifier 124 is configured to receive and amplify the signal generated and further transmit the amplified signal to the data acquisition system for reading. The amplifier 124 is typically based on a single circuit capable of conditioning analogue signals with offset, gain, and response time.

[00077] The operation of the proposed apparatus 100 that can measure stress or strain associated with the moving line 140 will now be described. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment is in the field of textiles and the moving line 140 is a moving yarn or a moving thread. The proposed apparatus 100 may include a line ingress 180 and a line egress 190 (shown in FIG. 1) that may respectively allow a moving line 140 to move into the inner compartment of the proposed apparatus 100 and whose tension and associated stress and strain is to be measured. The moving line 140 typically has a pull force F towards the line egress 190 due to the line being pulled by an appropriate equipment. As a result of the pull force, the line guide 112 upon which the moving line 140 has been secured exerts a downward force D as shown in FIG. 1 causing the line guide assembly 110 and thereby the permanent magnet 116 to move downwards. The hall effect transducer 122 detects a change in the resulting magnetic flux and magnetic field as against a prior or stationary or original magnetic flux or magnetic field. This change is then transmitted to the amplifier 124 for corrections or accuracy or mere amplification. The amplified signal is then read by a data acquisition system which is typically an interface that can allow the reading of an analogue signal or a digital signal or any other signal that is known in the art, in its proper and relevant form.

[00078] Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the proposed apparatus 100 can further include an overload stopper 150 disposed at a distance beneath the permanent magnet 116.During operation, the permanent magnet 116 is configured to register with the overload stopper 150 and cease further movement such that the overload stopper 150 serves to provide an overstress protection mechanism with respect to the apparatus 100.

[00079] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.

[00080] In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details.

[00081] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.

[00082] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[00083] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention can be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art. ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[00084] The present disclosure provides a tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line.

[00085] The present disclosure provides a tension sensor that affords ease of assembly with respect to components and parts thereof.

[00086] The present disclosure provides a simple and cost effective tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yam line.

[00087] The present disclosure provides a reliable, efficient, and accurate tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line. [00088] The present disclosure provides a tension sensor that can measure strain or stress associated with a moving thread line or a yarn line that have longer lifespan.