System for detecting the rupture of one or more of a plurality of strings of material which are being advanced substantially in unison along a number of paths of separate alimentaçáoS as the set of pa

摘要

A system for sensing breakage of one or more of a plurality of strands of material that are being fed in unison along a circular array of separate feed paths while the array of feed paths is being rotated about an imaginary axis that extends substantially centrally among the array of feed paths utilizes separate indicator assemblies positioned along each of the separate feed paths, with the indicator assemblies being arranged in a substantially circular array for rotation along a circular path of movement that extends substantially concentrically about the axis of rotation. At least one optical detector is positioned alongside the substantially circular path of movement that is followed by the indicator assemblies as they rotate, whereby, at least once during each revolution, each of the indicator assemblies is caused to move past an optical detector. In the event that any of the indicator assemblies detect breakage of its associated strand, an associated indicator flag is pivoted quickly under the action of an associated biasing device from its normally nested position to an extended position that will be sensed as the flag-extended indicator assembly moves past an optical detector.