An outer-yarn brake (14) for a cording or cabling machine with at least one workstation comprising a bobbin rack (2) for holding at least one feed bobbin (4), a spindle (12) for the rotation of a yarn (6) withdrawn from the feed bobbin (4) around a bobbin pot associated with the spindle (12), and a yarn-guide channel (10) for guiding the yarn (6) received via a free end-portion (8) of the yarn-guide channel (10) to the spindle (12). The outer-yarn brake (14) can be arranged in the yarn running direction of the withdrawn yarn (6) between the feed bobbin (4) and the yarn-guide channel (10) to guide through the withdrawn yarn (6) and comprises a clamping portion for defined braking of the running yarn (6). The outer-yarn brake (14) can be coupled to the free end-portion (8) in order to form a yarn input for the yarn-guide channel (10).

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the torsional fiber actuator includes a first polymer fiber (exhibiting a first polymer fiber diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is configured to include a first plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is further configured to include a plurality of coils in the twisted polymer fiber in a second direction each coil having a mean coil diameter. In some embodiments, the torsional nanofiber actuator includes a first carbon nanofiber yarn (having a yarn diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn includes a plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn further includes a plurality of coils in the twisted carbon nanofiber yarn, with each coil having a mean coil diameter greater than the yarn diameter.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the torsional fiber actuator includes a first polymer fiber (exhibiting a first polymer fiber diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is configured to include a first plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is further configured to include a plurality of coils in the twisted polymer fiber in a second direction each coil having a mean coil diameter. In some embodiments, the torsional nanofiber actuator includes a first carbon nanofiber yarn (having a yarn diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn includes a plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn further includes a plurality of coils in the twisted carbon nanofiber yarn, with each coil having a mean coil diameter greater than the yarn diameter.

A cabling spindle 2 comprising a spindle pot 5 and an upper part which is constituted as a conical cabling hood 1, wherein a yarn brake 7 is arranged in the cabling hood 1. According to the invention, the cabling hood 1 merges in its upper region from the conical shape into a convex shape.

Workstation of a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine for production of carpet yarn, including winding device having package cradle with two frame arms for rotatable mounting of an empty tube or twisting package, package drive roller for frictionally driving twisting package, yarn traversing device for traversing transfer of a yarn to the twisting package, advance roller for regulating a yarn tension, and cover in area of the advance roller with an opening for yarn guided through the yarn traversing device to the twisting package. Package cradle has at least one movable, partially rotatable frame arm and designed so an empty tube with length of at least 315 mm is insertable, that the package drive roller has length of at least 286 mm, that yarn traversing device has traversing stroke of at least 11 inches, and that opening in cover corresponds with the yarn path arising due to the traversing stroke.

A method for operating a spindle (2) of a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine which has an adjustable balloon-yarn-guide-eye (9), wherein for the operation of the spindle (2) under production conditions, the balloon-yarn-guide-eye (9) is adjusted, on the basis of a measured value (i) correlating with the energy consumption of the spindle drive (3), to a first operating position (AP.sub.1), in which a position-dependent minimum of the energy consumption of the spindle drive (3) is reached.

The present invention relates to a carpet yarn twisting machine, comprising a machine frame, a creel unit (1), an electric spindle unit (5), an overfeeding unit (4) and a reeling unit (3), in the electric spindle unit (5), a hollow spindle rod (502) is fixedly connected with a motor (501), the motor (501) drives the hollow spindle rod (502) to rotate, a twisting disc (506) and a yarn storage disc (505) are fixedly connected with the hollow spindle rod (502) and rotate along with the hollow spindle rod (502), the yarn storage disc (505) is provided with yarn outlets (504), which communicate with inner yarn channels of the hollow spindle rod (502), spindle tanks for accommodating inner yarn packages (15) are connected with the hollow spindle rod (502) through spindle rod bearings (509), and the spindle tanks are immobile.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twisted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered thermally. In some embodiments, the thermally-powered polymer fiber tensile actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile or garment.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twisted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered thermally. In some embodiments, the thermally-powered polymer fiber tensile actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile or garment.

A method for operating a spindle (2) of a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine, in which an outer yarn (5) is drawn off a first feed package (7) and the spindle (2) rotates in a yarn balloon (B), wherein the spindle (2) comprises a device (6) for influencing the balloon yarn tension of an outer yarn (5), which is connected to a control circuit (18), and has a spindle pot (19) for receiving a second feed package (15), a yarn deflection device (20), a balancing system (9) for forming a twisting or cabling point as well as a spooling and winding device (12). The drive of the yarn balloon (B) is performed via a fixed throw-off point (21) on the yarn deflection device (20).