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).

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.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

A method for starting a spindle of a cabling or two-for-one twisting machine, wherein a yarn reserve is formed on a take-up package, the machine has a workstation having a spindle pot for holding a first feed package and having a spindle rotor with a lateral outlet below the spindle pot, an outer yarn from one feed package is wound around an inner yarn from another feed package and the outer yarn is guided through the spindle shaft and its lateral outlet in a balloon orbiting the spindle pot to a yarn-guiding device above the spindle which merges the two yarn supplies, and a winding device in which the produced twist is wound onto the take-up package. A ratio of the take-up speed of the twist to the rotation speed of the spindle rotor is increased in comparison with the production data is used during creation of the yarn reserve.

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

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

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).

A workstation (1) of a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine which comprises a rotatably mounted spindle (2) and a balloon-yarn-guide-eye (9) height-adjustable by means of a drive (18, 29) coupled to a control device (20) which controls the drive (18, 29) in such a manner that it displaces the balloon-yarn-guide-eye (9) between operating positions (AP.sub.1, AP.sub.2) dependent upon production parameters and a resting position (RS) advantageous in the case of production interruptions and transient operating phases associated with the latter. A device (21, 23, 24, 25) is present for detecting a measured value (i), which is made available to the control device (20) and which causes the control of the drive (18, 29) to change the position of the balloon-yarn-guide-eye (9).