A passive tensioning system is disclosed for composite material that is dispensed by a composite placement machine. A spool is mounted on a spool shaft and material on the spool is pulled from the spool and applied to a surface. The tensioning system has a drag brake on the spool shaft and a drag brake control for the drag brake. A dancer roll is mounted on a linear slide having a spring force and a slide control is provided for the linear slide. A control system continually varies the drag brake control and the slide control to control the tension of the composite material based on the instantaneous operating characteristics of the composite placement machine.

A passive tensioning system is disclosed for composite material that is dispensed by a composite placement machine. A spool is mounted on a spool shaft and material on the spool is pulled from the spool and applied to a surface. The tensioning system has a drag brake on the spool shaft and a drag brake control for the drag brake. A dancer roll is mounted on a linear slide having a spring force and a slide control is provided for the linear slide. A control system continually varies the drag brake control and the slide control to control the tension of the composite material based on the instantaneous operating characteristics of the composite placement machine.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. The canister-yarn tensioning assembly includes a cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. The adapter defines an unobstructed package transfer space sufficient to allow the yarn supply package to be manually lowered through the adapter and into the canister. A pivoted support arm is carried by the adapter, and configured to pivot at a connection point located on a peripheral flange of the adapter. One or more yarn tensioners are carried by the pivoted support arm, and are movable between an operative position within the package transfer space and an inoperative package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. The canister-yarn tensioning assembly includes a cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. The adapter defines an unobstructed package transfer space sufficient to allow the yarn supply package to be manually lowered through the adapter and into the canister. A pivoted support arm is carried by the adapter, and configured to pivot at a connection point located on a peripheral flange of the adapter. One or more yarn tensioners are carried by the pivoted support arm, and are movable between an operative position within the package transfer space and an inoperative package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space.

A pipe stop and stored energy dampening apparatus comprising a main body, a plurality of rollers connected to the main body, a gear connected to a first roller of the plurality of rollers, a gear lever connected to the main body and adapted to engage with the gear, a gear handle connected to the gear lever, and a clamp connected to the main body. Methods related to dispensing pipe or conduit or hosing from a spool or other device on which a pipe or conduit is wound or otherwise stored, controlling stored energy of the pipe or conduit in preventing injuries, and eliminating wasted pipe or conduit.

A pipe stop and stored energy dampening apparatus comprising a main body, a plurality of rollers connected to the main body, a gear connected to a first roller of the plurality of rollers, a gear lever connected to the main body and adapted to engage with the gear, a gear handle connected to the gear lever, and a clamp connected to the main body. Methods related to dispensing pipe or conduit or hosing from a spool or other device on which a pipe or conduit is wound or otherwise stored, controlling stored energy of the pipe or conduit in preventing injuries, and eliminating wasted pipe or conduit.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. A cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. A yarn tensioner is attached by a hinge assembly at a peripheral flange of the adapter, and is configured for multiplanar movement between an operative position within the package transfer space and a package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space. Upon depleting the yarn supply package, the yarn tensioner is pivoted in a first plane at the hinge assembly to lift away from the package transfer space and then swivelled in a second plane at the hinge assembly to locate adjacent an outside wall of the canister.

A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. A cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. A yarn tensioner is attached by a hinge assembly at a peripheral flange of the adapter, and is configured for multiplanar movement between an operative position within the package transfer space and a package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space. Upon depleting the yarn supply package, the yarn tensioner is pivoted in a first plane at the hinge assembly to lift away from the package transfer space and then swivelled in a second plane at the hinge assembly to locate adjacent an outside wall of the canister.