Piloted electromagnetic brake for controlling the tension of the weft threads in weaving machines, in particular of a weft thread which has a high number of knots, of the type including a pair of opposite elastic thin plates between which the weft thread runs, an operated thin plate being adjusted in position by an electromagnetically controlled operating piston, and a resisting thin plate being resistant against an elastic contrast unit, in order to control the intensity of the contrast force between the pair of thin plates. The resisting thin plate and the operated thin plate have fulcrum points in correspondence of a central portion thereof, so as to be able to freely oscillate in a plane containing the weft thread, during the passage of a knot between them, and the fulcrum points are offset by a set length along the weft thread running direction.

A weft thread tensioning device includes a weft thread path defining arrangement having two weft thread passage elements positioned at a distance with respect to each other for receiving a weft thread such as to extend along a straight weft thread path extending between the weft thread passage elements. A weft thread deflection element is positioned between the weft thread passage elements in the direction of the weft thread path. The weft thread deflection element is movable to act on a weft thread extending across the weft thread passage elements deflecting the weft thread between the weft thread passage elements out of the straight weft thread path. A deflection element drive moves the weft thread deflection element and includes a controller associated therewith for controlling the movement of the weft thread deflection element for deflecting a weft thread extending across the weft thread passage elements.

A method includes forming a multi-pick yarn package through winding multiple oriented yarns onto a spool, with the multiple oriented yarns serving as weft yarns forming adjacent substantially parallel yarns wound together. Each of the multiple oriented yarns is formed through drawing each of multiple yarns from a corresponding supply package. The method also includes, using the multi-pick yarn package, simultaneously inserting the weft yarns in a single pick insertion event of a pick insertion apparatus of a loom apparatus in which the simultaneously inserted weft yarns are to be conveyed through a set of warp yarns to produce an incremental length of a woven textile fabric.

A wearable, nanoconductor technology for smart electronic applications. A novel nano-scale geometry is achieved for nanoconductor circuits on the order of the size of a single thread or smaller, which are easily integrated with clothing and provide smart applications for wearable electronics. The nano-scale fibers provide improved material characteristics and the fixed geometry and orientation of the nanoconductor structures allow easier interface of nanoconductor electronics integrated with the clothing or with electronics external to the weave of the clothing. Novel electronic circuits based on the size and fixed geometries of the nanoconductor fibers which allow configurable functions that can be employed for different uses through logic circuit configuration or serial programming during wear are disclosed.

A wearable, nanoconductor technology for smart electronic applications. A novel nano-scale geometry is achieved for nanoconductor circuits on the order of the size of a single thread or smaller, which are easily integrated with clothing and provide smart applications for wearable electronics. The nano-scale fibers provide improved material characteristics and the fixed geometry and orientation of the nanoconductor structures allow easier interface of nanoconductor electronics integrated with the clothing or with electronics external to the weave of the clothing. Novel electronic circuits based on the size and fixed geometries of the nanoconductor fibers which allow configurable functions that can be employed for different uses through logic circuit configuration or serial programming during wear are disclosed.

This method is for weaving a fabric with warp yarns and in-woven weft yarns (34) on a weaving loom which comprises, amongst others, a weft selector (28) and a weft insertion mechanism (20), for drawing-in a weft yarn from a pick-up position into the shed, along a weft insertion axis (Y20) and in a forward direction, the weft insertion mechanism including a gripper (40) openable at the pick-up position. This method includes at least the following steps: opening the gripper; positioning a movable carriage (102) of the weft selector so that the gripper (40) is aligned with a selected weft yarn (34); clamping the weft yarn in the selected distribution channel (130), with the clamp (164) of this channel; moving the weft yarn (34) along the selected distribution channel (130) toward the gripper (40), while the gripper is opened, by moving the clamp along the selected distribution channel; catching the selected weft yarn with the gripper at the pick-up position; drawing-in the weft yarn with the weft insertion mechanism, from the pick-up position into the shed, along the weft insertion axis and in the forward direction; and cutting the weft yarn. The weft selector defines several selectable distribution channels (130) parallel to the weft insertion axis (Y20), each selectable distribution channel including a forward guiding member (126), for guiding a weft yarn toward the gripper, and a clamp (164).

This method is for weaving a fabric with warp yarns and in-woven weft yarns (34) on a weaving loom which comprises, amongst others, a weft selector (28) and a weft insertion mechanism (20), for drawing-in a weft yarn from a pick-up position into the shed, along a weft insertion axis (Y20) and in a forward direction, the weft insertion mechanism including a gripper (40) openable at the pick-up position. This method includes at least the following steps: opening the gripper; positioning a movable carriage (102) of the weft selector so that the gripper (40) is aligned with a selected weft yarn (34); clamping the weft yarn in the selected distribution channel (130), with the clamp (164) of this channel; moving the weft yarn (34) along the selected distribution channel (130) toward the gripper (40), while the gripper is opened, by moving the clamp along the selected distribution channel; catching the selected weft yarn with the gripper at the pick-up position; drawing-in the weft yarn with the weft insertion mechanism, from the pick-up position into the shed, along the weft insertion axis and in the forward direction; and cutting the weft yarn. The weft selector defines several selectable distribution channels (130) parallel to the weft insertion axis (Y20), each selectable distribution channel including a forward guiding member (126), for guiding a weft yarn toward the gripper, and a clamp (164).

A method includes forming a multi-pick yarn package through winding multiple oriented yarns onto a spool. The multiple oriented yarns serve as weft yarns forming adjacent substantially parallel yarns wound together, and each of the multiple oriented yarns is formed through drawing each of multiple synthetic yarns from a corresponding supply package. The method also includes simultaneously inserting the weft yarns in a single pick insertion event of a pick insertion apparatus of a loom apparatus in which the simultaneously inserted weft yarns are to be conveyed through a set of warp yarns to produce an incremental length of a woven textile fabric.

A shuttleless weaving loom with a weft insertion device. A transfer device and retaining disc are connected to the weft insertion device such that the retaining disc holds the weft fiber in a fixed orientation as it traverses through the shed of the loom. A plurality of sensors which are part of a microcircuit are mounted on the retaining disc for measurement of the weft fiber's position. A signaling circuit is mounted on the shuttleless loom and an electrical connector is connected to the signaling circuit to allow for external monitoring or display of the weft fiber's position. The measurements from the plurality of sensors are communicated through the electrical connector to an external device such that the position and orientation of the weft fiber can be monitored or displayed as the weft insertion device travels through the shuttleless loom.

A shuttleless weaving loom with a weft insertion device. A transfer device and retaining disc are connected to the weft insertion device such that the retaining disc holds the weft fiber in a fixed orientation as it traverses through the shed of the loom. A plurality of sensors which are part of a microcircuit are mounted on the retaining disc for measurement of the weft fiber's position. A signaling circuit is mounted on the shuttleless loom and an electrical connector is connected to the signaling circuit to allow for external monitoring or display of the weft fiber's position. The measurements from the plurality of sensors are communicated through the electrical connector to an external device such that the position and orientation of the weft fiber can be monitored or displayed as the weft insertion device travels through the shuttleless loom.