Method for regulating a supply air pressure of a loom installation comprising a plurality of air-jet looms, system for regulating a supply air pressure of a loom installation and loom installation

Abstract

In a method for regulating a supply air pressure (pV) of a loom installation (1) comprising a plurality of air-jet looms (2), which each have a plurality of pneumatic consumers (5) for introducing a weft thread, a pressure requirement (pB) of the air-jet looms (2) is determined by means of a central control unit (4) and the supply air pressure (pV) is set according to the determined pressure requirement (pB). During a weaving process, for each of the air-jet looms (2), a current pressure requirement (pB) of the respective largest consumer (5) from the plurality of pneumatic consumers (5) is determined at specified time intervals, and the currently highest pressure requirement (pB) of all consumers (5) is determined by the control unit (4). The current input pressure (pE) is also measured at each of the air-jet looms (2) and the currently lowest measured input pressure (pE min) of all the air-jet looms (2) is determined by the control unit (4). The supply air pressure (pV) is increased if the lowest measured input pressure (pE min) is lower than the highest pressure requirement (pB max) of all consumers (5), or the supply air pressure (pV) is reduced if the lowest measured input pressure (pE min) is greater than the highest pressure requirement (pB max) of all consumers (5).

Description

[0001] Method for regulating a supply air pressure of a weaving machine system with several air-jet weaving machines, system for regulating a supply air pressure of a weaving machine system and weaving machine system

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for regulating the supply air pressure of a weaving machine system comprising a plurality of air-jet looms, each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers for inserting a weft thread. A central control unit determines the pressure requirement of the air-jet looms, and the supply air pressure is adjusted depending on the determined pressure requirement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for regulating the supply air pressure of such a weaving machine system and to a corresponding weaving machine system.

[0003] Air-jet looms have numerous pneumatic consumers for inserting a weft thread and possibly also for other functions, such as main nozzles, relay nozzles, selvedge inserters, and other consumers. Air-jet looms must therefore be connected to a compressed air supply that always ensures a sufficiently high pressure level for all of the loom's pneumatic consumers. It is also important that the individual consumers receive exactly the air pressure they require to insert the weft thread at the correct time. For example, different pressures may need to be set depending on the type of weft yarn in order to ensure the most constant weft flight time possible and thus correct weft insertion. Otherwise, weft threads arriving either too early or too late at the end of the weft insertion channel can lead to weaving defects.Likewise, different weaving machines in a weaving machine system may require different pressures, for example if they produce different items.

[0004] In order to supply several air-jet looms of a weaving machine system with compressed air, it has become known in DE 195 17 748 A1 to assign each weaving machine its own compressor and adjusting means for setting specific operating modes.

[0005] In general, however, several air-jet looms in a weaving plant are supplied by a central compressed air system to which all or at least several of the weaving machines are connected. A supply pressure is generated by a central compressed air source and distributed to the individual weaving machines. The correct pressure level for the pneumatic consumers is set using pressure reducers and / or pressure control valves assigned to each weaving machine and, in some cases, to each individual consumer. The supply pressure of the central compressed air supply is always set high enough to ensure that the weaving machine requiring the highest pressure can still be reliably supplied, even taking line losses and other losses into account. Supplying compressed air to the air-jet looms is therefore very energy-intensive.A further problem arises from the fact that adjustments to the pressure levels of pneumatic consumers are often made during a weaving process. Often, the weaving machines and / or consumers are supplied with excessive pressure, which then has to be reduced again by the pressure control valves. This leads to unnecessarily high compressed air and thus energy consumption.

[0006] JP H03-104962 A has therefore already proposed a control unit for a weaving machine system that enables automatic adjustment of the supply pressure with a central compressed air supply. Each weaving machine has a pressure regulator that reports the set pressure for the insertion nozzles as a control value to the control unit. The control unit then determines the maximum pressure value. To compensate for any pressure losses, a fixed correction value is added to this maximum pressure value. The control unit then compares the resulting minimum required pressure with the central supply pressure of the compressor. This is determined by a sensor in the main compressed air tank and also transmitted to the control unit. The supply air pressure is then variably adjusted to the minimum required pressure.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose a method for regulating the supply air pressure of a weaving machine system that enables even further energy savings. Furthermore, a corresponding system for regulating the supply air pressure of such a weaving machine system and a corresponding weaving machine system are to be proposed.

[0008] In a method for regulating the supply air pressure of a weaving machine system with multiple air-jet looms, each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers for inserting a weft thread, a pressure requirement of the air-jet looms is determined by means of a central control unit, and the supply air pressure is adjusted depending on the determined pressure requirement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for regulating the supply air pressure of such a weaving machine system and a corresponding weaving machine system.

[0009] The method proposes that during a weaving process - for each of the air-jet looms, a current pressure requirement of the largest consumer from the majority of pneumatic consumers is determined at predetermined time intervals

[0010] - the control unit compares the pressure requirements of the largest consumers of the air-jet looms and determines the currently highest pressure requirement of all consumers

[0011] - a current input pressure is measured at each of the air-jet looms at specified intervals and transmitted to the control unit

[0012] - the control unit compares the measured input pressures of the air-jet looms and determines the current lowest measured input pressure of all air-jet looms

[0013] - and the supply air pressure is increased if the lowest measured inlet pressure is lower than the highest pressure demand of all consumers or the supply air pressure is reduced if the lowest measured inlet pressure is greater than the highest pressure demand of all consumers.

[0014] The individual pressures or pressure requirements of the individual consumers are usually set by an operator at the start of a weaving process depending on the respective application and the respective weaving machine. It is possible for the pressure requirements to remain constant throughout the weaving process. However, depending on the type and design of the weaving machine, the individual pressure requirements can also change during a weaving process in order to enable adaptation to currently prevailing conditions. It is also possible for individual pressure requirements to be changed via the weaving functions depending on a particular pattern. Because the pressure requirement of each individual consumer is determined at predetermined intervals according to the invention, the consumer with the currently highest pressure requirement of all consumers can be determined at any time, and the setting of the supply air pressure is then based on this."At specified time intervals" can mean that a time period, for example 2 seconds, is specified, after which the pressure requirements are determined. However, a specified number of weft insertions can also be specified, after which the pressure requirements are determined. In this case, too, the pressure requirements are determined at specified time intervals, since the duration of the weft insertions is also constant at a constant loom speed. This allows the supply pressure to be adjusted even more precisely to the pressure required for the largest consumer, thus achieving further energy savings. In contrast, the prior art only took into account the pressure delivered to the insertion nozzles.

[0015] Furthermore, measuring the inlet pressure at specified intervals on each air-jet loom also contributes to energy savings. This ensures that the pressure losses due to line losses and leaks are precisely known at any time and for each loom and can then be taken into account when adjusting the supply air pressure. A safety factor, which often leads to unnecessarily high supply air pressure, is therefore not absolutely necessary or can at least be very small.

[0016] For the purposes of this application, a weaving process is understood to be a coherent production process that begins after an operator sets the pressure requirements and ends as soon as an operator intervenes again and changes at least one of the pressure requirements settings. This means that subsequent optimizations of the pressure requirements as well as yarn changes, speed changes, width changes, or article changes require a new weaving process. Automatic adjustments by the weaving machine, however, are not included.

[0017] The aforementioned advantages can also be achieved with a system for regulating the supply air pressure in a weaving machine system with multiple air-jet looms and a corresponding weaving machine system. Therefore, protection is also claimed for this system.

[0018] The system for regulating the supply air pressure comprises a central control unit for determining the pressure requirement of the air-jet looms and for adjusting the supply air pressure depending on the determined pressure requirement. The control unit is designed to carry out the described method and has at least one comparison device for determining the highest pressure requirement of all consumers, the lowest input pressure of all air-jet looms, and for comparing the lowest measured input pressure with the highest pressure requirement of all consumers. The control unit can have one or more comparison devices for this purpose.

[0019] The weaving machine system comprises a plurality of air-jet looms, each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers for inserting a weft thread, a detection device for detecting pressure requirements of the plurality of pneumatic consumers, and a sensor for measuring an input pressure. It also comprises a compressed air system to which the air-jet looms are connected and which is supplied with a supply air pressure. It also comprises a central control unit for determining a maximum pressure requirement of the air-jet looms, and a compressor with a compressor control for adjusting the supply air pressure depending on the determined maximum pressure requirement. The weaving machine system comprises a system as described above, the control unit of which is connected to the at least one detection device and the at least one sensor for measuring the input pressure of each air-jet loom, as well as a compressor control of the compressor.

[0020] The detection device can, for example, be a control unit of the air-jet loom, which sets or regulates the pressures or pressure requirements of the air-jet loom's consumers. In this application, the term "control unit" is used, even though the control unit does not always regulate the pressure, but sometimes only sets it, i.e., controls it. Alternatively, the detection device can also be a pressure sensor that is arranged directly on a consumer of the air-jet loom and measures the pressure of this consumer.

[0021] It is advantageous in this process if the pressure requirement of the largest consumer of each air-jet weaving machine is determined by a control unit of the air-jet weaving machine and transmitted to the central control unit. In this case, only one pressure value per air-jet weaving machine needs to be transmitted to the central control unit. This reduces the amount of data to be transmitted. Furthermore, an electronic pressure control system, which is already present on more modern air-jet weaving machines, can be advantageously used for this purpose.

[0022] In the weaving machine system, it is accordingly advantageous if each of the air-jet looms has a control unit that determines the pressure requirement of the largest pneumatic consumer of the air-jet loom and transmits it to the central control unit. According to an alternative embodiment of the method, however, it is also possible for all pressure requirements of the consumers of the respective air-jet loom to be transmitted from the control unit to the central control unit, and for the pressure requirement of the largest consumer of each air-jet loom to be determined by the central control unit.

[0023] As already described, an alternative detection device can also be provided for each pneumatic consumer of the air-jet looms, which transmits the pressure requirement of the respective consumer directly to the control unit. At least the largest consumer(s) of each air-jet loom could be equipped with a pressure sensor. In this case, the pressure sensors of each air-jet loom transmit their pressure values ​​to the central control unit, and the pressure requirement of the largest consumer of each air-jet loom is determined by the central control unit. If it is known which consumer(s) have the highest pressure requirement, it is not absolutely necessary to equip all consumers of each air-jet loom with a pressure sensor.It is sufficient if the consumer(s) that typically require the highest pressure on each air-jet loom are equipped with a pressure sensor. However, it is also possible to equip all relevant consumers on each air-jet loom with a pressure sensor.

[0024] It is also advantageous for the weaving machine system if the control unit of the air-jet loom is designed to adjust or regulate the pressure requirements of the consumers during the weaving process. Such an electronic pressure control can, for example, very quickly adjust the pressure of the pre-nozzles and main nozzles to ensure correct thread arrival. These pressure changes can also be taken into account by the control unit of the air-jet loom transmitting the current pressure values ​​or pressure requirements to the central control unit.

[0025] In the method, it is accordingly advantageous if the pressure requirements of the consumers, in particular of pre-nozzles and / or main nozzles, are automatically adjusted during the weaving process by the control unit of the air-jet weaving machine.

[0026] The pressure requirements of the relay jets and / or stretching jets can also be automatically adjusted during the weaving process by the air-jet weaving machine's control unit. As already described, this can involve switching between different pressure levels. For example, in terry weaving, different pressure levels can be specified for the border and the pile area, which are automatically switched between via the weave. The control unit then sets the respective specified pressure level.

[0027] In this method, it is also advantageous if a setpoint for the supply air pressure is generated by the central control unit and specified to a compressor control unit. In this case, the system only contains an interface to a compressor control unit and can be used with various compressors. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the control unit itself to control the compressor or to contain a compressor control unit. In the simplest case, the setpoint is equal to the pressure requirement of the currently largest consumer. However, it is advantageous if the setpoint also includes a compensation value for compensating for pressure losses. These are known from measuring the inlet pressures of the air-jet looms. It is particularly advantageous if the setpoint for the supply air pressure is generated from the highest pressure requirement of all consumers, the lowest measured inlet pressure and a safety value.The safety value can also be used to absorb short-term pressure fluctuations in the supply air pressure, which could otherwise lead to one of the air-jet looms falling below the minimum input pressure and thus to the loom stopping.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the pressure requirements of the consumers are set before the weaving process begins. This setting is preferably performed by an operator. In particular, it is advantageous if the pressure requirements of relay nozzles and / or stretching nozzles are set by an operator according to the requirements of the current application.

[0029] In the method, it is further advantageous if, when there is a style change, the pressure requirements of the pneumatic consumers of the air-jet looms and / or the pressure requirements of the largest consumers of the air-jet looms and / or the highest pressure requirement of all consumers and / or the input pressures of the air-jet looms are determined before the start of the weaving process, and the compressed air supply to the weaving machine system is optimized based on the determined pressure requirements and / or input pressures. This allows a type of simulation to be carried out when there is a style change, and the effects of a change on the compressed air supply can be investigated. Production can then be planned depending on the results of the simulation in such a way that the compressed air consumption and line losses are as low as possible.For example, certain applications can be scheduled for specific times, or certain applications with high pressure requirements can be scheduled on weaving machines that are closer to the compressor.

[0030] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. They show, schematically:

[0031] Figure 1 shows an air-jet weaving machine with a plurality of pneumatic consumers for inserting a weft thread,

[0032] Figure 2 shows a weaving machine system with several air jet weaving machines and a system for regulating a supply air pressure and

[0033] Figure 3 shows a representation of the method for regulating a supply air pressure using a concrete example.

[0034] In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, identical features or features that are at least comparable in their design and / or mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, these features are only explained in detail when they are first mentioned, while the following exemplary embodiments only address the differences from the previously described exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, for reasons of clarity, often only one or a few of several identical components or features are labeled.

[0035] Figure 1 shows an air-jet loom 2 with a plurality of pneumatic consumers s in a schematic overview. The air-jet loom 2 typically has one or more warp systems, a shed forming device, a take-off device and a cloth beam, which are not shown here, however. Only the components of the air-jet loom 2 involved in weft insertion are shown. These typically include one or more feed spools 18, from which a weft thread 17 is unwound and fed to a pre-spooler 19. From there, the weft thread 17 runs via a balloon limiter 20 to a weft insertion device of the air-jet loom 2. By means of the weft insertion device, a weft thread 17 is inserted into the open shed (not shown) and beaten up by means of the reed 21.To separate the weft thread 5 after weft insertion, a separating device 22 is arranged on the insertion side. Optionally, as shown here, a separating device 22 can also be arranged on the side opposite the insertion side.

[0036] The weft thread insertion device is pneumatically operated and comprises a main nozzle 10 arranged on the insertion side of the air-jet loom 2 and a pre-nozzle 9, which can be pressurized with compressed air. The main nozzle 10 and the pre-nozzle 9 insert the weft thread 17 into an insertion channel 24 of the reed 21. The further transport of the weft thread 17 through the insertion channel 24 is assisted by several relay nozzles 11 arranged distributed over the reed 21, which also operate pneumatically and can be pressurized with compressed air.

[0037] On the side of the air-jet loom 2 facing away from the insertion side, according to the present illustration, a stretching nozzle 13 is also provided, which also operates pneumatically with compressed air and keeps the weft thread 17 inserted into the shed stretched until the weft beating. In the situation shown here, the weft thread 17 has just been inserted and taken up by the stretching nozzle 13. Furthermore, in the present air-jet loom 1, inserters 14 are arranged on both sides of the shed, which insert the ends of the inserted weft thread 17 into the following, opening shed. According to the illustration shown here, the inserters 14 are also pneumatic inserters 14 and can be pressurized with compressed air.

[0038] Valves 25 are provided to actuate the pneumatic consumers 5, which are controlled by a control unit 6 of the air-jet loom 2, as symbolized by the dashed lines. The pneumatic consumers 5 are connected to a compressed air system 3 of the weaving mill or a weaving machine system 1 (see Figure 2) via the valves 25 and pressure lines 23. In the present case, several relay nozzles 11 are combined to form nozzle groups, which are actuated by a common valve 25. To reliably supply the relay nozzles 11 with compressed air and to compensate for pressure fluctuations, the relay nozzles 11 are connected to the compressed air system 3 via relay nozzle tanks 12. The air-jet loom 2 furthermore has a sensor 16 for measuring the inlet pressure pE arriving at the air-jet loom 2.

[0039] In the present example, the control unit 6 is designed as an electronic pressure control and provides each of the pneumatic consumers 5 with the required pressure. The pressure required by the individual consumers 5 is generally determined as the pressure requirement pB for each consumer 5 by an operator at the start of the weaving process according to the requirements of the respective article or application and is entered into the air-jet loom 2. The entered pressure requirement pB can then remain constant throughout the rest of the weaving process. However, particularly for the pre-nozzle 9 and the main nozzle 10, it is advantageous if the required pressure or pressure requirement pB is changed by the control unit 6 according to the yarn flight time, thus regulating the yarn arrival. This is described, for example, in EP 1 260 622 B1, to which express reference is made here.

[0040] In order to regulate and adjust the supply pressure pV (see Figure 2) for the air-jet looms 2, the inlet pressure pE is measured by the air-jet loom 2 at predetermined time intervals and transmitted to a central control unit 4 (see Figure 2). Likewise, at least one pressure requirement pB is transmitted from each air-jet loom 2 to the central control unit 4. In this case, the control unit 6 can only transmit the currently highest pressure requirement pB of the consumers 5 of the air-jet loom 2 at predetermined time intervals. This is shown schematically in Figure 3. According to another embodiment of the method, however, it is also possible for several or all pressure requirements pB of the consumers 5 of the air-jet loom 2 to be transmitted at predetermined time intervals.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a weaving machine system 1 with several air-jet looms 2 and a system for regulating a supply air pressure pV. The weaving machine system 1 here comprises four air-jet looms 2 with a plurality of pneumatic consumers 5, as already described with reference to Figure 1. The air-jet looms 2 also have, as already described, a sensor 16 for the inlet pressure pE and at least one detection device for detecting pressure requirements pB of the pneumatic consumers 5. In the present case, the detection device is also formed by a control unit 6 for electronic pressure control within the air-jet loom 2. In principle, however, a pressure sensor can also be provided on each of the most important consumers 5 as the detection device.The weaving machine system 1 further comprises a compressed air system 3 with a central compressor 7 for generating the supply air pressure pV, a compressor control 8, and a compressed air tank 26 for compensating pressure fluctuations. The compressed air is supplied to the individual air-jet weaving machines 2 via pressure lines 23.

[0042] The system for regulating the supply air pressure pV includes a central control unit 4, by means of which a highest pressure requirement pBmax of the air-jet looms 2 is determined and the supply air pressure pV is adjusted according to the determined highest pressure requirement pBmax. Likewise, a lowest input pressure pEmin of all air-jet looms 2 is determined by means of the control unit 4. For this purpose, the control unit 4 has at least one comparison device 15. In the present case, the control unit has a first comparison device 15 for the input pressures pE1, pE2, pE3 and pE4 of the air-jet looms 2 and a second comparison device 15 for the respective highest pressure requirements pB1, pB2, pB3 and pB4 of the air-jet looms 2. The sensors 16 and the detection devices, here the control units 6, of each air-jet loom 2 are connected to the control unit 4 in a signal-transmitting manner, as indicated by the dotted arrows.The control unit 4 is also connected to the compressor control 8 in a signal-transmitting manner.

[0043] According to the method, which is explained in more detail using the example of Figure 3, the control unit 4 now determines the currently highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5 of the air-jet looms 2 of the weaving machine system 1 at predetermined time intervals, for example every 2 seconds or after a predetermined number of weft insertions. According to the present example, the individual control units 6 of the air-jet looms 2 each determine their currently largest consumer 5 and its pressure requirement pB and report this to the control unit 4. In this case, the pressure requirements pB1, pB2, pB3, and pB4 are transmitted from the air-jet looms 2 to the control unit 4. A comparison device 15 compares these transmitted pressure requirements pB and determines the currently highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5 of the weaving machine system 1.Likewise, the input pressures pE at the individual air-jet looms 2 are measured at predetermined time intervals, for example every 2 s, and reported to the control unit 4 as input pressures pE1, pE2, pE3, and pE4. By means of a further (or the same) comparison device 15, the input pressures pE1, pE2, pE3, and pE4 transmitted by the individual air-jet looms 2 are compared, and the currently lowest input pressure pEmin of the air-jet looms 2 is determined from this.

[0044] By means of a further (or the same) comparison device 15, the currently lowest input pressure pEmin of the air-jet looms 2 is then compared with the currently highest pressure requirement pBmax of the air-jet looms 2 or their consumers 5, and depending on the result of the comparison, a setpoint value pVSoll is generated, which the control unit 4 specifies for the compressor control 8. The supply air pressure pV is increased if the lowest measured input pressure pEmin is lower than the highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5. Likewise, the supply air pressure pV is reduced if the lowest measured input pressure pEmin is greater than the highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5.

[0045] This ensures that even air-jet looms 2 that are located further away from the compressor, for example, still receive a sufficiently high inlet pressure pE. By measuring and transmitting the inlet pressure pE of each air-jet loom 1 to the control unit 4, the control unit 4 can also take line losses into account and compensate for them. At the same time, however, the supply air pressure pV can also be limited to the actually maximum required value, which results from the highest pressure requirement pBmax and the line losses known from the measurement of the inlet pressures pE. Since the comparison of the lowest measured inlet pressure pEmin with the highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5 takes place continuously during the weaving process, the supply air pressure pV in the compressed air system 3 can be optimally adjusted at any time, thereby enabling considerable energy savings.

[0046] According to the present example, the setpoint pVSoll also includes a safety value S, which is taken into account by the control unit 4 when generating the setpoint pVSoll. Each of the air-jet looms 2 requires a minimum input pressure, below which a stop of the air-jet looms 2 is forced. The safety value S ensures that small, short-term fluctuations in the supply pressure pV do not lead to a stop of the air-jet loom 2. In principle, however, it is also possible to operate without such a safety value.

[0047] Likewise, deviating from the method shown here, it is also possible for the control units 6 of the air-jet looms 2 to transmit not only the pressure requirement pB of their respective largest consumer 5, but also the pressure requirements pB of all their consumers 5. The pressure requirement pB of the respective largest consumer of each loom is then determined by the central control unit 4.

[0048] The procedure for adjusting the supply air pressure is based on the

[0049] This will be explained again using the example of Figure 3. It shows a weaving machine system 1 with, in this case, six air-jet looms 2. Each of the air-jet looms 2 has, in this case, five pneumatic consumers 5.

[0050] Shown for each of the air-jet looms 2 are the individual pressure requirements pB of the individual consumers 5, which in this case are two relay nozzle tanks 12, a draw nozzle 13, inserters 14 and pre- and main nozzles 9 and 10 (see Fig. 1). For the air-jet looms 2, the pressure requirement pB of their largest consumer 5 is determined and transmitted to the central control unit 4. The pressure requirement pB of the largest consumer 5 of each air-jet loom 2 is circled and labeled accordingly. Likewise, the inlet pressure pE is determined for each of the air-jet looms 2 and transmitted to the control unit 4. Finally, as already described, the control unit 4 determines the highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5 of the air-jet looms 2 from the transmitted pressure requirements pB. In the present case, this is the pressure requirement pB of the draw nozzle 13 of the air-jet loom No. 4 at 5.0 bar, which is shown in bold for identification purposes.The lowest input pressure pEmin, however, was measured at 5.8 bar for weaving machine No. 6 and is also shown in bold for clarity. Even on air-jet weaving machine No. 2 with the lowest input pressure pEmin, the input pressure pE of 5.8 bar is still significantly higher than the pressure requirement pBmax of the largest consumer at 5.0 bar.

[0051] Therefore, after a first execution of the method, the control unit 4 instructs the compressor 7 to reduce the supply pressure pV. For example, in this case, the compressor 7 can specify a pressure of 5 bar as the setpoint pV setpoint. In this case, the setpoint pV setpoint corresponds exactly to the determined pressure requirement pBmax of the largest consumer.

[0052] Since the input pressures pE of all air-jet looms 2 are known, the control unit 4 can also calculate the maximum pressure loss in the compressed air system from this and, according to a preferred embodiment of the method, also take this into account when generating the setpoint pVSoll. In the present example, the maximum pressure loss in the system is 0.2 bar, since only an input pressure pE of 5.8 bar can be measured on loom no. 6. Taking into account the maximum pressure loss in the compressed air system 3, the control unit 4 would, in this case, specify a pressure of 5.2 bar for the compressor 7 as the setpoint pVSoll.

[0053] In a further development of this preferred method, it can also be taken into account at which of the air-jet looms 2 the maximum pressure loss occurs. In this case, the maximum pressure loss could only be taken into account if the consumer 5 with the highest pressure requirement pBmax of all consumers 5 of the air-jet looms 2 is also located at this air-jet loom 2. In the present case, this would be the case if the pressure requirement pB of the relay nozzle tank no. 2 of weaving machine no. 6 had the highest pressure requirement pBmax at 5.0 bar. However, since in this example the highest pressure requirement pBmax at 5.0 bar occurs at weaving machine no. 4, the maximum pressure loss would not need to be compensated accordingly in this specific example.

[0054] However, for all three described embodiments of the method, a fixed safety value S can be taken into account when generating the setpoint, as described in Figure 2. The weaving machine system can thus always be operated at the optimal pressure level, which can significantly reduce energy consumption for compressed air generation. For example, reducing the inlet pressure by approximately 1 bar can result in total savings of 10%. This includes both savings in compressed air generation and a reduction in leakage losses.

[0055] Further modifications within the scope of the patent claims are possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are shown and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different embodiments, provided that no contradiction arises with the teaching of the independent claims.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 weaving machine system

[0058] 2 air-jet looms

[0059] 3 Compressed air system

[0060] 4 central control unit

[0061] 5 pneumatic consumer

[0062] 6 Control unit

[0063] 7 Compressor

[0064] 8 Compressor control

[0065] 9 Pre-nozzle

[0066] 10 Main jet

[0067] 11 Relay nozzle

[0068] 12 relay nozzle tank

[0069] 13 Stretching nozzle

[0070] 14 inserts

[0071] 15 Comparison device

[0072] 16 Input pressure sensor

[0073] 17 weft threads

[0074] 18 feed spool

[0075] 19 Fast-forwarders

[0076] 20 balloon limiters

[0077] 21 reed

[0078] 22 Separator

[0079] 23 Pressure line

[0080] 24 entry channel

[0081] 25 Valve

[0082] 26 Compressed air tank S Safety value pV Supply air pressure pE Input pressure pE1 Input pressure of the first air-jet loom pE2 Input pressure of the second air-jet loom pE3 Input pressure of the third air-jet loom pE4 Input pressure of the fourth air-jet loom pB Pressure requirement pB1 Highest pressure requirement of the first air-jet loom pB2 Highest pressure requirement of the second air-jet loom pB3 Highest pressure requirement of the third air-jet loom pB4 Highest pressure requirement of the fourth air-jet loom pBmax Highest pressure requirement of all consumers pEmin Lowest measured input pressure pVSetpoint Supply air pressure setpoint

Claims

Patent claims for a method for regulating the supply air pressure (pV) of a weaving machine system (1) with several air-jet weaving machines (2), each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers (5) for inserting a weft thread (17), wherein a pressure requirement (pB) of the air-jet weaving machines (2) is determined by means of a central control unit (4) and the supply air pressure (pV) is set as a function of the determined pressure requirement (pB), characterized in that during a weaving process - for each of the air-jet looms (2) a current pressure requirement (pB) of the largest consumer (5) from the majority of the pneumatic consumers (5) is determined at specified time intervals - the control unit (4) compares the pressure requirements (pB) of the largest consumers (5) of the air-jet looms (2) and determines the currently highest pressure requirement (pB) of all consumers (5). - at each of the air-jet weaving machines (2) an actual inlet pressure (pE) is measured at predetermined time intervals and transmitted to the control unit (4). - the control unit (4) compares the measured input pressures (pE) of the air-jet looms (2) and determines the current lowest measured input pressure (pEmin) of all air-jet looms (2). - and the supply air pressure (pV) is increased when the lowest measured inlet pressure (pE min) is lower than the highest pressure demand (pBmax) of all consumers (5) or the supply air pressure (pV) is reduced when the lowest The measured inlet pressure (pEmin) is greater than the highest pressure requirement (pBmax) of all consumers (5). A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the pressure requirement (pB) of the largest consumer (5) of each air-jet loom (2) is determined by a control unit (6) of the air-jet loom (2) and transmitted to the central control unit (4). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a setpoint (pVSet) for the supply air pressure (pV) is generated by the central control unit (4) and specified to a compressor control (8). A method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the setpoint (pVSet) for the supply air pressure (pV) is generated from the highest pressure requirement (pB) of all consumers (5), the lowest measured inlet pressure (pE), and a safety value (S).A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure requirements (pB) of the consumers (5), in particular of pre-jets (9) and / or main jets (10), are automatically adjusted during the weaving process by the control unit (6) of the air-jet weaving machine (2). A method according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the pressure requirements (pB) of the consumers (5), in particular of relay jets (11) and / or stretch jets (13), are set before the start of the weaving process. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure requirements (pB) of the consumers (5) of each air-jet loom (2) are transmitted to the central control unit (4) and the pressure requirement (pB) of the largest consumer (5) of each air-jet loom (2) is determined by the central control unit (4). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during an article change before the start of the weaving process, the pressure requirements (pB) of the pneumatic consumers (5) of the air-jet looms (2) and / or the pressure requirements (pB) of the largest consumers (5) of the air-jet looms (2) and / or the highest pressure requirement (pB) of all consumers (5) and / or the inlet pressures (pE) of the air-jet looms (2) are determined and, based on the determined pressure requirements (pB) and / or inlet pressures (pE), a compressed air supply to the loom system (1) is optimized.System for regulating a supply air pressure (pV) in a weaving machine system (1) with several air-jet weaving machines (2), each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers (5) for inserting a weft thread (17), wherein the system has a central control unit (4) for determining a pressure requirement (pB) of the air-jet weaving machines (2) and for adjusting the supply air pressure (pV) depending on the determined pressure requirement (pB), characterized in that the control unit (4) is configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 1-8, wherein the control unit (4) has at least one comparison device (15) for determining the highest pressure requirement (pBmax) of all consumers (5) of all air-jet weaving machines (2) and the lowest inlet pressure. (pE) of all air-jet looms (2) and for comparing the lowest measured inlet pressure (pEmin) with the highest pressure requirement (pBmax) of all consumers (5). Weaving machine system (1) with several air-jet looms (2), each of which has a plurality of pneumatic consumers (5) for inserting a weft thread (17), at least one detection device for detecting pressure requirements (pB) of the plurality of the pneumatic consumers (5) and at least one sensor (16) for measuring an inlet pressure (pE), with a compressed air system (3) to which the air-jet looms (2) are connected and which is supplied with a supply air pressure (pV), with a central control unit (4) for determining a maximum pressure requirement (pBmax) of the air-jet looms (2), with a compressor (7) with a compressor control (8) for adjusting the supply air pressure (pV) depending on the determined maximum pressure requirement (pBmax),and with a system according to claim 9, the control unit (4) of which is connected to the at least one detection device and the at least one sensor (16) of each air-jet loom (2) and to a compressor control (8) of the compressor (7). Weaving machine system (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that each of the air-jet looms (2) has a control unit (6) which determines the pressure requirement (pB) of the largest consumer (5) of the pneumatic consumers (5) and transmits it to the central control unit (4). Weaving machine system (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that the control unit (6) of the air-jet loom, (2) is trained to adjust or regulate the print requirements (pB) of consumers (5) during the web process.

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