US3240037A

US3240037A - Continuous annealer

Info

Publication number: US3240037A
Application number: US465110A
Authority: US
Inventors: David F Bittle; Jr Henry E Haigler
Original assignee: Monsanto Co
Current assignee: Monsanto Co
Priority date: 1963-10-03
Filing date: 1965-06-18
Publication date: 1966-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1983-03-15

Description

March 15, 1966 D. F. BITTLE ETAL 3, 40,037

CONTINUOUS ANNEALER Original Filed Oct. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 a as 3/ 33 INVENTORS DAVID E BITTLE BY HENRY E. HAIGLER,JR

ATTORNEY March 15, 1966 D. F. BITTLE ETAL 3,240,037

CONTINUOUS ANNEALER Original Filed Oct. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS DAVID E BITTLE HENRY E. HA/GLER',JR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 12 Claims. or. 68-5) The present application is a division of our copending application Serial No. 313,498, filed Oct. 3, 1963.

This invention relates to apparatus for the fluid treatment of yarn and more specifically to the continuous annealing of acrylic and other synthetic fibers or yarn.

During the spinning and drawing of many synthetic fibers stresses are set up which, if not relieved, cause the fiber to be brittle and, therefore, impractical for commercial use. These stresses can be relieved by heating the fiber while under no stress, a process gene-rally known as annealing.

Presently, the above-described annealing process is carried out in batch lots placed in closed containers and subjected to heat and pressure. Performing the step in this manner is costly, time consuming, and interrupts the fiow of the fiber making process. Obviously, if the fiber could be continuously annealed without interruption of the fiber producing process, great savings in time and money could be ellected.

Previous continuous annealers have been very costly and complex and have suffered the defect of permitting leakage from the container, thus losing both heat and pressure. These problems are overcome in the instant invention by utilizing a pressure receptacle having entrance and exit ports each closed by jet-sealed orifices having a passageway through which the fiber can pass. Each passageway includes a portion leading inwardly to a chamber connected to a source of heating fluid, such as water or steam, under pressure at a low velocity. Another portion of the passageway is a venturi leading from the chamber into the receptacle. Thus, a low pressure area is formed in the venturi by the heating fluid passing therethrough at an elevated velocity in accordance with well known principles.

At the entrance port, the fibers are drawn into the venturi by the low pressure created therein and forced into the receptacle. The fluid passing through the venturi at the exit port tends to retain the fibers in the receptacle, thus for all practical purposes, maintaining them under zero tension as they are moved therethrough. Obviously, some tension is required to withdraw the fibers from the receptacle. This tension is provided by a take-up device which pulls the fibers from the exit jet-sealed orifice. Ease in starting the fiber through the receptacle can be provided by lacing-up devices.

Pressure and heat both are maintained in the receptacle by the sealing action of fluid passing through the venturi-shaped passageway portion. Such seal is accomplished by the arrangement of both venturi portions exiting into the receptacle.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a receptacle in which a synthetic textile fiber or yarn can be continuously annealed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle through which a synthetic textile fiber or yarn can be moved under very low tension while being annealed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle in which a high pressure is maintained and which includes an orifice providing for the entrance of both pressurized fiuid and a fiber through the same aperture without leakage.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a high pressure receptacle having an orifice through which pressurized fluid enters :and a filament exits without leakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a con tinuous annealer including a lace-up device for guiding a tow or yarn therethrough.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will, of course, become apparent and immediately suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention is directed from a reading of the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partly sectional, side view showing the pressure receptacle having entrance and exit ports with jet-sealed orifices disposed therein through which fiber to be annealed passes in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing an embodiment of the invention in which circulated water is utilized as the heating fluid;

FIGURE 3 is a partly sectional side view showing details of one of the jet-sealed orifices according to the instant invention;

FIGURE 4 isa view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing one embodiment of lace-up apparatus; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing another embodiment of lace-up apparatus.

With continued reference to the accompanying figures wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views and with initial attention directed to FIGURE 1, reference numeral 10 designates an elongated pressure receptacle in which a tow of fibers 11 is annealed.

The tow passes through a first jet-sealed orifice 12 mounted in the receptacle entrance port into and through the receptacle to exit through a second jet-sealed orifice 14 mounted in the receptacle ex-it port. A heated fluid or vapor under pressure, such as steam, is supplied to h entrance 12 and exit 14 orifices through

tubes

13 and 15 respectively. This fluid supplies both the pressure and heat needed for annealing and a motive force to maintain movement of the tow 17 through the receptacle 10 in a manner to be more fully discussed hereinafter. After being annealed, the fiber 11 is pulled through the jetsealed orifice 14 by a godet or wheel 16.

The elongated pressure receptacle 10 is preferably cylindrical in shape although obviously other suitable 0onfigurations may be utilized. Pressure is maintained and regulated in the receptacle 10 by a control valve 18 interposed in the exhaust tube 17. If desired, the exhaust fluid can be directed to a waste collector rather than venting it to the atmosphere as is the current practice. Any condensate which forms in the receptacle it can be drawn off through the bleeder valve 21 and condensate line 22.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, the pressure receptacle it) is partly fill-ed with a liquid, such as water, introduced through jet-sealed

orifices

53 and 54 both similar in structure and opera-tion to the jet-sealed orifices l2 and 14, difiering only to the extent necessary to allow the handling of a liquid rather than a gas or vapor. The receptacle 10 is maintained under pressure by air introduced through the

orifices

53 and 54. An air trap 36 connected to the receptacle through conduit 29, regulates the quantity of air in the receptacle and, hence, the pressure therein. A heating element 35, energized by an electrical or other source not shown, serves to elevate the temperature of the liquid and, inasmuch, as the receptacle is pressurized, bring it to a superheated state.

The liquid is forced through

feeder lines

26, 27, and 28 to jet-sealed

orifices

53 and 54 by a suitable pump 25. Liquid withdrawal line 24 connects the inlet side of the pump 25 to the container. Obviously, the pump 25 in addition to circulating the liquid maintains pres- 3 sure in the liquid supply system and in the receptable 1%.

Details of the jet-sealed orifice 14 are shown in FIG- URE 3. Jet-sealed orifice 12 is a duplicate of orifice 14 and the

orifices

53 and 54 are substantial duplicates as explained above. As shown, the orifices are threaded into the ports in the pressure receptacle although it is obvious that other securing means and methods such as brazing or welding could be used. Each orifice includes a housing 32 enclosing an enlarged chamber 34 and threadedly receiving an inlet portion 31 at one end. Opening into the chamber 34 through a threaded aperture is a complimentarily threaded fluid supply tube 15. An outlet from the chamber 34- to the interior of the receptacle is provided by a venturi including a converging cone-shaped portion 39, a tubular portion 40 and a diverging cone-shaped portion 37.

The outer end of the inlet portion 31 is formed into a hexagonally-shaped member to facilitate threaded engagement with the housing 32. The other end of the inlet portion is reduced in cross-sectional area to provide sufiicient clearance to allow insertion into the chamber 34. An elongated tubular opening 38 extends through the reduced portion into a cone-shaped chamber 33 opening outwardly from the outer end of the inlet 31.

In combination the cone-shaped chamber 33, the tubular opening 38, the chamber 34, the converging cone 39, the tubular portion 40 and the diverging cone 37 form a passageway for a tow 11 of fibers into the receptacle or 10'. Additionally, a heated fluid under pressure is supplied to the receptacle 1% and 16' through the chamber 34, cone 39, tubular portion 40 and cone 37.

In operation the tow 11 enters the jet-sealed orifice 12 through cone-shaped chamber 33 and passes through the tubular opening 38 into the chamber 34. A low velocity, high pressure fluid 36 is supplied to the chamber 34 through the

tubes

13, 15, 27, or 28 and enters the converging cone 39. According to well known principles, the velocity of the fluid 36 increases in the reduced portion of the venturi and the pressure at that point decreases. The creation of a relatively low pressure area in the tubular portion 40 results in a flow of fluid 36 through that point and, thus through the converging 39 and diverging 37 cones, the chamber 34 and the supply tubes. As the fluid 36 enters the converging cone 39, its velocity is greatly increased and the pressure decreased below atmospheric as explained above. The pressure of air in the tubular opening 38, being atmospheric, is greater than the pressure of the fluid in the converging cone 39. This pressure differential causes air to flow through the tubular opening 38, into the converging cone 31, through the tubular portion 10 and the diverging cone 37 carrying the tow with it in the case of orifice 12 and retarding the movement of the tow in the case of orifice 14.

When the air and the fluid 36 reach the tubular portion 40, they are thoroughly mixed and proceed therethrough into the diverging cone 37 at the same velocity and pressure. As they proceed through the diverging cone 37, the pressure of the fluid and air mixture increases while the velocity decreases proportionately according to well known principles. Upon entering the pressure receptacle 10, the velocity of the mixture drops to near zero with the pressure increasing to the limit set by the control valve 18.

It is obvious that the jet-sealed

orifice

12 or 53 will force the tow into the

receptacle

10 or 10 while

jetsealed orifice

14 or 54 will tend to retain the tow in the receptacle 1%. The fiber tow 11 will, therefore, be under very little tension as it is drawn through the receptacle 10 which is of great importance as heated fiber under tension becomes brittle. Some tension is applied to the tow by the godet or wheel 16 which pulls it from the orifice 14, but, as will be explained, this tension is applied in such a way as to not affect the annealing process.

The tow 11 is subjected to the greatest tensile stress as it leaves the chamber 34 and enters the tubular passageway 38 of

orifice

14 or 54. At this point, however, the tow has been cooled somewhat by the incoming air and, as is well known, putting the fiber under tension in the absence of heat has no detrimental effect.

Generally, lacing-up of the fiber tow 11 is accomplished by running fluid through the

orifice

12 or 53 while leaving

orifice

14 or 54 inoperative. The tow 11 is drawn through the

orifice

12 or 53 in the manner described above and forced through the

orifice

14 or 54 by the escape of pressurized fluid and air. After being attached to the godet 16, the

orifice

14 or 54 is then made operative and the annealing process begun.

Lacing-up can be facilitated by utilizing a perforated tube 55 extending between the orifices as shown in FIG- URE 4. Annealing fluid enters the perforated tube 55 through apertures 59 and contacts the fiber tow 11. Alternatively, lacing-up can be accomplished by utilizing a pair of guiding funnels 60 one having its small end attached to the orifice 12 and the other having its small end attached to the orifice 14 as shown in FIG- URE 6.

It will be apparent that by the following the teachings of this invention that a simple, inexpensive apparatus for the continuous annealing of a tow of synthetic fibers can be constructed and utilized. Such is accomplished by forcing the tow into a pressure receptacle on a flow of air and annealing fluid and at the same time retarding the exiting of the tow from the receptacle by a similar flow of air and fluid. Thus, it is now possible to continuously anneal a relaxed fiber in an economical manner, a result not heretofore possible.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come with the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be received by United States Letters Patent is:

We claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously annealing a fiber comprising:

(a) a pressure receptacle including (1) an entrance port,

(2) an exit port, and

(3) means for maintaining a desired pressure in said receptacle;

(b) first and second jet-sealed orifices closing said entrance port and exit port respectively, each including (1) a passageway for fibers therethrough,

(2) means for supplying liquid at a high pressure and low velocity to said passageway,

(3) a first portion of said passageway extending between the atmosphere and said means for supplying liquid and a second portion of said passageway extending from said means for supplying a liquid into said receptacle and having a reduced cross sectional area in regard to said receptacle, and

(4) means in said second portion forming a low pressure area as the pressurized liquid flows therethrough at an elevated velocity for introducing said pressurized liquid into the interior of said receptacle and maintaining the interior of said receptacle at a pressure higher than atmospheric;

(c) means for withdrawing a fiber tow from said second jet-sealed orifice whereby said tow is drawn through said first orifice, passes through said receptacle in a relaxed state to be annealed and is withdrawn through said second orifice.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is superheated water.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is a heated water vapor.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means for lacing-up said fiber tow is mounted in said receptacle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lacingup means comprises a perforated tube connected to said second portion of each of said first and second jet-sealed orifices.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lacingup means includes a funnel shaped member having its smaller end connected to said second portion of each of said first and second jet-sealed orifices.

7. Apparatus for continuously annealing a fiber comprising:

(a) a pressure receptacle including:

(1) an entrance port,

(2) an exit port, and

(3) means for maintaining a desired pressure in said receptacle;

(b) first and second jet-sealed orifices mounted in and closing said entrance port and exit port respectively, each including (1) a passageway for fibers therethrough,

(2) an enlarged chamber in said passageway,

(3) means directing a supply of liquid at high pressure and low velocity to said chamber,

(4) a first portion of said passageway extending between the atmosphere and said chamber,

(5) a second portion of said passageway having the shape of a venturi extending from said chamber into said receptacle and having a reduced cross sectional area in regard to said receptacle whereby a low pressure area is formed in said second portion as the pressurized liquid flows therethrough at an elevated velocity for introducing said pressurized liquid into the interior of said receptacle to maintain the interior of said receptacle at a pressure higher than atmospheric; and

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said liquid is superheated water.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said liquid is a heated water vapor.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein means for lacing-up said fiber tow is mounted in said receptacle.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said lacing-up means comprises a perforated tube connected to said second portion of each of said first and second jetsealed orifices.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said lacing-up means includes a funnel shaped member having its smaller end connected to said second portion of each of said first and second jet-sealed orifices.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,619 12/1953 Helle 68-6 FOREIGN PATENTS 863,219 3/1961 Great Britain.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,403,126 1/ 1922 Lyth.

2,008,230 7/1935 Spooner.

2,661,619 12/1953 Helle.

2,954,687 10/ 1960 Yazawa et al.

3,055,080 9/1962 Claussen et al.

3,110,169 11/1963 Suggs.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY ANNEALING A FIBER COMPRISING: (A) A PRESSURE RECEPTACLE INCLUDING (1) AN ENTRANCE PORT, (2) AN EXIT PORT, AND (3) MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A DESIRED PRESSURE IN SAID RECEPTACLE; (B) FIRST AND SECOND JET-SEALED ORIFICES CLOSING SAID ENTRANCE PORT AND EXIT PORT RESPECTIVELY, EACH INCLUDING (1) A PASSAGEWAY FOR FIBERS THERETHROUGH, (2) MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID AT A HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW VELOCITY TO SAID PASSAGEWAY, (3) A FIRST PORTION OF SAID PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING BETWEEN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SAID MEAND FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID AND A SECOND PORTION OF SAID PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING FROM SAID MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A LIQUID INTO SAID RECEPTACLE AND HAVING A REDUCED CROSS SECTIONAL AREA IN REGARD TO SAID RECEPTACLE, AND (4) MEANS IN SAID SECOND PORTION FORMING A LOW PRESSURE AREA AS THE PRESSURIZED LIQUID FLOWS THERETHROUGH AT AN ELEVATED VELOCITY FOR INTRODUCING SAID PRESSURIZED LIQUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAINING THE INTERIOR OF SAID RECEPTACLE AT A PRESSURE HIGHER THAN ATMOSPHERIC; (C) MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING A FIBER TOW FROM SAID SECOND JET-SEALED ORIFICE WHEREBY SAID TOW IS DRAWN THROUGH SAID FIRST ORIFICE, PASSES THROUGH SAID RECEPTACLE IN A RELAXED STATE TO BE ANNEALED AND IS WITHDRAWN THROUGH SAID SECOND ORIFICE.