Torsion Bar Propulsion System
topic
Projectile propulsion uses a torsion bar spring charged by a picking lever during the preceding pick cycle, releasing stored torsional energy at the programmed moment to accelerate the picking lever that strikes the projectile tail, launching the projectile into the shed at 20 to 25 metres per second, with the torsion bar energy and picking lever geometry determining the projectile velocity and therefore the minimum shed traversal time that governs maximum weaving speed at each fabric width.
Role
Provides the energy storage and release mechanism that accelerates the projectile to the velocity required for reliable shed traversal, with torsion bar properties determining the launch energy consistency that governs flight trajectory uniformity between successive picks, and with torsion bar maintenance being a critical reliability item as fatigue cracking from the cyclic loading of thousands of picks per hour requires inspection and replacement before structural failure causes loom damage.