Thread tension regulation in a thread brake device and method in a textile processing machine

A thread brake arrangement for use in a textile processing machine includes two brake elements with the thread running there between. An actuator, preferably a piezoelectric actuator, variably actuates one of the brake elements relative to the other to exert an adjustable braking force onto the thread. The thread exerts a reaction force in the thread running direction onto the brake elements. At least one of the brake elements is movably supported to be movable along the thread running direction, and is mechanically coupled to a force transducer that measures the reaction force, which is proportional or equal to the thread tension force. A regulating arrangement receives the measured force signal, and controls the actuator to adjust the adjustable brake element, so as to vary the applied braking force and thus regulate the arising thread tension responsive to and dependent on the measured reaction force.