Abstract: The debarking machine of the instant invention includes a frame having a stationary central hub, a ring rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation about the hub having air-pressure-actuated tools carried on the ring. Power means are provided for rotating the ring. Air passage means extend from the central hub to the ring for supply actuating air to the tools. Air passage means includes a rotary-air-seal coupling, which comprises a substantially U-shaped channel formed of a pair of opposed L-shaped annular structures which extend about the hub and have a first air plenum carried therein. A pair of annular, floating seals are disposed on the interior side walls of the U-shaped channel and a rotary disc, having a second air plenum therein, is mounted on the ring and received in the U-shaped channel, in rotatable contact with the air seals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for debarking logs of the type having long-fibre bark. In a first debarking operation, rotary cutterheads remove a portion of the mark so as to leave a bark/no-bark, barber-pole pattern on a log's surface. In a second, downstream debarking operation, scrapers on a rotating ring remove the remaining bark.

Abstract: A high-throughput, high-end-product-recovery log-bucking system featuring continuous log travel. The system includes a flying-saw, log-bucking mechanism in combination with an upstream scanner which is capable of producing data related to a log's "sweep." A computer which is interposed the bucking mechanism and the scanner makes a decision at least partially based on log-sweep data, as developed by the scanner, to determine the optimum bucking position(s) along a log's length to obtain the maximum recovery of usable end-product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for bucksawing a log while the log is being directed in an endwise, downstream direction along a path of travel.

Abstract: A lateral log transfer apparatus which functions to separate logs for travel end-to-end, and one at a time, away from the apparatus. Included in this apparatus are at least two longitudinally displaced pairs of counter-rotative discs which are formed with angular peripheral regions characterized by plural angularly related chord stretches which function, because of their relative angular orientations and relative sizes, to promote positive separations of laterally adjacent logs prior to log transfer to an off-bearing conveyor.

Abstract: A log-feed apparatus used in a log-feed assembly, where the assembly functions to advance a log along a transport axis in a log-debarking system. An elongated arm in the apparatus is mounted at an inner end for swinging of its outer end toward and away from the transport axis. A spiked feed roll, journaled on the outer arm end for powered rotation about the arm's long axis, is carried on the outer end of a shaft which is journaled on the arm by a pair of axially spaced bearings. A gear reducer mounted on the arm, intermediate the arm ends, is driven by an arm-mounted motor through a flexible belt drive. The output of the gear reducer is drivingly connected to the inner end of the shaft by a torsionally flexible rotary coupling. The shaft and bearings journaling the feed roll on the arm act to isolate all components of the drive train which extend between the shaft and motor from substantially all but torsional load transmitted by the feed roll during operation of the log-feed assembly.

Abstract: A debarking arm for use in a log-debarking apparatus having a ring which is rotatable about a transport axis, as a log is moved along this axis through an opening in the ring in a front-to-rear direction. The arm includes an elongate, curved, substantially closed hollow section extending between an inner end adapted to carry a debarking tip, and an outer end adapted to be mounted on the ring for swinging of the arm's inner end toward and away from the transport axis. The section has a front edge portion which, with the arm is an operative position on the ring, inclines rearwardly progressing toward the inner arm end, and a front wall portion which slopes rearwardly progressing from the front edge portion in a direction away from the transport axis. A curved log-engaging edge projection extends along and projects forwardly from the arm's front edge portion to engage a log during initial log contact.

Abstract: A roller feed device in a log-feed assembly. The device includes an elongated arm having an inner mounting end and an outer roll-carrying end. Formed in the outer end region of the arm is an elongated cavity which receives a bearing cartridge by axial movement of the cartridge toward the arm's inner end. The cartridge includes a bearing-journaled shaft which is detachably coupled, at its inner end, to a drive train in the arm, with axial insertion of the cartridge into the cavity. A feed roll in the device is detachably mounted on the outer end of the cartridge shaft for rotation thereon. Removal of the feed roll from the cartridge shaft provides access required for detachment of the cartridge from the arm.

Abstract: An air-seal cooling fin system in a log debarker of the type having a frame, a ring mounted for rotation on the frame, and air-pressure actuated debarking arms carried on the ring. Pressurized air is supplied to the arms through a rotary air seal composed of a stationary seal portion joined to the frame and a rotatable seal portion joined to the ring including a pair of spaced annular elements disposed on axially opposed sides of the stationary portion. Arranged on each of the annular elements in the rotatable seal portion is a circular array of angularly spaced fins. These fins act to radiate heat generated in the seal during debarker operation and interact with a circular array of fins carried on the stationary portion to create cooling air turbulence in the region of the seal.