Continuous Material Having Indeterminate Length (e.g., Web, Strand, Strip, Or Sheet) Patents (Class 700/122)
  • Patent number: 6233495
    Abstract: A plurality of random probing sequences are used to perturb a corresponding plurality of cross-machine direction (CD) actuators of a web manufacturing machine. The web of sheet material is measured as the CD actuators are perturbed. The global process machine direction (MD) dynamics is estimated and a CD response is estimated for each of the plurality of CD actuators using the plurality of random probing sequences, measurements of the web of sheet material and the estimated global process MD dynamics. The estimated global process MD dynamics and the estimated CD responses form 2D responses for the plurality of CD actuators. To refine the 2D responses, the estimates of global process MD dynamics, and CD responses for each of the plurality of CD actuators are iterated. The actuator dynamics of the plurality of CD actuators may also be estimated and used in the estimates of the global process MD dynamics of the plurality of CD actuators and CD responses for each of the plurality of CD actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 6205369
    Abstract: A roll sensing system for measuring the pressure distribution and nip width in a nip roll press. The sensing system comprises a strip having sensors thereon, the strip being placed in a nip press, for sensing the pressure at several locations therealong. At one end of the strip lies electronics associated with the sensors. The electronics communicate with an optional multiplexer and a bidirectional transmitter for signal transmission to an external signal conditioner and an external computer. The computer determines pressure values and nip width values at various locations along the strip, and communicates with a display which provides a visual, graphical and/or numerical data to the operator. Optionally, a control system can be in communication with the transmitter or the computer to initiate crown corrections in response to pressure or nip width readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: SW Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Moore
  • Patent number: 6144898
    Abstract: A control device for operation of a system for treating a surface of a solid running substrate by dielectric-barrier electrical discharge in a controlled gaseous atmosphere, comprising (A) a system which includes (i) a treatment device through which a substrate to be treated runs at a speed, (ii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with a flow of gas, (iii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with electrical power in order to produce the electrical discharge and (iv) the system sucking out the gas, (B) a data processing unit capable of receiving, as input, a datum regarding the speed at which the substrate is running through the treatment device, the data processing unit further comprising an output side connected to the system for controlling the electrical power supply system, in order to regulate the flow of gas delivered by the or each of the gas supply system and/or the electrical power delivered by the electric
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Gilles Lagrange, Isabelle Hibon
  • Patent number: 6094606
    Abstract: A control device for operation of a system for treating a surface of a solid running substrate by dielectric-barrier electrical discharge in a controlled gaseous atmosphere, comprising (A) a system which includes (i) a treatment device through which a substrate to be treated runs at a speed, (ii) the system is connected to the treatment device for supplying the treatment device with gas, (iii) the system is connected to the device for supplying the treatment device with electrical power in order to produce the electrical discharge and (iv) the system for sucking out the gas (B) a data processing unit designed to receive, as input, a datum regarding the speed at which the substrate is running through the treatment device, the data processing unit being connected, on the output side, to the gas supply system, to the electrical power supply system and to the gas suction system, in order: (a) upon starting the treatment device and when the running speed of the substrate is greater than a predetermined speed, to c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Gilles Lagrange, Isabelle Hibon
  • Patent number: 6092003
    Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a wire speed. A sheet of wet stock moving a speed develops on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell-Measurex Corporation
    Inventors: Claud Hagart-Alexander, Hung-Tzaw Hu, David Watson, John Preston
  • Patent number: 6076022
    Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a certain stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a certain wire speed. The system includes: a) at least two water weight sensors that are positioned adjacent to the wire wherein the at least two sensors are positioned at different locations in the direction of movement of the wire and upstream from a dry line which develops during operation of the machine and the sensors generate signals indicative of a water weight profile made up of a multiplicity of water weight measurements; and b) means for adjusting at least one of the stock jet speed, wire speed, or to cause the water weight profile to match a preselected or optimal water weight profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell-Measurex Corporation
    Inventors: Claud Hagart-Alexander, Hung-Tzaw Hu, David Watson
  • Patent number: 6038487
    Abstract: A web processor includes a support for supporting a movable web to form a concave trough along a path having a longitudinal axis. A rotatable element is provided which includes a beam redirecting device for redirecting an incident beam of radiation to produce a resultant beam directed substantially orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element. The rotatable element includes at least one lens for focussing the resultant beam to produce a focus point on the path. The path is configured such that rotation of the rotatable element locates the focus point on a line non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the concave trough. In a method for treating a web, a movable web is formed into a concave trough having a longitudinal axis. An incident beam of radiation is directed to a beam redirecting device on a rotatable element to produce a resultant beam of radiation directed substantially orthogonally to an axis of rotation of the rotatable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Appleton Papers Inc.
    Inventors: Lester A. Balster, Charles J. Pingel, Jeffrey L. Wells
  • Patent number: 6018687
    Abstract: A cutoff control system for controlling the positional relationship of a series of printed images on a continuous web of material relative to a cutoff device. The system includes a scanner for producing an output signal indicative of a suitable portion of the printed image on said web and a mechanism for laterally positioning the scanner with respect to said printed image on said web. The system also includes a control mechanism for controlling the operation of the positioning mechanism in response to digital prepress data, including a system for determining a suitable portion of the printed image to be scanned by the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Tabor