Abstract: A paper pulp processing mechanism and method for screening large flows of wood chips including a screening bed for receiving a delivery of a quantity of wood chips at a screening receiving station, the flow of chips dividing to flow laterally in one direction over a first lateral bed section extending laterally and upwardly and to also flow over a second lateral bed section extending laterally and upwardly with each section extending away from the receiving station to a delivery end and each path defined by a plurality of laterally extending rotatable shafts having disks thereon interdigitally related.

Abstract: An active attenuation system is provided for attenuating the pressure pulses in a liquid flowing in a pipe. The system includes an actuator for introducing nulling pressure pulses into the pipeline having the same frequency, but phase reversed to provide opposite amplitude of the pressure pulses to be attenuated. A plurality of pressure sensors are disposed in the pipe to sense the pressure pulses to be attenuated and these sensors are connected to a pressure transducer amplifier system which, in turn, is electrically connected to a control monitor which adaptively models the responses and continuously adjusts its output to a power amplifier which, in turn, signals the actuator to produce nulling pulses at the desired frequency and amplitude to attenuate the pressure pulses at a desired location, i.e. headbox or pipeline termination, in the liquid flowing through the pipe.

Abstract: Fines are separated from pin chips and a system in which a mixture of fines and pin chips is introduced onto a rotating disk which imparts centrifugal forces thereto for separation. In a first embodiment, the fines and the pin chips are propelled over different length paths to fall into separate collectors, the fines collector entraining the fines into an air stream for disposal. In this embodiment, the rotor comprises a rotary disk having a smooth upper surface, while in a second embodiment the upper surface is provided with a plurality of vanes on the upper surface thereof. In a third embodiment, the rotary disk is provided with a plurality of grooves for directing the fines over the periphery of the disk into its collector. In a fourth embodiment, the rotary disk is provided with a plurality of generally radial slots with vanes beneath in order to provide a classification between fines and pin chips.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus is disclosed for guiding an extended nip press blanket relative to a pressing shoe. The apparatus includes a nose member which is pivotally-connected to the shoe for guiding the blanket relative to the shoe. An actuator is secured to the shoe for pivoting the nose member relative to the shoe. A connector extends between the actuator and the nose member for connecting the actuator to the nose member such that when the actuator is actuated, the nose member is skewed relative to the shoe so that the blanket is guided laterally relative to the shoe as the blanket moves over, and in contact with, the nose member.

Abstract: A disc screen or like shaft structure in which screen discs 25 and spacers 28 are connected together in modular relation. The spacers 28 support the discs axially and are formed of plastic to allow the discs to deflect from their radial plane and the plastic spacers have an outer metallic surround 30 which is of smaller length than the spacers to present a protective metallic outwardly facing surface but allow the discs 25 to deflect laterally. The assembly is placed under a predetermined end-wise compression and the module is mounted on a rectangular shaft 27 which is suitably supported for rotation.

Abstract: A press apparatus is disclosed for removing fluid from a fibrous web. The apparatus includes a press member and a blanket cooperating with the press member for defining therebetween an elongate pressing section such that the web is pressed between the press member and the blanket during passage through the pressing section. The blanket is urged towards the press member such that when the web passes through the pressing section, fluid is pressed from the web. A heating device is disposed adjacent to the press roll for transferring heat to the web such that when the web passes through the pressing section, the web is subjected for an extended period to increased pressure and temperature so that water vapor generated within the pressing section during the passage of the web through the pressing section forces the fluid in the liquid phase away from the web.

Abstract: A system for forming a web from a dilute, aqueous slurry of fibers wherein a thin, horizontally-extending aqueous stream of fibers is projected onto a travelling foraminous forming wire. The forming wire is disposed to travel over a forming board which has a leading lip which is deflected downwardly with respect to the oncoming jet stream. The lower surface of the jet stream is disposed substantially parallel with the surface of the travelling foraminous wire wire at the point where the stream contacts the wire to minimize turbulence at the point of initial contact of the jet stream on the wire and subsequent spouting of the fibrous stock downstream in the forming zone.

Abstract: A jet velocity measuring apparatus is disclosed for measuring the velocity of a fluid stream. The apparatus (10) measures the time delay between primary electronic signals generated by a first photosensitive device (32) as a result of a first beam of light from a light source (34) being reflected by a portion of the surface (S) of the stream (24) and secondary electronic signals generated by a second photosensitive device (36) as a result of a second beam of light from a light source (38) being reflected downstream by substantially the same portion of the surface of the stream (24). The apparatus includes a housing (22) disposed parallel to the plane (P2) of the surface of the stream. A first and a second fiberoptic bundle (42, 44) transmit light from the light source (34, 38) to the surface of the stream (24) and back respectively to the photosensitive devices (32, 36). Debris-deflecting slots (88, 90) are disposed adjacent to the housing (22) for deflecting debris therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for selectively moving the slice lip of a headbox of a papermaking machine. The apparatus includes a housing secured to the headbox with the housing defining an elongate chamber. A control rod has a first and a second end with the first end being connected to the slice lip and the second end defining a longitudinally-threaded surface. A rotatable member is disposed within the chamber, the rotatable member defining an internally-threaded bore which cooperates with the threaded surface of the control rod such that when the member rotates within the chamber, the control rod is moved axially relative to the housing for selectively moving the slice lip. A motor is rigidly secured to the housing and is drivingly connected to the rotatable member for selectively rotating the rotatable member relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein, with continuous measurement of the stretch directly on the web itself and by controlling the unwinding and winding-up speed in the winding-up roll, a predetermined stretch profile in relation to winding diameter is produced, in order to achieve a quality of roll which is as uniform as possible and constant with time.

Abstract: A disk screen, and method wherein the material, such as wood chips for making paper pulp, is screened through a rotary disk screening bed (12) having zones wherein the space between disk slots (20) decreases from zone to zone as the material passes from the inlet end to the outlet end of the screen. Such spaces may range in zones from 8 mm to 6 mm along the screening bed (12).

Abstract: A vacuum device (15, 15') and method for avoiding sheet flutter in an on-running tangent pocket (14, 14') defined between the perimeter of a dryer roll (9, 9'), and a free transitional span (13, 13') of a dryer felt (7, 7') travelling toward the dryer roll and carrying a wet paper sheet web (8, 8') on the face of the felt outside of the tangent pocket. The device comprises an elongate hollow manifold (17, 17') arranged to extend longitudinally within the pocket (14, 14') parallel to the felt (7, 7') and web (8, 8'). The air in the pocket (14, 14') is vacuumed into a chamber (16, 16') within the manifold (17, 17') through an arrangement of ports (21, 21', 22, 22') communicating with the vacuum chamber. A suction member (20, 20') draws the air from the vacuum chamber (16, 16') and communicates with a vacuum source (34).

Abstract: A controlled deflection roll including a rotary tubular roll shell carried on a stationary shaft extending through the roll shell, the roll shell supported on the shaft for pressure engagement along a working face with an opposing member to form a pressing operation, the chamber between the shaft and roll shell being pressurized by fluid induced past a seal between the shaft and roll shell on the oncoming side of the pressure chamber such as by a specially shaped seal having a trailing lip and releasing pressure from the pressure chamber to maintain a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A controlled deflection roll for operating at a predetermined heated temperature including a roll shell rotatably journalled on a shaft with the roll shell supported along its length on a piston in a chamber in the shaft and support oil delivered beneath the piston and passing into pockets on the outer surface of the piston to support the roll shell, heated oil delivered to the spaced between the shaft and roll shell, and an annular chamber of insulating oil at the ends of the roll shell between the shell and the end bearings.

Abstract: An extended nip press for removing water from a traveling web in a paper machine including a press roll with an elongate shoe having a concave surface facing the roll and forming an extended nip therebetween with the shoe pressed to the roll and mounted to accommodate movement to form a wedge of lubricant between the shoe and a belt with the ends of the belt closed by end walls to contain lubricant within the belt and a flexible radial connection between the end walls and the ends of the belt so that the belt will follow the curvature of the nip beyond the ends of the shoe and will flex only in a single plane of the nip.

Abstract: A control valve (22) is disclosed for controlled both the flow of steam (S) from a steam header (18) and air (A) into a steam box (12) of a web drying machine. The control valve (22) includes a valve body (26) defining a longitudinal passageway (28). The passageway (28) has a first and a second end (30,32) with the first end (30) of the passageway (28) being connected to, and in fluid communication with, the steam header (18). The second end (32) is connected to and in fluid communication with an air header (19). A first and a second valve seat (34,36) are disposed adjacent to the first and the second ends (30,32) of the passageway (28) for controlling respectively the flow of steam (S) and air (A) into the steam box (12). An elongate valve stem (38) having a first and a second valve closure (44,46) is movable axially within and along the passageway (28), the first and second closures (44,46) being disposed adjacent to a first and second end (40,42) of the valve stem (38).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for maintaining a constant refining intensity under varying tonnage rate and applied power conditions to a slurry of paper stock being passed through a disk type refiner. The system utilizes a control strategy and several unique control algorithms which combine to provide a result which relates the speed of rotation of the refiner elements to the power consumed by the drive motor. The present invention is based on intensity which is defined as the net refining power applied divided by the number of bar crossings (refining elements) per unit time. The system is an adaptive control system which operates on the basis of real time measurements of the refiner process.

Abstract: A point of sale wood chip classifier includes apparatus for receiving and discharging unclassified wood chips onto a longitudinally extending downwardly angled trough-shaped vibratory classification bed which includes a plurality of rotating disks for promoting tumbling of the chips toward an overflow end, the bed including openings between the disks defining a plurality of classification zones of increasing size along the bed in the downhill direction. A plurality of collection bins are located below the classification zones for receiving the classified chips, the classification bins being carried on respective load cells which signal the individual weights of a sample to a microcomputer for calculation of totality of chips and percentages of each classified component.

Abstract: A disk screen or like shaft structure in which screen disks and spacers are connected together in modular relation. The spacers support the disks with inner edges of the disks spaced from inner surfaces of the spacers so that when the modules are supported on a shaft the inner edges of the disks will be maintained spaced from the shaft. The spacers are preferably made from nonmetallic material such as polyurethane. By placing the modules under predetermined endwise compression, the inner surfaces of the spacers are adapted to be extended inwardly from an initial edge relation generally aligned with the inner edges of the disks. Bolts may serve as the connectors for the disks and spacers for the modules, and facilitate assembling of the modules under endwise compression.

Abstract: A three-way valve for use in a fluid pulsation attenuator having a flexible diaphragm forming an interface with a flow of pulsating fluid on one side and a chamber of pressurized air on the other. The valve includes a head and an attached sliding tube having a plurality of orifices through its wall. As the head follows movement of the diaphragm, the sliding tube moves between positions which permit one or more orifices to communicate with chambers in the valve to either introduce additional pressurized air into the air chamber portion of the attenuator, or to discharge air therefrom, as needed, to quickly achieve matching, at start-up, and the continuance of matching of the air chamber pressure to the running-average pressure of the fluid on the other side of the diaphragm, and thus to keep the diaphragm's average position approximately centered within its range of movement, ready to absorb pulses of either sign.