Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. In a third aspect of the invention, a single elevator is used to adjust the angle of the blade, the blade is provided as a modular or multiple-piece design, mounting buttons are used to engage slots of T-shaped cross section in the blade and/or ceramic inserts are included at wear points.

Abstract: An energy efficient high pressure pump system includes a drive motor driving an eccentric transmission, which drives a reciprocation pump having a number of cylinders. The eccentric transmission transmits a torque demand from the reciprocating pump, which varies with time, to the drive motor such that the torque demand on the drive motor is substantially constant. The pump system includes an eccentric sprocket mounted on the output shaft of a drive motor and driving an eccentric sprocket on an idler which includes a concentric sprocket driving a concentric sprocket on the reciprocating pump with the eccentricity of the eccentric sprockets being proportional to the maximum and minimum torque demand characteristics of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: The apparatus is a washer, thickener and classifier for recovering solids from liquids including a truncated conical screen with walls typically sixty degrees from the horizontal and formed of filter media. Stock sprayer assemblies rotate about a longitudinal axis of said conical screen and direct stock, particularly deink paper stock, onto the walls of the conical screen. Wash fluid sprayer assemblies, including high impact shower nozzles, direct wash fluid onto the stock on the walls of the conical screen. The wash fluid cleans the stock, with the unwanted solids and contaminants passing through the conical screen to the discharge pipes. The wash fluid similarly washes the cleaned stock through the exit formed at the truncated portion formed at the apex of the conical screen for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. In a third aspect of the invention, a single elevator is used to adjust the angle of the blade, the blade is provided as a modular or multiple-piece design, mounting buttons are used to engage slots of T-shaped cross section in the blade and/or ceramic inserts are included at wear points.

Abstract: A papermaking apparatus such as a Fourdrinier table which includes a long blade and a trail blade. In the first aspect of the invention, the long blade includes an upper undulated surface with vents passing from the upper undulated surface to the lower surface of the long blade which is at substantially atmospheric pressure. In the second aspect of the invention, the trail blade includes an elevator-type device for adjusting the vertical position of the trail blade. The first and second aspects may be used independently or simultaneously.

Abstract: The linear traversing apparatus includes a lead screw formed from a plurality of lead screw segments which are supported at regular intervals, that is, at the intersection of adjacent lead screw segments, along a span by fixed hollow cylindrical splice points. The lead screw segments include external threading which engages the internal threading of a C-shaped spanning nut. The C-shaped spanning nut has a circumferential portion removed so that the spanning nut can clear the fixed hollow cylindrical splice points and associated support structure as the spanning nut traverses the lead screw in response to the rotation of the lead screw and the inhibition of rotation of the spanning nut. The rotation of the spanning nut is inhibited typically by mechanical communication with an instrument or other device which is engaged by a rail or slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: The piston arrangement includes one or more pistons, each propelled by a pneumatic actuator. Alternately, an accumulator-type actuator may be used, wherein compressed gas is inputted directly into the backflushing fluid chamber to reverse fluid flow through the filter arrangement.

Abstract: The apparatus is a washer, thickener and classifier for recovering solids from liquids including a truncated conical screen with walls typically sixty degrees from the horizontal and formed of filter media. Stock sprayer assemblies rotate about a longitudinal axis of said conical screen and direct stock, particularly deink paper stock, onto the walls of the conical screen. Wash fluid sprayer assemblies, including high impact shower nozzles, direct wash fluid onto the stock on the walls of the conical screen. The wash fluid cleans the stock, with the unwanted solids and contaminants passing through the conical screen to the discharge pipes. The wash fluid similarly washes the cleaned stock through the exit formed at the truncated portion formed at the apex of the conical screen for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning dryer fabrics and the like comprising an ultra high pressure water jet or jets at reduce water volume.

Abstract: The apparatus is an oscillator for a showerhead to keep the forming fabric of a papermaking machine clean and open. A hydraulic cylinder is formed with a piston cup assembly dividing the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers. The piston cup assembly is coupled to a magnet and a driveshaft, the driveshaft being coupled, in turn, to the showerhead to be oscillated. A four-way valve is used to direct fluid from a pressurized external source alternately into said first and second fluid chambers thereby causing reciprocation of the driveshaft. The position of the magnet, and hence the driveshaft and showerhead, is monitored by a transducer which sends position and rate signals to a microprocessor-based controller. The microprocessor-based controller sends a signal to the four-way valve to direct which of said first and second fluid chambers receives fluid from the pressurized source in order to achieve the desired parameters of reciprocation.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a papermaking machine with a forming fabric in a looped configuration. The forming fabric carries paper stock through the papermaking process. The forming fabric passes over a liquid-filled cavity which is bounded on its lower surface by a flexible non-permeable membrane. A roll with regular protrusions underneath the membrane is rotated to vertically excite the membrane, the liquid-filled cavity, and, subsequently, the paper stock in order to disperse the paper stock into a random orientation.

Abstract: An improved strainer device has a screen which receives a solid/mixture from a feed container for separation. To insure that an uneven flow of the mixture over the screen does not occur due to, for example, a non-level mounting, inlet rushing or turbulence, a weir structure is provided which raises the water mixture level above the screen by a predetermined height.

Abstract: A suction pipe assembly for dewatering a web in a papermaking machine includes a rotating pipe supporting suction cover and attached to a frame by a bearing sleeve. Support members extend form the bearing sleeve to the pipe without obstructing the flow of air through the pipe.

Abstract: A flat response position sensitive neutron detector capable of providing neutron spectroscopic data utilizing scintillator fiber optic filaments embedded in a neutron moderating housing having an open end through which neutrons enter to be detected.

Abstract: An improved housing for use in a laser pump module, including a laser rod housed within a sleeve and laser diodes providing the rod excitation, wherein the main housing structure is constructed from a single piece of material and formed with internal interconnected internal passageways to provide for efficient cooling of the pump sources and the sleeve provides the outer wall of the coolant passage for cooling of the laser rod.

Abstract: An improved housing for use in a laser pump module, including a laser rod housed within a sleeve and laser diodes providing the rod excitation, wherein the main housing structure is constructed from a single piece of material and formed with internal interconnected internal passageways to provide for efficient cooling of the pump sources and the sleeve provides the outer wall of the coolant passage for cooling of the laser rod.

Abstract: An eye-safe laser operating at high efficiency, pulse repetition rate and power output is described. The laser comprises a diode-array pumped laser having a pumping wavelength range which produces a polarized output beam. The output beam passes through a nonlinear tunable parametric converter crystal having X, Y, and Z principal axes. Noncritical phase matching is produced in said laser by phase matching for a beam propagation parallel to a principal axis which results in a high efficiency of laser operation. The nonlinear tunable parametric converter crystal converts the wavelength of an otherwise unsafe laser beam output to one that is harmlessly absorbed by the human eye.

Abstract: A large area nuclear detection system with high resolution includes a sensor formed of scintillating optical fibers and a remotely located detector comprising at least a pair of microchannel plate photomultiplier tubes, with the sensitive area of the sensor being many times the area of the detectors. Two linear arrays of optical fibers are arranged orthogonally to define a sensor matrix of rows and columns of fibers. Nuclear radiation from a particle at the sensor is converted to optical energy by the sensor. A microchannel PMT is connected with each array for measuring the optical energy output of the fibers thereof to determine the row and column location of the nuclear particle in accordance with the quantity of energy received from the fibers. Thus, nuclear radiation can be detected over a large area with a high degree of accuracy and resolution.