Abstract: A high power fast switch for generating pulses of current to a load from a high voltage power source. A laser beam illuminates a cathode which simulates the emission of pulses of electrons which illuminate a diamond target. The pulses of electrons cause the diamond target to become conductive permitting high power pulses of electric current to pass through the diamond target from a high voltage source to a load. In a preferred embodiment a Klystron buncher compresses the electron pulses onto the diamond target.

Abstract: A fast atomic line filter capable of operating at speeds and quantum efficiencies greatly in excess of prior art atomic line filters. Signal light excites to an intermediate energy level the atoms of a contained vapor. A pump beam further excited these atoms to a higher Rydberg level. Simultaneously the atoms are subjected to an electric field that Stark splits the Rydberg level and ionizes very quickly the doubly excited atoms. The resulting ions or electrons are then detected with near unity quantum efficiency by a detector sensitive to either ions or electrons. By directly detecting the resulting ions or electrons the fast atomic line filter has an inherently higher quantum efficiency and much greater speed than prior art ALF's which must use photosensitive detectors to detect fluorescence.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for providing a stable, temporally controllable high current density electron beam from a photocathode has been developed. A low level of cesium and, possibly a stabilizing gas, is supplied to the photoemitting surface while the electron beam is being generated, thereby replenishing cesium and possibly other ions lost from the emitting surface on a continual basis.

Abstract: A low cost segmented mirror for making wavefront corrections. The segmented mirror is comprised of a large number of closely spaced mirror element assemblies. Each assembly is comprised of an essentially flat mirror surface backed by a substrate and a tubular shaped piezoelectric driver divided axially into at least three parts each part having its own independent voltage source. The independent voltages sources are variable over a voltage range including zero volts. Each driver is attached at one of its ends to a base support. During fabrication, the segmented mirrors are held in place on an essentially flat vacuum chuck while the other ends of the drivers are attached to the mirror substrates with an epoxy. The result is an essentially flat segmented mirror surface when the independent voltage sources are at zero volts. Wavefront corrections are produced by varying the voltage to each individual part of each piezoelectric driver so as to adjust each of the segmented mirror surfaces in tilt, tip, and piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a cylindrical rotating surface, comprising a doctor back mounted for rotation about a first axis, and a blade carrier assembly mounted on the doctor back for rotation about a second parallel axis. A doctor blade is removably supported by the blade carrier assembly and is loaded against the rotating surface by a force applied to rotate the doctor back about the first axis. A liquid filled flexible walled tube extends along the second axis between the doctor back and the blade carrier assembly. The blade angle is adjusted by expanding and contracting the liquid filled tube to rotate the blade carrier about the second axis.

Abstract: A fluid pressure oscillator is provided with a cylinder containing a piston assembly. Fluid actuated reciprocation of the piston assembly is controlled by a valve mounted externally of the cylinder. The valve is alternately shifted between "advance" and "retract" settings by a reciprocating actuating rod removably received in the cylinder. A magnet on the piston assembly cooperates with magnetic elements on the actuating rod to automatically reciprocate the latter.

Abstract: A caliper control system for controlling the thickness and sheet quality of paper passing between calender rolls of a calender stack includes a distribution chamber which houses a supply of heat transfer fluid. A series of nozzles extends across the width of the unit in the cross machine direction, and each of these nozzles are selectively actuable. An actuating means, which may be a piston connected to a solenoid, opens and closes an opening in the wall between the distribution chamber and the nozzle for each nozzle of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the caliper control system includes two such units. One of these units will supply hot air to the roll surface, and the roll to which the hot air is applied to an unheated roll. The second unit will supply cold air to a heated roll. Each of the nozzles is covered with a plate which includes a large number of apertures for expelling the heat-transfer fluid from the nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for transporting a web about a nonlinear path without allowing the apparatus to contact the web. The apparatus includes a series of positive pressure nozzles which emit a primary jet flow of fluid in a single direction, and a secondary jet flow of fluid in a direction perpendicular to the primary flow. The two flows merge and transport the web on a cushion of air along the nonlinear path. The magnitude of the cushioned pad is controlled by a series of slide dampers which are positioned between adjacent nozzles, and the opening of these slide dampers controls the amount of exhaust from the merged flow so as to control the cushioned path. The last nozzle in the series will direct its primary flow in a direction opposite to that of the other nozzles in the series in order to maintain the overall pressure pad under the web.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly has a doctor blade supported in a blade holder. The blade has a projecting front edge adapted to be placed in contact with a moving surface to be doctored, and a rear edge adapted to be received in the blade holder. The blade is preloaded in a manner such that tensile stresses are induced in the front edge thereof. The level of such tensile stresses is below the yield strength of the blade material, yet high enough to prevent compressive stresses from developing at the blade front edge as a result of heat being generated by frictional contact between the blade and the moving surface being doctored.

Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a cylindrical rotating surface, comprising a doctor back mounted for rotation about a first axis, and a blade carrier assembly mounted on the doctor back for rotation about a second parallel axis. A doctor blade is removably supported by the blade carrier assembly and is loaded against the rotating surface by a force applied to rotate the doctor back about the first axis. A liquid filled flexible walled tube extends along the second axis between the doctor back and the blade carrier assembly. The blade angle is adjusted by expanding and contracting the liquid filled tube to rotate the blade carrier about the second axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat pipe particularly suited for isothermal transfer of heat in high temperature, high pressure operation such as the growing of semiconductor crystals. The heat pipe has a stem communicating with its lower end, a cooler surrounding a portion of the stem, and an expansible bellows connected to the stem. The stem and the expansion chamber formed by the bellows accommodate displaced liquid working fluid to balance pressure within the heat pipe with ambient pressure outside the heat pipe. This avoids the need for complex, multi-layer structures or high strength materials in the heat pipe walls.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a web drying apparatus that can be quickly assembled and disassembled from the front or tending side of the web drying apparatus. At the rear of the web drying apparatus, instead of the normal bolt fastening system, a slidable connection is provided between the nozzle housing and the bulkhead. By manipulating the front end of the nozzle housing, nozzle mounting flanges secured to the rear end of the nozzle housing are slid under nozzle support clips on the bulkhead to secure the rear end of the nozzle housing to the bulkhead. Conventional systems are used to secure the front end of the nozzle housing. There may be one or two bulkheads in the nozzle assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: A flotation drying system utilizing a nozzle assembly having a mounting system that enables quick assembly and disassembly of the system. The nozzle assembly comprises one or more high pressure supply headers or bulkheads, a nozzle housing extending across the grooved face of the one or more bulkheads in a perpendicular direction to the direction of the bulkhead, the nozzle housing having a port connecting it to the bulkhead so that a stream of air goes through the nozzle housing and is applied to the web for drying. The nozzle assembly comprises sealing plates removably supported by the groove face of the bulkhead adjacent each of the nozzle housings to seal the area between the nozzle housings. A flange extends from each of the nozzle housings over the sealing plates as a means to seal the nozzle housings to the grooved face of the bulkhead.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steam-shower apparatus and method including a supply of steam which is fed through a Coanda nozzle and along a path running adjacent one surface of the apparatus which is heated to a temperature in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The sheet to which the steam is to be applied runs adjacent this same surface of the machine, but in a direction opposite to the direction of the flow of steam. In one embodiment, the heated surface is located relative to the sheet so that an upstream edge of the apparatus is spaced from said sheet by a greater distance than is the downstream edge of the apparatus which preferably contacts the sheet to back pressure the steam between the apparatus and sheet. The flow of steam runs the entire length of this surface heating the sheet as it flows in the opposite direction. The apparatus may be divided into several sections so that the sheet may be profiled along certain regions which are defined by these sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing a shower of fog onto a web or a machine component in contact with a web or for applying a layer of moisture to a web. The fog, which as a temperature lower than the temperature of the surface of the web or the machine component to be cooled, is applied to the surface and is caused to evaporate by the difference in the temperatures. A supply of dry air is supplied to transport the evaporated fog from the region adjacent the surface to be cooled. Fog may be generated through the use of an air-atomizing nozzle which propels water and compressed air through a small orifice under pressure to create an atomized mist or fog. To achieve localized control of the application of fog, a plurality of air atomizing nozzles is mounted in a row extending in the cross machine direction of the apparatus. An air plenum extending parallel to the row of air atomizing nozzles is mounted on at least one side of the row.

Abstract: A suction transfer device located over a length of a single continuous dryer fabric extending between two rolls and below which length the web to be dried extends, with the device producing preferential negative pressure in active sections at the edges of the fabric with relation to a relatively inactive central section between said active sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a shower of fog onto a web or a machine component in contact with a web. The fog, which has a temperature lower than the temperature of the surface of the web or the machine component to be cooled, is applied to the surface and is caused to evaporate by the difference in the temperatures. A supply of dry air is supplied to transport the evaporated fog from the region adjacent the surface to be cooled. Fog may be generated through the use of an air-atomizing nozzle which propels water and compressed air through a small orifice under pressure to create an atomized mist or fog. In one embodiment, the fog may also be supplied in controlled specified quantities locally as required to provide for a controllable fog application rate across the full apparatus width.

Abstract: A doctoring apparatus employs a doctor blade having a length greater than the face length of the surface being doctored. A blade holder applies an intermediate portion of the blade to the doctored surface. The blade is movable longitudinally through the blade holder, and has continuing portions extending beyond the ends of the holder. At least one clamp acts on one of the continuing blade portions. The clamp is adjustable between a closed setting preventing relative movement between it and the blade, and the open setting permitting such relative movement. A drive reciprocates either the blade holder or the clamp in one direction when the clamp is closed and in the opposite direction when the clamp is opened, thereby causing the blade to move incrementally in one direction across the surface being doctored.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing a shower of fog onto a web or a machine component in contact with a web. The fog, which has a temperature lower than the temperature of the surface of the web or the machine component to be cooled, is applied to the surface and is caused to evaporate by the difference in the temperatures. A supply of dry air is supplied to transport the evaporated fog from the region surrounding the surface to be cooled. Fog may be generated through the use of an air-atomizing nozzle which propels water and compressed air through a small orifice under pressure to create an atomized mist or fog. The fog may also be generated through the use of an ultrasonic transducer which expels fine droplets of water from its surface by means of a high-frequency oscillating transducer motion. In one embodiment, the fog may also be generated in controlled specified quantities locally at each nozzle as required to provide for a controllable fog application rate across the full apparatus width.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steam-shower apparatus and method including a supply of steam which is fed through a Coanda nozzle and along a path running parallel with one surface of the apparatus. The sheet to which the steam is to be applied runs parallel to this same surface of the machine, but in a direction opposite to the direction of the flow of steam. The sheet travels along a path spaced slightly from the surface of the machine, and the flow of steam runs the entire length of this surface heating the sheet as it flows in the opposite direction. The apparatus may be divided into several sections so that the sheet may be profiled along certain regions which are defined by these sections. In addition, means are included for altering the volume of flow to any one of the particular sections.