Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes an elongated H-beam having a flange engaged by guide wheels supporting a pair of separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on opposite sides of the beam web and have piston rods connected directly to the corresponding carriages by laterally floating links. Proximity sensors are mounted on opposite end portions of the H-beam for indicating when the rope stretch is reaching a limit, and the beam supports a full length cover which encloses and protects the carriages and cylinders.

Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes a beam having a flange forming a track which is engaged by guide wheels supporting a pair of separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on the beam and enclose pistons connected by corresponding piston rods directly to the corresponding carriages. The beam may be mounted on the papermaking machine with its track-forming flange extending at an angle to the horizontal so that the respective piston rods extend upwardly and downwardly from the cylinders. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the upper end of the one cylinder having the downwardly extending piston rod, and the upper end of the other cylinder is vented to atmosphere. The lower ends of the two cylinders are interconnected by a fluid passage to form a closed circuit which is filled with hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes a beam having parallel flanges forming tracks which are engaged by guide wheels supporting separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on the beam and have piston rods connected directly to the corresponding carriages. The rope sheave on each carriage has at least two peripheral grooves to receive a double loop of the rope, and the frame supports a corresponding multiple groove sheave for each of the carriage sheaves and for also receiving a double loop of the rope.

Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes an elongated H-beam having a flange engaged by guide wheels supporting a pair of separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on opposite sides of the beam web and have piston rods connected directly to the corresponding carriages by laterally floating links. Proximity sensors are mounted on opposite end portions of the H-beam for indicating when the rope stretch is reaching a limit, and the beam supports a full length cover which encloses and protects the carriages and cylinders.