Patents Examined by Todd J. Burns
  • Patent number: 5096541
    Abstract: The method serves for actively damping vibrations on a paper-making machine. The kinematic quantities which describes the movements of the paper-making machine or parts thereof produced by the vibrations are measured and are processed as measurement signals. Between relatively movable masses, at least one of which belongs to the vibratable structure of the paper-making machine, is provided at least one servo motor which is controlled by a control unit. Movement of this servo motor is produced in such a way that it is directed opposite to the vibrational movement to be damped. The movement produced in this way for damping the vibrations can be produced both between parts of the paper-making machine and between part of the paper-making machine and a movable additional mass provided expressly for this purpose. A damper which can also be incorporated into the servo motor can be provided to reduce the vibrational energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Sulzer-Eschwer Wyss GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Arnhold, Rudolf Munch
  • Patent number: 5092962
    Abstract: A device is provided for the removal of water from a web by hot-pressing while the web is in direct contact with a heated cylinder face. The web is passed, while being supported by a press fabric, through at least two separate press stages. The web is first passed into direct contact with the heated cylinder face and into an extended-nip press stage. At the beginning of the extended-nip press stage, a press-glide belt is passed into contact with the press fabric. The press-glide belt is pressed by means of a press member in the extended-nip stage against the heated cylinder face. This press-glide belt is separated from the fabric and the web is passed to the next stage where the web is pressed against a cylinder face only by means of the tension of the press fabric. After this latter stage, the web is passed to an intensive roll-nip pressing stage, through a roll-nip which is formed between the hot cylinder and a hollow-faced press roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Valmet Paper Machinery Inc.
    Inventor: Erkki Koski
  • Patent number: 5091041
    Abstract: A bonding assembly for bonding carbon fibrous segments with adhesive on one side, to a frustoconical surface of an annular clutch member. The bonding assembly includes a ring member with a frustoconical surface complementary to the annular clutch member frustoconical surface. Three of the segments are spaced circumferentially apart and sandwiched between the annular clutch member frustoconical surface and the ring member frustoconical surface with, the adhesive sides of the segments positioned against the annular clutch member. The clutch member and ring member are placed on a base with a post extending vertically upward through the concentric axis of the clutch and ring members. A spring mechanism includes a second element for engaging the post and exerting a downward force to clamp the ring member, clutch member, and segments together. The bonding assembly can then be positioned in a source of heat for curing the adhesive under constant force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Genise
  • Patent number: 5084136
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a compacted, redispersible, aramid pulp fiber product wherein aramid pulp is opened using the forces of a turbulent air grinding mill and then the opened pulp is compacted to the extent desired for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dina M. Haines, Thomas F. Schuler
  • Patent number: 5084135
    Abstract: A method for reclaiming plastic and cellulosic fiber from plastic coated waste. The method includes the steps of introducing previously hydropulped plastic coated waste into a size reduction unit to reduce the plastic coated waste to a maximum dimension of about 1-4 inches. The plastic coated waste is then subject to flotation with agitation to separate the plastic from the cellulosic fiber. The cellulosic fiber is then screened, dried, and baled. The plastic is further reduced to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inches and dewatered. The dewatered plastic is dried to a moisture content of less than 10% and rolled into plastic pellets. This method produces plastic pellets comprising from about 5 to about 10 weight percent cellulosic fiber and less than about 10 weight percent water from hydropulper plastic coating waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Brooks, Billy D. Goforth, Charles L. Goforth
  • Patent number: 5082529
    Abstract: The stack reflectance is predicted from an on-line, wavelength dependent measurement of the sheet reflectance and the on-line measurement of the sheet opacity at a wavelength interval. The stack reflectance Rst is then used to predict and/or control stack color, preferably by using the parameter K/S=(1-Rst.sup.2)/2 Rst where K is the dye absorption coefficient and S is the dye scattering coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: ABB Process Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Gary N. Burk
  • Patent number: 5080755
    Abstract: A process for the continuous digestion of cellulosic fiber material is described wherein the material is impregnated with liquid in a closed system comprising a concurrent flow zone and a countercurrent flow zone, the liquid in the concurrent flow zone including black liquor and possibly white liquor and the liquid in the countercurrent flow zone including white liquor. Liquid is withdrawn from the impregnation system at a point located between the concurrent flow zone and the countercurrent flow zone. Besides white liquor a predetermined amount of black liquor is added to the countercurrent flow zone in order to obtain a high liquid to wood ratio in the inlet of the digester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventor: Ake Backlund
  • Patent number: 5078089
    Abstract: A spray coating booth for enclosing individual articles to be coated with a liquid spray while the articles are supported in closely spaced relation on an article conveyor for movement through the booth includes a rigid frame with fixed sidewalls and movable top and end walls which may be moved between a closed position completely enclosing an article supported on the conveyor and an open position to permit articles to be moved into and out of the booth. The movable top assures against coating liquid dripping onto and contaminating articles moving on the conveyor which are not to be coated. The end walls are supported for movement in substantially a transverse vertical plane to permit close spacing of articles on the conveyor without contact of the articles by the end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: National Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Dugan, Daniel D. Evans, Robert Griffith, Ronald G. Mumaw
  • Patent number: 5078090
    Abstract: A housing forming an internal powdering chamber in which an article support tray is removably supported. A hopper located on the exterior top of the housing is structured to dispense a metered amount of powder onto a powder distributor and sifting screen located in the top interior of the housing. An electric motor powering a wheel with an eccentrically connected actuator arm and linkage are connected to the powder distributor and sifting screen in order to supply an oscillatory movement thereto. The powder distributor also includes powered shuttered apertures to allow the powder to be distributed evenly on the powder distributor before being opened to allow the powder onto the sifting screen. The powder distributor and sifting screen are structured to evenly distribute a fine coating of powder vertically downward toward the article support tray. Power actuated lifting arms are located one on each interior corner of the housing slightly below the article support tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Scott D. Richman
  • Patent number: 5076892
    Abstract: A multi-stage process, and apparatus for carrying out the process, are provided for refining lignocellulose containing material at high consistency. The lignocellulose material is pretreated to form a mixture of the lignocellulose material and pressurized steam conveyed via the pressure of the pressurized steam to a first refiner, wherein the lignocellulose material is conveyed mechanically into a first refining zone within the first refiner while causing the pressurized steam in the mixture to pass in reverse direction to the lignocellulose to a steam venting outlet to vent the steam from the first refiner. The lignocellulose material fed into the first refining zone is subjected to refining action thereby producing a mixture of partially refined lignocellulose material and pressurized steam developed during the refining action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Sprout-Bauer Inc.
    Inventors: Chester D. Fisher, Randall L. Musselman, Gregory R. Kohler, Gary W. Allshouse, Heinz O. Backhust, William F. Lahner, III
  • Patent number: 5076890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of qualitative and quantified monitoring of the instant local physical state of a substantially incompressible fluid material such as a liquid or pasty substance (for instance slurry or pulp) and a device for carrying out this method and the various applications and uses resulting from the working of the method and/or device for the automatic control of said physical state. The invention is also directed to the various equipment and systems provided with at least one such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
    Inventor: Claude Balembois
  • Patent number: 5074244
    Abstract: A spray marking nozzle includes features allowing it to perform well for fast marking of materials. The nozzle utilizes gas as a transport medium to carry liquid to the target material as a spray. Features of the nozzle allow it to be constructed economically in a compact size and to be controlled at high speed with little or no carry over spray and over a wide range of liquid and gas pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Metriguard Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie K. Byers
  • Patent number: 5071511
    Abstract: A rigid, self-supporting, acoustical mineral fiberboard comprising a mixture of about 50 to 70 weight percent of mineral fibers, 15 to 35 weight percent of perlite, 1 to 10 weight percent of cellulosic fibers, and 4 to 15 weight percent of a binder with the proviso that the board forming solids do not include any clay filler. A pattern is formed on the fiberboard after the fiberboard has been dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: The Celotex Corporation
    Inventor: William D. Pittman
  • Patent number: 5071543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a screening apparatus (1) for screening pulp. In the method, the maximum length of fibres and shives flowing through holes (4a) in a screen drum (4) is adjusted by moving blades (8) with a sharp front edge close to the surface of the screen drum (4) in such a manner that the sharp edge (8a) of the front face moving closest to the drum surface strikes shives or long fibers passing through the hole (4a) and pulls them back. The rate of travel of the blades (8) is so adjusted that the pulp flows in the hole (4a) only over a distance corresponding to the predetermined fiber length during the interval between the front edge of two successive blades (8). The screening apparatus (1) comprises blades (8) moving in parallel with the surface of the screen drum (4). The front edge of the blades defines in cross-section a sharp angle, the point of the angle defined by the front edge moving closest to the surface of the screen drum (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Oy Tampella Ab
    Inventor: Veli-Matti Rajala
  • Patent number: 5069751
    Abstract: Deinking of paper having print during the production of recycled paper is accomplished by a froth flotation process using a hydrocyclone. A finely comminuted liquid solids used paper suspension having a consistency of about 1 to 4% is introduced into a generally vertical axis vortex provided in a hydrocyclone. Air is sparged into the suspension in the vortex, by passing through a porous inner wall of the hydrocyclone, to cause ink particles to attach to the air bubbles and to rise in a foam while cellulosic pulp moves downwardly in the vortex. The foam--containing the ink particles--and the pulp are removed from the vortex in separate streams. The pulp is deaerated and the air component of the foam is removed in the cyclone. About 5-15% of the total flow of the suspension is removed with the foam in each stage, and about 95-85% with the pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne J. Chamblee, Brian F. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 5069752
    Abstract: In a continuous digester for paper pulp (comminuted cellulosic material), abrupt variations in high pressure steam flow are minimized. First and second vertically spaced annular screens are provided in a vertical vessel. Each has an annular header associated with it and first and second circumferentially spaced liquid outlets associated with each header. The first outlet for the first screen is generally vertically in line with the first outlet for the second screen, and the second outlet of the first screen is generally vertically in line with the second outlet of the second screen. Simultaneous withdrawal of liquid from the first outlet of the first screen and the second outlet of the second screen takes place, and then is terminated, and then simultaneous withdrawal of liquid from the second outlet of the first screen and the first outlet of the second screen takes place, and then is terminated. This withdrawal sequence is repeated continously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventor: Johan C. F. C. Richter
  • Patent number: 5066363
    Abstract: A method of processing pulp laps and a soluble strap material for holding such laps in a bale are disclosed. In accordance with the method the laps are maintained in the configuration of the bale by soluble straps comprised of PVA and are immersed in a pulping bath while still confined by the straps. The straps rupture and dissolve in the pulping bath releasing the paper laps. The straps are formed to maximize exposure of the PVA increments to the pulping bath to accelerate dissolving and may incorporate fillers of pulpable material to maintain the PVA increments in a separated condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: C. M. Offray & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lee, Joseph F. Ley, John A. Mortensen
  • Patent number: 5061336
    Abstract: A gel casting method and apparatus are used to cause a pre-gelled liquid mixture to gel sequentially in a given travelling direction, allowing still-liquid material to flow to the gelling front, replacing volume lost due to shrinkage during the change of state from a liquid to a gel. The differential gelling method provides stress-free gels free of voids common to highly stressed gels, and the method is applicable to column and slab gels, and particularly to capillary columns and very thin slab gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Soane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Soane
  • Patent number: 5052338
    Abstract: A syringe or other suitable dispensing device is coupled to conventional controls for dispensing viscous material such as adhesives or solder paste through a tip thereof. The syringe is supported on a motor driven carriage for movement along a Z axis in response to height control signals. A camera also mounted on the carriage generates output signals representative of an image of the surface of a workpiece such as a PC board. Circuity processes the output signals from the camera to determine when the image is maximally in focus and generates the height control signals necessary to maintain the tip of the syringe a predetermined constant height above the surface of PC board. This ensures the dispensing of uniform balls of solder paste or adhesive at various locations on the PC board despite warpage in the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Asymptotic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip P. Maiorca, Ronaldo N. Abernathy, George H. Wadley
  • Patent number: 5053108
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the continuous digestion of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (e.g. wood chips) to produce paper pulp, with increased sulfidity. When black liquor is withdrawn from the continuous digester, instead of merely passing it to a pair of flash tanks and then to recovery, the concentrated liquor from a first flash tank is fed to a vessel in which the comminuted material is slurried with a liquid. Since the black liquor remains in intimate contact with the chips for a significant period of time, the lignin in the chips is partly sulfonized. Ultimately the black liquor is replaced with white liquor or the like, and the separated out black liquor is circulated to recovery or disposal. A high pressure feeder and a solids/liquid separator are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventor: Johan C. F. C. Richter