Abstract: A refiner including a material-admitting inlet and an outlet; and spaced apart first and second refining discs mounted in the chamber. The refiner further includes a rotary third ref refining disc disposed between the first and second discs. A first path for the movement of material from the inlet is defined between the first and third refining disks. A second path for the movement of material to the outlet is defined between the second and third refining disks. The refiner further includes a shaft extending through a central opening provided in the first disc, and a hub rigid with the shaft and having a center, the hub being received in the third refining disc central opening. The hub has at least one port in the hub from the first path to the second path and between the third refining disc central opening and the center of the hub.

Abstract: A refiner for pulp or like materials, comprising a housing having a chamber, a material-admitting inlet and an outlet; and spaced apart first and second refining discs mounted in the chamber. The refiner further includes a rotary third refining disc disposed in the chamber between the first and second discs and defining therewith first and second paths for the movement of material from the inlet to the outlet. The third refining disc has a central opening, and the discs are coaxial with each other. The first and second discs respectively also have first and second comminuting projections adjacent to the first and second path and the third disc has third and fourth comminuting projections adjacent to the first and second path and respectively cooperating with the first and second projections to refine the material flowing along the first and second paths.

Abstract: A circumferential seal for a disc filter valve to rotary collection pipe is formed by a radially compliant circumferentially restrained and tensioned seal disposed in a split "V" notch formed in a non-flooded zone between the stationary valve plate and the rotating collection pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing between relatively articulable surfaces is provided by folding a thin flexible sheet material to form a multilayer flattened elongated member. A large gap can be sealed, and seal installation and service life is improved by clamping a stiffened thickened portion of the seal member to each surface. Resulting avoidance of stress concentrations, combined with increased flexibility attributable to its multilayer construction, contributes significantly to improved installation and service performance of the seal.