Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a stationary axle having a stepped profile and a bowed longitudinal axis, with a thicker internal section and a thinner end section; an end spool rotatably mounted on the axle; and a first thick ball bearing and a second thin ball bearing, wherein the first ball bearing is mounted between the spool and the thin section of the axle, and the second ball bearing is mounted between the spool and the thick section of the axle.

Abstract: A piston apparatus for use in a controlled deflection roll includes a rectilinear-shaped piston having at least one side seal extending longitudinally in a slot in each side wall and an end seal in each end of the piston extending between the side seals. The end seals have at least one pair of intersecting surfaces at each end thereof which cooperate with a corresponding pair of surfaces of each side seal to move longitudinally relative to the piston and side seals to maintain a continuous seal peripherally about the piston. The continuous seal engages the side walls of a channel within the support shaft of the controlled deflection roll and a non-movable seal surface in each of two, opposed dams at either end of the channel in the support shaft. The side and end seals move with the piston relative to the support shaft and seal surfaces on the end dams.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the oxygenation of both the bearing lubrication oil and the hydraulic oil used for actuating the roll shell support elements in a controlled deflection roll, such as used in the papermaking industry, includes a seal at either end of the controlled deflection roll which establishes a gas-impervious seal between the roll shell support and rotation bearings at either end of the roll and the interior of the roll. A source of pressurized inert gas is linked to both the interior of the roll and to the reservoir of hydraulic oil used to actuate the roll shell support shoes. This prevents oxygen from interfacing with the hydraulic oil at the only two points in the closed system where the hydraulic oil and the atmosphere would otherwise come into contact. A separate bearing oil lubrication system having its own reservoir is maintained to supply bearing lubricant to the bearings and return it to a sump while maintaining the bearing lubricant separate from the hydraulic oil.