Abstract: Pressure type screening apparatus for screening papermakers' stock and method of use is disclosed. Screen (20) has an inlet screening surface (23) and an outlet surface (unlabled). Pressure transducers (not shown) vary the fluid pressure on the inlet surface of the screen (23) from a maximum to a minimum, and also vary the fluid pressure on the outlet surface of the screen (20) from a minimum to a maximum at a repetitive cyclic rate. The amplitude of such pressures is such that flow reversal occurs through the screen (20) and any fiber mat that tends to form on the inlet surface (23) is disrupted or fluidized.

Abstract: Apparatus for screening a papermaking pulp or stock suspension through a stationary cylindrical screen includes a rotating hydrofoil member which has a curved outer or camber surface portion mounted for rotation with the camber surface in a close but spaced proximity to the inside surface of the screen, in which a discrete part or segment of the body of the member is movable with respect to the body and defines a portion of the curved camber surface, so that the effective spacing between the curved surface and the adjacent inside surface of the screen may be adjusted. The hydrofoil is fabricated from sheet metal and forms an outwardly opening spanwise slot, and a sheet metal fabricated segment is received within the slot and forms a substantial continuation of the outer surface, and is adjustable by a threaded fastener which is accessible through a slot formed in the face surface of the hydrofoil.

Abstract: A cylinder type paper pulp washer or thickener apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder mold with a forming wire surface. The mold rotates at least partially submerged in a vat of dilute paper pulp stock and a differential pressure across the wire surface draws stock from the vat through the cylinder mold and forms a pulp mat on the wire surface, and a plurality of disrupters are positioned within the vat and in arcuately spaced relation to the wire surface to cause a disruption of the fiber mat which obstructs the flow of the stock liquid through the wire surface and thereby provides for the reestablishment of flow. Various disrupters are shown, including a rotating non-circular bar, a doctor blade, a foil, a fluid jet, a brush, and a triangular protuberance. A plurality of such disrupters are positioned in peripherally spaced relation to cause repeated disruption and reformation of a fiber mat to increase the throughflow and washing or thickening efficiency of the apparatus.

Abstract: Screening apparatus for paper making stock comprises a generally cylindrical vertical housing having the interior thereof separated by a cylindrical perforated screening member into a screening chamber and an annular accepts chamber on the inner and outer sides of the screening cylinder respectively. The feed stock enters an inlet chamber below the screening chamber tangentially, and special provision is made for preventing heavy reject particles from circulating around the bottom of the inlet chamber. For this purpose, the inlet chamber is provided at a position spaced circumferentially downstream from the inlet port, with an outlet port into which high specific gravity particles are carried by centrifugal force along with the carrying liquid. A conduit leads from this outlet port back to the inlet chamber in order to maintain a continuous flow through this conduit.

Abstract: Pressure screening apparatus for paper making stock embodies a cylindrical perforated screening member which defines screening and accepts chambers on the inside and outside thereof respectively in a closed housing which is filled with liquid stock under pressure in operation. A rotor member which operates in the screening chamber to keep the screening perforations open is specially constructed to provide it with sufficient buoyancy to counterbalance its weight when the apparatus is in operation and the housing is therefore filled with liquid stock. In the preferred form, the housing is mounted with the rotor axis horizontal, but it can also be made with the rotor axis vertical.

Abstract: A bearing block for anchoring a self-contained bearing for a moving part of a robotic manipulator to such robotic manipulator is provided, wherein the self-contained bearing has a known outside diameter. In particular, the bearing block comprises a body portion having attachment means for attaching the bearing block to the robotic manipulator, with such body portion being split into a base piece and a clamp piece along a dividing axis. A bearing race or bore is formed through the body portion and centered therewithin on the dividing axis. The bore is formed after the body portion has been split along the dividing axis, and has an effective diameter slightly undersized relative the outside diameter of the self-contained bearing to be held therewithin.

Abstract: An improved robotic manipulator of the type having a plurality of serially-connected drive shafts and a mounting surface affixed to one end thereof. The manipulator includes a first shaft rotatable about a first axis coincident with one ordinate of a mutually perpendicualr triordinate system and a first housing rotatable about that first axis, a second shaft rotatably mounted to said first shaft for rotation about a second axis obliquely oriented with respect to said first axis, and a second housing rotatable on the first housing about a second axis. Rotational movement is imparted to the second shaft about the second axis in accordance with rotational movement of a shaft rotatable about the first axis. A mounting surface has a centerline angularly oriented with respect to the second shaft, and a third shaft upon which the mounting surface is attached is rotatable about a third axis angularly oriented with respect to the second axis.

Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for use with a rotatable arm in a robotic manipulator, wherein such arm is rotated about a rotation axis. The assembly further includes one or more compression springs for providing resistance to compressive forces, and converting apparatus for translating the rotational movement of the rotatable arm about the rotation axis into linear deflection of such compression spring, whereby resistance of the compression spring to linear deflection in either direction along its longitudinal axis establishes an effective counterbalancing force which reduces the load bearing on the arm drive regardless of the direction in which the rotatable arm is rotated.

Abstract: A bearing block for anchoring a self-contained bearing for a moving part of a robotic manipulator to such robotic manipulator is provided, wherein the self-contained bearing has a known outside diameter. In particular, the bearing block comprises a body portion having attachment means for attaching the bearing block to the robotic manipulator, with such body portion being split into a base piece and a clamp piece along a dividing axis. A bearing race or bore is formed through the body portion and centered therewithin on the dividing axis. The bore is formed after the body portion has been split along the dividing axis, and has an effective diameter slightly undersized relative the outside diameter of the self-contained bearing to be held therewithin.

Abstract: A robot toolchanger system is disclosed, where an adapter unit is mounted to the end effector of a robot. The housing of the adapter unit has central opening for receiving a T-shaped member which is affixed to a common toolbase, applied to a variety of tools. The crossbar of the T-shaped member is engaged by a slide movable in the housing in reversing directions to lock and unlock the tool with respect to the robot end effector.

Abstract: A releasable tool mount is provided for protecting tools carried by a manipulator from damage by excessive forces acting upon the tools irrespective of the direction of the force. The tool mount comprises a tool mounting plate, a housing for receiving the plate, support pins peripherally disposed upon the plate, receptacle placed within the housing for receiving the support pins and preload devices for exerting forces along the long axis of the support pins to maintain their engagement with the receptacle. Relative forces between the housing and the plate, sufficient to overcome the preload force, effect dislodgment of the pins from their associated receptacles. Fluidic sensing means are provided for detecting dislodgement of any pin from its receptacle.

Abstract: A speed reducer having a power takeoff sleeve loosely receives therein a shaft to be driven. Concentricity and a driving connection of the shaft and sleeve is effected by a pair of telescoping bushings having tapered interfitting surfaces in each end of the sleeve. The inner bushing of each pair is split and grips the shaft when drawn into the outer bushing by screw threaded means. The outer bushings are concentric with and rotatable in the sleeve ends and keyed therein to preclude axial movement. In a first modification the inner split bushings are keyed to both shaft and sleeve and in a second modification the shaft is keyed directly to the sleeve.