Abstract: A paper machine for making a fiber web includes an approach flow system with a plurality of control modules. Each control module controls one of a plurality of adjustable input parameters. A wet end receives a fiber suspension from the approach flow system, and includes a headbox which discharges a fiber suspension with a known cross sectional profile onto a wire. A press section, forming section and drying section are used to press form and dry the fiber web, respectively. A plurality of sensors are respectively positioned in association with the approach flow system, wet end, press section, forming section and/or drying section. Each sensor is configured to sense a physical characteristic of the fiber suspension or fiber web and provide an output signal indicative thereof. A chemistry process controller is coupled with each sensor and each control module within the approach flow system to define a closed loop control system. The chemistry process controller controls operation of each control module.

Abstract: A multi-ply fiber web forming apparatus includes a lower forming fabric defining a lower forming fabric run. A first headbox is positioned above the lower forming fabric for discharging a fiber suspension onto the lower forming fabric. An upper forming fabric defines an upper forming fabric run. A second headbox is positioned above the upper forming fabric for discharging a fiber suspension onto the upper forming fabric. A wet forming box is positioned below the lower forming fabric for applying a liquid to the lower forming fabric. A transfer roll is positioned above the upper forming fabric. The transfer roll and the wet forming box are positioned in close opposing relationship to each other, whereby each of the lower forming fabric and the upper forming fabric pass therebetween in a transfer area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suction roll shell for use in a paper-making machine utilizes a mandrel with a length and a cross-sectional area corresponding to the shell. The mandrel has a plurality of generally radially extending holes. A plurality of pins are placed in the holes, with each pin extending radially outward from the shell a distance greater than a desired thickness of the shell. At least one elongate fiber is wound around the mandrel to form the shell with the desired thickness. The pins are removed from the mandrel and the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thickness of a fiber material during manufacture of the fiber material, especially paper in a paper-making machine, comprises a gamma radiation transceiver in communication with a processing/control system. The gamma radiation transceiver is placed at a points along the production path of the web of paper being produced and liberates gamma radiation towards the fiber material. Backscatter of gamma radiation is received by the gamma transceiver also which generates corresponding signals that are received by the processing/control system. The processing/control system processes the signals to determine a thickness profile along a cross-section of the web. The processing/control system may be in communication with or considered a subset of a main processing/control system for the paper-making machine. A gamma radiation shield may be used with the gamma transceiver and is mounted on the side of the paper web opposite the gamma transceiver.

Abstract: A paper-making machine for making a fiber web, includes a wire for carrying the fiber web. A trim squirt includes a nozzle cutter and an accumulator tank. The nozzle cutter is directed toward and transverse to the wire. The accumulator tank includes an inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and an outlet fluidly connected with the nozzle cutter. The tank is structured and arranged to define an air attenuation pad therein.

Abstract: A paper-making machine or an off-line coater includes a rotatable drive unit and a rotatable driven element in the form of a roll, cylinder, pulley and/or gear. A clutch includes a rotatable input shaft coupled with the rotatable drive unit. At least one drive rotor is connected with the input shaft, and includes a plurality of magnetic coils. Each magnetic coil includes a coil winding. At least one driven rotor is positioned axially adjacent to at least one of the drive rotors. Each drive rotor includes a plurality of angularly spaced electrical conductors which are positioned adjacent to at least one of the drive rotors. A rotatable output shaft is coupled with the driven rotor and the rotatable driven element. A source of modulated direct current power is coupled with each of the magnetic coils, whereby a magnetic flux generated by the drive rotor and a coupling force between the drive rotor and the driven rotor can be varied.

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes a plurality of side walls and an apron. A nozzle blade is connected to one of the side walls. The nozzle blade and the apron define a discharge nozzle therebetween. A profile bar is rigidly connected to an end of the nozzle blade. A slice lip is rigidly and removably attached to the profile bar and/or nozzle blade. The slice lip and the apron define a discharge outlet therebetween.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a paper-making machine utilizing rotating cylinders, especially dryer cylinders, with a drying felt intertwined about the dryer cylinders to compress the wet paper against the dryer cylinders as the wet paper travels therealong. A threading doctor assembly with a blowpipe air nozzle blowing system is associated with each dryer cylinder. When air is flowing into the blowpipe blowing system, the leading tail of the wet paper is directed from the preceding dryer cylinder to the next. A proximity sensor associated with each threading doctor assembly is in communication with a controller and is positioned to determine if the wet paper is within a detection area. Air valves or solenoids coupled between an air supply system and the blowpipes are also coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A dilution control device interconnects a tapered header with a turbulence generator in a paper-making machine. The turbulence generator includes a substantially planar inlet surface and a plurality of fluid passages, with each fluid passage having an inlet at the inlet surface. The tapered header includes a header plate with a plurality of outlets therein, with each outlet being associated with at least one inlet of the turbulence generator. A dilution module block is positioned between and interconnects the header plate with the inlet surface of the turbulence generator. The dilution module block includes a plurality of through holes and a plurality of feed channels. Each through hole interconnects an outlet of the tapered header with at least one inlet of the turbulence generator. Each feed channel is in fluid communication with at least one through hole and is configured for transporting dilution water to a corresponding through hole.

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes an inlet for receiving a fiber suspension. An apron and an upper wall converge relative to each other and define a machine wide discharge nozzle and an outlet therebetween. The discharge nozzle terminates at the outlet. A slice lip is carried by the upper wall. The slice lip is positioned at the outlet and includes a working edge defining an outlet gap with the apron. The slice lip is slidably movable a travel distance in directions toward and away from the outlet gap. A slice lip clamp assembly is connected to the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly engages the slice lip and biases the slice lip against the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly includes at least one clamping plate having at least one opening with an inside diameter, at least one fastener having an outside diameter and at least one keeper device.

Abstract: A paper-making machine includes a wet end associated with a wet fiber web, a headbox having an outlet gap, and a forming fabric positioned adjacent to the outlet gap and moving in a direction of web travel. An air/water separator is positioned in association with the forming fabric and downstream from the headbox relative to the direction of web travel. The air/water separator is configured for receiving liquid from the fiber web. A blower having a housing and an impeller is fluidly connected with the air/water separator. The impeller is rotatably carried by and within the housing and has a rotating hub with a periphery. The impeller also has a plurality of vanes attached to and extending from the hub and substantially equally spaced around the periphery. The vanes are formed of a non-metallic, composite material and have a coating of a layer of hydrophobic material substantially covering the composite material.

Abstract: A method of drying a fiber web in a paper-making machine includes the step of providing a heated dryer roll which carries the fiber web. The dryer roll has a shell consisting essentially of compacted graphite cast iron. The dryer roll is rotated such that the dryer roll has a peripheral speed which is greater than approximately 6000 feet per minute.

Abstract: A coater for directly or indirectly applying a coating medium to a fiber web includes a mounting; a coater rod; and a coater rod bed connected to the mounting. The coater rod bed includes a metal body with a longitudinal extension, a rod holding portion with an inner contoured surface, at least one longitudinally extending groove in the contoured surface, and at least one non-metallic bearing strip within each respective longitudinally extending groove. The coater rod bed is rotatably carried within the rod holding portion and directly engaged by each non-metallic bearing strip.

Abstract: A metering size press rod assembly specifically for use in a paper-making machine is stored and transported in a container and use in the paper-making machine. A plurality of metering size press rod assemblies are assembled. A storage sand transport container is provided at shipping location. The container includes a plurality of elongate openings therein. Each metering size press rod assembly is loaded into a corresponding one of the elongate openings in the container. The container is then transported to a user location, the metering size press assemblies are then sequentially and individually removed from the container, used in the papermaking machine and reloaded into the elongate openings in the container. The container with the used metering size press rod assemblies is the transported back to the shipping location.

Abstract: A paper machine includes a guide connected to a roll for moving an end of the roll in transverse directions to a longitudinal axis of the roll. The guide includes a support frame and a roll mounting frame pivotally connected to the support frame at a pivot axis. The roll mounting frame is connected to and rotatably carries the roll. Two positioning devices are respectively disposed between and engage each of the support frame and the roll mounting frame on opposite sides of the pivot axis. The two positioning devices pivot the roll mounting frame about the pivot axis and thereby move the roll in one of the transverse directions. The two positioning devices coact to maintain the roll mounting frame in one of a plurality of positions relative to the support frame.

Abstract: A heat exchanger cools a process liquid in a paper-making machine using a source of cooling water. A first tank includes a plurality of first walls. A first inlet is connected to at least one of the first walls and the source and receives the cooling water from the source. A first outlet is connected to at least one of the first walls and the source. The cooling water is transported from the first outlet to the source. A second tank includes a plurality of second walls. The second tank has a second inlet connected with and receiving the process liquid from the paper-making machine, and a second outlet connected with and transporting the process liquid to the paper-making machine. An intermediate chamber is defined by and disposed between at least one of the first walls of the first tank and at least one of the second walls of the second tank. The intermediate chamber has a heat transfer liquid therein for transferring heat from the process liquid to the cooling water.

Abstract: A paper machine has a high pressure liquid pump for use with a liquid slitter for slitting a fiber material web. The high pressure liquid pump includes a pump shell having an axis of rotation and an annular smooth inwardly facing surface. The inwardly facing surface is configured for carrying a film of liquid thereon. A hydraulic shoe having an outer convexly curved working face is in close running engagement with the inwardly facing surface. A pivotal arm is connected with the shoe and positions the shoe relative to the inwardly facing surface. The arm is movable toward and away from the inwardly facing surface. A hydraulic pressure member is engaged with the arm for urging the shoe toward the inwardly facing surface dependent upon a hydraulic pressure therein.

Abstract: A wet end of a paper-making machine, including a headbox with a chamber and a discharge nozzle. A turbulence generator is connected with the headbox and includes a plurality of fluid passages disposed substantially parallel to each other. Each fluid passage is in fluid communication with the headbox chamber and has an inlet. All of the inlets conjunctively define a fluid inlet area. A fiber stock delivery device includes at least one outlet, with all of the outlets conjunctively defining a fluid discharge area. Each outlet is configured to discharge the fiber stock in a direction substantially parallel to the fluid passages in the turbulence generator. The fluid discharge area of the fiber stock delivery device is smaller than the fluid inlet area of the turbulence generator. A hydraulic increaser interconnects the fluid discharge area of the fiber stock delivery device with the fluid inlet area of the turbulence generator.

Abstract: A paper making machine for the production of a fiber material web includes a drying cylinder, first and second bearing assemblies, a fixed rigid support, a fixed structure and a flexible device. The drying cylinder has two longitudinal ends, a longitudinal axis and at least one fluid passage for receiving heated fluid. Each bearing assembly is attached to and rotatably carries a respective longitudinal end of the drying cylinder. The fixed rigid support substantially immovably supports the second bearing assembly. The flexible device allows for longitudinal thermal expansion of the drying cylinder in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drying cylinder. The flexible device carries the first bearing assembly and interconnects the first bearing assembly to the fixed structure.

Abstract: In a paper-making machine, a method of determining a volumetric percentage of air in a fiber suspension for delivery to a headbox. The fiber suspension is transported through a fluid conduit. A sound transmitter and a target receiver are positioned relative to the fluid conduit. A sound is transmitted through the fiber suspension from the sound transmitter to the target receiver. A speed of the transmitted sound from the sound transmitter to the target receiver is established. The volumetric percentage of air in the fiber suspension is determined, dependent upon the established speed of sound.