Abstract: Employment of one or more resealable access slots in a steam distributor apparatus affords easy access to the internal chambers of the apparatus for cleaning and maintenance. The access slots can be located on the lower walls of the steam discharge chambers where debris tend to aggregate during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus can have multiple discharge chambers that are separated by spaced-apart partitions or baffle panels. Steam that is supplied from a steam header to each chamber exits each chamber through perforations of a discharge screen plate that is permanently secured onto adjacent partition panels. Actuators can regulate the steam flow from the steam header to the individual discharge chambers thereby creating a steam curtain with uniform or non-uniform cross direction profiles as desired.

Abstract: A force limiter to be interposed between an actuator and a device to be moved by the actuator to limit the force applied by the actuator. The force limited has a body having a chamber and open at at least one end. There is a piston slidable within the body. A piston rod extends from the piston through, and slidable within, the open end of the body. Resilient members such as Belleville washers are positioned in the chamber between the piston and an end of the chamber away from the piston. The resilient members are calibrated to provide the necessary force limit and are able to apply that force limit in both directions of movement of the actuator. The force limiter can be attached to the actuator.