Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for thermally insulating selected portions of a cylindrical dryer drum, usually adjacent the drum ends, for the purpose of obtaining a substantially uniform drum shell temperature throughout its length to obtain a uniform moisture profile throughout the width of the web being dried. A plurality of cylindrical segments are bolted together within the drum interior to define a circumferential assembly biased against the drum inner surface. The segments each include a thermal insulation material engaging the drum shell preventing direct access of that engaged portion of the shell with the steam within the drum thereby reducing the exterior temperature of the drum shell at the location of the thermally insulated segment. The segments may be bolted together, widthwise, to increase the axial dimension of the temperature controlling segment assembly.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery, such as a dryer drum, where the joint is conveying steam by means of a rotating nipple and sealing structure. The primary elements are a stationary housing comprised of a head, body and a wear plate, a pickup tube and a spring biased nipple with a collar which engages a molybdenum lubricated reverse radius seal ring. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two guide bearings supporting the nipple, the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar which is spring biased against a reverse radius seal ring intermediate the wear plate sealing surface and the nipple collar sealing surface.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a rotary joint for use with rotating machinery where the joint is conveying high temperature corrosive fluids such as molten salts. The joint includes both a stationary head to which external connections are made and a housing mounted on and rotating with a rotary apparatus with which the joint communicates. Alignment of the components is maintained through the interaction of two sleeve bearings disposed between a nipple coaxially extending from the head and the joint housing surrounding the nipple; the sleeve bearings being axially displaced from each other, the primary seal occupying an intermediate position. The primary seal is a spherical seal, interposed between a stationary nipple seal surface and a rotary housing sealing surface. The seal is preloaded by means of an external joint biasing support bracket to reduce leakage under conditions of low internal fluid pressures.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that comveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that conveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.