Abstract: A steam distributor includes a front screen equipped with steam perforations wherein the output area of at least some of the perforations can be adjusted to enable active control of the steam jet velocity. The steam velocity can be controlled independently of steam flow. The front screen is includes (i) a first plate that has a first set of apertures and (ii) a second plate that has a second set of apertures, wherein the second plate covers the first plate, and wherein the means fir varying the size of at least one of the perforations moves the first plate, the second plate, or both the first and the second plates in order to change the position of the first set of apertures relative to the second set of apertures.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes multiple steam discharge chambers that are separated by laterally spaced apart partition panels that create corresponding profiling zones. The profiling zones are covered by a perforated screen plate through which steam passes onto a moving sheet that is traveling in the machine direction. One or more of the partition panels is not aligned in the machine direction so that one or more of the steam discharge chambers defines a non-rectangular profiling zone. The orientation of one or more of the baffles can be adjusted in order to control the response shape of the steam footprints on a moving sheet for zone moisture control. The panels can be articulated to allow dynamic adjustments of the profiling zones for cross direction response control.

Abstract: A coating apparatus produces a spray of charged droplets and controls the spray angle of travel of the spray toward the object to be coated. Electrically charging droplets minimizes the amount of coating material required to uniformly coat a surface as compared to conventional web coating techniques such as blade coating. An inductive ring guides the spray charged droplets as they exit the nozzle of a spray device. The electrostatic repulsion between the charged droplets insures that a uniform coating of liquid formulation can be applied to a web surface.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes a front screen equipped with steam perforations wherein the output area of at least some of the perforations can be adjusted to enable active control of the steam jet velocity. The steam velocity can be controlled independently of steam flow. The front screen is includes (i) a first plate that has a first set of apertures and (ii) a second plate that has a second set of apertures, wherein the second plate covers the first plate, and wherein the means fir varying the size of at least one of the perforations moves the first plate, the second plate, or both the first and the second plates in order to change the position of the first set of apertures relative to the second set of apertures.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes multiple steam discharge chambers that are separated by laterally spaced apart partition panels that create corresponding profiling zones. The profiling zones are covered by a perforated screen plate through which steam passes onto a moving sheet that is traveling in the machine direction. One or more of the partition panels is not aligned in the machine direction so that one or more of the steam discharge chambers defines a non-rectangular profiling zone. The orientation of one or more of the baffles can he adjusted in order to control the response shape of the steam footprints on a moving sheet for zone moisture control. The panels can be articulated to allow dynamic adjustments of the profiling zones for cross direction response control.

Abstract: A coating apparatus produces a spray of charged droplets and controls the spray angle of travel of the spray toward the object to be coated. Electrically charging droplets minimizes the amount of coating material required to uniformly coat a surface as compared to conventional web coating techniques such as blade coating. An inductive ring guides the spray charged droplets as they exit the nozzle of a spray device. The electrostatic repulsion between the charged droplets insures that a uniform coating of liquid formulation can be applied to a web surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more magnetic cores collectively having an inner leg located between two outer legs. The legs are coupled to one or more connecting portions. The apparatus also includes one or more conductive coils wound around the inner leg. The one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured to generate substantially balanced magnetic fluxes when the conductive coil is energized. Also, the one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured so that heat created by currents induced in the roll by the magnetic fluxes produces a steady state thermal profile on a surface of the roll. The steady state thermal profile has one peak that falls within a control zone associated with the roll. The one or more magnetic cores could include a single magnetic core or multiple magnetic cores.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more magnetic cores collectively having an inner leg located between two outer legs. The legs are coupled to one or more connecting portions. The apparatus also includes one or more conductive coils wound around the inner leg. The one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured to generate substantially balanced magnetic fluxes when the conductive coil is energized. Also, the one or more magnetic cores and the one or more conductive coils are configured so that heat created by currents induced in the roll by the magnetic fluxes produces a steady state thermal profile on a surface of the roll. The steady state thermal profile has one peak that falls within a control zone associated with the roll. The one or more magnetic cores could include a single magnetic core or multiple magnetic cores.

Abstract: A system includes a roll formed from a conductive material, where the roll is configured to rotate about an axis. The system also includes an induction heating workcoil configured to generate currents within the roll. The induction heating workcoil is unbalanced and is oriented so that minimal currents flow in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roll. The induction heating workcoil could include one or more substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cores and at least one coil each wound around at least one of the one or more cores. Also, the roll may further include a shaft and bearings, and the induction heating workcoil can be positioned so that the currents do not flow substantially through the bearings.