Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A sheet-gauging apparatus for determining properties of a moving sheet of material includes a frame having parallel upper and lower horizontal supports extending above and below the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet. Upper and lower tracks are carried by the upper and lower supports, respectively, each of the tracks including a flat upper surface and a lower surface having tapered end portions. Upper and lower carriages are mounted on the upper and lower tracks, respectively, for bidirectional travel along the tracks, each of the carriages including upper wheels in rolling contact with the upper surface of the track and lower wheels in rolling contact with the tapered end portions of the lower surface of the track. Displacement of the carriages in the directions orthogonal to the direction of carriage travel is thereby minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus utilized in the continuous manufacture of sheet material, such as paper, includes a frame having at least one hollow beam for carrying means such as sheet-gauging heads operatively associated with the sheet material being fabricated. Thermal stability of the at least one hollow beam is enhanced by circulating fluid within the beam. Fluid displacement means which may be in the form of a series of inserts disposed end-to-end within the hollow beam define with the interior wall of the beam a fluid conduction channel. The fluid displacement means may also include generally helically oriented guides projecting into the fluid conduction channel for inducing turbulence in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A compound archery bow having two rigid bow arms pivotally hinged to opposite ends of a central handle section. Two flexible cables are connected between a single adjustable spring and the bow arms on opposite ends of the central handle section. The two cables properly coordinate the angular rotation of the opposing arms to provide a propelling force vector directly along the axis of the arrow shaft. These cables are attached to the bow arms such that the force needed to draw the bow string back is highest at about mid-draw and minimized at full draw.

Abstract: A system for controlling deflections of an elongate body transverse to a longitudinal axis of the body, the system including: a sensor mounted on the body for producing an output signal when the body experiences a deflection in at least one direction transverse to its axis; heating and/or cooling elements thermally coupled to the body at a location for heating or cooling the body in a manner to thermally deflect the body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; and a control unit, connected between the sensor and the heating or cooling elements, responsive to the output signal produced by the sensor.

Abstract: A running blade is adapted to move at the same speed as a continuously running sheet and to generate a burst perforation through the sheet. The force exerted by the blade against the sheet is measured and used to calibrate a non-destructive sheet strength sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the cross-directional smoothness profile of the surface of a calenderable material substantially independently of the materials's caliper profile. A plurality of adjustable nozzles selectively direct jets of steam of selected velocities against sections of the material across the material's width and in counterflow to its movement, immediately before the material enters the last nip of a calender stack. Built-in steam control valves are provided to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Suction means may also be provided upstream of the nozzles, with reference to the movement of the calenderable material, to remove excess steam and thus prevent undesirable condensation on adjacent structures. The smoothness profile may be monitored and compared to a desired smoothness profile and the valves and nozzles may be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A gloss control system is provided for controlling the surface gloss of a sheet material. The system provides separate and independent control of heat and moisture applied to the sheet material, rather than the fixed ratio of heat and moisture applied by previous steam shower systems. Heat may be applied by a plurality of infrared lamps whose radiation is directed to the sheet material surface. A plurality of upwardly facing atomizing spray nozzles act to provide streams of atomized water directed at the surface of the sheet material. A scanning gloss sensor detects the degree of surface gloss of the sheet material at various cross-directional locations and control the application of heat and moisture in accordance with the detected surface gloss to thereby achieve a desired gloss profile.

Abstract: A sheet tension measuring device is disclosed for measuring the tension of a moving sheet wherein a moving sheet is accurately positioned with pinchers at 2 spaced locations. The sheet is deflected between these pinchers from its nominal straight line path, and the amount of deflection and deflecting force are measured. The pinchers iron out any wrinkles in the sheet as the moving sheet slides through the pinchers. Sheet tension is computed based upon the measured deflection force and deflection distance. The resulting measurements of local sheet tension are used to correct nondestructive sheet strength measurements. A device and method are also disclosed for nondestructively determining the sheet strength and the extensional stiffness of the sheet in the machine direction and in the cross-direction.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a manifold pipe, for applying variable amounts of steam to sections of a calenderable material to control certain properties of the material such as gloss. Built-in steam flow control valves are provided along the manifold pipe to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Bucket nozzles provided on the valves decrease the velocity of the steam jetted from the valves and eliminate any condensate present in the steam before discharging the steam against a surface of the calenderable material. Condensate which may form on the apparatus may be channeled away from the calenderable material by a pair of gutters.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling the displacement of a thickness regulating member which regulates the basis weight of a sheet being formed from fluid material. The displacement of the thickness regulating member is determined by measuring the forces which slice rods exert on the thickness regulating member.

Abstract: The specification discloses a steambox for assisting in the drying of sheet material. The steambox has a means for preventing steam which condenses inside the steambox plenum from dripping onto the sheet. The steam is jetted from the plenum toward the sheet through a single cross-directionally oriented slot to decrease entrainment of ambient air and thereby increase heating efficiency.

Abstract: A linear actuator having an actuator member driven in a linear direction by a lever mechanism pivotally coupled thereto which is in turn driven by a plurality of on/off linear drivers. Driving the linear drivers through varying stroke distances provides a sequence of discrete actuator steps. By providing an interconnected simple lever mechanism a discrete set of 2.sup.n steps may be provided for n drive positions and n on/off linear drivers. The linear actuator thus provides simple integration with a digital control system and precise positive discrete steps of linear actuation.

Abstract: A running blade is adapted to move at the same speed as a continuously running sheet and to generate a burst perforation through the sheet. The force exerted by the blade against the sheet is measured and used to calibrate a non-destructive sheet strength sensor.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A device for controlling the cross-directional gloss profile on the surface of a calenderable material by selectively directing jets of steam against sections of the material across its width. Built-in steam flow control valves are provided to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Suction means may also be provided to remove excess steam and thus prevent undesirable condensation on adjacent structures. The gloss finish may be monitored and compared to a desired gloss finish and the valves are activated accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring parameters including dry basis weight, basis weight and moisture content of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes means for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and means to detect light transmitted through the web at least at four distinct bands of wavelengths.

Abstract: A device for controlling the diameter of cylindrical sections of a rotating calender roll. The device comprises at least one nozzle which directs a jet of air against the calender roll. The flow of air from each nozzle remains approximately constant. Only the temperature of the jets change as heating elements associated with each nozzle are energized or deenergized. Thermal expansion or contraction, resulting from localized heating or cooling by the air jets, corrects local non-uniformities in the calender roll diameter.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring parameters such as dry basis weight of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes mirror sections for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and a plurality of light detection devices to detect light transmitted through the web at two distinct wavelengths. The system further includes ducts to environmentally isolate the mirror sections and the light detection devices.