Abstract: Apparatus for floatingly suspending a running web through an elongated dryer, and having a series of air delivering, individual air bars located along the length of the web for discharging air towards the web for supporting the latter, the spent air then passing into the space between the air bars; and baffle plates having air discharge openings, the baffle plates being located between adjacent air bars for controlling the discharge of spent air from between the bars, in a generally vertical and parallel direction to the longitudinal centerline of the web, to thereby prevent lateral movement of the spent air and consequently prevent lateral movement of the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a running paper web and floatingly suspending it without contact during the drying process, including air bars which are considerably larger than conventional air bars, for example, being about five and one-fourth inches square in cross-section, and being about three and one-half inches between their nozzle slots. These large air bars are spaced apart from one another along each side of the web a distance of about 15 inches. By so dimensioning the air bars providing the greater spacing between the air bars, considerably more drying capacity is provided, on the order of 14 percent, and requiring less energy input into the dryer. Web drying equipment for sealingly mounting the air bars on the air supply duct means so that the bars can be individually adjusted toward and away from the web can also be tilted or pivoted to change the angle of the drying air being discharged against the web.