Abstract: Radial and thrust bearing system with two hydrostatic bearings axially movable relative to a surrounding bearing housing. Each bearing includes a flange connected to the axle. The flange includes a pressure surface and a collar chamber bearing which has a surface facing the pressure surface and in it a collar groove, the surface and the pressure surface together forming internal and external tightening slots on either side of the collar groove. The pressure surface and the groove together forming a collar chamber to which hydraulic fluid is fed under pressure from a hydraulic fluid source. The collar chamber bearing with the bearing housing form a chamber that is put under hydraulic pressure for pressing the collar chamber bearing against the pressure surface, both collar chamber bearings being pressed in mutually opposite directions.

Abstract: A refiner for processing fibrous material comprising a frame, a stator, a rotor, a shaft assembly, a stator support, a stator support receiving means adapted to receive the stator support, the improvement comprising mounting the stator support receiving means on the rotor for movement of said stator towards or away from said rotor.

Abstract: A method of rinsing a slurry contained between a pair of converging mesh belts comprising the steps of splitting the slurry into two streams, each stream adjacent one of the converging mesh belts, introducing a stream of rinsing fluid between the two slurry streams, the point of introduction of the rinsing fluid between the two slurry streams is not more than 12 inches before and not more than 72 inches after the slurry streams contact the converging mesh, and creating compressive forces within the pair of mesh belts, which compressive forces continue for a distance of at least 24 inches after introduction of the stream of rinsing fluid.