Abstract: A sealing strip and joint for a papermaking machine suction roll is disclosed which includes in combination a stationary suction box and a perforated cylindrical shell which rotates around the stationary suction box disposed centrally within the cylindrical shell. The suction box includes slots constructed near at least two outside edges of the suction box extending across the width of the suction box. A composite seal strip extends throughout the width of each slot which includes a plurality of elongated seal strips jointed together end-to-end in the slots. A plurality of joints are spaced along the length of the composite sealing strip defined by ends of adjacent seal strips joined together. The joints include a first end section of a first strip and a second end section of a second strip mated together in an abutting relation. The first end section and second end section have interfitted radius surfaces which mate against each other against the rotation of said cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting a mechanically-actuated drive unit to an air-actuated drive unit (18) in an industrial power transmission system of the type having a short-shaft motorized input drive employing an input shaft (16) releasably connected to an output shaft (20) by the drive unit. A spider (14, 42) having a hub (50) is affixed to the input shaft. The drive unit has an input member (86) connected to a radial flange (68) of the spider and an output member (92) connected to the output shaft. The drive unit includes an actuator member (88) for releasing and connecting the input and output members. In the method, the mechanically-actuated drive unit is replaced with the air-actuated drive unit. A diameter of the spider hub is reduced and a rotary air seal adaptor (12) is affixed directly onto the reduced diameter spider hub.