With Measuring, Inspecting And/or Testing Patents (Class 162/198)
  • Patent number: 6770171
    Abstract: A paper/board machine headbox (10) has a stock inlet header (J), a tube bank (11), a turbulence generator (13) and a slice opening (14) which is provided with a profile bar. The headbox (10) is provided with cross direction measuring sensors (D1, D2; Dmn), by means of which the flow rate profile of the headbox (10) is determined, and the profile bar of the slice opening (14) of the headbox (10) is adjusted in the cross direction on the basis of the thus determined flow rate profile. The headbox (10) is provided with measuring sensors (D1, D2; Dmn) for determining the cross direction flow rate profile of the headbox (10) and with means for adjusting the profile bar on the basis of the flow rate profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jari P. Hämäläinen, Hannu Lepomäki, Juhana Lumiala, Pasi Sirviö
  • Patent number: 6767431
    Abstract: In the manufacture of a paper or board web (W), the web is slit or cut, the rising/lowering (H) of the edges of a slit/cut gap (C) formed at the slitting/cutting point or the width (L) of the gap is measured by means of a measurement device (21A; 21B; 21C), and the curl of the paper or board web (W) is regulated based on the result of measurement. A paper or board machine line has means for regulating curl in the web (W); means for slitting or cutting the paper or board web and for measuring the rising/lowering (H) of the edges of a slit/cut gap (C) formed at the slitting/cutting point or the width (L) of the slit/cut gap (C) in connection with the manufacture of the web (W) in order to regulate the curl of the web (W) based on the result of measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Antti Komulainen, Kari Juppi
  • Publication number: 20040129398
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a rotating belt in a paper or cardboard machine. The process includes recording data related to a condition of the belt, and creating an at least two-dimensional image of the belt condition from the recorded condition data. The image depicts a condition characteristic in a machine travel direction and a condition characteristic in a machine crosswise direction. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: VOITH PAPER PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Rudolf Munch, Wolfgang Ulfert
  • Publication number: 20040123965
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a doctor assembly in a paper machine. In the method, the operation of the doctor assembly (16) is monitored. In case of a malfunction, the paper machine's (10) control devices (14-14′, 15) are used to carry out the necessary measures for eliminating the malfunction and carrying out repair and/or protective measures. In addition, detector devices (20) are arranged in connection with the doctor assembly (16), to detect a malfunction. The detector devices (20) are connected to the control devices (14-14′, 15) of the paper machine (10), in order to carry out the said measures automatically. The invention also relates to doctor assemblies in a paper machine for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Juha Isometsa, Tuomo Juvakka, Seppo Parviainen, Ilkka Rata, Mika Saari, Juhani Vestola
  • Patent number: 6755940
    Abstract: A method for increasing caliper control of a fibrous web as the web is wound onto a roll is provided. The method includes winding the fibrous web containing cellulosic fiber onto the roll to form a wound product and conveying the web through a nip prior to winding the web onto the roll. The nip is configured to apply a pressure to the web to selectively decrease the caliper of the web as the web is wound onto the roll. Also disclosed is a system for controlling the caliper of the fibrous web in which a calender device forms a nip through which the fibrous web is conveyed. The system includes an adjustment device, which is configured to adjust the nip of the calender device to increase pressure on the fibrous web as the diameter of the roll increases thus increasing uniformity of the caliper of the fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Lin, Paul Bartocci, Pat Samolinski, Lynn Matheus, Peter J. Allen, Mary M. Zielinski, Kenneth F. Arni
  • Patent number: 6752165
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and control operation of a rotary disk refiner. The method regulates refiner operation in response to a process variable preferably in relation to a setpoint. The variable can be temperature, pressure, and/or stock consistency, refiner energy, or a variable based thereon. Volumetric flow rate of stock and/or the flow rate of dilution water can be regulated. Based on a refiner temperature, pressure, and/or stock consistency, refiner energy, or a variable based thereon, the flow rate of stock and/or dilution water can be regulated. Where temperature is used, it preferably can be a temperature inside the refiner or adjacent the inlet or outlet. Where pressure is used, it preferably can be a pressure inside the refiner or adjacent the inlet or outlet. Stock consistency can be determined using a sensor upstream or downstream of the refiner or using a sensed parameter in the refiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: J & L Fiber Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ola M. Johansson
  • Patent number: 6749723
    Abstract: A property of a paper web is measured using one or more reflectance measurement sensors emitting measuring beams onto the web and receiving the beams reflected from the web, from which the web property is deduced. The web is supported on a web support during the measurement, such as on a passive or active airfoil or fabric. One or more measurement sensor(s) can be integrated within an active airfoil, and can comprise a plurality of optical fibers having sensing ends arranged in the airfoil such that the sensing ends of the fibers face the moving paper web through one or more apertures in a web-supporting panel of the airfoil. Alternatively, a traversing sensor can be mounted within the airfoil. Other embodiments include a reflectance sensor mounted adjacent an airfoil or other web support such as a through-air drying fabric or a support belt for the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Anders Tommy Lindén
  • Patent number: 6746572
    Abstract: Method for determining a characteristic value for a binding force potential of paper fibers in a fibrous suspension. The method includes measuring an air content of the fibrous suspension and deriving the characteristic value from the measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6743337
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for determining properties of a traveling material web. The process includes simultaneously illuminating a plurality of measuring points on the material web with electromagnetic radiation, and imaging, through at least one optical device, the plurality of measuring points on one detection surface of at least one detector. The device includes at least one radiation source for illuminating a plurality of measuring points on the material web, at least one detector having a detection surface, and at least one optical device for imaging of the measuring points on the detection surface of the at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Ischdonat
  • Patent number: 6743338
    Abstract: The measuring device comprises at least one measuring head having a reference part, which comprises a reference surface against which the moving web is supported. The reference surface comprises a measuring area in the inside of which the property of the web is measured. The reference part is arranged in connection with the measuring head in such a way that below the reference part, there is a substantially open air space. The measuring head comprises means for generating negative pressure in the air space below the reference part, and the reference part comprises holes formed through it, in such a way that the negative pressure generated in the air space affects through the reference part the space between the reference surface and the moving web in such a way that the web is supported against the reference surface substantially over the whole area of the measuring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Jussi Graeffe, Timo Saikanmäki, Mauri Ojala, Jari Koivu, Hannu Moisio
  • Patent number: 6728592
    Abstract: A method of detecting streaks in a web of, for example, moving paper which may be moisture, basis weight or caliper. A cross-direction profile is sensed and a moving average computed and then using minimum thresholds for the variation of the streak value from the average and its width in profile data boxes, the streak is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Wells
  • Patent number: 6726808
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for the determination of the charging state of filtrates of fiber masses used in the manufacturing of paper and cardboard. In the method, a sample is filtrated from fibers through a filter, and indicator color is added to the filtrate. The absorbance of the filtrate is measured and the charging state of the solution is read from an earlier made calibration curve that corresponds to the measured absorbance. In the first embodiment of the invention, the calibration curve is made by taking a sufficient amount of samples from the same anionic sample and such different known amounts of cationic agent are added to these samples, that at least a part of the samples are cationic and at least a part of the samples are anionic. The charging states of the filtrated samples are determined in a previously known way, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Erkki Pietilainen
  • Publication number: 20040074618
    Abstract: A dry end of a tissue machine is made shorter by close-coupling a reel-up to the drying section and supporting the web from the drying section to the reel-up by a foil or a belt such that web stability is maintained, thus allowing high-speed operation. The foil's downstream edge can form a nip with the paper roll and nip load can be controlled by controlling pivotal movement of the foil. The reel-up can include a calendering belt for calendering the web as it passes through a nip between the belt and a reel drum supported on the belt, and a rotatable reel spool on which a paper roll is wound in nipping engagement with the reel drum. Alternatively, the reel drum can be eliminated and the paper roll can be supported on the belt. A composite shaftless core for winding is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Metso Paper Karlstad AB.
    Inventor: Anders Tommy Linden
  • Publication number: 20040065426
    Abstract: The invention realtes to a method for controlling the operation of a paper, board or tissue production line (11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18). A magneto-rheological or an electrolrheological fluid, whose flow characteristics are changed in a controlled way, is used in the method. The fluid is used as a lubricant between surfaces in a device consisting of a fixed surface and a surface that is moved over it as a heating medium, as the dampening or the power transmission agent of the movement of paper and/or board equipment (17, 18), or as a hydraulic fluid of the emergency opening cylinders of a set of calender rolls (1) of a paper and/or board machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Reijo Pietikainen
  • Patent number: 6716316
    Abstract: Process for conditioning a circulating felt belt of a machine, pipe suction apparatus and traversing pipe suction apparatus therefor, the process including performing a zonal conditioning of a plurality of zones across a width of the felt belt by measuring at least one of, fibrous material web cross direction profile; felt belt cross direction profile; and permeability of the felt belt across the width of at least one of the web and the belt. The felt belt is conditioned depending on measuring results obtained for a respective zone. The pipe suction apparatus includes a ceramic body extending at least essentially across the entire width of the felt belt, the ceramic body being provided with a slotted surface by way of which the felt belt is subjectable to vacuum, with a respective effective amount of slotted surface being zonally variably adjustable by way of movable tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Grabscheid, Ulrich Begemann, Oswald Satzger, Wolfgang Mayer, Ralf Rziha, Wolfgang Bamberger, Georg Kleiser, Thomas Rühl
  • Publication number: 20040060675
    Abstract: A method for target application of a Performance Enhancing Material to a creping cylinder in order to improve a tissue making operation is described and claimed. The method involves dividing the creping cylinder into Zones and then applying the desired Performance Enhancing Material on a Zone by Zone basis such that each Zone has the optimal Performance Enhancing Material present. Furthermore, a method to ascertain the amount and pattern of application of the Performance Enhancing Material used on the creping cylinder is described and claimed. This method involves adding an inert fluorescent tracer to said Performance Enhancing Material and then to use a fluorometer to look for the tracer on the creping cylinder, and/or on the creped tissue product and/or in the water removed from the felt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Sammy L. Archer, Gary S. Furman
  • Publication number: 20040060678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the production of filler-containing paper. Filler and retention agent are both delivered to the paper manufacturing system in such a process of paper manufacture. The amount of filler in the paper is also measured, as is also the filler concentration or the total concentration in the white water or the stock. Filler is delivered in a quantity such that the system will be buffered with filler to a generally pre-determined concentration level (control value), which is followed via measuring processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kent Borje Eriksson, Oskar Nordin
  • Patent number: 6712936
    Abstract: A mathematical model is used to design paper and paperboard having improved runnability. The mathematical model provides an estimate of fracture toughness for an optimized paper product based on specific measurement parameters, e.g., filler percent, softwood content and caliper for optimal fracture toughness. After the optimizing set of measurement parameters has been acquired, these parameters can be used to manufacture grades of paper having improved runnability performance, e.g., in printing presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Wadood Hamad, Xiang Yu, Thomas D. Sandry
  • Patent number: 6712937
    Abstract: System and method of operating a machine for manufacturing and/or refining a material web wherein the machine includes at least one machine section. The method includes arranging a plurality of measurement zones in series along a process direction and detecting data in a region of the at least one machine section via at least one measurement zone of the plurality of measurement zones. The data concerns at least one measured parameter relating to the manufacture or refinement of the material web. The system includes a plurality of measurement zones arranged in series along a process direction of the machine. At least one of the plurality of measurement zones is located in the at least one machine section. At least one measurement device for detecting data is located in at least one of the plurality of measurement zones. An evaluation unit is provided for evaluating the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Oechsle, Frank Wegehaupt
  • Patent number: 6712938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calendering a moving web (1) of paper or board. The web (1) is passed to a calender (2) and calendered therein. At least one quality of the calendered web (1) is measured at a first measurement point (3) adapted at a location downstream from the calender (2). Additionally, at least one quality of the web (1) entering the calender (2) is measured at a second measurement point (4) adapted at a location between the calender (2) and the preceding section of the line. A control variable (6) affecting the calendering effect on the calender (2) is controlled by a feedback control scheme based on the measurement result obtained from said first measurement point (3) and a control variable (9) affecting the processability of the web (1) to be calendered is controlled by a feedback control scheme based on the measurement result obtained from said second measurement point (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Helena Leppäkoski, Pekka Koivukunnas, Kari Hasanen, Timo Torvi, Petteri Venetjoki
  • Publication number: 20040050518
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for minimizing tension variation in a paper web induced by drying of the web in a paper machine. Tension variations in the paper web are caused by successive draws and moisture fluctuations. Good strength properties require optimization of the draws. In addition, the tension variation induced by moisture must be minimized. The analysis of local modulus and the strain components can be used for determining optimal locations for profiling actuators in order to achieve good tension profile. In the method according to the invention, longitudinal strain components of the web, i.e. reversible elastic strain, permanent plastic strain and frozen-in strain relievable with water are continuously measured and determined and the variation of said longitudinal components is minimized by correcting the moisture content of the paper web in a dryer section of the paper machine and/or by optimizing the draws between dryer groups in the dryer section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Hannu Latti, Antti Heikkinen, Heikki Kettunen
  • Publication number: 20040050517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a paper or board machine, in which method water is removed from a paper or board web (W) by pressing in a press section (30), in which pressing stage the web (W) is pressed in at least one press nip (35; 36), and in which method the web (W) is dried after pressing by impingement drying, in which method the web (W) is passed as a closed draw from the press section (30) to a dryer section (40), and the method applies full-width threading from the press section (30) to the dryer section (40). The web (W) is dried by impingement drying by means of impingement units (46) placed around at least one large-diameter impingement roll (45). In the method, the web (W) is passed after impingement drying as a closed draw through the dryer section (40) to a calender (60), and in the method threading is accomplished as of full width through the dryer section (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Kari Juppi, Antti Komulainen
  • Patent number: 6706150
    Abstract: An air impingement arrangement and method for compensating for the curling tendency of a paper or board web which is being treated. Air impingement is disposed in connection with a paper or board process or with its finishing process and extends across the width of the web (10) running in the vicinity thereof, forming a contact-free web treatment zone, in which process the web is dried in at least one dryer unit (3, 5, 7) that applies single-wire draw. In accordance with the invention, air impingement directed at the web (10) is produced by the air impingement arrangement (20) in the web treatment zone, said air impingement including, one following after the other, at least one hot blowing with air and at least one cold blowing with air. The invention also relates to a paper or board machine provided with this kind of air impingement arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pasi Ahonen, Harri Kiiskinen, Oleg Timofeev
  • Patent number: 6706149
    Abstract: A process and device to detect the presence of a fibrous material web in machines for manufacturing the same, whereby the fibrous material web is guided by at least one continuously circulating belt. The process includes measuring at least one of (1) a temperature of a side of the fibrous material web opposite the at least one belt while it is being supported by the at least one belt, (2) a temperature of a material web supporting side of the side of the at least one belt after transfer of the fibrous material web to a following unit, and (3) the temperature of a side of the at least one belt opposite the fibrous material web supporting side of the at least one belt. The process also includes detecting a change in the at least one measured temperature as an indicator of the presence or lack of fibrous material or the strip in an area in the machine in the vicinity of the measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Dick, Roland Mayer, Holger Prüssing
  • Publication number: 20040045689
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for draining water from a cellulose web which is formed in a wedge-shaped space defined by two wires, the wires being supported on chamber assemblies including at one time at least one water receiving chamber, the water flowing therein through the wire as a result of a pressure difference. Each water receiving chamber has connected thereto at least one substantially vertical pipe having a vertical drop between its top and bottom end sufficient for developing a gravitational suction leg in the water flowing pipe, and the pipe terminating in a water receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Harri Tahti
  • Patent number: 6699365
    Abstract: This invention relates to a three-stream atomizing nozzle for use with a rewet shower. The nozzle has an air stream divider that separates the atomizing air from the source into three streams. The first stream is a straight air stream staying closest to and around the atomized water jet. The second stream is a swirl running around the first straight stream. The third stream is also a straight stream that wraps around the first straight stream and the second swirl. The nozzle also has a mixing chamber in which the three air streams are mixed together for the atomizing purpose. The nozzle can from the combination of the three air streams produce fine water droplets that are suitable for a paper rewet shower and more importantly creates a tailorable water mass profile. The mass profile can be tailored into a shape that is close to a square shape which is ideal for rewet showers as a square profile creates minimal coupling between adjacent zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Shizhong Duan
  • Publication number: 20040026056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the merging and finishing of at least two paper webs (1, 2, 3, 4), controlled in the longitudinal register, which are distinctly different in quality and in finishing steps to be undertaken. The device comprises at least two web-specific processing regions (13A, 13B, 13C), a merging unit (21), a common processing region (22), controlled in the longitudinal register and means for the control of the longitudinal register (14), essentially comprising one longitudinal register sensor per paper web. Markings are placed on the paper web with periodic separations. Longitudinal register sensors (14) recognise said markings and transmit signals to the control unit, which determines possible variations and controls the means for regulation of the longitudinal register in such a way that variations in the longitudinal register are compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Schweiger
  • Publication number: 20040011488
    Abstract: In a paper or board machine, the cross-direction profile of a flow channel defined between a first dewatering element (52, 53) situated inside a first forming wire loop (50) and a second dewatering element (64, 65) situated inside a second forming wire loop (60) is measured, and the location and/or the position of the blade element (64, 65) is adjusted based on the measurement result in order to regulate the thickness profile of a stock flow. The measurement can be by passing an alternating current of low frequency to a current rail situated in the second dewatering element (64, 65) and by measuring the strength of the magnetic field created by it by at least two measuring devices which have been placed either in the first dewatering element (53) or, when the first dewatering element is a forming roll (52), in the same dewatering element (64) as the current rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kari I. Salminen, Pasi Virtanen, Jukka Sorsa
  • Publication number: 20040007342
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for engineering the architectural arrangement and inter-fiber bonding of fibers within an article being molded form a pulp. This allows for optimal structural characteristics and additive disposition within the article. Complex forms can be fabricated, articles so made having regional variations in chemical and physical parameters as well as those defined by the gross structural form of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: George Gary Coulter
  • Publication number: 20040000383
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid process for determining groundwood pulp derived from waste paper. The process comprises (a) preparing a pulp from recycle furnish to form secondary papermaking fiber; and (b) preparing an absorbent sheet from said secondary papermaking fiber, characterizing the initial color of the absorbent sheet and staining the absorbent sheet with a phloroglucinol stain, characterizing the color of the absorbent sheet and comparing the color of the stained sheet with the initial color and selecting a target paper product based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Henry Chou, Hazen C. Thomas, Andrew C. Palm, Terry P. Witkowski, Robert J. Clausing, Stephanie Keen, David J. DiPietro
  • Patent number: 6668231
    Abstract: A measuring device useful for measuring mechanical properties of highly flexible or limp sheet materials. The device includes a base, a pair of clamping members, with one of the clamping members being movable away from and toward the second clamping member. A load sensor is mounted in one of the clamping means for measurement of the required mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: George Stylios
  • Patent number: 6655195
    Abstract: Process for determining disturbances of a moisture cross profile of a fibrous material web in a paper making machine, a paper making machine, and a measuring arrangement for measuring the disturbances, the process including guiding the fibrous material web by way of at least one water-permeable belt and collecting and draining off water released from the belt. The water is collected by several sections separated from one another. The process further includes measuring per time unit, the amount of water in each section, wherein the sections extend at right angles to a web running direction over only a partial section of the fibrous material web. The paper making machine includes at least one water-permeable belt, the belt being wrapped around a roll. The measuring arrangement includes a water collection device having the form of one of a trough or channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Grabscheid, Ulrich Begemann, Oswald Satzger, Wolfgang Mayer, Ralf Rziha, Wolfgang Bamberger, Georg Kleiser, Thomas Rühl
  • Patent number: 6647312
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling a process by calculating a manipulated variable from a deviation between setpoint and control output variables and then using the manipulated variable, wherein the time-series data of the control output variable is subjected to a frequency analysis, the rate of change in the frequency response amplitude of the control output variable in relation to a control gain ratio is determined, and a control gain is adjusted according to the rate of change and the results of the frequency analysis. With this adaptive control method and apparatus for the method, it is possible to automatically set a control gain according to the condition of disturbance. As a result, optimum control can always be achieved and follow-up capability can be improved for such events as a setpoint change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6645349
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for conditioning of a roll, in particular of a roll (10) in a paper machine or in a paper finishing device. In the method the face/coating on the roll of the paper machine is cleaned and/or ground. In the method, the cleanliness and/or condition of the roll (10) is/are measured continuously during operation and, based on the measurement results, the roll face/coating is cleaned and/or ground so that the roll (10) remains constantly in good condition and the level of quality of the paper remains at the desired level. The invention also concerns a device for conditioning of a roll, in particular of a roll in a paper machine and/or in a paper finishing device, which device (20) comprises means for cleaning and/or grinding the roll. The device (20) consist of an assembly (20) of devices which comprises a cleaning/conditioning unit (24, 23, 29), a control unit (33), and measurement units (30, 31, 32), and the device operates continuously and can be operated during running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pekka Koivukunnas, Tapio Mäenpää
  • Publication number: 20030205347
    Abstract: Method and system for controlling web formation in the forming section of a paper machine includes measuring the amount of white water occurring during drainage in at least one drainage region of the forming section; and carrying out the web formation control on the basis of the white water measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Raymond P. Shead, Johann Moser
  • Patent number: 6640152
    Abstract: Headbox transient responses for sheet weight and moisture are modeled as a combination of two sets of time constants and dead time delays. One set represents a shorter delay with faster response dynamics, the fast mode weight and moisture responses, and the other models the longer delay with slower dynamics, the slow mode weight and moisture responses. A weight and/or moisture transient model is then formed for headbox changes by combining the fast mode weight and moisture responses and the slow mode weight and moisture responses. Stock weight and moisture dynamic and delay time models are determined for operation of stock flow of the paper making machine and the stock flow is controlled in accordance with the stock weight and/or moisture models and the headbox weight transient and/or moisture transient model to compensate for weight and moisture changes in a web of paper being manufacture which weight and moisture changes result from headbox changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Chin Chen, Timothy F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6638395
    Abstract: Machine and process for at least one of producing and finishing a fibrous material web. The machine includes a press section, for dewatering the fibrous web, with a press nip, a former, located before, relative to a web travel direction, the press section for sheet formation, and a dryer section, located after the press section for drying the fibrous material web including a first dryer section having no more than three dryer cylinders. Two press rolls are arranged to form the press nip, and at least one press felt is located on each surface of the material web, such that the material web and the at least one press felt on each side of the material web are guided through the press nip. The fibrous material web is dewatered in the former to a dry content of at least approximately 18%, partially loops around the no more than three dryer cylinders, and is constantly supported from the former to an end of the first dryer group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Elenz
  • Publication number: 20030188842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the processing of a fiber web or a suspension layer in a paper-, cardboard- or coating-machine or a size press for influencing the profile of the properties of a web by means of at least one sectional, directed acoustic (sound) field. In other words, the acoustic field is narrower than the width of the fiber web or the suspension layer, and the acoustic field affects components of the fiber web or suspension layer at a defined angle. Profiles of the properties of a web influenced by acoustic fields are lamination, spatial orientation, fiber orientation, dry content, breaking length ratio, flocculation and color coat thickness. Furthermore, the introduction of a signature mark into the fiber web or suspension layer is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Dieter Ronnenberg
  • Patent number: 6627043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring the amount of silicone coating on a moving paper or board web. In the invention, the characteristics of the coating (4a) are measured by means of reflection measurement or transmission measurement. The amount of the silicone in the coating is measured by measuring an absorption peak that is characteristic of the silicone in the mid-infrared range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventor: Markku Mäntylä
  • Publication number: 20030168193
    Abstract: Machine and process for the production of a tissue web that includes a drying cylinder and a press shoe arrangement. The press shoe arrangement and the drying cylinder are arranged to form a nip with lateral edge areas. A plurality of contact pressing elements are arranged to exert pressing pressures across the nip, a measuring device is structured and arranged to measure pressing pressures resulting in at least the lateral edge areas, and at least one of a control and regulating device is structured and arranged to locally adjust the pressing pressures in the lateral edge areas by adjusting pressing pressures exerted by contact pressing elements assigned to the lateral edge areas. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Thoroe Scherb
  • Publication number: 20030164228
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture or treatment of a material web, in particular of a paper or a cardboard web, while using a respective machine, in particular a paper machine, including the step of measuring the hardness and/or the compactness of at least one clothing, in particular of at least one felt, fabric, belt and/or the like, of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Rudolf Munch, Raymond P. Shead
  • Publication number: 20030155092
    Abstract: Method for predicting properties of a cellulose-fibre-based product, a suspension of cellulose fibre being analysed during manufacture of the product by means of spectroscopic measurements (13, 15) in a selected spectrum in the wavelength range 200-25000 nm. According to the invention, each sample quantity is diluted (3, 4) prior to said analysis, following which one partial flow (6) is dewatered and dried (8) and used for said spectroscopic measurements (13, 15), while a second partial flow (5) of the diluted sample quantity is used for analysis (7, 14) of physical fibre data, by means of image analysis, each sample quantity analysed generating at least 100 data points from the spectroscopic measurement, and at least 50 data points with regard to said physical fibre data, in the form of one or more physical fibre property distributions, which data points are combined in multivariate data processing (16), for said prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Raija Badenlid, Staffan Andersson, Eva-Lena Stromberg, Jenny Bergstrom
  • Publication number: 20030150577
    Abstract: A method for threading a running paper web from a preceding section to a following section of a paper-making or paper-finishing machine, includes the steps of: providing a threading tail of the running paper web by cutting it from the running paper web at at least one of its edges; providing at least one sensing element for gaining data from at least one property of the threading tail and/or threading process; transferring the gained data into a data collecting system and/or into an analysis system; and using the data for influencing the at least one property of the threading tail and/or the threading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Allan Broom, Sylvain Demers, Wolfgang Drefs
  • Patent number: 6605185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating dryer steam pressure in a paper machine during grade change, wherein change in moisture percentage is determined from a change in production amount during grade change, dryer stream pressure is manipulated so as to cancel the change in the moisture percentage, and production amount during grade change is calculated from basis weight and machine speed before and after grade change, whereby moisture percentage is kept constant during grade chagne so that sheet breaks are avoided and downtime is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Takao Maruyama, Kenichiro Yahiro
  • Publication number: 20030141029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring concentrations especially in a pulp suspension, from which a sample (3) has been taken. The sample (3) is collected in a measuring vessel (2), in which a piston (6) is guided upwards and downwards in order to press the sample (3) from each direction through a measuring sensor (5) connected at the side of the measuring vessel via communicating tubes (4,4′) connected in an upper and an lower position to the measurement vessel (2), whereby the sample (3) is stirred totally for eliminating of a flocculation in the same, whereupon a measurement of the concentration of the sample (3) is made either during the movement upwards or downwards of the piston (6) in the measuring vessel (2) and first when the speed of the sample (3) through the measuring sensor (5) is constant and the sample has been homogenized at least after some movement upwards and downwards of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Gerdt Fladda, Jonny Weng
  • Patent number: 6598457
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for measuring the amount of entrained gases in a liquid sample. A conduit defining a volume is provided. The conduit has an inlet at a lower end thereof and an outlet at an upper end thereof. Liquid sample is made to flow into the inlet, through the conduit, and out of the outlet. The weight of the liquid sample in the conduit is determined during a flow of liquid sample through the conduit to obtain a first measurement. Thereafter, a difference between the first measurement and a predetermined weight value representing a weight of the same liquid sample flowing through the conduit but containing no entrained gases is determined to obtain a calculated weight of entrained gases in the liquid sample flowing through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond D. Sullivan, Billy R. Landreth
  • Publication number: 20030136535
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for monitoring dewatering in a wet end section of a web production machine. The process includes measuring water flowing into the wet end section, measuring water flowing out of the wet end section, measuring conductivity of the wet web entering the wet end section, measuring conductivity of the water flowing into wet end section, measuring conductivity of water flowing out of the wet end section, and determining a water balance from the measured quantities, which is indicative of dewatering in the wet end. The apparatus is arranged to perform the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: VOITH PAPER PATENT GmbH
    Inventor: Andrew Lilburn
  • Publication number: 20030136199
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring, monitoring and/or providing an indication of material “damage” in board products, particularly Machine Direction (MD) Shear. In this regard, the present document discloses applying a predetermined force to a board product such that the board product is not deflected beyond its elastic region. The apparatus used for applying the force is preferably of a size or structure suitable for physically limiting the amount of deflection of the board product. By maintaining the board product within its elastic region as such, the occurrence of permanent damage to the board product is reduced. Hence, the disclosed method and apparatus are able to provide a non-destructive indication of MD Shear on the paperboard product being tested, and are thus suitable for use in on-line testing/monitoring of paperboard production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Murray Singleton, Mark Kortschot
  • Publication number: 20030136536
    Abstract: A paper or board web is manufactured in an on-line manufacturing process, in which the web is passed from a paper or board machine (15) directly to a finishing device/finishing devices (60, 50, 10). The state of the finishing device/finishing devices (60, 50, 10) is monitored and, during a shutdown of a finishing device (60; 50; 10), said finishing device is bypassed, the web coming from the paper or board machine (15) is wound into machine reels and/or treated by means of some finishing device/finishing devices and wound into machine reels. A paper or board machine forms an on-line manufacturing process together with a finishing device/finishing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Mika Viljanmaa
  • Patent number: 6589389
    Abstract: A test method for analyzing an OCC fiber pulp, to quantify the content therein of contaminants creating bleed-throughs in a paper product formed from the pulp. A sample of the pulp is formed into a sheet, and bleed-throughs are created from the contaminants therein by hot-pressing the sheet. A dye is applied to the sheet, to enhance contrast between areas of the sheet having bleed-throughs and areas of the sheet not having bleed-throughs. The contrasted sheet is analyzed to determine the quantity of contaminants that create bleed-throughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Bangji Cao, Oliver U. Heise