Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a pulp suspension in the manufacture of paper employing a controlled drainage thickener and a screw type pulp press. Pulp is fed into the thickener where the feed screw contained therein delivers it to a vertical discharge column. A screw type conveyor delivers the pulp suspension from the vertical discharge column into a vertical inlet column associated with a screw type pulp press. A sensing means is provided to measure the consistency of the pulp entering the press, and a sensing means provides a control signal which is arranged to modulate operation of a discharge valve on the thickener to keep the consistency of the pulp entering the screw type pulp press within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Consistency of slurries such as paper pulp stock is controlled by ultrasonically measuring the flow of the slurry (the velocity of the particles therein) as the slurry is agitated by an impeller which induces circulation thereof within a region in a tank containing the slurry. Dilutant is added under the control of the measurement and a mixed slurry of desired consistency is obtained, respectively at an inlet and an outlet in communication with the region of the tank where flow is being induced and measured. Consistency control is obtained in the containing vessel or tank with greater accuracy and at lower cost than in apparatus where consistency is measured outside of the vessel containing the slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the fiber concentration of a fiber suspension during transport of the fiber suspension through a conduit which comprises a variable speed-controlled electric motor driving a pump for impelling the fiber suspension through the conduit to an outlet of the latter. A system is provided for obtaining a measure of the power supplied by the motor to the pump and for dividing this measure by a signal proportional to the flow rate of the fiber suspension in the conduit. The resulting signal, which is proportional to the fiber concentration in the fiber suspension, is employed to regulate the speed of the pump motor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for regulating the pulp density above the moving screen of a machine which forms a continuous web from a fibrous suspension is disclosed. In its method aspects, the present invention discloses introducing water into the suspension located above the moving screen while also controlling the rate of flow and quantity of the water passing through the screen. In its apparatus aspects, the present invention discloses at least one plate arranged between the screen and a suspension containing chamber located beneath said screen, which plate includes water discharge openings on the side facing the chamber, at least one water support line communicating with the opposite side of the chamber and means for regulating the water discharge of the water supply into the chamber.

Abstract: Waste water effluent from online production machinery and/or clean-off water from shut-down machinery is deposited in a settling tank in which the solids settle out. Water, relatively clear of the solids, is returned to the production plant. A slurry containing a high concentration of these solids is, depending on the percentage of solids, either returned to the production machinery via a slurry tank or returned to the settling tank for further concentration. The degree of concentration of solids in the slurry tank is carefully controlled in order to permit the addition of these otherwise wasted solids to the virgin asbestos-cement slurry in the various production machineries. This addition of the otherwise wasted solids is carefully monitored at each of the production machinery installations in order to provide proper quality control of the product produced thereby.

Abstract: A method of controlling the amount of a liquid shower flow introduced onto a slurry mat such as a pulp mat which is undergoing incomplete liquid separation on a vacuum filter drum. The flow rate of the liquid being discharged with the slurry mat is determined by a capacitance measurement which is taken after the slurry mat has passed to a point on the filter means where liquid separation no longer occurs. The shower flow is controlled by a correlation of the flow rate of the liquid in the slurry mat with the rate of slurry mat transfer from the vacuum filter drum and the necessary liquid shower flow as expressed by a dilution factor.The present control system may be combined with secondary apparatus to measure the flow rate and thickness of the total slurry mat in order to determine by correlation the slurry mat consistency, the rate of solid material production from the slurry mat and the amount of air contained in the slurry mat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a multi-ply web of paper wherein a first layer is carried on the underside of a traveling felt to a bonding station located over the top of a forming cylinder on which a second layer is formed with a water bead in the nip between the layers and a laser or other device for generating a beam of energy at one end of the nip directing the energy along the water bead parallel to the nip and a receiver at the other end to detect the laser beam with means operated by the receiver for controlling the size of the water bead.

Abstract: The characteristic profile of a paper web is adjusted on the fourdrinier by means of a number of fluid spray stations positioned across the papermachine. Each spray station is provided with two or more fan spray nozzles of different flow capacity oriented to impact the pond with fluid along a common line. Flow to each nozzle is binary controlled with respective binary command, full flow valves. By discrete manipulation of valve selection, total flow rate to the web may be adjusted without flow throttling and consequent impact velocity variations.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately measuring the freeness of paper stock in a short time is disclosed.The apparatus comprises a pump and plunger which take a sample of stock from a flowline or a place in which paper stock is prepared and places the sample in an agitation tank. A water supply dilutes the sample in the agitation tank to a predetermined consistency and a first pressurized air supply agitates the diluted sample so that fibrous material in the stock is evenly dispersed in the water. The agitation tank is closed to the atmosphere and a second pressurized air supply provides a pressure in the tank for draining the liquid from the sample through a screen. The liquid which passes through the screen is delivered to a measuring cylinder.

Abstract: A method for the control of basis weight of a sheet material made from liquid stock controls the consistency of liquid stock flowing to a flow box by a consistency feedback loop, and varies the level of liquid stock in the flow box to effect a change in the flow of dry fiber to the sheet former. Level is maintained in a midrange and any level called for outside of midrange is handled by adjusting consistency.

Abstract: Sifting drum paper machine having a sifting drum with a pulp material inlet located at the outside thereof and suction chambers disposed in the interior thereof, includes a measurement of pressure in the vicinity of a paper web-forming part on the surface of the drum, the pressure measurements being used to control the quantity of diluent water to the supply of pulp material to the pulp material inlet in response to an adjustment value fed thereto and corresponding to the measured pressure.

Abstract: Undesirable high concentrations of fiber and moisture in the cross-direction profile of a paper stock slurry laid upon a papermachine fourdrinier screen may be selectively dispersed to level the cross-direction profile by impacting the screen carried pond of slurry at 1.5 to 4 feet down from the headbox slice opening with a fluid spray issued under a pressure drive of from 20 to 100 psi. If a cross-direction high concentration of fiber is to be corrected, the appropriate spray fluid to be used is water. If a cross-direction high concentration of water unaccompanied by a cross-directionally aligned high concentration of fiber is to be corrected, the appropriate spray fluid to be used is air.

Abstract: In a paper machine headbox system including a stock pump and a headbox receiving stock from the stock pump, the stock pump is shunted by a by-pass line. The stock flow to the headbox is primarily controlled by controlling the by-pass flow in the by-pass line by use of a by-pass flow control valve. When the by-pass flow control valve approaches one of its operating limits, i.e. either full open or full closed, the flow to the by-pass line is manipulated so as to reposition and maintain the by-pass flow control valve within its operating limits. A logic inhibit means, logically responsive to by-pass flow control signals, inhibits the stock flow rate in the main stock line.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a machine for producing a composite laminate structure wherein one layer is a base material, such as a non-woven fabric, a second layer, interspersed with the first layer, is substantially a two dimensionally randomly oriented fiber layer. The fibers are bonded to the first layer by resin which is applied from underneath the first layer so as not to disturb the orientation of the fibers. Also comprehended is a method of making such a composite laminate structure.

Abstract: Specifically disclosed is the combination of a paper making machine and a control system including an automatic arrangement which, on demand of the machine operator, performs a coordinated machine speed increase, maintaining the paper sheet characteristics substantially constant until the dryer steam pressure or the steam valve opening reaches a limit. During the speed increase, a number of other machine variables are compared with set limit values and the speed increase is discontinued when a limit is exceeded for a predetermined time period. When the steam pressure has been at a limit, or the steam valve has been wide open, for a predetermined time period the control system, upon sensing the limit being reached, switches to a dryer limited mode of operation wherein the steam pressure is maintained at the limit or the steam valve is locked open.