Abstract: The method for measuring the tearing strength of fibers, especially of textile fibers, comprises the following steps:A) the fibers to be measured or part regions of such fibers are treated to form a single-layer planar fiber tuft (1);B) the fiber tuft (1) is clamped in the fiber plane (13) perpendicularly to the fiber direction along two parallel lines (18, 19) having a predetermined clearance;C) the cross-section of the class (12) of fibers clamped between the two lines (18, 19) is determined individually and summed to form the total cross-section;D) the fiber tuft (1) is pulled apart to tear by the application of a force in the fiber plane (13) in the direction of the arrow (14) between the two lines (18, 19);E) the tearing strength is determined from the tearing force occurring and the total cross-section determined.

Abstract: A metal or graphite fiber is suspended in a working fluid having a high refractive index change with the temperature and a modulated laser beam heats the fiber producing a synchronous thermal wave in the fiber whose amplitude and phase are measured by passing a probe laser beam through the liquid close to the fiber and converting the probe beam deflections into an electric signal. A theoretical model of the thermal wave is used to calculate the amplitude and phase shift of a theoretical thermal wave for points along the fiber from physical characteristics of the lasers and the fiber including an estimate of the thermal conductivity of the fiber.

Abstract: A series of pulses of ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmitter with a specified period are received by the receiver. The received signals are rectified to a smooth wave with a single peak. The occurrence time of the peak is determined to gain and store the peak value, which corresponds to the edge position, thickness or splice position of the web. Alternatively, the transmitter emits a series of pulses of ultrasonic wave with a specified period and the peak value in the signals received by the receiver is once held in the peak-holding circuit. The peak voltage held is discharged and reduced with the discharge device and smoothing of the charged voltage yields its mean value, which corresponds to the edge position, thickness or splice position of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method uses vacuum restraint, or other pressure differenl, to hold the ends of a sheet specimen to two opposing surfaces, thereby creating a fold in the specimen. As the opposing surfaces cycle along a parallel axis in opposite directions, the fold repeatedly rolls through a specific region of the specimen. The spacing between the opposing surfaces can be adjusted to increase or to decrease the radius of the fold. The velocity of the fold and the number cycles also can be controlled precisely. After repeated movement of the fold, the adhesion of surface treatments, coatings or printing on the specimen substrate begins to break down. Additionally, the integrity of the substrate itself may begin to deteriorate, if it is susceptible to deterioration and to varying degrees depending upon the susceptibility. The extent to which the specimen coating is degraded and substrate integrity reduced is a function of spacing, fold velocity and number of cycles.

Abstract: A method of setting a crease in a fabric for measurement of the fabric's crease setting performance whereby the fabric is conditioned to a predetermined water content level and then bent upon itself to form a crease therein, heated while maintaining the crease therein for a predetermined period under conditions which ensure that the water content of the fabric remains constant and, finally, rapidly cooled to set the crease. A fabric sample press cell includes a base which cooperates with a cap to enclose a chamber which is relatively narrow. The chamber receives a fabric sample folded back upon itself so that the fabric becomes creased. The base is sealingly connected to the cap by means of a resilient circular seal so that the sample is maintained sealingly enclosed within the chamber. Abutting the sample is a resilient disk which is backed by a resilient sheet. A clamp is provided to maintain the sample under pressure in the chamber to crease the sample.

Abstract: An ultrasonic edge detector system wherein the lateral position of a moving web or sheet is monitored by projecting an ultrasonic beam from a transmitting transducer toward a receiving transducer and the web edge occludes or shadows more or less of the ultrasonic beam changing the ultrasonic energy received by the receiving transducer. Changes in output of the receiving transducer are detected as a measure of change in edge position. Accuracy in the measurement of the position of the edge is achieved by lengthening the path of acoustic energy from the transmitting transducer to the receiving transducer by positioning an acoustic reflector in said path. Reverberations are reduced by causing the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic beam to be at an angle .alpha. of greater than 0 degrees. A dual receiving transducer system is disclosed compensating for fluctuations in power to the edge detector system.

Abstract: A sound comparison device for a drum that has a body that includes a bottom with a periphery. The periphery of the bottom of the body is in contact with the surface of a drum head. A drum head tension measurement element includes a tip which protrudes from the bottom of the body. A spring biases the tip to press against and sink into the drum head to a distance determined by the tension on the drum head. A display is connected with the measurement element for causing the display to display a numerical value Y which corresponds to distance X of the protrusion of the measurement element. The values X and Y are coordinated so that the display displays the value Y=K/X1/2, where K is a constant.

Abstract: A detector for continuously monitoring the integrity of a coating on a piece of material. The detector includes an upper bar and a lower bar held near the surfaces of the material. Each bar carries multiple conductive probes in contact with the corresponding surface and electrically connected to an electronic detection circuit. Adjacent probes are connected to electric terminals having different voltage potentials. When probes from the same bar carrying different voltages short together, such as by contacting the surface of conductive sheet material, the detection circuit signals an insufficiently coated area has been found. The short between probes must be large enough to cause a short for more than a predetermined time. The upper probe bar is rotatable to prevent damage to the upper probes by a bent edge on a sheet of material.

Abstract: A roll support for a web fed rotary printing press supports a supply roll of a material web between clamping cones carried at free ends of support arm pairs. An array of strain gauges are attached either to the support arms or to a force measuring bushing for the clamping cones and are used to provide values indicative of the weight or bearing force of the supply roll. These values can be used to determine the amount of material remaining on the supply roll or to determine a weight imbalance in the supply roll.

Abstract: An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the machine direction, MD, and a cross direction, CD, generally perpendicular to the direction of the traveling web, therefor, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web.

Abstract: A system for relatively accurately measuring the velocity and time of flight of ultrasonic signals in the thickness direction through moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like, includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposing sides of the moving web-like material. The ultrasonic transducers are disposed in fluid-filled wheels to provide acoustical coupling between the transducers and the web-like material. In order to eliminate errors, known as trigger jitter, inherent in systems used to digitize ultrasonic signals for manipulation by a digital computer, a pulse echo box is provided to enable the capture of a reflected ultrasonic signal in addition to the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the web. By cross-correlating the transmitted and reflected ultrasonic signals in the same sample period, the error associated with trigger jitter is eliminated.

Abstract: A system for locating the edges of a moving strip of material having two edges. In one embodiment, a pair of ultrasonic transducers are positioned above the path of the moving strip and oriented at acute angles relative to the surface of the strip. A circuit for causing each of the transducers to emit ultrasonic pulses in the direction of the two edges, respectively, a detector circuit connected to the ultrasonic transducers detects acoustic diffractions caused by the edges, respectively, and compares the times of detection of the acoustic diffractions to locate the positions of the edges relative to the pair of transducers. A microprocessor controls operation of the transducer and receiving signals therefrom and computes one or more of the following quantities: 1) the distance D.sub.1 from the transducer to the near one of said two edges, 2) the distance D.sub.2 from the transducer to the other of the two edges, 3) the distance to the center of the strip from the transducer D.sub.c =1/2(D.sub.1 +D.sub.

Abstract: Improved ultrasonic energy transducers each include a material contacting member secured to a piezoelectric element at an interface region between oppositely operated first and second regions of the piezoelectric element. The material contacting member intensifies and amplifies movement of the interface region as the first and second regions of the piezoelectric element operate in a push-pull mode relative to the interface region. The first and second regions of the piezoelectric element can be electrically driven to move the material contacting member for transmission of ultrasonic energy or mechanically driven by the material contacting member for receipt of ultrasonic energy. A variety of piezoelectric elements can be used in the improved transducers including, for example, generally rectangular bars and discs segmented into two or more portions. A variety of material contacting members can also be used including, for example, a cylindrical stud and a more narrow dowel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonically testing sheet material comprising rotating at least one ultrasonic sensor, mounted on a rotatable test head, about an axis of rotation substantially normal to the plane of the sheet material as it moves therepast.

Abstract: A physical property measuring device for measurement of physical properties of a test sample piece in the form of a flexible sheet-like material is provided. The test sample piece is fed to a measuring zone of the device while being interposedly held at a whole upper end thereof between transfer arms so as to be kept hanging, to thereby minimize or substantially prevent application of any unnecessary external force thereto during transferring. In the measuring zone, the test sample piece is kept interposedly held at upper and lower portions thereof between upper clamp arms of an upper clamp mechanism and between lower clamp arms of a lower clamp mechanism and the upper and lower clamp mechanisms are actuated relative to each other to carry out measurement of desired physical properties.

Abstract: An improved testing apparatus for examining printing materials. The testing apparatus is comprised of a rotatable sector that is rotated at selected, controlled speeds. At least one rotatable printing disk, mounted adjacent to the sector, is moved by fluid drive means into and out of contact with a test strip mounted on the sector. The pressure with which the disk is applied to the sector is continuously monitored and held constant to maintain the printing pressure at the desired level. A programmable controller controls the speed and position of the sector and the movement and contact pressure of the disk relative to the sector.

Abstract: A single-ply roof cover fatigue tester includes an adjustable platen to which a roof cover sample is attached. Movement of the platen relative to a support frame adjusts the angle at which a tension force is applied to the sample by fluid pressure cylinders. The platen is long enough to accommodate the roof cover sample and three associated fasteners in a straight line at a spacing commonly used in actual roof cover installations. A control system controls the flow of pressure fluid to fluid pressure cylinders on opposite sides of the sample to alternately increase the tension on one side and then the other, while maintaining a minimum tension on the opposite side. A counter is provided to indicate the number of times the increasing tension alternates from one side to the other.

Abstract: The method comprises, at a given point of the production line:producing on the sheet a known localized deformation which is such that at least in a zone of a surface of the sheet the deformation is partially plastic;evaluating in the zone of the plastically deformed surface at least one surface stress.

Abstract: A system for aligning control zones with measurement zones in a sheetmaking system having a plurality of actuators arranged in the cross-direction, comprising the steps of: a) bumping at least one of the actuators; b) measuring a profile of the sheet at a substantial distance from the bumped actuators; and c) determining a location of the effect of each of the bumped actuators on the sheet.

Abstract: The velocity or speed of ultrasonic energy in moving webs of material is measured on-line as the webs are manufactured by engaging and preferably scanning a measuring head over the web of material. Improved ultrasonic energy transducers are employed wherein a material contacting member is secured to an interface region between oppositely operated first and second regions which intensify and amplify the movement of the interface region and hence the material contacting member by operating in a push-pull mode relative to the interface region. The transducers are calibrated by means of reference paths having known ultrasonic transmission characteristics which reference paths are separate and apart from the web of material which is being measured. The transducers can be selectively contacted with the web of material or not under the influence of vacuum which is applied to a measuring head into which the transducers are installed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for obtaining information about the real and imaginary parts of permittivity in dielectric materials and relating this information to other properties of the materials.

Abstract: A method for determining the tendency of a non-woven web to curl, where the web has a machine direction (MD), a cross-machine direction (CD) and the web includes a wire side and a felt side. The method comprises determining a wire ratio which is the ratio of the number of fibers oriented in the MD to the number of fibers oriented in the CD, where the fibers are associated with the wire side of the web, a felt ratio which is the ratio of the number of fibers oriented in the MD to the number of fibers oriented in the CD, where the fibers are associated with the felt side of the web, and determining the wire to felt ratio which is a measure of the tendency of the web to curl.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring a profile of a strip of material produced in a reversing mill in which a direction of travel of the strip is reversible includes a single thickness gauge that measures the thickness of the strip and generates the thickness signals, and a moving device coupled to the gauge. The moving device controllably moves the gauge transversely to the strip so that the gauge measures the thickness of the strip and different points across a width of the strip in one pass of the strip through the gauge. The moving device maintains the gauge in a stationary position in another pass of the strip through the gauge such that the gauge measures the thickness of the strip and different points along the longitudinal lines of the strip. The measurements of the thickness of the strip at the different points are interpreted into profile data. This profile data can be either displayed or used by a mill computer to control the processing of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining friction between a support roller and a rubber roller comprising an adjustable horizontal seat board, a pivoted stand supporting a pivot spindle in parallel to the seat board, an adjustable horizontal pressure pad for applying even downward pressure, a clamping and driving assembly for clamping two ends of the rubber roller, a support roller for supporting one end of the paper, a paper holding device with rollers below for holding the other end of the paper, a load cell in connection with the paper holding device for conveying a pull from generated friction, and a set of weights for selecting to be placed on the horizontal pressure pad. In use, the rubber roller, evenly pressing on one end of the paper, may be driven into turning at a fixed speed to allow a relatively accurate frictional factor to be detected.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring mechanical properties of foil material (10), preferably paper. The arrangement includes a material excitation unit (12) and a material sensing detection unit (14). The two units are connected electrically to a common arithmetical unit (18). This unit is intended to register and convert electrical signals deriving from the two first mentioned units (12, 14) in a manner to produce final signals which represent the material properties to be measured. The excitation unit (12) includes a laser which, through electromagnetic radiation, is intended to generate in the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the material local transient gas-pressure pulses within variable surface zones which are well-defined geometrically, without the excitation unit coming into contact with the material. These gas pressure pulses cause the material (10) to stretch locally in the boundary regions of the zones, such stretching of the material being necessary to the measuring process.

Abstract: Stress in a paper web in a rotary printing press is measured by directing the web past two tubular members spaced in the direction of web travel and supported by support arms. Deflection of the support arms is measured and provides an indication of the amount of stress in the paper web.

Abstract: This invention refers to an apparatus for determining the sag of a running web of material transversely to its longitudinal direction. For this purpose according to the invention a carrier of a web sensing roller is guided in a housing to be movable against spring force transversely to its rotational axis and apparatus is provided for measuring the displacement distance of the roller. The roller is replicated in triplicate across the width of the web. In other embodiments web sag is measured by roller rotation and by web force respectively on the three rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a body of material having first and second substantially parallel coaxial lines with distal extremities in relatively close proximity to each other and adapted to be disposed in close proximity to the body of material. A transmitter is coupled to the first coaxial line for introducing electrical energy in the high frequency to a microwave range into the first coaxial line to cause an electromagnetic field to be established at the distal extremity of the first coaxial line and to extend into the body of material. A receiver is coupled to the second coaxial line for detecting any of the electromagnetic field coupled into it from the first coaxial line. A measurement device is coupled to the receiver means for ascertaining when any change occurs in the coupling of the electromagnetic field from the first coaxial line to the second coaxial line to determine said characteristic of the body of material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for sampling textile fiber skeins. A fiber skein (2) continuously moved in the longitudinal direction (23) is intermittently brought to a stop within a defined section (4, 28). The profile of the immobilized section (4, 28) of the fiber skein (2) is flattened at least in partial region (24) and the textile analysis is carried out on this temporarily immobilized, flattened partial region (24) of the fiber skein.

Abstract: A sensor, system and method for determining the various Z-directional properties of a sheet by measuring the caliper of a moving sheet of material at a plurality of pressures. The invention employs a caliper gauge and a set of pressure transducers that can measure and send signals indicative of the caliper as well as pressures exerted on the sheet. The signals are then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter and sent to a computer. The computer uses the compressibility data to construct a compression stress-strain diagram where the slope of the curve in the linear region of the curve is defined as the compression modulus of elasticity which can be empirically correlated to the tensile modulus of elasticity for various grades of paper. The tensile modulus of elasticity can be then used in various formulas to determine other Z-directional physical properties of the sheet, such as tensile strength, extensional stiffness and Scott bonding.

Abstract: A plurality of probes 3 or 10 are arranged in a conveying path of a web 1 or 9 comprising a slit sheet or a nonwoven fabric for contact with the web 1 or 9. The probes 3 or 10 are rotatably supported and arranged so that if a defect portion exists in the web 1 or 9, the probes 3 or 10 rotate to the defect portion of the web and protrude under the web, and when the probes 3 or 10 protrude under the web, a detecting means 6b outputs a defect detection signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shape detecting roll rotatable for supporting a traveling rolled material over the width thereof to detect the pressure of the rolled material from portion to portion widthwise thereof and detect the shape of the rolled material by processing the detected pressure by calculation. The roll comprises a plurality of disks (2) arranged axially of the roll concentrically with one another and each having a pressure sensor (1) incorporated in its peripheral portion, a clearance (11) being formed between the side surfaces of peripheral portions of the adjacent disks (2) for preventing the interference between the peripheral portions. The side surfaces of the disk peripheral portions (10) forming the clearance (11) are activated by a reverse electrolytic treatment and thereafter coated with a corrosion-resistant plating.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a web for tears occurring inside a dryer of a web-fed printing machine includes measuring the temperature of a running web by a thermal monitoring device in the proximity of an inlet to the dryer, and actuating a safety device when a sudden increase in the temperature of the web is detected by the thermal monitoring device; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: A body ply splice width monitor is provided to sense the leading and trailing edges of a lateral splice in a web of tire body ply material and to produce an indication upon a monitor as to whether such splice satisfies certain dimensional criteria. A first pair of sensors is maintained along one edge of the web, while a second pair of sensors is maintained along the opposite edge. An encoder tracks the movement of the web through the array of sensors and provides output pulses corresponding to finite dimensional lengths of the web. The number of pulses between the sensed leading edge and sensed trailing edge of the splice is used to indicate and determine the total splice width.

Abstract: In a textile fiber preparation machine, thickness and/or unevenness characteristics of a lap (W) formed by a web or wadding of textile fibers being fed in the machine are determined for individual longitudinal strips spaced across the width of the lap. A plurality of individual sensors (2) are arranged next to one another over the width of the lap (W) and press the lap (W) against a stationary guide (4,5, 6--6'). Each of the sensors (2) is movable toward and away from the guide and is resiliently biased toward the guide. The amount of movement of an individual sensor (2) away from the guide by the lap is a measure of the thickness of the lap portion being contacted by that sensor. The use of individual sensors arranged end to end across the width of the lap improves sensitivity so that even brief changes in thickness when the lap has a high transport speed can be measured reliably. Furthermore, the apparatus can be adapted quickly and simply to changing lap widths.

Abstract: A weathering testing system comprises a rack for carrying samples to be tested with the samples having inner-facing surfaces, and a lamp centrally positioned of the samples. Blower means are provided for directing a stream of air through the rack. By this invention, the rack may be relatively rotated with respect to the stream of air to provide added uniformity of blowing conditions to the samples. Also, the lamp may be positioned in an adjustable manner so that it can be placed parallel to the rack for optimum radiation. Also the fitting which holds the lamp may be modified so that the lamp may be installed in only a single rotational position, for increased consistency of light irradiation, which gives more uniform calibration. Likewise, an automatic technique for determining ignition and operating of the lamp is disclosed, where a current sensing system found in prior art units can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A rotatable capacitance sensor preferably constructed of a generally cylindrical body mounted on bearings to a carriage assembly. The body has a number of parallel, spaced apart conductive plates having edges extending through the exterior body surface, and alternate ones of the plates are connected via a bearing to a conductor in one part of the carriage assembly, and the remaining ones of the plates are connected via a bearing to a second conductor in another part of the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A rotatable capacitance sensor for detecting film thickness of a moving film web, the rotatable sensor having a capacitive element arranged to contact the moving web film, the capacitive element electrically connected to projecting shaft ends of the rotatable sensor, resilient conductors urged against the respective shaft ends, and an electrical shield overlaying the resilient conductors and the rotatable shaft, to electrically isolate shaft wobble from the surrounding housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the checking of the state of wear of a covering fabric in a driving belt (2) mounted on a plurality of pulleys (3, 4, 5) by measuring the electric resistance variations of the belt fabric. The apparatus provides that at least two of the pulleys (3, 4, 5) should be electrically insulated with respect to each other and connected to an electric circuit (20) designed to apply an electric voltage to said pulleys in order to carry out the measuring of the electric resistance of the fabric exhibited by belt stretches (A, B) comprised between the pulleys themselves. The electric resistance thus found lends itself to be compared with predetermined resistance values corresponding to different states of wear of the belt (2) fabric. The work surface of the belt (2) is coated with an electrically conductive fabric (12) acting by contact on the pulleys (3, 4, 5) and having characteristics of tensile strength.

Abstract: A rotatable capacitance sensor preferably constructed of a generally cylindrical body mounted on bearings to a carriage assembly. The body has a number of parallel, spaced apart conductive plates having edges extending through the exterior body surface, and alternate ones of the plates are connected via a bearing to a conductor in one part of the carriage assembly, and the remaining ones of the plates are connected via a bearing to a second conductor in another part of the carriage assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the stiffness of a sheet, such as a currency note, includes first cooperating rollers (36, 38) and second cooperating rollers (28, 32) arranged to urge the sheet along a feed path (48) The first rollers (36, 38) engage frictionally with the sheet and are caused to rotate with a greater peripheral speed than the second rollers (28, 32). As a result, there is a tendency for the first rollers (36, 38) to cause that portion of the sheet between the first and second rollers (36, 38; 28, 32) to buckle, this tendency being resisted if the sheet has a required degree of stiffness. First and second sensors (66, 68) are disposed on opposite sides of said feed path (48) for sensing a deflection of said portion of said sheet away from the feed path (48) by at least a predetermined amount, brought about by buckling of the sheet due to the sheet being insufficiently stiff.

Abstract: A detector for detecting conductive materials contained in a stringy material sensitively, which is a cylindrical microwave cavity resonator (1) comprising a peripheral part (9) and two circular plates (10) covering the ends of the peripheral part. At least one of the circular plates has cylindrical protrusion (4) at its center. In the peripheral part, an antenna (5) for the generation of discharge is provided. In the protrusion (4) a detecting means (6) for discharge is provided. Paths (3,8) or a notched part (7) for the stringy material to be measured which passes through a high electric field formed by the protrusions and penetrate the cylindrical microwave cavity resonator oscillating at a fixed frequency, discharges are generated by the strong electric fields concentrated on the very small metals. Since sounds, light, and electromagnetic waves are generated at this time, the very small metals can be detected sensitively with discharge detecting means such as a microphone, a photodetector and an antenna.

Abstract: In a process for preparing and fixing samples of fibres to be analysed optically, a plurality of fibres (5) to be analysed is laid on a first transparent plate (2), the first plate (2) and the fibres (5) lying on it are covered by a second transparent plate (1) and the two plates (1,2) are pressed together and simultaneously displaced coplanarly with respect to each other to form a fixed sample composed of parallel, longitudinally aligned fibres (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for assessing the stiffness of a sheet (4), such as a currency note, by measuring the extent and rate of movement of the trailing edge of the sheet (4) away from a feed path for the sheet. Such movement is part of a straightening movement of the sheet (4) upon disengagement of the trailing edge from constraining means (34) when a leading portion of the sheet (4) is in a bent condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for testing a specimen sample of fibers includes a frame (22), rotatable drums (60) situated at a first station upon the frame for holding a quantity (86) of fibers, a brush (152) situated at a second station along the frame for brushing the fiber specimen and testing equipment (28) situated at a third station upon the frame for performing a series upon the fiber specimen. A comb (34 or 35) is utilized for gathering the fiber specimen from the quantity of fibers held by the drums, and carriages (122 and 136) are movably mounted upon the frame for transporting the comb between the first, second and third stations of the apparatus. When positioned at the first station, the comb gathers a fiber specimen, and the specimen is carded. When the comb is positioned at the second station, the gathered specimen is brushed by the brush, and when the comb is thereafter moved to the third station, the brushed specimen is tested by the testing equipment.

Abstract: A sheet-gauging apparatus for determining properties of a moving sheet of material includes a frame having parallel upper and lower horizontal supports extending above and below the sheet in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet. Upper and lower tracks are carried by the upper and lower supports, respectively, each of the tracks including a flat upper surface and a lower surface having tapered end portions. Upper and lower carriages are mounted on the upper and lower tracks, respectively, for bidirectional travel along the tracks, each of the carriages including upper wheels in rolling contact with the upper surface of the track and lower wheels in rolling contact with the tapered end portions of the lower surface of the track. Displacement of the carriages in the directions orthogonal to the direction of carriage travel is thereby minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus utilized in the continuous manufacture of sheet material, such as paper, includes a frame having at least one hollow beam for carrying means such as sheet-gauging heads operatively associated with the sheet material being fabricated. Thermal stability of the at least one hollow beam is enhanced by circulating fluid within the beam. Fluid displacement means which may be in the form of a series of inserts disposed end-to-end within the hollow beam define with the interior wall of the beam a fluid conduction channel. The fluid displacement means may also include generally helically oriented guides projecting into the fluid conduction channel for inducing turbulence in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: In the rolling of metal strip, a detector roll is used to determine variations along the width of the strip and to make sure that one lateral edge of the strip takes up a predetermined position with an individual roller on the detector roll, either the strip is moved sideways with respect to the roll or the roll is moved in the direction of its axis of rotation.

Abstract: There are described a process and apparatus for measuring the degree of filament intermingling of an intermingled multifilament yarn. The intermingled yarn is moved through a self-conveying fluid jet (air jet). The yarn substantially fills out the jet channel and emerges from the jet in a virtually tensionless state. Owing to the pressure difference at the jet outlet, noncohesive yarn zones expand explosively in the manner of a balloon. After expansion, the yarn passes before a sensor means, preferably an electronic camera, which detects the lightness differences or light diffraction phenomena due to the yarn filaments and sends as a function thereof a signal to a signal processing means. The method of measurement of the invention makes it possible to obtain very accurate information about the nature of the intermingling (spot type or continuous) and also about the geometry of intermingling (for example number and spacing of intermingling nodes in the case of spot type intermingling).

Abstract: A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. Detectors coupled to the support detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in at least three different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each of the three directions. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.