US3184374A

US3184374A - Apparatus for oscillating a traveling web in paper machinery

Info

Publication number: US3184374A
Application number: US225530A
Authority: US
Inventors: John H Pearson
Original assignee: Black Clawson Co
Current assignee: Black Clawson Co
Priority date: 1962-09-24
Filing date: 1962-09-24
Publication date: 1965-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-18
Also published as: GB1045307A

Description

May 18, 1965 .1. H. PEARSON 3,184,374

APPARATUS FOR OSCILLATING A TRAVELING WEB IN PAPER MACHINERY Filed Sept. 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-2 4 U 34,

3 8 l/iz/ls SI 5 53 rm 57 28 JOHN H. PIEZVRESIZSR- BY 52 55 5a 5 9 25 a a MM; mfl

ATTORN EYS y 8, 1965 J. H. PEARSON 3,184,374

APPARATUS FOR OSCILLATING A TRAVELING WEB IN PAPER MACHINERY Filed Sept. 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HVVENTOR.

5 JOHN H. PEARSON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,184,374 AFPARATUS FOR ()SCILLATING A TRAVELING WEB KN PAPER MACHINERY John H. Pearson, Water-town, N.Y., assignor to The Black Clawson Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed Sept. 24, 1962, S613 No. 225,530 8 Claims. (Cl. 162-257) This invention relates to web guides and particularly to a control system for use with a web guide for laterally oscillating a felt or wire web on a paper making machine.

When a belt or web moves continuously over a surface for a protracted period of time, wearing of this web and its supporting surface often occurs, thus adding unanticipated variables to the operation of the associated machinery. This problem is especially acute when the web is delicate, such as the wire used in a Fourdrinier paper machine, and elimination of such wearing will minimize the formation of ridges in the web or the suction box covers over which the wire passes with consequent improvement in the uniformity and quality of the paper. These difiiculties can be substantially eliminated by laterally oscillating the wire with respect to its path of travel so that this wearing is evenly distributed over larger areas, greatly reducing the amount of wear that can occur at any one location.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide web guide apparatus of simple construction which will oscillate a web, such as a Fourdrinier wire, in a lateral direction for preventing the wearing of grooves or ridges in certain parts of the web and associated equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control system for a web guide which can be adapted to effect oscillatory operation of most web guides regardless of whether they control aweb which is moving horizontally or vertically, or a combination of these directions.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a wire or web guide with a simple compact automatic control system capable of actuating the web guide for effecting lateral oscillatory movement of the web regardless of the path of movement of the web wherein the entire system comprises only a few moving parts and which is entirely mounted on one side of the Web.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel web guide system for laterally oscillating a web which will revert to the non-oscillatory type of web guide if a portion of the system becomes inoperative for one reason or another thereby insuring that the web will remain within the permissible range of lateral movement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a web guide and associated control mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of the web guide of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the control system for the web guide;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic plan view illustrating the operation of the web guide of FIG. 1 and showing the guide roll in one limit position of its guiding movement;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the guide roll in its other limit position;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken essentially along the line 66 of FIG. 7;

PEG. 7 is a side elevation View of one of the palms and valve assemblies for controlling the operation of the web guide, looking from left to right in FIG. 6 with. one side removed;

FIG. 8 is a graphic illustration of the operation of the palm assemblies;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating another embodiment of the palm assembly; and

MG. 10 is a sectional View essentially along the line iii-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, FIG. 1 showsa guide 15' mounted in conjunction with a guide roll 16 for a web 18, which may be, for example, the forming wire of a Fourdrinier paper machine. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 4 and 5, one journal 20 of the roll 16 is supported for swinging movement by a suitablebearing, such as a spherical bearing 21', while the guide 15 supports the other journal 23 for movement back and forth in response to operation of the hereinafter described control system for effecting lateral oscillatory movement of the web 18' with respect to its path of travel.

The web guide 15 is one of many types which can be utilized with this invention and the embodiment shown is substantially identical to the construction described and claimed in the copending application of Walter E. Rojecki, Serial No. 69,582, filed November 16, 1960, now Patent No. 3,079,805, issued March'S, 1963, and assigned to the assignee as this application. The guide 15 includes a supporting frame 25 comprising a base 26, end wall 27, and opposed side walls 28 (only one of which is shown) which extend substantially higher at one end than the other.

A carriage 30 is supported on the frame 25 for swinging movement in a controlled path wherein the axis of the journal 23 moves in a substantially straight line parallel to the base 26. One end of the carriage 30 is supported by a first linkage 34 pivoted by a shaft 36 on the raised portions 37 of the walls 28, and the depending end 38 of the linkage 34 is pivoted by a shaft 40 to the adjacent end of the carriage 30. A second linkage 41 similar to linkage 34 is pivoted on the other end of side walls 28 by a shaft 43, and its opposite end 44 is pivoted by a shaft 45 to ear portion 46 on the carriage 30.

Mounted on the end wall 27 is a fluid motor 50 which is utilizedto shift the position of the carriage 30 laterally as viewed in FIG. 2. The motor 50 includes a piston 51 reciprocally mounted in the housing 52 and defining a chamber 53 in conjunction with the housing 52, and the rolling diaphragm 55' provides a seal between the housing 52 and the piston51. The piston rod 56 which interconnects the piston 51 and'the carriage 30 has a tension spring 57 disposed therearound between the connections with the wall 27 and the carriage 30for urging the piston 15 and the carriage 36 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2. A compression spring 58' positioned between the piston 51 and end wall 59 of the housing 52 also aids in urging the carriage 30 and piston 51 to the left. Movement of piston 51 is controlled by the pressure in the chamber 53, and when such pressure is equal to the biasing effect of the

springs

57 and 58, the piston 51 and the carriage 30 are held in a central or neutral position wherein the axis of roll 16 is perpendicular to the path of travel of the web 18 and consequently does not impart lateral force to the web 18.

When the pressure in the chamber 53 increases above the biasing effect of the

springs

57 and 58, the journal 23 will be moved toward the right to the position indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2, wherein the roll' 16- is positioned as shown in FIG. 5 for effecting lateral movement of the web to the left. Similarly if the pressure in the chamber 53 falls below the biasing effect of the

springs

57 and 58, the journal 23 of the roll 16 will be moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, to the position shown in FIG. 4 wherein the roll eifects lateral movement of the FIG. 3 and includes a source P of pressurized fluid which isconnectedthr'ough avfilter F to each ofthe palm-actuated valve assemblies 60 and 61 by the lines. 63 and 64 having the pressureregulating

valves

66 and 67 therein, and the

lines

68 and 69, respectively. Variable restrictions 70 'may be located in each of the lines 63vand 64 for further regulation of the'fiow of pressurized fluid."

Lines 63and 64, and consequently the valve assemblies 60 and 61, are also connected to the'three-way valve 72 which at all times connects one orthe other of the

lines

63 or 64 to the line 75 and the fluid motor 50. also within the scope of the invention to insert an air volume boosting device in line 75 to increase the response of the apparatus. For example, the valve assemblies could be utilized to operate a valve which in turn controls the flow of high pressure air to the chamber 53. The timing mechanism 80 is operable to shift valve 72 continuously and alternately and includes a solenoid 82 which is energized and deenergized at preset intervals by a timer 83. When the solenoid 82 is energized it shifts the valve 85 against the bias of spring 86'to connect the source P to, the pneumatic actuator 90 which is connected to and positions the valve 72. When solenoid 82 is deenergized, the spring 86 returns the valve 85 to the posi-- tion shown in FIG. 3 wherein the source of pressure is no longer connected to the actuator 90, and spring 91,

shifts the valve 72 to the right to the position shown in FIG. 3. pressure periodically to the actuator 90 to shift the valve 72 between its alternate positions and thereby to connect the

lines

63 and 64 alternately to the line 75.

Referring to FIG. 1, the palm-actuated valve assemblies 60 and 61 are mounted in'offset relation on-the floor or frame of the machine by a post 94'having a pair of arms 95 projecting from the upper end thereof. On the outer. end of each arm 95 is a T-connection 96, andrshort pipe. sections 97 and 98 project from theconnections 96 and. carry the

valve assemblies

60 and 61, respectively, The

section 97 is shorter than the section 98 so that the assembly 61 is positioned closer to the edge of the web 18 formed by an eccentric cam 105 which is mounted for' rocking movement on the pivot pin 107 set in the housing 100 so that the amount of fluid escaping through the hollow screw is dependent upon the position of the cam 105. l

A bore 110 is formed in thecarn 105 for threadedly receiving .a rodi111 which depends therefrom through a Thus the timing mechanism '80 supplies fluid The

assemblies

60 and 61 are substantially identical so that without their relatively offset mountings, they would effect movement of the web 18 to the same lateral position. When the assembly 60 is offset with respect to assembly 61 an amount equal to the distance between the points c and d, assembly 60' will effect lateral movement of the web edge to a position corresponding to the point c where- .as the cam of assembly 61 will effect movement of the webedge to a position corresponding to the point d.

Thus by alternately connecting these

palm assemblies

60 and 61 to the web guide the web 18 can be laterally shifted betwen points c and d.

Specifically, when the valve 72 is in the position shown in FIG; 3, the valve assembly 60 is connected to and controlling the operation of the web guide 15, and if the web 18is positioned between the points a and c, the cam It is' 105 of assembly 60 is positioned to increase the amount of air being bled from the

lines

63 and 68 to cause the web guide 15 to shift the journal 23 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2 ,thereby effecting movement of the web 18 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. As the web moves toward a position corresponding to point 0, the palm 115 follows and proportionally moves the cam of assembly 60 to decreasethe air being bled from the line 63, so that when the web reaches the position corresponding to point e, the journal 23 is in its central or neutral position wherein'it no longer exerts lateral forces on the web 18.

Similarly, when the web edge is between the positions b and c, the cam 105 of the assembly 60 decreases the amount of air escaping from the line 64 to cause the web guide 15 to move the journal 23 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, with'consequent movement of the Web to the left,

as viewed in FIG. 5. When the web reaches the point 0, the element 105 of assembly 60 is once again in the neutral position, and the web guide 15 no longer effects the lateral position of the web 18.

When the timing mechanism shifts the valve 72 to the left from the position shown in FIG. 3, the valve assembly 61 is connected to and controlling the operation of motor which urges web 18 toward a position corresponding to a point d, in the same manner that the assembly moves the web to a position corresponding to point c. As indicated, the only differencebetween the

assemblies

60 and 61 is the offset mounting thereof and, in all other respects, the operation ofthe valve assembly 61 is substantially identical with that of the valve assembly 60.

' The interval set on the timer 83 is-preferably such that as soon as the web 18 reaches the position corre- This screw 102* M slot 112 in the under side ofthe housing 100 and carries the palm 115 which engages the edge ofthe web 18. A spring 117 is. connected to pin 118 also threaded into bore 110 on the top side of the valve element 105 and extends to a connection .with the housing 100 for urging the palm 115 in a counterclockwise direction, and as viewed in FIG. 7, to hold it against the edge of the .web 18 for 5 sensing the lateral position thereof. .7

The operation of the control system shownin spending to the point 0 the solenoid 82 is energized to shift valve and communicates pressure to the actuator and thus shift the valve 72 to the left, as viewed in FIG. .3. In this position, the palm assembly 61 is now in control and immediately makes appropriate adjustments to move the web 18 to a position'corresponding to the point a. When the point d is reached the valve 72 is shifted to the right, as shown in FIG. 3, and the palm assembly 60 'moves the web 18 back to the position corresponding to. the point e. .60

This cycling continues indefinitely. The range of lateral movement of the web 18 is governed by the offset-between the

assemblies

60 and 61 and by the time intervalset on the timer 83, and the range of lateral movement can be shortened by decreasing the time interval set on the timer 83 so that the valve 72'is shifted before the web 18has reached the position corresponding to the valve assembly then in control.

If for any reason the timer; mechanism 80 should become inoperative, the valve assembly 60 or. 61 which is then connected to the Web guide 15 will'remain in this land 3 is best described by referenceto the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 18 wherein the lateral movement of .the. 3

left edge of theweb 18 is indicated by the horizontal line.

position and move the web to and maintain it in the position correspondingito valve assembly then inlcontrol. If

either of the .yalve assemblies 60 0r 61 should become inoperative for any reason, the other assembly will continue to operate as a web; guide to maintain the web 18 in a predetermined path oftravel; Forexampla'assume a fluid leak occurs in line 63 so that when valve assembly Ed is connected to the motor 56), the pressure in chamber 53 is decreased and'the journal 23 is shifted to the left, as shown in FIG. 2 with consequent movement of the web to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1. However, when the valve assembly 61 is shifted into control, the web 13 is returned to the left to the position corresponding to point d thus continuing the oscillatory movement of the web i8.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the valve assemblies which are actuated by a single palm and wherein the eccentric cams 165a and lilfib are rigidly mounted in angularly oflset relation on the same shaft 129 is supported for rotation in the housing 122 by the boss 123. Thus the cams, 105a and 1651; rotate together about the same axis and, as will be seen, effect operation of the web guide in the same manner as the offset mounted valve assemblies 6%) and 61. As shown in FIG. 10, cam 105a is contoured on its lower portion to permit clockwise I movement thereof after it has substantially closed the associated leak port in screw 162a while allowing the cam 105b to rotate additionally in a clockwise direction before it can close its associated leak port in screw 10%.

The pipe sections 97a and 93a communicate with the housing 122 and are aligned with the cams 1tl5'a and 105b, respectively, for cooperation therewith to regulate the amount of fluid escape from the leak ports in the screws 102a and 10211. The cam 105a has a rod 111a secured thereto with a palm (not shown) on its lower end, and a spring 117a positioned between the housing 122 and the pin 118a secured in the bore 11th: urges the cams ltlSa and 105i: in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 10, to position the palm against the adjacent edge of the web 18.

The rod 109a and its associated palm could be secured to the other valve element 105]; or the shaft 120 since rotation of one effects corresponding rotation of the other two components. Similarly, the spring 117a could be eliminated and other biasing means used so long as the cams-l'tlSa and 165k and rod 111a are urged in a counter. clockwise direction.

Operation of the valve assembly shown in FIGS. 9-10 differs slightly from that of the FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 embodi ment as the eccentric cams 195a and 10512 are mounted on the same axis in angular offset relation for actuation by a single palm, rather than being mounted in offset relationship with respect to the edge of the web 13 and actuated by separate palms as are the

assemblies

60 and 61. That is, the angular position of cam 105:: on shaft 124) is such that it effects movement of the web 18 to a position corresponding to point 0 whereas the angular positioning of cam M512 on shaft 120 effects movement of the web 18 to a position corresponding to the point d. in all other respects the operation of this embodiment is substantially identical to that of the FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 embodiment.

The present invention has provided a web guide system which is capable of laterally oscillating a web thereby preventing excessive wear of the web, guide rolls. suction boxes in the case of a Fourdrinier paper machine, and other associated apparatus. When one of the valve elements or its associated circuitry is damaged and fails to operate in the designed manner the opposite elements will insure that the web remains within a permissible range of lateral movement.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a web guide assembly for controlling the lateral position of a traveling web, the combination of actuating means for controlling the lateral position of the web, a pair of substantially identical control means responsive to the position of the web for said actuating means, the

first of said control means being responsive to the lateral position of the web for effecting the movement of said actuating means to position the web in a first position, the second of said control means being responsive to the lateral position of'the web for efiecting movement of said ctuating means to position the web in a second position spaced from said first position, and timer means for alternately connecting said first and second control means to said actuating means for continually shifting the web between said first and second positions.

2. In a web guide assembly for controlling the lateral position of a traveling web, the combination of actuating means for controlling the lateral position of the web, a pair of control means for said actuating means, the first of said control means being responsive to the lateral position of the web for eifecting the movement of said actuating means toposition the web in a first position, the second of said control means being responsive to the lateral position of the web for efiecting movement of said actuating means to position the web in a second position spaced from said first position, and a timing mechanism for connecting said first control means to and disconnecting said second control means from said actuating means when the web is in said second position and for connecting said second control means to and disconnecting said first control means from said actuating means when the web is in said first position.

3. In a web guide assembly of the character described for laterally oscillating a traveling web, the combination of actuating means for controlling the lateral position of the Web, a pair of control means for said' actuating means, the first of said control means being responsive to the lateral position of the web for eflecting movement of said actuating means to position the web in a first position, the second of said control means being'responsive to the lateral position of the web for effecting movement of said actuating means to position the web ina second position spaced from said first position, means for alternately connecting said control means to said actuating means, valve means movable between one position wherein said first control means is connected to and said second control means disconnected from said actuating means and another position wherein said second control means is connected'to and said first control means disconnected from said actuating means, and timing means for automatically shifting said valve means between said positions at predetermined intervals to effect oscillatory movement of said web between said first and second positions.

4. Apparatus for laterally oscillating a traveling web with respect to its path of travel, comprising fluid motor means for laterally changing the position of the web between spaced first and second positions, a control system for said motor means including a source of fluid pressure, a first control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means, first valve means in said first control circuit positioned in response to the lateral position of the web to vary the pressure in said first circuit for causing said motor means to locate the web in said first position, a second control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means, second valve means in said second control circuit positioned in response to the lateral position of the web to vary the pressure in said second circuit for causing said motor means to locate the web in said second position, and means for alternately connecting said first and second control circuits to said motor means.

5. Apparatus for laterally oscillating a traveling web with respect to its path of travel, comprising fluid motor means for laterally changing the position of the web between spaced first and second positions, a control system for said motor means including a source of fluid pressure, a first control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means, first valve means in said first circuit positioned in response to the lateral position of the Web to vary the pressure in said first circuit for causing said motor means to move the web to said first position, a sec--. ond control circuit for-interconnecting said source and said motor means,v second valvemeans in said second circuit positioned in response to the lateral position of the web to vary the pressure in said second circuit for causing said motor means to move the web to said second position, timer mechanism for connecting said first circuit 7 to and disconnecting said second circuit from said motor means when said web is in said second position and .con-. meeting said second circuit to anddisconnecting said first circuit from said motor means when said web is in said first position.

6. Apparatus for laterally oscillating a traveling Web with respect to. its path of travel, comprising fluid motor means for laterally changing the position of the Web between spaced first and second positions, a control system for said motor means including a source of fluid pressure, a first control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means, first valve means in said first circuit positioned in response to the lateral position ofthe web to vary the pressure in said first circuit for causing said motor means to locate the web in said first position, a second control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means, second valve means in said second circuit positioned in response to the lateral position of the Web to vary the pressure in said second circuit for causing said motor means to locate the web in said second position, control valve means movable between a first position wherein said first circuit isconnectedto and said second. circuit disconnected from said motor means and a second position wherein said second circuit is connected to and said first circuit disconnected from said motor means, and timing means for automatically shifting said control valve means between said'first and second positions at predetermined intervals to effect oscillatory movement of said web between said first and second position.

7. Apparatus for laterally oscillating a traveling web with respect to its path oftravel, comprising fluid motor means for laterally changing the position of the web between spaced first and second positions, a control system for said motor means including a source of fluid pressure, a first control circuit for interconnecting'said source and said motor means and having a first leak port therein, first valve means in said first circuit including a first palm biased against one edge of the web for sensing the lateral position thereof and a first eccentrically'mounted valve element pivoted by said palm for controlling flow of fluid ,through said first leak port to..cause said motor means to move the web toward said first position, a second control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means and having a second leak port therein, second, valve means insaid second circuit including a second palm biased against the one edge of the web for sensing the lateral position thereof and a second eccentrically mounted valve element pivoted by said second palm for controlling flow of fluid through said second leak port to cause said motor means to move the web toward said second position, and means for alternately connecting said first and second circuits to said motor means. f

8. Apparatus for laterally oscillating a traveling web with respect to its path of travel, comprising fluid motor means'for laterally changing the position of the web between spaced first and second positions, a control system for said motor means including a source of fluid pressure, a first control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means and having a first leak port therein, first valve means in said first circuit including a palm biased against one edge of the web for sensing the lateral position thereof and a first eccentrically mounted valve element pivoted by said palm for controlling flow of fluid through said first leak port to cause said motor means to move theweb toward said first position, a second control circuit for interconnecting said source and said motor means and having a second leak port therein, second valve means in said second circuit including a second eccentrically mounted valve element pivoted by said palm for controlling flow of fiuid through said second leak port to cause said motor means to move the web toward said second position, and means for alternately connecting said first and second circuitsto said motor means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,530,122 11/50 Hornbostel 74-241 2,635,475 4/53 Hornbostel 74241 2,819,655 1/58 Beachler 162--355 2,877,013 3/59 Wendshuh et al. 74241 2,988,141 '6/61 Madden et a1. l62257 3,009,364 11/61 Beachler 74-241 3,079,805 3/62 Rojecki 162257 DONALL H, SYLVESTER, Primary Examiner.

' MORRIS O. WOLK, WILLIAM B. KNIGHT, Examiners.

Claims

1. IN A WEB GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTROLLING THE LATERAL POSITION OF A TRAVELING WEB, THE COMBINATION OF ACTUATING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE LATERAL POSITION OF THE WEB, A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE POSITION OF THE WEB FOR SAID ACTUATING MEANS, THE FIRST OF SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE LATERAL POSITION OF THE WEB FOR EFFECTING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO POSITION THE WEB IN A FIRST POSITION, THE SECOND OF SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE LATERAL POSITION OF THE WEB FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO POSITION THE WEB IN A SECOND POSITION SPACED FROM SAID FIRST POSITION, AND TIMER MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY CONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTROL MEANS TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR CONTINUALLY SHIFTING THE WEB BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS.