Honeywell Measurex Devron Inc.

Robert Bucher

Edwin Michael Heaven

Ron I Powell

Robert N Vyse

John King

Apparatus and method for controlling the size of a gap through which material is metered. The gap is defined by a rigid surface and a flexible surface connected to at least one actuator for deforming the flexible surface. A plurality of sensors are positioned along the rigid or flexible surfaces to detect the other of the surfaces and generate signals indicating its position. A computing unit in communication with the plurality of sensors processes the signals to generate a continuous gap measurement profile. The computing system also stores a pre-determined desired gap measurement profile. A control system in communication with the computing unit actuates the actuators to deform the flexible surface to adjust the gap measurement profile to correct any deviation from the desired gap measurement profile.

Intelligent gap control for improved paper machine profile control

A method for controlling the properties of a sheet of material to be manufactured on a sheet making machine using a network of intelligent actuators distributed across and down the length of the paper machine. The method includes the steps of measuring and acquiring properties data about the sheet of material and communicating the measured properties data as the data becomes available to the actuators that control the properties of the sheet of material. A control action for each actuator is calculated and implemented using a control model of each actuator's influence on the properties of the sheet so as to minimize the variation of the measured properties data from a desired target. The control action made at an actuator and the predicted changes in the measured properties based on the control model are also communicated to all the actuators. The control actions of all actuators are co-ordinated such that the actuators co-operate to minimize the variation of the measured properties data sheet from desired targets.

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Vancouver, Canada

Robert Bucher