Wilbanks International, Inc.

Robert E Edwards, Jr

Dean A Rulis

Papermaking apparatus is disclosed having variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying paper stock and are adjustable to vary their operating characteristics. A variable pulse turbulation blade with an adjustable in-going angle is provided with a cam-operated adjustment device that maintains the blade height constant while adjusting the in-going angle to prevent fiber clumps and to provide the paper sheet with a more uniform consistency. The turbulation blade may have a plurality of flats disposed at different angles or multiple radii on its leading portion.

Papermaking apparatus with variable pulse turbulation blades

An automatic control system for a papermaking machine having a plurality of variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying the paper stock and are adjusted by electrical operating devices, such as servo motors or solenoid valves, to vary their water removal rate in response to control signals produced by a computer controller. A plurality of sensors are spaced along the path of the paper sheet downstream from the variable dewatering devices to sense the paper sheet characteristics including light transparency and mass, and to apply sensor output signals corresponding thereto to the computer controller. The servo motors have their shafts coupled to adjustment devices for cam mechanisms which adjust the moveable elements of the variable dewatering elements. The variable dewatering elements include a variable angle foil, a variable height blade, a variable width slot Uhle box, a variable width pickup device, and a variable pulse turbulation blade, whose moveable elements are adjusted to change their water removal rates. Shaft position encoders on the servo motors or other operating devices produce feedback position signal which are applied to inputs of the computer controller to indicate when the moveable elements reach their desired adjustment positions. A variable pulse turbulation blade with an adjustable in-going angle is provided with a cam-operated adjustment device that maintains the blade height constant while adjusting the in-going angle to prevent fiber clumps and to provide the paper sheet with a more uniform consistency.

Papermaking machine with variable dewatering elements including variable pulse turbulation blades adjusted by computer control system in response to sensors of paper sheet characteristics

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Banks, OR, United States of America

Robert E Edwards, Jr