Apparatus for preventing undesired fluid flow past a flow control

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for controlling fluid flow at a flow control location between first and second rollers. Each roller is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. The two rollers are disposed adjacent to each other so as to form a flow control location or nip between the rollers. The nip has an entrance side and an exit side. As the rollers rotate, fluid from a fluid pan is carried on the outer surface of the first roller to the entrance side of the nip. Some of the fluid at the nip is transferred onto the outer surface of the second roller. As the rollers continue to rotate, the fluid flows out of the nip at the exit side of the nip. An excess fluid condition occurs at the nip when the amount of fluid flow to the entrance side of the nip exceeds the amount of fluid flow from the exit side of the nip. A brass collar is connected at one end of the first roller. Another brass collar is connected at the outer end of the first roller. The two brass collars rotate with the first roller and cooperate to prevent excess fluid at the entrance side of the nip from flowing around the opposite axial ends of the nip onto the second roller. This is accomplished by the two brass collars picking up excess fluid at the entrance side of the nip and subsequently transferring the excess fluid back to the fluid pan.