1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a headbox for a machine to produce a fiber web, in particular a paper, cardboard or tissue web from at least one fibrous suspension, having a headbox nozzle comprising an upper nozzle wall and a lower nozzle wall, as well as two side walls tapering to form an outlet, and having an inner chamber through which the fibrous suspension flows in flow direction during operation of the headbox, whereby on the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle a baffle is arranged on the outlet side which is movable by way of several elements and which extends across the machine width, and which has a baffle protrusion and a baffle immersion depth and which has at least two surfaces—an upstream ramp surface and a subsequent main surface contacted by a fibrous suspension during operation of the headbox.
2. Description of the Related Art
A headbox of this type for a machine to produce a fibrous web, in particular a paper, cardboard or tissue web from at least one fibrous suspension is known for example from German disclosure documentation DE 10 2004 047 879 A1.
A baffle arranged on the outlet side on an upper nozzle wall of a headbox nozzle in a headbox, movable preferably by way of several elements and extending over the machine width is used in an already known manner of calibrating the operating nozzle aperture and for profiling, in particular cross profiling of a fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension, exiting the headbox. Currently the objective of this profiling is generally the optimization of the fiber orientation, whereas in the past it was the optimization of the cross profile of the surface related mass. In order to achieve a high level of influence over the optimization, a stream contraction is preset by the baffle for the fibrous suspension stream containing at least one fibrous suspension, whereby minor adjustments to the baffle at greater stream contraction cause a stronger effect. The stream contraction generally causes alignment of the fibers in the at least one fibrous suspension in direction of its flow, in other words in machine direction. This alignment is particularly disadvantageous in qualities in which a low MD/CD stability ratio (MD: machine direction; CD: cross machine direction) must be achieved. In order to achieve this low stability ratio a baffle that is arranged on the headbox is currently totally forgone in some cases, or an adjustment flap—in other words a replaceable nozzle front part—is provided. However, on a headbox without a baffle, profiling can no longer be implemented. Moreover, any possible production related inaccuracies can no longer be compensated for. Use of an adjustment flap allowing for profiling of the nozzle aperture is however a very expensive solution compared to the baffle.
The headbox in the referred to German disclosure document DE 10 2004 047 879 A1 has a main surface on the baffle which is contacted by the fibrous suspension and which progresses parallel to the inside surface of the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle.
In trials which were conducted and in applications which utilized this type of headbox geometry in the end zone of the headbox nozzle it was demonstrated that on the edge in the form of a bend between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle disadvantageous burbling occurs in the fibrous suspension flow containing at least one fibrous suspension. And these burbles which in particular are strongly defined with only slightly converging headbox nozzles and heavily pitched baffles, and also possibly with small baffle protrusions and which can possibly also lead to a total stall, result in a more or less known manner in serious problems in the production of the fiber web. The problems may for example be poor cross profiles in the produced fiber web.
It is therefore the objective of the current invention, and what is needed in the art is, to improve a headbox of the type described in the beginning so that contact of the fibrous suspension flow containing the at least one fibrous suspension on the baffle is maintained continuously and process-reliably during all possible operating conditions and baffle angles.
This objective is met with, and the present invention provides, a headbox of the type referred to at the beginning in that between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle at least one refraction surface which is contacted during operation of the headbox by one fibrous suspension is provided on the baffle. The refraction surface of the baffle which is in contact during operation with a fibrous suspension can be arranged directly or indirectly between the two referred to surfaces of the baffle of the headbox.
The inventive objective is completely met in this manner.
The inventive improvement to the headbox of the type described at the beginning ensures continuous and process-reliable contact of the fibrous suspension flow containing the at least one fibrous suspension with the baffle during all possible operational conditions. This is achieved in particular as a result of avoiding the edge which was hitherto in the form of a bend between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle. The at least one inventive refraction surface of the baffle between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle effectively avoids a possible occurrence of burbles in the fibrous suspension flow containing at least one fibrous suspension in the area of the baffle of the headbox. By way of these inventive, in other words, new flow controls, strong acceleration in cross machine direction of the fibrous suspension flow containing the at least one fibrous suspension and high speeds are avoided.
The previous characteristics of the headbox which would possibly have a positive effect on the development of burbles, for example the degree of convergence of the headbox nozzle, pitch of the baffle or baffle protrusion, no longer represent a substantial role in the inventive improvement of the headbox of the type described in the beginning.
In a first embodiment of the invention the refraction surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension during operation of the headbox—viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension—has a convex curved surface shape with a curvature radius in the range of 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 to 3 mm, especially 1 mm. Viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension, the ramp surface of the baffle is arranged upstream from the refraction surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle is arranged subsequent to it. The refraction surface of the baffle is therefore located directly between the two mentioned surfaces of the baffle of the headbox.
In a second embodiment of the invention the refraction surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension during operation of the headbox—viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension—has a convex curved surface shape with a curvature radius in the range of ≧5 mm. The refraction surface of the baffle is again located directly or indirectly between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle.
Moreover in a third embodiment of the invention the refraction surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension during operation of the headbox—viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension—has a planar surface shape with a surface length in the range of 0.2 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, in particular 1 mm, and preferably an angle bisecting surface arrangement. The refraction surface of the baffle is hereby again arranged directly or indirectly between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle.
In the last two embodiments of the invention the refraction surface of the baffle, which during operation of the headbox is in contact with a fibrous suspension, is located directly between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle if the ramp surface of the baffle is located directly before the refraction surface of the baffle, and the main surface of the baffle is located directly after the refraction surface of the baffle.
In the two last-mentioned embodiments of the invention an infeed-side as well as an outlet side additional refraction side surface may be located before or respectively subsequent to the refraction surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension during operation of the headbox. The refraction surface of the baffle in this case is then arranged indirectly between the ramp surface of the baffle and the main surface of the baffle. The refraction surface of the baffle may however obviously also abut only on one side to an additional refraction side surface.
Moreover, the main surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension may be aligned parallel to the inside surface of the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle. Hence, at a low stream contraction a high micro-turbulence as well as also a low MD/CD-stability ratio in the range of 1.1 to 2.5, especially in the range of 1.8 to 2.0 is achieved in the at least one fibrous suspension for the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension. Moreover, the protective function of the baffle for the upper nozzle wall is maintained.
Alternatively the main surface of the baffle may also be aligned below a divergent angle of up to 15°, preferably of up to 10°, in particular up to 5° to the inside surface of the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle. This is especially advantageous if the ramp surface of the baffle and the inside surface of the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle encompass an angle in the range of ≦150°, preferably ≦135°, in particular ≦120°. Due to this heavily pitched ramp surface of the baffle, the deflection of the fibrous suspension flow comprising at least one fibrous suspension is strongly defined, thereby clearly raising the risk of a stall in the flow.
The baffle moreover has a baffle protrusion preferably in the range of >0 to 10 mm, preferably 1 to 6 mm, in particular 2 to 5 mm. The positive baffle protrusion means that the baffle—viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension—protrudes beyond the upper nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle, even if the baffle protrusion must be reduced for the purpose of profiling the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension.
In order to ensure continuous re-establishment of contact of the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension on the baffle, said baffle preferably has a baffle thickness in the range of 10 to 40 mm, preferably in the range of 12 to 25 mm. Re-establishment of contact of the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension on the baffle moreover positively supports that a low stream contraction is achieved in the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension.
The baffle can moreover be equipped on its underside and in its height direction preferably with a plurality of perforations. This allows for a precise profiling of the fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension in a simple and cost-effective manner.
For the purpose of a stable and at least one-sided control of the at least one fibrous suspension stream comprising at least one fibrous suspension, the lower nozzle wall—viewed in flow direction of the at least one fibrous suspension—has a protrusion in the range of preferably 6 to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 12 to 25 mm compared to the baffle.
Moreover the main surface of the baffle which is in contact with a fibrous suspension is preferably arranged at a vertical distance of at least 6 mm, preferably at least 12 mm from the lower nozzle wall of the headbox nozzle. These minimum dimensions allow for the formation of optimum stream contraction while achieving the aforementioned characteristics.
In order to ensure formation and maintenance of a minimum turbulence in the fibrous suspension flow containing at least one fibrous suspension during the flow through the headbox nozzle, several lamellas are arranged in said headbox nozzle whose downstream lamella tips are located preferably in the area of the baffle. The lamellas therefore have a respective lamella length in the range of 50 to 98%, preferably in the range of 65 to 95% of the length of the headbox nozzle.
The inventive headbox can of course also be in the embodiment of a multi-layer headbox having at least one separator element. This allows for the production of multi-layer fiber webs having different layer qualities.
The inventive headbox is also ideally suited to be used in a machine for the production of a fiber web, in particular a paper, cardboard or tissue web. The fiber web produced in the machine comprising at least one inventive headbox has consistently excellent properties, in particular of the aforementioned type.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
All
Respective headbox 1 for a machine to produce a fiber web 2 from at least one fibrous suspension 3 (arrow) comprises an upper nozzle wall 4 and a lower nozzle wall 5 (compare
Baffle 11, illustrated respectively in
Baffle 11 illustrated in
Between ramp surface 12 of baffle 11 and main surface 13 of baffle 11 at least one refraction surface 17 which is contacted during operation of headbox 1 by one fibrous suspension 3 is provided. This refraction surface 17 of respective baffle 11 can be arranged directly or indirectly between the two referred to surfaces 12, 13 of baffle 11 of headbox 1.
In the design variation illustrated in
In the design variation illustrated in
And in the design variation illustrated in
In the two design variations illustrated in
Moreover, main surface 13 of respective baffle 11 in
Moreover, in the design variation illustrated in
Besides, the illustrated lower nozzle wall 5 of headbox nozzle 8—viewed in flow direction S (arrow) of the at least one fibrous suspension 3 (arrow)—has a protrusion Ü in the range of 6 to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 12 to 25 mm compared to baffle 11. Of course, the non-illustrated lower nozzle walls of respective headbox nozzle 8 in
Refraction surface 17 of this baffle 11 which is in contact with a fibrous suspension 3 during operation of headbox 1 can again feature a convex curved surface form 18, 19 (compare
Respective baffle 11 illustrated in
The respective baffle illustrated in
Respective main surface 13 of baffle 11 illustrated in
And, as indicated merely by broken lines in
In an additional embodiment, headbox 1 can also be equipped with sectioned stock consistency control (dilution water-technology “ModuleJet”) as is known for example from German patent document DE 40 19 593 C2.
Headbox 1 illustrated and described at least in sections in
In summary it must be stated that a headbox of the type referred to at the beginning is improved by the current invention so that contact of the fibrous suspension flow containing at least one fibrous suspension on the baffle is maintained continuously and process-reliably during all possible operating conditions and baffle angles.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
1 Headbox
2 Fiber web
3 Fibrous suspension (arrow)
4 Upper nozzle wall
5 Lower nozzle wall
6 Side wall
7 Interior chamber
8 Headbox nozzle
8.L Length of headbox nozzle
9 Outlet
10 Element
11 Baffle
12 Upstream ramp surface
13 Subsequent main surface
14 Inside surface
15 Edge
16 Flow burbles (zone)
17 Refraction surface
18 Convex curved surface form
18.R Curvature radius
19 Convex curved surface form
19.1 Additional refraction side surface
19.2 Additional refraction side surface
19.R Curvature radius
20 Planar surface form
20.1 Additional refraction side surface
20.2 Additional refraction side surface
20.L Surface length
21 Perforations
22 Lamella
22.L Lamella length
23 Lamella tip
A Baffle protrusion
B Machine width (arrow)
C Vertical distance
D Baffle thickness
H Height direction (arrow)
S Flow direction (arrow)
T Baffle immersion depth (arrow)
Ü Protrusion
α Angle
β Angle
γ Angle
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2009 027 079.5 | Jun 2009 | DE | national |
This is a continuation of PCT application No. PCT/EP2010/055521, entitled “HEADBOX FOR A MACHINE FOR PRODUCING A FIBER WEB”, filed Apr. 26, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/EP2010/055521 | Apr 2010 | US |
Child | 13314793 | US |