Information
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Patent Grant
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6197161
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Patent Number
6,197,161
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Date Filed
Thursday, June 17, 199925 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, March 6, 200124 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 162 344
- 162 347
- 162 336
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A headbox for a paper-making machine includes a plurality of side walls and an apron. A nozzle blade is connected to one of the side walls. The nozzle blade and the apron define a discharge nozzle therebetween. A profile bar is rigidly connected to an end of the nozzle blade. A slice lip is rigidly and removably attached to the profile bar and/or nozzle blade. The slice lip and the apron define a discharge outlet therebetween.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to paper-making machines, and, more particularly to a profile bar assembly used in a headbox of a paper-making machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A paper-making machine is used to make a fiber web, such as a paper web. A headbox at the wet end of the paper-making machine receives a fiber suspension and discharges the fiber suspension with a controlled cross-sectional profile onto a wire in a forming section adjacent to the discharge outlet of the headbox. The headbox typically includes a nozzle plate which together with the bottom apron defines a discharge nozzle terminating at the discharge outlet.
A headbox as described above typically includes a relatively complex profile bar assembly having many pieces, moving parts, seals, etc. A slice lip with a single working edge extending across the width of the discharge outlet is slidably disposed within corresponding clamping structures in the profile bar assembly. Adjustment spindles spaced across the width of the slice lip typically engage the back of the slice lip opposite the single working edge. Although such a profile bar assembly provides adequate and effective profiling and sealing at the discharge outlet, it can be relatively expensive. An example of such a profile bar assembly is manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present invention under the name “CONSTALIP-C”.
What is needed in the art is a profile bar assembly which is simple and inexpensive, provides retrofit capabilities to existing headboxes, and reduces replacement costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a headbox for a paper-making machine, including a profile bar assembly with a profile bar which is rigidly attached to a nozzle blade and includes a plurality of vertical cuts providing local adjustment. A slice lip is rigidly attached to the nozzle blade and/or profile bar in one of two positions such that a selected edge defines a discharge outlet.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a headbox for a paper-making machine including a plurality of side walls and an apron. A nozzle blade is connected to one of the side walls. The nozzle blade and the apron define a discharge nozzle therebetween. A profile bar is rigidly connected to an end of the nozzle blade. A slice lip is rigidly and removably attached to the profile bar and/or nozzle blade. The slice lip and the apron define a discharge outlet therebetween.
An advantage of the present invention is that the profile bar and slice lip are provided as separate but removably attachable pieces, thereby allowing local flexing and adjustment of the profile bar while preventing deleterious effects on the slice lip.
Another advantage is that the slice lip includes two working edges, with the slice lip being attached in one of two different positions so that a selected working edge defines the discharge outlet with the apron.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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:
FIG. 1
is a schematic, side view of an embodiment of a paper-making machine, including a headbox with an embodiment of a profile bar assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a fragmentary, side view of another embodiment of a profile bar assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a fragmentary, side view of yet another embodiment of a profile bar assembly of the present invention; and
FIG. 4
is a fragmentary, plan view of the profile bar assembly shown in
FIG. 2
as viewed from the right side of FIG.
2
.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
FIG. 1
, there is shown an embodiment of a portion of a paper-making machine
10
including an embodiment of a headbox
12
of the present invention. Paper-making machine
10
also includes a plurality of rolls, such as a breast roll
14
carrying a wire
16
. Breast roll
14
rotates in the direction indicated by arrow
18
, and wire
16
moves in the direction indicated by arrow
20
.
Headbox
12
includes a plurality of side walls, such as a front wall
22
, top wall
24
, back wall
26
and opposing end walls (one of which is shown and referenced
28
). An apron
30
defines a bottom wall of headbox
12
and is connected to each of side walls
22
-
28
. Apron
30
and side walls
22
-
28
define a chamber
32
within headbox
12
. A tube bundle
34
supplies a prepared fiber suspension to chamber
32
within headbox
12
. The fiber suspension flows through headbox
12
in a direction indicated generally by arrows
36
. An air cushion (not numbered) within chamber
32
is disposed above a liquid level
38
of the fiber suspension within headbox
12
. The air cushion helps to control the pressure of the fiber suspension within headbox
12
and also helps to reduce pressure fluctuations of the fiber suspension.
A nozzle blade
40
is connected to front wall
22
and extends across the working width of headbox
12
. Nozzle blade
40
is pivotally connected to front wall
22
, as indicated schematically at joint
42
. A pair of edge seals (one of which is shown and referenced
44
) are positioned at each side edge of nozzle blade
40
and seal with a corresponding end wall (such as end wall
28
during pivotal movement of nozzle blade
40
. Nozzle blade
40
and apron
30
define a discharge nozzle
46
therebetween through which the fiber suspension flows. The fiber suspension flow velocity increases as the cross-sectional area of discharge nozzle
46
decreases. Discharge nozzle
46
terminates adjacent a discharge end
48
of nozzle blade
40
.
A slice lip
50
is rigidly and removably attached to nozzle blade
40
using a plurality of bolts
52
spaced across the working width of slice lip
50
. Slice lip
50
includes a plurality of through holes and nozzle blade
40
includes a plurality of threaded openings (each shown by phantom lines but not numbered for purposes of clarity) through which respective bolts
52
extend for attaching slice lip
50
to nozzle blade
40
. Slice lip
50
includes two working edges
54
extending across the working width thereof. Slice lip
50
may be attached to nozzle blade
40
in one of two selected positions such that a selected one of working edges
54
is disposed adjacent to and in communication with discharge nozzle
46
. A selected working edge
54
and apron
30
thus define a discharge outlet
56
of headbox
12
. The fiber suspension is jetted onto wire
16
from discharge outlet
56
with a controlled cross-sectional profile to define a paper web which is produced by paper making machine
10
. Slice lip
50
and nozzle blade
40
may include abutting surfaces with a keying feature (shown but not numbered) to provide proper and accurate attachment positioning of slice lip
50
relative to nozzle blade
40
.
A profile bar
58
is rigidly attached to discharge end
48
of nozzle blade
40
. In the embodiment shown, nozzle blade
40
includes a notch therein in which profile bar
58
is located. Profile bar
58
may be rigidly attached to nozzle blade
40
using any attachment method, such as welding, bolting, etc. Profile bar
58
has a cross-sectional profile as shown which is substantially continuous across the working width of nozzle blade
40
. It is to be understood that the terms “profile bar” and “mounting bar” are synonymous as used herein.
An adjustment device including a plurality of adjustment mechanisms
60
provides local adjustment of discharge outlet
56
across the working width of slice lip
50
. Adjustment mechanisms
60
, one of which is shown, are spaced at predetermined distances relative to each other across the working width of slice lip
50
. Each adjustment mechanism
60
includes a profile block in the form of a clamp
62
which is pivotally connected to a thrust member
64
at a pivot pin
66
. Clamp
62
is clamped to profile bar
58
using a clamping plate
68
and a bolt
70
. Thrust member
64
is controllably movable in longitudinal directions indicated by arrow
72
and causes corresponding movement of clamp
62
generally toward and away from discharge outlet
56
. Thus, movement of thrust member
64
effects local profile adjustment of discharge outlet
56
.
FIGS. 2 and 4
illustrate another embodiment of a profile bar assembly
80
of the present invention which may be used in a headbox such as headbox
12
shown in FIG.
1
. Profile bar assembly
80
includes a profile bar
82
which is rigidly attached to nozzle blade
40
using a weld
84
. Profile bar
82
includes a plurality of cuts
86
which are positioned on a side of profile bar
82
generally opposite from discharge nozzle
46
, and extend generally orthogonal to discharge nozzle
46
. Cuts
86
are spaced apart across the working width of profile bar
82
at predetermined distances to define segments
88
. Cuts
86
allow easier local profile adjustment of profile bar
82
. A profile block
90
is connected to each respective segment
88
approximately equidistantly between adjacent cuts
86
. Each profile block
90
may be attached to a corresponding segment
88
using any desired attachment method, depending upon the specific application. In the embodiment shown, each profile block
90
is attached to a corresponding segment
88
using a bolt
92
which extends through a corresponding through hole
94
and is threadingly engaged with a threaded opening
96
in a respective segment
88
. Each profile block
90
is pivotally attached to a thrust member
64
through a suitable pivotal connection (not shown).
FIG. 3
illustrates another embodiment of a profile bar assembly
100
of the present invention. Profile bar assembly
100
also includes a profile bar
102
having a plurality of cuts
104
which are spaced apart across the working width of profile bar
102
and extend generally orthogonal to discharge nozzle
46
. Cuts
104
define respective segments (not numbered) therebetween. Each segment is connected with a corresponding profile block
106
in a suitable manner, such as by using a bolt
108
. Each profile block
106
is pivotally connected to a thrust member
64
for providing local cross-profile adjustment of working edge
54
of slice lip
50
.
In the embodiments of profile bar assemblies
80
and
100
shown in
FIGS. 2-4
, profile bars
82
and
102
each include a plurality of segments which are connected in a one-to-one relationship with corresponding profile blocks
90
and
106
. However, it is to be appreciated that the number of profile blocks
90
or
106
used to provide local cross-profile adjustment of slice lip
50
may vary dependent upon the specific application. For example, profile blocks
90
and
106
may be connected with every second or third segment of a corresponding profile bar
82
or
102
.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, 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.
Claims
- 1. A headbox for a paper-making machine, comprising:a plurality of side walls and an apron; a nozzle blade connected to one of said side walls, said nozzle blade and said apron defining a discharge nozzle therebetween; mounting bar having a first side and a second side, said second side being opposite said first side, said first side being rigidly connected to an end of said nozzle blade; a slice lip rigidly and removably attached to said second side of said mounting bar, said slice lip and said apron defining a discharge outlet therebetween.
- 2. The headbox of claim 1, wherein said slice lip includes a plurality of through-holes and at least one of said mounting bar and said nozzle blade includes a plurality of threaded openings, and further comprising a plurality of threaded fasteners, each said fastener extending through a corresponding said through hole and threadingly engaged with a corresponding said threaded opening.
- 3. The headbox of claim 2, wherein said mounting bar includes said threaded openings.
- 4. The headbox of claim 2, wherein said nozzle blade includes said threaded openings.
- 5. The headbox of claim 1, wherein said slice lip includes two edges, said slice lip being selectively attached in one of two positions, whereby a selected one of said edges defines said discharge outlet.
- 6. The headbox of claim 1, wherein said mounting bar is metallurgically bonded to said nozzle blade.
- 7. The headbox of claim 6, wherein said mounting bar is welded to said nozzle blade.
- 8. The headbox of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of profile blocks connected to said mounting bar.
- 9. The headbox of claim 8, wherein each said profile block is connected to said mounting bar via a bolted connection.
- 10. The headbox of claim 8, wherein said mounting bar includes a plurality of cuts positioned on a side generally opposite from said discharge nozzle and extending generally orthogonal to said discharge nozzle.
- 11. The headbox of claim 10, wherein one of said cuts is located between each adjacent pair of said profile blocks.
- 12. A headbox for a paper-making machine, comprising:a plurality of side walls and an apron; a nozzle blade connected to one of said side walls, said nozzle blade and said apron defining a discharge nozzle therebetween; a mounting bar rigidly connected to an end of said nozzle blade; a slice lip rigidly and removably attached to said mounting bar and opposite said nozzle blade, said slice lip and said apron defining a discharge outlet therebetween; a plurality of profile blocks connected to said mounting bar; and at least one thrust member pivotally connected to a corresponding said profile block, said at least one thrust member being configured for moving said corresponding profile block in a direction generally toward and away from said apron, thereby providing local adjustment of said mounting bar and said discharge outlet.
- 13. A mounting bar assembly in a headbox in a paper-making machine, comprising:a mounting bar having a longitudinal extension and a plurality of cuts extending generally orthogonal to said longitudinal extension; and a slice lip rigidly and removably attached to said mounting bar via a plurality of bolted connections, said slice lip including two edges and being selectively attached to said mounting bar in one of two positions, whereby a selected one of said edges extends from said mounting bar on a side generally opposite from said plurality of cuts for defining a discharge outlet.
- 14. The mounting bar assembly of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of profile blocks connected to said mounting bar.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
899586 |
Jun 1962 |
GB |
1197000 |
Jul 1970 |
GB |