Paper making and fiber liberation – Apparatus – Running or indefinite length product forming and/or treating...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-11-06
Chin, Peter (Department: 1731)
Paper making and fiber liberation
Apparatus
Running or indefinite length product forming and/or treating...
C162S369000, C162S371000, C277S300000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312564
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sealing device for the lateral sealing of at least one overpressure zone or underpressure zone adjacent to an actuating surface in a paper machine. The sealing device includes at least one sealing element that is arranged for movement at least locally in an intake area of a support. The sealing element can be loaded with an opposing (sealing) force in order to move it against the actuating surface.
Such sealing devices and processes serve the purpose, for example, of sealing off from their surroundings, the interior of a suction box, whose side walls are provided with the sealing device, under an underpressure. The sealing elements are pressed against a rotating jacket of a suction roll, over which a paper web to be dewatered is guided, in such a way that the sealing element is optimally situated adjacent to the jacket and a good sealing effect is achieved.
2. Discussion of Background Information
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,424 discloses a sealing element arranged in an intermediate support, which is in turn mounted in a support. The sealing element can be moved relative to the support against a roll jacket by way of pressure tubes that can be pressurized, in order to pass the sealing element against the roll jacket. After the intermediate support has been moved into its forward position, the intermediate support is gripped in the support and then the pressure in the pressure tubes is reduced. By means of a spring supported on the intermediate support, the sealing element is biased in the direction of the roll jacket with one shoulder against a stop provided on the intermediate support. With the intermediate support gripped in its forward position, the sealing element can be moved against the prestressing of the spring relative to the intermediate support, in order to compensate for vibrations in the roll jacket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, more particularly described below, includes a sealing device for lateral sealing of at least one overpressure or underpressure zone adjacent to an actuating surface in a paper machine. The sealing device comprises at least one sealing element for movement at least locally in an intake area of a support. The sealing element is loadable with an opposing or sealing force to place it against the actuating surface. A stopping element, which can be fixed or locked a certain distance from the actuating surface, limits the seating motion of the sealing element.
The sealing element is movable relative to the stopping element and to the support against the opposing or sealing force.
The stopping element comprises a catching section for engaging in an undercut of the sealing element, the sealing element being movable relative to the catching section between two support surfaces adjacent to the undercut. The stopping element can be firmly coupled with the support to prevent its movement. Alternatively, the stopping element can be pressed against the support to prevent its movement. Furthermore, the stopping element can particularly be gripped between the support and a gripping member. The gripping member comprises a gripping pressure tube arranged between the sealing element and a groove constructed in a bracket for the support.
The sealing device further comprises a piston that can move in the groove and arranged between the gripping pressure tube and the stopping element. The stopping element is movable relative to the support against a return force, the sealing element exerting an opposing force on the stopping element. The opposing force is exerted by a stopping surface on the sealing element. The stopping element is coupled with a bracket on the support by way of an elastically deformable return element, which can be a pressure spring, or a tension spring. The sealing element is moved against the actuating surface by at least one opposing pressure tube arranged between the sealing element and a boundary surface of the intake area facing away from the actuating surface.
A wearing or bearing section is provided on the sealing element for cooperating with the actuating surface. The wearing section comprises a layer, whose material is different from the material of the rest of the sealing element, e.g., a plastic material including high content graphite. The sealing element includes a sealing strip extending at least across the entire roll length.
The sealing device is adapted for laterally sealing at least one pressure zone adjacent to the inner wall, or the outer wall, of a rotating jacket of one of, a suction roll, a blast roll, or an actuating belt. The sealing device may be adapted for use between a suction or blast box and the rotating jacket of one of, a suction roll, a blast roll, or an actuating belt.
A pressure actuator exerts an adjustable sealing force placing the sealing element against the actuating surface. The pressure actuator is in direct contact with the sealing element. The stop element limits the motion of the sealing element towards the actuating surface. The locking mechanism locks the stop element in a desired position. The sealing element is movable relative to the stop element and to the support against the sealing force. The catching section on the stop element engages first and second support surfaces on the sealing element to limit movement of the sealing element towards and away from the actuating surface, so that engagement of the catching section with the first and second support surfaces will define the limits of motion of the sealing element relative to the stop element. The catching section on the stop element slides in a groove of the sealing element between the two support surfaces.
Another feature of the invention resides in having a paper making machine comprise a rotating jacket of one of a suction roll, a blast roll, or an actuating belt and at least one pressure zone adjacent to the inner or outer wall of the rotating jacket. The machine has an actuating surface and a sealing device, including at least one sealing element for laterally sealing at least one pressure zone.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is described herein a process for laterally sealing at least one overpressure or underpressure zone adjacent to an actuating surface in a paper making machine. The process comprises moving at least one sealing element locally in an intake area of a support. An adjustable sealing force is exerted, placing the sealing element against the actuating surface by way of a pressure actuator, the pressure actuator being in direct contact with the sealing element. Locking the stop element, by way of a stop element, in a desired position, limits the motion of the sealing element towards the actuating surface.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, a fluid pressure source supplies fluid to the pressure gripping tube and the pressure actuator by way of separate fluid pressure controllers so as to provide different pressure levels thereto.
Alternatively, a single fluid pressure controller may be used in the connection from the fluid pressure source to the gripping pressure tube and pressure actuator, so as to provide the same pressure level to both.
Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2969837 (1961-01-01), Reynar
patent: 3802961 (1974-04-01), Grass et al.
patent: 4714523 (1987-12-01), Sawyer, Jr. et al.
patent: 5580424 (1996-12-01), Snellman
patent: 5975532 (1999-11-01), Karttunen et al.
patent: 542982 (1932-02-01), None
patent: 97/17490 (1997-05-01), None
Bock Karl Josef
Grabscheid Joachim
Prinzing Hans
Chin Peter
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Hug Eric
Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
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