EP0441484A2 - Verfahren zur Führung einer Gewebebahn in einem Trockner und Apparat zur Durchführung des Verfahrens - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Führung einer Gewebebahn in einem Trockner und Apparat zur Durchführung des Verfahrens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0441484A2
EP0441484A2 EP91300308A EP91300308A EP0441484A2 EP 0441484 A2 EP0441484 A2 EP 0441484A2 EP 91300308 A EP91300308 A EP 91300308A EP 91300308 A EP91300308 A EP 91300308A EP 0441484 A2 EP0441484 A2 EP 0441484A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
web
air
bars
dryer
air bars
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91300308A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0441484A3 (en
EP0441484B1 (de
Inventor
Richard J. Wimberger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WR Grace and Co Conn
WR Grace and Co
Original Assignee
WR Grace and Co Conn
WR Grace and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WR Grace and Co Conn, WR Grace and Co filed Critical WR Grace and Co Conn
Publication of EP0441484A2 publication Critical patent/EP0441484A2/de
Publication of EP0441484A3 publication Critical patent/EP0441484A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0441484B1 publication Critical patent/EP0441484B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B13/00—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
    • F26B13/10—Arrangements for feeding, heating or supporting materials; Controlling movement, tension or position of materials
    • F26B13/101—Supporting materials without tension, e.g. on or between foraminous belts
    • F26B13/104—Supporting materials without tension, e.g. on or between foraminous belts supported by fluid jets only; Fluid blowing arrangements for flotation dryers, e.g. coanda nozzles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to web supporting apparatus and is more particularly concerned with a web supporting and guiding device for a web drying apparatus whereby a lengthwise moving web is floatingly supported and maintained in a straight path (i.e. centered with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the web) throughout the length of the web drying apparatus.
  • One common arrangement for contactlessly supporting a web comprises upper and lower sets of air bars extending along a substantially horizontal stretch of the web. Air issuing from the lower set of air bars floatingly supports the web, and air issuing from the upper set of air bars steadies the web to maintain it substantially straight and at a substantially constant distance from the air bars of both sets.
  • the air blown from both sets of air bars is usually heated to expedite web drying, and typically the air bar array is inside an enclosure which is maintained at a slightly subatmospheric pressure by an exhaust blower that draws off the volatiles emanating from the web.
  • Web dryers are used in many printing and graphics applications, such as the processing of photographic film, web offset printing, and other types of printing.
  • web dryers having very long length, often as long as 150 feet, are commonly used.
  • the greater the ratio of the length of the dryer to the width of the web hereinafter referred to as the "length to width ratio"
  • some webs, such as thin plastic films naturally take on a "banana-shaped" curve when they are laid flat, as in a dryer, thereby exacerbating the problems of web weave and shift.
  • Web shifting and weaving may also result when the web tension is low, and when a lighter weight web, such as polyester film, is used.
  • the travelling web When the travelling web exits the drying apparatus it is generally wrapped around one or more rotating take-up members, such as chill rolls.
  • rotating take-up members such as chill rolls.
  • web weave or shift takes place as the web travels through the dryer, the web will correspondingly shift or weave as it contacts the rotating take-up member. Unless the web can be brought back to a straight orientation with respect to the centerline, the web will not wrap properly and the press must be shut down. This results in costly downtime and waste.
  • a web may be floatingly supported and urged in a substantially straight path at points in the dryer where it has a tendency to weave or shift as it travels through a web drying apparatus.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for handling and guiding a running web. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus which both floatingly supports a web, and maintains the web in a substantially straight path as it travels through a dryer. The present invention further relates to a dryer comprising such web handling and guiding apparatus.
  • the web handling and guiding apparatus of the present invention comprises a steerable air bar assembly comprising: i) one or more adjustable air bars, each having an elongated surface from which air may be discharged, said surface being in opposing relation to the running web, and each having two ends: ii) air supply means, in fluid communication with the air bars; and iii) adjustment means for altering the orientation of the elongated surfaces of the adjustable air bars such that the orientation of one or both of the surfaces is adjustable with respect to the running web.
  • each said surface rotates about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the running web.
  • each said surface may rotate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the running web.
  • Said steerable air bar assembly is positioned in a web dryer such that the web is guided through the dryer in a substantially straight path.
  • One or more such steerable air bar assemblies can be used in a web dryer.
  • the dryer can also include one or more fixed air bars.
  • the apparatus further comprises in combination with the steerable air bar assembly, back pressure means for creating an opposing force to urge the web back to a substantially centered position.
  • Said back pressure means preferably comprises one or more edge dams preferably disposed at or near the ends of one or more fixed air bars in the web dryer.
  • the air supply means of the steerable air bar apparatus comprises a header which is sealingly joined at one end to a flexible air duct.
  • the air bar is disposed adjacent the header such that air flows from the air duct into the header, and from the header into the air bar.
  • the orientation of the adjustable air bars is altered by adjustment means comprising a jack disposed at one end of the air bar assembly, and a pivoting support means disposed between the two ends.
  • the present invention relates to a method of guiding a web in a substantially straight path, e.g. as it passes through a web dryer apparatus, using apparatus according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic view taken along the length of a web drying apparatus containing an apparatus for handling and guiding the web according to one. embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of an air bar including an edge dam.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism by which the edge dam alleviates web drift.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the steerable air bar assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of the apparatus of a steerable air bar assembly illustrating the steering of the air bars.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of an alternate air supply means.
  • FIG. 1 is illustrative of one type of web drying apparatus in which the guiding apparatus of the invention may be used.
  • This apparatus includes an elongated dryer housing 2 which is enclosed by top 3, bottom 4, one side 5 and an opposite side 6.
  • An inlet end 7 has a horizontal slot 8 through which web W enters.
  • the opposite exit end is formed by the end wall 10 and a corresponding slot 11 therein through which web W exits.
  • the dryer includes upper fixed air bars 15 and lower fixed air bars 16; a header frame 26 supporting and in air-delivering communication with the fixed air bars; and upper and lower air supply ducts 20 and 22, and central air supply ducts 28 which supply air to the headers.
  • the upper and lower air bars are transversely positioned across the web, and are in staggered, spaced relationship along the web with respect to each other, such that they cause the web W to assume a conventional sine wave form, as shown in Fig. 1, when the dryer is in operation.
  • the web drying apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has two adjustable air bars 18 which each have two ends and which have back pressure means (as shown in Fig. 2 and discussed hereinbelow) disposed at at least one of each of their ends.
  • the back pressure means serve to move the shifted web to its centered position, and are preferably present at least on those fixed air bars which are situated in areas of the dryer where the running web is prone to shifting. It is preferred that back pressure means be present on air bars which are situated approximately halfway along the length of the dryer, e.g. at 15 feet from the entrance to a 30 foot long dryer. It should be understood that as many of the air bars 15 and 16 as desired may also have back pressure means at their ends.
  • the steerable air bar assembly of the invention (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) is shown schematically by air bars 24 of Fig. 1. These steerable air bars are not engaged to the header and upper and lower air ducts in the same manner as the fixed air bars, but are separately connected to extensions from headers 26 which are joined to the headers by a sealing flange and sealing gasket, as shown in Fig. 6 and as described in detail hereinbelow, such that a flexible seal is created between the standard header and the adjustable air bar assembly. Like the back pressure means, the steerable air bar assemblies may be present in the web drying apparatus in any number, and may be substituted for any number of the fixed air bars.
  • FIG. 2 A fragmentary, enlarged view of an air bar comprising back pressure means according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2.
  • An edge dam 34 is shown mounted at end 30 of air bar 18.
  • the edge dam is bolted to the end of the air bar, however any conventional method could be used to mount the edge dam, or it could be integral with the air bar.
  • the edge dam 34 could also be located at points along the surface of air bar 18, depending in part on the width of the web.
  • the edge dam is preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, a T-shaped member, formed by elongated dam member 35, which, in the embodiment shown, extends above and approximately perpendicular to surface 33 of air bar 18, and is supported in this position by support member 31.
  • Support member 31 may be attached to the air bar by any suitable means, such as bolts 64 and air bar mounting bracket 66, as shown in Fig. 2. It is preferred that the dam member 35 have a fin 17 disposed at each of its ends, such that the web does not have a tendency to snag on the entering and leaving edges of the edge dam.
  • the lower edge of dam member 35 is adjustable raised above surface 33 by support member 31, such that the distance between the lower edge and the surface may be from bout 5 cm to 60 cm. Vertical adjustment of dam member 35 provides a means for controlling the back pressure force, by allowing a portion of the escaping air to be relieved below the edge dam. This embodiment is typically used in applications where nozzle velocities are high, e.g.
  • dam member 35 could be fixed, with its lower edge close to or in contact with the surface of the air bar. It is generally preferred in this embodiment that the lower edge of the dam member be in intimate, sealing contact with the surface of the air bar. Dam member 35, with fins 17, is also preferably of a length such that each end of the elongated member is approximately aligned with the corresponding air bar slot 32.
  • any means may be used by which creates a back pressure against the web edge when the air bar is in use. This phenomenon is illustrated schematically in Fig. 3.
  • frame 1 one edge of web W approaches the edge dam 34 during web weave as the web passes over the air bar 30.
  • frame 2 the edge dam 34 creates a back pressure against web W, urging it back towards its initial path in frame 3.
  • the back pressure means also be able to provide mechanical resistance against the web, should the air back pressure prove insufficient to return the web to its path.
  • the web continued to travel toward the edge dam 34 in frame 2, it would eventually physically contact the edge dam and be forced back to its initial path.
  • Back pressure means may be disposed at either one or both ends of the air bar. It is generally preferred that back pressure means be disposed at both ends of the air bar, as it is usually difficult to predict in which direction the web will shift as it travels through the dryer. However, if the direction of web shift is known, then back pressure means may be placed only on the end of the air bar toward which the web will shift.
  • FIG. 4 A perspective view of a steerable air bar assembly 24, according to one embodiment of the invention, is shown in Fig. 4.
  • the assembly includes three adjustable air bars 38 supported by, and in air-receiving communication with, upper and lower headers 44 and 42.
  • the combinations of the two lower air bars and the lower header, and the single upper air bar and upper header 44 will hereinafter be referred to as the lower and upper air bar/header assemblies, respectively).
  • the upper and lower air bar/header assemblies are maintained in opposing spaced relation by spacer means comprising header carriage 36 and support member 50, and upper and lower headers 44 and 42 are each sealingly joined at one of their respective ends to upper and lower flexible air ducts 46 and 48.
  • Header carriage 36 is connected at its lower edge to screw jack 40, and the lower air bar/header assembly engages on each side a pivot bearing 52, supported by a support member 54, by means of a connecting rod 53.
  • screw jack 40 is adjusted up or down, the ends of both air bar/header assemblies adjacent screw jack 40 will correspondingly move up or down, as shown schematically in Fig. 5.
  • a pivoting support means comprising pivot bearings 52 and connecting rods 53
  • an angular adjustment means comprising screw jack 40
  • the presence of header carriage 36 and support member 50 allows this movement to take place without the spatial relationship among the air bars being altered.
  • This simultaneous adjustment of the orientation of both the upper and lower air bars is further facilitated by flexible air ducts 46 and 48, which allow a sealing relationship to be maintained between upper and lower headers 44 and 42 and the air supply, regardless of the position of the headers.
  • flexible air ducts 46 and 48 One type of flexible air duct which may be used in the invention is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,480,859, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIG. 4 A preferred type of steerable air bar assembly of the invention is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • the invention is directed to any steerable air bar assembly comprising: i) a plurality of adjustable air bars, each having an elongated surface from which air may be discharged, said surface being in opposing relation to the running web, and each having two ends; ii) air supply means, in fluid communication with the air bars; and iii) adjustment means for altering the orientation of one or both of the elongated surfaces of the adjustable air bars with respect to the running web.
  • one or both of the elongated surfaces is adjusted such that one or both of said surfaces rotate about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the running web.
  • the elongated surfaces may be rotated about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the running web.
  • the adjustment means may comprise other angular adjustment means and pivoting support means, such as cables, air cylinders attached to rods, and other conventional means for providing adjustable movement.
  • the steerable air bar assembly would not include spacing means, e.g. the header carriage and support member described above. The spacing means would thus be eliminated, and separate adjustment means would be provided for each of the upper and lower air bar/header assemblies.
  • the air bar/header assemblies may even in some instances be provided with adjustment means at each of their ends, as well as on both the upper and lower assemblies, such that each pair of air bar/header assemblies would have a total of four adjustment points.
  • Adjustment of the orientation of the air bar surfaces, via the adjustment means may be accomplished manually by the dryer operator, by computer logic control, or by other means.
  • the steerable air bar assembly may further comprise back pressure means, as described hereinabove.
  • back pressure means on the steerable air bar(s) in the dryer may be in addition to or instead of such use on the fixed air bars as previously discussed.
  • the air supply means may alternately comprise a plurality of headers, such as that shown in Fig. 6, each header comprising a standard header air supply duct 26 (e.g. a conventional header supply duct which is used to supply other air bars in the dryer) with sealing gasket 56 at one end, an extension 60 to the air supply duct, and a sealing flange 62 disposed between the extension and the sealing gasket, such that air delivery may be maintained during angular adjustments of the air bar/header assembly.
  • a standard header air supply duct 26 e.g. a conventional header supply duct which is used to supply other air bars in the dryer
  • header carriage 36 may be used in lieu of header carriage 36, provided that a fixed spatial relationship may be maintained between the upper and lower air bars.
  • This type of air supply means is often preferred and would generally be necessary in a dryer such as the one shown in Fig. 1, as previously described.
  • air bar Any type of air bar may be used in the present invention. Preferred types of air bars are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,549,070, 3,873,013, and 3,964,656, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, any desired number of air bars may be used in an air bar/header assembly, e.g. 50 or more.
  • the steerable air bar assembly of the invention may be assembled using conventional methods, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,776,440, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the position of the edge of the running web is monitored at one or more locations within the dryer, using conventional sensing means, such as fiber optics. Based on these measurements of the position of the web edge, the steerable air bars are adjusted periodically or continuously such that they provide a force which adjusts the web into a substantially straight path.
  • computer-generated data may be used to predetermine the desired web path and the anticipated web position, and to compare these two positions. The steerable air bars may then be adjusted based upon that comparison to adjust the position of the web to the desired web path.
  • back pressure means are placed on either fixed or steerable air bars at locations at which the web is expected to weave or drift. This also may be determined either experimentally, e.g. by conducting a dry run before running a given web through the dryer, or by the use of computer-generated data.
  • the present invention relates to a method of guiding a web in a substantially straight path, e.g. as it passes through a web dryer apparatus.
  • This method comprises driving a web through the dryer, floatingly supporting said web, sensing the position of the web edge, and providing a force responsive to said sensing to adjust the position of the web.
  • the method comprises predicting the position of the web, rather than sensing said position, either based on computer-generated data or experimentally obtained data.
  • the adjusting force may be provided by one or more steerable air bars, by back pressure means, or a combination thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
  • Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
EP19910300308 1990-01-16 1991-01-16 Verfahren zur Führung einer Gewebebahn in einem Trockner und Apparat zur Durchführung des Verfahrens Expired - Lifetime EP0441484B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US46483190A 1990-01-16 1990-01-16
US464831 1990-01-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0441484A2 true EP0441484A2 (de) 1991-08-14
EP0441484A3 EP0441484A3 (en) 1992-05-27
EP0441484B1 EP0441484B1 (de) 1996-05-22

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19910300308 Expired - Lifetime EP0441484B1 (de) 1990-01-16 1991-01-16 Verfahren zur Führung einer Gewebebahn in einem Trockner und Apparat zur Durchführung des Verfahrens

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0441484B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3012359B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2033883C (de)
DE (1) DE69119619T2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0513990A1 (de) * 1991-05-16 1992-11-19 W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Bewegbarer Schlitz für eine Warenbahn
WO1997047934A1 (de) * 1996-06-14 1997-12-18 Koenig & Bauer Ag Schwebetrockner
US10676282B2 (en) 2017-03-24 2020-06-09 Chugai Ro Co., Ltd. Belt-shaped material conveying apparatus capable of correcting meandering

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10257320B4 (de) * 2002-12-06 2006-02-16 Coatema Maschinenbau Gmbh Kanalsystem für das thermische Behandeln von beschichteten Warenbahnen
JP5084932B2 (ja) * 2010-06-24 2012-11-28 パナソニック株式会社 浮上搬送方法および浮上搬送装置
CN115183562B (zh) * 2022-08-25 2023-06-23 安徽省金正塑业有限公司 一种用于pvc片材加工的恒温烘干设备

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1410879A1 (de) * 1960-02-24 1968-10-24 Fr Drabert Soehne Trockeneinrichtung,insbesondere zum Trocknen von Geweben
DE1460544A1 (de) * 1963-07-20 1969-03-27 Dornbusch & Co Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Waermebehandlung von empfindlichen Warenbahnen
US3776440A (en) 1973-01-30 1973-12-04 Tec Systems Web handling apparatus
US3873013A (en) 1973-10-04 1975-03-25 Tec Systems High velocity web floating air bar having center exhaust means
JPS57207128A (en) * 1981-06-15 1982-12-18 Daido Steel Co Ltd Correcting method for snaking
US4575952A (en) * 1981-09-18 1986-03-18 M.E.G., S.A. Hot air dryer structure
DE3533273A1 (de) * 1985-09-18 1987-03-26 Ruckh Gerhard Maschf Vorrichtung zum trocknen und krumpfen von textiler maschenware
US4787547A (en) * 1987-06-11 1988-11-29 Advance Systems, Inc. Mounting means for air bars

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0513990A1 (de) * 1991-05-16 1992-11-19 W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Bewegbarer Schlitz für eine Warenbahn
WO1997047934A1 (de) * 1996-06-14 1997-12-18 Koenig & Bauer Ag Schwebetrockner
US5921451A (en) * 1996-06-14 1999-07-13 Koenig & Bauer-Aktiengesellschaft Dryer assembly for supporting and positioning a web
US10676282B2 (en) 2017-03-24 2020-06-09 Chugai Ro Co., Ltd. Belt-shaped material conveying apparatus capable of correcting meandering

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2033883C (en) 2001-09-04
JPH04226249A (ja) 1992-08-14
DE69119619D1 (de) 1996-06-27
DE69119619T2 (de) 1996-10-31
EP0441484A3 (en) 1992-05-27
JP3012359B2 (ja) 2000-02-21
EP0441484B1 (de) 1996-05-22
CA2033883A1 (en) 1991-07-17

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