US2666368A - Paper machinery - Google Patents

Description

19, 1954 s. A. STAEGE ET AL 36 PAPER MACHINERY Filed Oct. 14, 1950 3 SheetsPSheet 2 gum mm Ill'l'illl STEPHEN A. STAEGE P, JOHN H. PEARSON ATTOINIYQ Jan. 19,1954 STAEGE ETAL 2,666,368

PAPER MACHINERY Filed Oct. 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ila-5 VACUUM 7 RHEOSTAT REVERSING GAGE yg! SWITCH suc'nou RELAY HEAD Box COUCH TIMER 1 1 ROLL l 5 CONTROL cmcurrs naveasms swn'cu gmwwtow STEPHEN A. STAEGE '5 JOHN H. PEARSON WZMAA all ATTORN EYJ Patented Jan. 19, 1954 PAPER MACHINERY Stephen A. Staege, Hamilton, and John H. Pearson, Middletown, Ohio, assignors to The Black- Clawson Company, Hamilton,

tion of Ohio Ohio, 2. corpora- Application October 14, 1950, Serial No. 190,184

19 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the refining action of jordans and like refiners which include a tapered plug or like refining member.

The invention has particular relation to apparatus for controlling the refining action of such a refiner by adjusting the axial position of the plug in the shell in accordance with the desired spacing of the relatively moving working surfaces of the plug and shell, and one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide control apparatus for this purpose in the form of a simple and self-contained unit which is adapted for mounting directly on the frame of the refiner, which includes both a motor and a manually operated drive for the plug adjusting parts, and which is adapted for direct connection with the operating circuits of the refiner for selectively automatic or manual operation to maintain predetermined load conditions on the drive motor by adjusting the plug in accordance with the desired characteristics in the refined stock.

The invention also makes special provision for the protection of the refiner against damage resulting from causes such as failure of the stock flow or stoppage of the refiner motor when the control apparatus is set for automatic operation. These safety features are provided by means of switches so connected in the operating circuits that the plug is automatically backed off to increase its clearance in the shell in the event of either stoppage of the refiner motor or loss of pressure in the stock supply below a desired range, thus preventing damage to the refiner which might otherwise result from movement of the plug inwardly of the shell. Another feature of the invention giving additional protection to the refiner is the provision of a selective time control for backing the plug out of the shell following completion of a batch refining operation, this control being effective to cause the adjusting motor to operate for a timed interval assuring adequate clearance to prevent damage to the refiner motor at the start of the next batch operation.

The invention has special application to the control of a refiner in a stock supply system for a high speed paper machine, where unless changes in the stock characteristics are promptly corrected or compensated for, the formation of the web or sheet may be seriously affected. With the control apparatus of the present invention, not only is the plug adjusted automatically in the event of change in the characteristics of the stock causing variation in the load on the refiner motor, but the apparatus also is provided with manually operable controls which may be located at a convenient station such as for operation by the machine tender, who can thus effect prompt correction of a change in the stock characteristics causing variation in the reading of the usual vacuum gauge for the suction couch roll. It is also an object of the invention to provide for automatic adjustment of the desired maintained load on the refiner motor in accordance with changes in the suction conditions at the suction couch roll as registered by the vacuum gauge.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is of particular importance for installations where variation may occur in the voltage or power factor as supplied to the refiner motor. When the control apparatus in such an installation is actuated by a current sensitive control, it may be operated as a result of variation in the voltage or power factor when in fact the characteristics of the stock itself have not changed. Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide the control apparatus for use with a watt sensitive control of such high sensitivity as to maintain the desired adjusted position of the plug in accordance with the actual power requirements of the refiner motor for desired refining characteristics while at the same time preventing variation in the voltage supply or power factor from undesirably afiecting the adjustment or operation of the refiner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. l is a wiring diagram illustrating the operation of the control apparatus of the invention in conjunction with a jordan type refiner and a watt sensitive control relay;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the control unit of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the unit, partly in elevation and partly broken away in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view chiefly on the line ic-4a of Fig. 3 and with the clutch portion in section on the line 4b4b of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the operation of the invention with the load on the refiner motor adjusted by the vacuum gauge for the suction couch roll of the paper machine; and

Fig. 6 is a fragment of a wiring diagram illustrating the operation of the invention in conjunction with a current sensitive control relay.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 shows a somewhat schematic arrangement of the wiring diagram for a refiner of the jordan type which is provided with a drive motor II for rotating the plug l2 in a shell l3 having inlet and discharge pipes l4 and respectively. The axial position of the plug in the shell is controlled by the adjusting unit indicated generally at H shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 4, and which includes a housing adapted to be mounted directly on the frame of the refiner l0; as indicated at 21 in Fig. 4.

The adjusting screw 22 for the plug is journaled in suitable hearings in the housing and projects therefrom for connection tn the plugshaft, and a worm gear 24 is splined thereon within the housing 29. A shaft 25 is also journaled Within housing 20 in suitable bearings and carries a worm 2B which meshes with the worm gear 24. The shaft 25 extends outwardly atone side of housing for manual rotation, and the hand wheel carries an indicator band 28' which cooperates with a pointer 29 on the housing to indicate the extent of rotation of shaft 25.

A motor 30, shown-as of the gear head type, is mounted on the end of housing 20 opposite the hand wheel 21, andit drives a. shaft 3i carrying one member 32 of aclutch, shown as a multiple disk clutch. A complementary clutch member it! is splined on the end of shaft 25 for selective engagement with clutch member 32 to effect motor driving of shaft 25". The clutch operating shaft 35-extende through the side of housing 2% and carries a lever 36- having a shoe 3''! which rides in a peripheral groove-in the clutch member 33 and is effective to shift this clutch member into and out of engagement with clutch member 32 as the clutch shaft Bo is rocked in one direction or the other. A handle M is mounted on the outer end of shaft 35 and'is' provided with a detent 4! for releasably holding it in either of two selectedpositions retainingthe clutch members in engagement for-automatic operation or out of engagement for manual operationof the control unit, as indicated'by the indicia platen.

The outer end of the adjusting screw 22 is threaded through the thrustnut M=which-is-bolted or otherwise secured to the bearing unit l-fi for the plug shaft 46; A look screw having a bandie provides for releasably locking the thrust nut to the adjusting screw when desired. The bearing unit 45 is secured against axial movement with respect to the plug shaft 46' for movement therewith with respect to the shell l3 to adjust the position of the plug within the shell, the outer end'of the shaft Mihaving a bore Gatherein to receive the end'of the adjusting screw 22 in telescoping relation.

It will thus be seen that rotation of the-screw 22will result in axialmovement' of the bearing unit 45 and hence of theplugand plug shaft to provide the desired variation in clearance be tween the working surface of the plug and shell,

and the gearing and'threaded connection ofthe screw 22 are preferably arranged to provide for relatively slow adjusting movement of the plug, for example axial movement of the orderof inch per minute having been found satisfactory. A

the housing 20 by means of a bracket 5|, and is arranged to limit operation of the motor'in the direction causing the plug to back oif from the and 20 to receive the hand wheel 2'] motor is mounted on of' the potential coil shell. The operating arm 52 for switch 50 is adapted to be contacted by a pin 53 projecting from the bearing unit 45 towards housing 20. The lubricating inlet to the housing has a breather cap 55.

Fig. 1 shows a wiring diagram for operating the control unit I? in accordance with; the wattage load on the drive motor H- for the refiner Ill. The motor II has a main starter indicated generally at iii), the motor ll being of the 3-phase type. and having power lines Si, 62 and B3, and the starter 60 includes the usual start and stop pushbutton switches 65 and 56, respectively, togetherwith overload: and time interlocked relays. The motor 30 is similarly shown as of the 3-phase type provided with a reversing magnetic switch 'Hliand power lines H, 12 and 13. Power for operation of the control circuit for motor 30 is provided by a step-down transformer M from the lines BI and 63, and the control circuit includes a three-position manually operable. selector switch 15 for selecting manual or automaticoperation of the control unit, the switch Hi havcing contacts 16, 11 and 18.

Fig. L showsthe switch I5. shifted to its contact 16 for automatic control. of the refineries! means of a watt sensitive relay indicated; gen-- erally at 8|], which includes a movable'armature 81 carrying a switch arm E2; movable between; upper and lower contacts 88 and and animtermediate neutral position, with the arm landcore 8! being provided. with. a balancing spring. 85. The relay 80 also includesavoltage coil &6:' which is wound aroundthe armature. 8d. but is; fixed in stationary relation withthe contactsB-Ila and 84 so that the armature moves with IE! spect thereto. This coil 86 is connected witlma. parallel circuit comprising av resistor H and a. capacitor 88, and this combination is connected; across the terminals of one of a pair of. potemtial transformers 89 connected with. all three power lines Bi -B3 as shown, the resistorscapacrtor circuitbeing usedto compensate for the highly reactive potential coil 88.

A current coil 90 is wound around the amine ture 81 for movement therewith with respecttw the potential coil 86, and'a current compensating: coil 94- is also woundl around the armature H: but is fixed in stationary relation wlththe con tacts Stand M- andthe-potential coilfifi, the coil. Slbeing used to counteraot-the-induotive effect 8 6 on the current coil: 985;. TheOOils 90 and 9| are connected with the power line62 by a current transformer 92, and afixed resistor 93' is provided for preventing'the coilsfllh and 9-! from burning out duetotheir low ohmic value.

A rheostat 95 provides for oontrolling thecur rent through coils 9B and Bi in accordance with. the desired input power to motor ll to bemaim tained'for a given-refining operation, and an adsjustable-resistor such as aslide-wir resistor, is connected in a series withthe rheostatfiihand isadapted to be preset in accordance witlrthe: maximum load to be held on the particular: mo tor-l lwith whichthe control unit is-to be used. Thus witlrtlie relay arranged and connected as shown, the positionof the armature Bl with. re-- spent to coils ae and 84, andhencethepositlon. ofthe switcharm B2'with respect to the contacts; 83 and B4; willbe a-functionof thewatts-supe plied to the refiner. motor I l l Awattmeter $1: is; also provided, with connections as shown toltha: potential transformers afi an'd to th power liness 6i and 63 by current transformers.

Two safety devices I and IN, shown as magnetic switches, are provided to prevent damage to th plug in the event of either stoppage of the refiner motor or failure of the stock pressure as supplied to the refiner. The switch I00 comprises a relay having its operating coil connected with the power lines 6| and 83 by a step-down transformer I02, so that thi relay is energized only while the motor II is in operation. The switch Illl comprises a similar relay having its operating coil connected across the control circuit through the transformer 14, and the circuit for this coil includes a pressure switch I having a pressure connection I06 with the inlet or discharge pipe for the refiner, shown as the discharge pipe I5, with this connection being arranged to maintain the switch I05 closed only when th proper pressure exists in the system through the refiner.

With the switch I5 set i or automatic peration, as long as a constant load condition on the motor II continues, a signal light III] is lighted through the upper pairs of contacts of two normally deenergized relays III and H2, the light III! being conveniently white and indicating o maintenance of constant load conditions. However, in the event of a change such as a variation in the consistency or freeness of the stock in the system through the refiner, there will be a corresponding variation in the work being done on the stock in the refiner and hence in the load conditions on the refiner motor II. When this occurs, it is reflected by variation of the conditions afieeting relay 80, resulting in upward or downward movement of the armature 8| and hence of the switch arm 82 with respect to the contacts 83 and 84.

When the switch arm 82 engages the upper contact 83. the proper circuits will b completed through reversing switch III to effect energizing of the motor 30 in the proper direction to cause the plug I2 to move inwardly of the shell I3, which is the proper adjusting movement for the plug when there is a decrease in the load on refiner motor II as indicated by the relay 80 resulting from decrease in the consistency or freeness of the stock as supplied to the refiner. When the switch arm 82 engages the contact 83, the relay III will be energized to complete the circuit through its lower pair of contacts to the switch 10, this circuit running through contact 16 of the switch and the upper pair of contacts of each of the relays I00 and IIII. The motor will accordingly operate until the resulting changed setting of the plug increases the load on the refiner motor sufllciently to restore the desired load condition. Also, energizing of the relay II I breaks the circuit through its upper contacts to the signal light III), and at the same time a circuit is completed through the contact 83 to a signal light I I5 which may be conveniently red, and this light remains on as long as the motor 30 is in operation in the direction to move the plug inwardly of the shell.

When there is an increase in the load on the refiner motor I I effective on the relay 80 to cause movement of the armature BI until the switch arm 82 engages the lower contact 84, the proper circuits will be completed through the switch III for energizing motor 30 in the opposit direction from that described, thus causing the plug I2 to back ofi from the shell I3. This produces increased clearance between the working surfaces of the plug and shell, which is necessary in order to maintain the same load conditions on the refiner motor with increased consistency or freeness in the stock. Engagement of the switch arm 82 and contact 84 completes the energizing circuit for the relay H2, and this in turn completes the circuit through the lower pair of contacts of this relay to the switch I0, this circuit running through the contact I5 of the switch I5 and the limit switch 50.

Under these conditions, the motor 30 will operate until the resulting changed setting of the plug reduces the load on the refiner motor II suificiently to restore the desired load condition effective on the relay 8!), or until the plug has backed oif so far that the pin 53 engages the switch arm 52 and opens the limit switch 50. During this operation of the motor, a third signal light II6 will be lighted by a circuit completed through the contact 84 as shown, this light being conveniently green, and the light III) will be ofl as a result of the breaking of the circuit thereto through the upper contacts of relay I I2 when the latter is energized. The light II5 will similarly be off owing to the fact that there is no circuit through the contact 83.

Push button switches are provided for manual operation of the control when the switch I5 is shifted to its contact 11. The push button switch I20 completes the circuit through switch III for movement of the plug inwardly of the shell, and alternatively the push button switch I2I may be closed to cause the plug to back off as described. It will also be noted that with the circuit set for manual operation, the several signal lights will operate in the same manner as described for automatic control.

When the Jordan or other refiner is used for a batch refining operation, it is desirable at the end of the operation to back the plug out of the shell a sufficient distance to prevent overloading the refiner motor at the start of the next operation, since if there is insufficient clearance for the plug when the refiner is again started, the resulting high starting torque may burn out the motor. However, since the gearing for the motor 30 is such that the motor is required to run for an appreciable time interval in order to move the plug a sufiicient distance, it may be inconvenient for the operator to have to hold the push button switch I2I closed for a long enough time. Accordingly, a timing circuit is provided through the contact 18 of the selector switch 15 which effects this desired backing off movement of the plug for the proper time interval.

As shown, the contact I8 is connected through a line I24 with a timer I25, which may be of a conventional motor driven cam type, and a line I26 completes the energizing circuit for the timer motor. A line I27 leads from the timer to the circuit through the reversing switch 10 for energizing motor 33 in the direction to back the plug, and the action of the timer when energized through the switch contact I8 is to cause motor 30 to operate for a preset time interval sufiicient to back the plug out until the desired clearance is obtained and then to stop. The timer is reset when the switch I5 is shifted to either of its contacts 16 or II, at which time the motor 30 can be operated in the opposite direction, either automatically or through the push button switch I20, to move the plug inwardly of the shell to the proper setting in accordance with the desired load conditions on the refiner motor.

It will be seen that unless the proper provision is made, stoppage of the refiner motor or failure of the stock pressure would so affect the relay mew as W actuate? motoram in the: directiom to mono the: plug inwardly, which could result in; seriousdamage tobotb the plug and shell. mccordingly, the sa-mty switches 11m and. IlIllI are provided to prevent this undesirable result and to cause the plug-11o: back. of! instead otmoving. in undereither' of. thesev conditions. Thus if mfiner' motor should stop, the resulting movemenii'of. theaa'mature GI would complete the: circuits as described for inward movementof the plug. However, as soon as'the refincr motor stops. the relay we will be deenergized with the result that. the circuit through its uppenpair of contacts will. be broken, and insteada. circuit will be: completed through. the line I30, the lower pair of contacts of relay I; and the line t'sI to the switch III energizing, motor 30- irr the opposite direction and causing the plug to back off until the limit switch 50 is opened.

The operation of the: safety switch I M is simrlar to that of switch IBtl as described; It the stock pressure fails, the resulting decrease in the load on the refiner motor affects the relay B0 sufficiently to move the azrmature- 8t until the switch arm 82: engages contact- 8& to energize switch H1 in the proper sense to cause motor 30- to move the plug inwardly. However, upon failure of the-stock pressure, the'pressure switch tillfi wlll open and thus cause deenergizing of the relay If! I. This inturn will: break the circuit to the switch In through theupper pair of contacts of relay #0? ancilwill instead complete" the reverse circuit to the starter through the line I30; the line PM, the lower pair of contacts of relay IIII,

the line I32 to the timer I25 and: the line I".

Thus under either of these conditions which would otherwise cause inward movement of the plug, the safety switches automatically operate instead to cause the plug to back off and thus assure against damage thereto, and this result will be obtained under both automatic and manual operation ofthe control system.

It will accordingly be seen that with the control circuits arranged as described for automaticoperation, the: refiner plug will be adjusted as required to maintain the load conditions on the refiner motor determined: bythe selected setting of the rheostat 95. The invention also'provi-des for further automatic adjustment of the: refining. action of the refiner such as may be required to maintain constant conditions of webformation on the associated paper machine, with this control being eflccteddn accordance with changes in the web conditions. as registered by the vacuum gauge for the suction couch roll or suction homes. This desired: control is afforded by automatic adjustment of the load regulating rheostat to: compensate for variations in the suction conditions-es registered: by the vacuum gauge,- and Fig-r illustrates suitable control circuits. in accord ance with. the invention for. this purpose.

In. Fig. 5, the discharge pipe: I5 of the refiner I0 is shown at. I50 as supplyingthe=refined stoclc to the headboic ISI. of a fourdrinier paper ma chine which includes. the forming. wire 152mm ningover. the breast roll I58-, and the suction couch roll I54 isprovided with a vacuum gauge I551 The rheostat IEII corresponds to rheostat- 95in Fig. l, and the several control circuits of Fig. l are represented diagrammatically at IE1 and operate as described to control the rover-sing switch I0 for thuzrplug adjusting motor 30:

The rheostat IE0 is provided with a reversible adjusting motor Ifii controlled by a reversing swiuch wawhmn is arrangedifor'selectivs actuation. in. response to fluctuations of the: gauge from its: desired setting for exampleby means'or stationary contacts cooperating with a: movable contact carried by the moving unilacatcmmembecof the; gaugawith: the oontaets'bes ing adjustable to complete the actuating circuit to the switch I68 whenathevacuum changes from its desired value by a predetermined amount such as car inch of mercury. Thus if thesteem characteristics should change: sufilcientls' to: cause a measurable change in the suction condibions at the couch roll Hit without accompanying change in the load the refiner motor liIf sufilcient to actuate the control relay an. the switch I556 will be energized: to operate motor I-Bfiand change the setting of the monster tool. which will in turn actuate the control circuits Hill to drive the plug: adjusting motor 38' as dc'iscribed.

There: will be an appreciable time intervalihefore" the: change in the stock: characterisinosi at the refiner caused by the resulting. adjusting movement of the plug willregister attho vacuigauge, depending on conditions such asiihc? distance through which the stock travels: from. the refiner to the suction couch, and theveimita' of the stock flow and the paper machine, andeez timer no is accordinglypnovided; in the circuit between the vacuum gauge and the switch: FM: to limit the operating interval at the motor 65 In order to prevent too: frequent antuatiom of motor I55, the timer. ITO" shouldpeueficrablp be of the time delay type to prevent iii flroml res peating its cycle before the correcting on the plug can be detected by the vacuum gauge Under these conditions, the measured change in vacuum at the suction couch roll will: time cause a change in the setting of the rhenstati Ii" to initiate the desired correcting adjustment of the refiner plug. but owing to the time lag; referred to, there might be a tendency to over correction or hunting. by the control circuits? I61 unless suitable anti-hunting provisions are made. Accordingly, an additional timer IN is con.- nected between the control circuits ISI: and me; reversing switch mm the plug adjusting motor; and this timer is so arranged and connectedwith the timer I i-0 that when the timer" I IIl cormpletes its timed interval, it actuates the tiin'er I II tc'interrupt the circuit to the switch H1 for a predetermined time interval of suflicicrit durastion to permit the correcting movement at the plug toregiste'r atthe vacuum gauge. Ii at-ime end or this timed out interval, the vacuum. has still not returned to its desired value, the cycle. will again be repeated.

It will thus be seen that this system as do scribed. in connection with Fig. 5 providesfor completely automatic control over the charactcristics of the stock and the web formed there from by coordinating the load conditionson; the refiner motor with the desired vacuum condistions on the webat thesuctioncouch roll; and this control is readily adjustable in] accordance with the desired preselected vacuum and. load conditions. Thus the control circuits as: eascribed in connection with Fig. l operate'tc maintain the preselected: load conditions on the re finer motor, and if the vacuum conditions should change to such extent that incnsasedor decreased ireflning action: is requiredior maintaining uniformity of the web, the system amtomati cally adjusts the preselected load conditions tocompensate. accordingly.

The watt sensitive'relay described in connedtion with Figs. 1 to 5, as pointed out, provides highly desirable results in the use of the invention for installations where variations in the voltage supply or power factor are likely to ocour and would affect the operation of the control system unless compensated for as described. The control unit and circuits are also well adapted for use with a current sensitive control relay, as illustrated fragmcntarily in Fig. 6.

The relay lift in Fig. 6 may be substituted for the relay 8!] in Fig. 1, and it includes an armature I81 carrying a switch arm Hi2 movable with respect to upper and lower contacts 183 and NH which correspond to contacts 83 and B4 respectively in Fig. 1, the armature and switch arm being provided with a balancing spring I85. The energizing coil for the relay I86 is connected by a current transformer I86 with one of the power lines for the refiner motor, shown as the line 53. A variable resistor lei! is provided for controlling the current through the coil of relay lt-ll in accordance with the desired input power to the refiner motor to be maintained for a given refining operation, and this circuit also includes an ammeter lel, which may be of either the indicating or recording type as desired. The operation of the system with this type of control relay is substantially the same as described in connection with Fig. 1, with the armature [8! raising or lowering the switch arm I82 as the load on the motor decreases or increases respectively.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of appa ratus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw to said plug to cause axia1 movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, 9. drive shaft for said screw in said housing, a handle for manually rotating said shaft, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, and a clutch in said housing for releasably connecting said motor drive with said shaft to provide selectively for motor or manual operation of said s aft.

2. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw to said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw journaled in said housing with the outer end thereof projecting through said housing, a handle on said outer end of said shaft for manually rotating said shaft, a motor drive secured to the opposite end of said housing from said handle and includin a clutch member adjacent the inner end of said shaft, a complementary clutch member slidable on said shaft for selective engagement and disengagement with said first named clutch member, and an operating handle for said slidable clutch member mounted exteriorly on said hous- 111 3. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw to said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a worm gear carried by said screw within said housing, a drive shaft journaled in said housing, a worm on said drive shaft meshing with said worm gear to rotate said screw upon rotation of said drive shaft, a handle for said drive shaft located exteriorly of said housing for manual rotation of said shaft, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, and a clutch providing a selectively operable connection between said motor drive and said shaft.

4. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner having a drive motor for rotating said plug, comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw j ournaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw with said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw journaled in said housing, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, an electrical device connected with said refiner motor for sensing the load on said motor, means for adjusting said device in accordance with a predetermined desired load condition, and an electrical connection between said device and said motor drive for actuating said drive in response to a change in said load from said desired condition.

5. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner having a drive motor and including a shell provided with supply and discharge conduits for stock, comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw with said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw journaled in said housing, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, an electrical device connected with said refiner motor for sensin the load on said motor, means for adjusting said device in accordance with a predetermined desired load condition, an operative connection between said device and said motor drive for actuating said drive in response to a change in said load condition from said desired condition, a switch responsive to a predetermined stock pressure in one of said conduits, and a control operated by said switch for actuating said motor drive in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell in response to a drop in said stock pressure below said predetermined pressure.

6. Apparatus for adjusting the plug of a refiner having a drive motor for rotating said plug, comprising a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion ex-- tending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw with said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw journaled in said housing, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, an electrical device connected with said refiner motor for sensing the load on said motor, means or adjusting said device in accordance with a predetermined load condition, an electrical connection between said device and said motor drive for actuatin drive in response to a change said lqeid condition from said desired condition, and a control responsive to stoppage of said drive motor tor actuating said motor drive in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell.

7. Apparatus for adiusting the plug of a refiner having a drive motor and including a shell provided with supply and discharge condints for stock, comprising a housing, means for mountin said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for onerative ly connecting said threaded portion of said screw with said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of screw,

a drive shaft for rotating said screw iourngaled in said housing, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, an electrical device connected with said refiner motor for senstng the load on said motor, means for adjust ng said device in accordance with a predetermined desired load condition, an operative connection between said device and said motor drive for actuating said drive in response to a change in said load from said desired condition, a switch responsive to a predetermined stock pressure in one of said conduits, a control operated by said switch for actuating said motor drive in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell in response to a drop in said stock pressure below said predetermined pressure, and a second control responsive to stoppage of said drive motor for actual;- ing said motor drive in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell.

8. In a refining system including a refiner havin a drive motor for rotating a tapered plug in a shell provided with supply and discharge conduits Ior stock, the combination of motor operated means for effecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, electrical means responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said adjusting means to maintain said lead a a ubs anti lly n a de mined value, a switch responsive to a predetermined stqckpresspre in one of said conduits, and a l ctric cont ol operated by d t h for actuating said adjusting means in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell in response to a drop said stock pressure below said predetermined Pressure.

9- ,In a e n n s ste includi arsfins ha a d e m tor r rotati g a tape d plus i e sh l provided with supply and di charge conduits r s o the .c mkiine iq 9f 139 93 99E etsdnieens is; .efisc ins anal senescen a rai 9. 35 with respect to sa d he l derided meat restr om t the mm said d ve sect is? actuating sai adjusting new t ma nta nsa s load at a sub an al y c nstan prcdsten m valv and an l ct i al con r l r spon v tast r: pageof said drive motor ,for actuatin said moto drive in the rectio t wit d aw sa d 9 1 s from said shell.

1 In a r fin system m lud ns & refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapered plug means responsive to the m c onsaiddniwe not); or ,actuai s di fies mean t ma ntain said le a a subs an ia o tant p e eterm ed a ue. a switc ons e o a p dete stock pressure in said one of said conduits, an electrical control operated by said switch {or actuating said adjusting means in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell in response to a drop in said stock pressure below said predetermined pressure, and another electrical control responsive to stoppage of said drive motor for actuating said motor drive in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell.

n a r n system ncludin a refine having a rotating tapered plug and a drive metor, the combination of motor operated means dor efiecting' axial adjustment of said plug, a reversi s t t on o in sa d motor rated ad J ine c ss a tch c n lm said starte and including a pair of contacts and an arm movable between said contacts and a neutral Po ition me rica me n onne i id c ntacts W 1 this e e s n tarte for e t relv ac uat n said ta te u on agement of said arm with one or the other said contact. a voltage coil fixed with respect to said contacts and energ lded in accordance with the voltage supplied to said drive motor, an armature movable with respcct to said voltage coil for operating said switch arm, a current coil carried by said tarmature and energized in accordance with the current supplied to said drive motor for cooperation with said voltage coil to continuously determine the position of said armature with respect to said voltage coil and said switch contacts in accordance with the wattage supplied to said ,drive motor, and a variable resistor for adjusting the current to grid current coil to predetermine the Watta e supplied to said motor with said armatitre supporting said switch arm in said neutral position.

is e r ni system we l-miss a nefiher h ves d 'PW QEWPGMQ Plu nd s drive motor. the of motor operated means tor sfls t g axia s tu t nent f sa d plus. a reverss e ts controllin sa mo r operated adm tres means .a sw t h co ol ms sai s a t and a of contacts and an em mq flfi rli :b fig fiflii qflmagt and a neutral P stwar, electrical means connecting said con.- tcq s a d re ersin start r for selectively actuat ng said starter engagement of said asp; witl'i one or thepther said ,contact, a voltage coil lined with respect to said contacts and enl e :1 masse w t th v lta e supplied to said drive motor, an armature movable with res ec is s d va ass 9 1, o n ns a swi h e s weet 99 c r e by sw m tsrs ens entered es e l se sa h ih 'cur: r m erecte in ai dr e ne s eq fi rtien en relies? sell is s atia ems-in ost? rsfir to sa d rehearsal a d set? sw ne was .c rqlane wi hthsvia tes steepe s ster,- a semcsns i ns 1. f Said 'el i l fixed with respect to said yoltage fcoil Bird coil.

ii s ii .ss t ss w h s current'coil, arid" var bl s i tvr 2" a ii s t s I 9 a cur e t 0 and said mp nsa s "coil t predetermine the wattage supplie cl to said motor with said armature supporting said s vvitch nr rn i said neutra s tionrefinin s em i du n a refiner series .a rotatin ta e Plus a a' finite mist he sqmr iistleh o e e i fm e i mounting sa halides 9 sai radi h is fisiv journaled in said housing and including l3 threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means for operatively connecting said threaded portion of said screw to said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw in said housing, a handle for manually rotating said shaft, a motor drive for said shaft carried by said housing, a clutch in said housing for releasably connecting said motor drive with said shaft to provide selectively for motor or manual operation of said shaft, a reversing starter controlling said motor drive, a switch controlling said starter and including a pair of contacts and an arm movable between said contacts and a neutral position, means connecting said contacts with said reversing starter for selectively actuating said starter upon engagement of said arm with one or the other said contact, a voltage coil fixed with respect to said contacts and energized in accordance with the 2 voltage supplied to said drive motor, an armature movable with respect to said voltage coil for operating said switch arm, a current coil carried by said armature and energized in accordance with the current supplied to said drive motor for cooperation with said voltage coil to continuously determine the position of said armature with respect to said voltage coil and said switch contacts in accordance with the wattage supplied to said drive motor, and a variable resistor ior adjusting the current to said current coil to predetermine the wattage supplied to said motor with said armature supporting said switch arm in said neutral position.

14. In a refining system including a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapered plug in a shell, the combination of motor operated means for effecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, means including a control relay responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said motor operated means to maintain said load at a substantially constant predetermined value, electrical means including a timing device for actuating said motor operated means for a predetermined time interval in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell, and a selector switch for selectively connecting said load responsive means or said timing device means in operative relation with said motor operated means.

15. In a refining system including a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapered plug in a shell, the combination of motor operated means for effecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, means including a control relay responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said motor operated means to maintain said load at a substantially constant predetermined value, means including switches under the control of the operator for actuating said motor operated means independently of said load responsive means, electrical means including a timing device for actuating said motor operated means for a predetermined time interval in the direction to withdraw said plug from said shell, and a selector switch for selectively connecting said load responsive means, said operator controlled means or said timing device means in operative relation with motor operated means.

16. In a paper making system including a paper making machine for forming a web, a suction couch roll for removing water from the web, a headbox delivering stock to the forming wire, a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapered plug in a shell, and a conduit supplying the refined stock from the refiner to the hcadbox, the combination of motor operated means for eifecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, an adjustable electrical control for preselecting desired load conditions on said drive motor to determine the refining action thereof in accordance with the desired characteristics of said web, electrical means responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said motor operated means to maintain said preselected load condition, a vacuum gauge including a member movable in response to the vacuum conditions at said couch roll, a drive for adjusting said adjustable control, and electrical means actuated by movement of said movable member for energizing said drive to cause said adjustable control to change said preselected load conditions in accordance with variations in the suction conditions at said couch roll and thereby to actuate said motor operated means through said load responsive means.

17. In a paper making system including a paper making machine for forming a web, a suction couch roll for removing water from the web, a headbox delivering stock to the forming wire, a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapcred plug in a shell, and a conduit supplying the refined stock from the refiner to the headbox, the combination of motor operated means for effecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, an adjustable electrical control for preselecting desired load conditions on said drive motor to determine the refining action thereof in accordance with the desired characteristics of said web, electrical means responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said motor operated means to maintain said preselected load condition, a vacuum gauge including a member movable in response to the vacuum conditions at said couch roll, a drive for adjusting said adjustable control, electrical means actuated by movement of said movable member for energizing said drive to cause said adjustable control to change said preselected load conditions in accordance with variations in the suction conditions at said couch roll, and a timing device connected with said energizing means for limiting the operation of said drive to a predetermined time interval providing a time leg for the change in the stock characteristics caused by the resulting adjusting movement of said plug to register on said vacuum gauge.

18. In a paper making system including a paper making machine for forming a web, a suction couch roll for removing water from the web, a headbox delivering stock to the forming wire, a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapcred plu in a shell, and a conduit supplying the refined stock from the refiner to the headbox, the combination of motor operated means for effecting axial adjustment of said plug with respect to said shell, an adjustable electrical control for preselecting desired load conditions on said drive motor to determine the refining action thereof in accordance with the desired characteristios of said web, electrical means responsive to the load on said drive motor for actuating said motor operated means to maintain said preselected load condition. a vacuum gauge including a member movable in response to the vacuum conditions at said couch roll, a drive for adjust ing said adjustable control, electrical means actuated by movement of said movable member for energizing said drive to cause said adjustable control to change said preselected load condiannexes 1151MB iinrancerdance .with vazriationszin the-"snctimi nnnditions 'atrsaid mounhxroll, :a fast timing device connected with said energizin means for limitiingithe :operation .of isaidrdrive'to arfirstpredeter- *mineii time internal, :and a second timing device :adtuated by said first timing device for prevent- ;iing operation of said motor operated means "for a second predetermined time interval following expiration of said ifirst time interval'providing for change in the stock characteristics caused by the resulting adjustmg movement of said plug to Register on said vacuum gauge.

L9. In a paper :making system including a pa- .per making-machine for forming a web, a suction couch roll for removing water from the web, a A:

headirox delivering stock to the forming wire, a refiner having a drive motor for rotating a tapered .plug in a :sheil, and a conduit supplying the :refined stock from the refiner to the headbox, :the combination of 'a housing, means for mounting said housing on said refiner, a screw journaled in said housing and including a threaded portion extending outwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said threaded screw portion with said plug to cause axial movement of said plug in response to rotation of said screw, a drive shaft for rotating said screw journaled in said housing, a motor drive for said shaft carriedby said housing,ran adjustable electrical control for preselecting desired load conditions on 16 said drive motor to determine the refining action thereof im'aocordance with the-desired characteristics of said web, electrical means responsive to the load "on said drive motor :for actuating :said motor drive to snaintam said :preselecterl load condition, a vacuum gage inciuding 'a member movable in response 120 the vacuum conditions set saidiconch roll, a drive for adjusting said .adziustable control, and electrical means actuated by movement of said "movable member ior 'e *ingsai-d adjustable control mine to cause said adjustahle control to change said preselected load conditions in accordance with wariations in the suction conditions at said couch roll and thereby to actuate said motor drive through said lead responsive means :ior efiecting axial movement of said plug.

STEPHEN A. JOHN H. EBEARSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name vDate 1,686,217 Loman Oct. 2, 1928 1,773,632 Ware Aug. 126, 11930 1;'815,155 Lewellen July '21 1931 1,9331814 Lewellen .Nov. 1933 2,024,424 Bryson Dec. 1'7, .1935

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