US2911041A

US2911041A - Stock distributor assembly

Info

Publication number: US2911041A
Application number: US630898A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward D Beachler
Original assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Current assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Priority date: 1956-12-27
Filing date: 1956-12-27
Publication date: 1959-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1976-11-03
Also published as: SE312063B; FI40771B

Description

Nov. 3, 1959 E. D. BEACHLER s'rocx DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 27, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ea ward D. Beach/e1".

Nov. 3, 1959 E. D. BEACHLER 2,911,041

STOCK DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 27, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FJ7.Z

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Eda/am D. Beach/e1" Nov. 3, 1959 E. D. BEACHLER STOCK DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 27, 1956 175 w Edward D. Beach/er United States Patent f STOCK DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY Edward D. lieachler, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 27, 1956, Serial No. 630,898

I Claims. (Cl. 162-336) The present invention relates to a stock distributor for use with paper making machines, and more particularly, to a stock distributor for converting relatively high speed flow of stock in a conduit of small cross section into a uniform relatively slower flow of stock in the inlet box for insuring an even deposition of' paper stock across the entire forming surface of the machine.

In the art of paper making, the even distribution of stock fibers across the entire width of the forming surface of a paper making machine has long presented a problem. Also, there is constantly a desire to flow stock more rapidly onto the forming Surface, and by the use of a minimum amount of uncomplicated stock distribution structure. Relatively complicated countercurrent flow devices have been used; but the instant invention relates to a greatly simplified flow distributor which converts a fast flowing stock stream 'of relatively small cross-section to a slower flowing stock stream of large cross-section and substantially the width of the inlet box wherein the stock flow is uniform by virtue of the stock having been forced through right angle turns and/or a restricted passageway, both of which serve to direct the stock laterally so that the flow will be uniform by the time it enters the inlet box.

It is, therefore, an important object of the instant invention to provide an improved stock distributor and/ or method of stock distribution.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved stock distributor wherein stock is taken from a conduit of small cross-section into a distributor of substantially the width of the inlet box and is then forced through a stock flow path through a right angle turn and through a reduced cross-sectional area and then into the inlet box.

Other and further objects or advantages of the instant invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed disclosure thereof and the drawings attached hereto and made a part hereof.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional elevational view of a stock distributor and inlet box embodying the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view taken substantially along the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of the stock distributor shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view comparable to Figure 3 showing a different embodiment; and

Figure 5 is taken along the line V-V of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawings:

A stock distribution system embodying the instant invention, herein designated generally by the reference numeral comprises a first conduit 11 of small cross-sectional area and width directing a high velocity stream of stock, a stock inlet box 20 of relatively larger crosssectional area and width accommodating a relatively slower flow of stock, a second conduit 30 flowing stock into the inlet box 20, said second conduit 30 extending Patented Nov. 3, 1959 2 the width of the inlet box 20 and .defining a stock flow path through a first right angle turn T-1,:a reduced cross-sectional area A and then through a second right angle turn T-Z, and a distribution header 40 extending the full width of the stock inlet 20 receiving stock from the first conduit 11 and feeding into the second conduit 30 through a plurality of laterally spaced openings or pipes 41a, 4111, etc.

Referringfirst to ,:the general structure of the inlet 0 box 20, as best shown in Figure 1, it will be seen that alignment so as to provide guide means for guiding the the inlet box 20 is defined by a generally horizontal floor 21 suitably mounted on a rear supporting frame 22a and a front supporting frame 22b, both of which are supported by the operating floor G in the usual manner. The inlet box 20 is further defined by an upright rear wall 23a, side walls 23b on the backside and a front side wall (not shown), and a forward wall structure 230 carrying a slice-defining element 23d cooperating with an apron 21a carried by the floor 21 to define the outlet slice gates, from which stock flows onto a travelling forming wire W turning over a breast roll B in the are positioned in close running relationship with the floor 21 and theforward upright wall 230 and with each other so as--to bridge the stock flow passing into the slice S. The rectifier rolls 24c and 24d., a re stacked in the middle, of the inlet box 20 to approximately the level L at which the stock will flow in the inlet box 20 so that all of the stock flowing therethrough will pass through the

rectifier rolls

24c and 24d. I The inlet box 20 is also provided with a bottom opening 25 extending the full width of the inlet box 20 and opening downwardly therefrom along the rear wall 23a. A rectifier roll 24c is mounted in close running relation to the Wall portions defining the bottom opening 25.

In the operation of the instant device 10, stock is forcedfrom a fan pump or other suitable pumping device (not shown) into the first conduit 11 which has a relatively smallcross-sectional area and width. As here shown the first conduit '11 has a width w of approximately one foot with stock flowing therein at rates of 12 to 15 feet per second. The inlet box 20, by contrast, has a lateral dimension 1 of about 14; but as indicated in Figure 2, the conduit 11 feeds approximately one-half of the width or lateral dimension of the inlet box 20 and the opposite side (not shown) of the device 10 in Figure 2 is equipped with another conduit comparable to the conduit 11 and an extension of the header .40 with another five pipes 41 through 41 (not shown). To complete the picture with respect to the differences in crosssection between the inlet box 20 and the first conduit 11, the stock level L ranges from about 2 to 3 feet. It will thus be seen that the stock flows much more slowly in the inlet box and that a stock'flow rate. that is relatively high and relatively diificult to handle is required in the first conduit 11.

of the inlet box 20 receiving stock from the first conduit' 11. The stock flows from the first conduit 11 into the header 44)Whereat it is abruptly turned through a angle. against the front side 40a of'the header 40 so that the stock will be forced laterally as it enters the header 40. Next the stock is forced into a pattern of generally paral- 'lel streams flowing through the laterally spaced outlet pipes 41a, 41b, etc. from the header 40. The outlet pipes 41a, 41b, are closely spaced and in generally parallel The effect of this is to impinge the stock stream.

stock flow perpendicular to the header 40 and to generally reduce excessive lateral flow of the stock. Generally perpendicularly aligned baffles in laterally spaced relationship could be mounted in a conduit replacing the pipes 41a, 41 b, but the pipes 41a, 41b afford a preferred arrangement. Although va flange connection 42a is here shown so as to .separate the .pipe 41a into upper and lower sections, it will be appreciated that the two :sections (in the case of each of such .pipes) carry out the function of a single pipe. The stock thus flows from the pipes 41a upwardly and is then impinged against a bafiie 31 above and generally normal to the pipes 41a, 411), etc. for turning the stock flowing from the pipes through a right angle turn T-l. It will be noted that the indie 31 slants upwardly slightly in the direction of stock travel (as indicated by the arrows), and the baflie 31 extends the full width'of the inlet box so as to provide a chamber in the region of the right angle turn T- 1 that is-op'ened the full width of the inlet box 20 to receive all of the stock flow from the pipes 41a, 41b, etc. The baffle 31 defines the roof of the chamber. The second conduit 30 is also defined in part by a floor portion 32 which cooperates with the baflie portion 31 to define a conduit portion having an increasingly restricted mouth the "full width of the inlet box 20 receiving stock turned by the baffle 31. At the point of maximum restriction A' in the'conduit 30, the height of theconduit is approximately one-half the height of the conduit in the region of the first turn T-1 where the stock is first received by the baffle 31. The stock flows in the upwardly extending pipes 41a, 41b; etc. at a rate of about 6-8 feet per second and this flow rate is reduced to approximately one-half that figure in-the region of the first turn T-l and is again increased to 6 to 8 feet per second at the point of maximum restriction, at A in the conduit '30. As will be appreciated, impinging stock against the bafile 31"imparts a lateral component to the stock flow'so as to further distribute the stock at the point of'the turn T-1. In addition, it will be appreciated that restricting the stock flowarea at A serves to unify the flow throughout the width of the inlet box 20 in this region A. It will thus be appreciated that the restricted portion A serves to compensate for inequalities in stock flow throughout the entire width of this restricted'portion A. Next, the stock flows along the conduit floor 32 and against a second baffle '33 generally normal to the stock flow from the restricted area A so as to turn the stockagain at a right angle 'in the stock flow path at'the turn T-2.

"The'second baffle 33 cooperates with an upwardly extending'conduit portion 34, spaced a substantial distance therefrom to define an upwardly directed portion of the conduit 30 wherein the cross-sectional area is sufliciently great'to obtain a relatively slow stock flow rate of 1 to2 feet per'second. This is just a little more than twice the flow rate that is ordinarily employed in the inlet box '20 and'theunifonnity of stock flow is further accomplished by flowing the stock at this relatively slow rate through the rectifier roll 24e mounted in close running relationto the walls in the bottom inlet 25 for the box '20. The

conduit'portions

33 and 34 are spaced apart approximately the same distance as the width w for the first conduit 11.

'The

conduit portions

32, 33 define in cross-sectional elevation an L; and the

conduit portions

31, 34 also define in cross section an L. The cross-section of the conduit is that of nested Us It will further be noted that all of the horizontal reaches of the instant stock flow device 10 have roof portions inclined upwardly along the direction of stock flow therethrough for preventing the lumping of stock flowingthrough such passages and into the inlet box 20. In other words, the conduit 11 has its roof portion inclined'upwardly along the direction of stock flow into the header 40. Also, the baffie portion 31 is inclined upwardly along the direction of stock flow. Actually, it is important to have theupwardly inclined roof portions in such passageways upwardly inclined if the stock flowing therein is not flowingat at least 9 feet per second. For this reason, the relatively short roof spaces in the header 40 between the pipes 41a and 41b, for example, need not be upwardly inclined. The stock flowing in the header 40 is flowing at only slightly less than the flow rate in the main conduit 11. Any roof portion of a passageway wherein the stock is not flowing at at least 9 feet per second should be upwardly inclined at a rate of at least 1 inch per foot in the direction of flow, and preferably 1%. inches per foot in the direction of flow (in the manner in which the baffle portion 31 is upwardly inclined). The rectifier roll 242, which is a rotary perforate shell or sleeve, does not function as a roof portion and the stock flows freely therethrough, so that there can be no accumulation of air in this region. With respect to the baffle 31 the stock flow expressed in process terms involves impinging the stock against a baflle portion following which the stock stream flowing laterally (toward A) is being raised at its top at a rate-of at least 1 inch (and preferably 1% inches) per foot of travel above the horizontal in the direction of travel.

It will further be noted that a frame element F carrying the baffle portion 31 and the upwardly extending conduit portion 34 as an integral part thereof is spaced from the inlet box rear wall '23:: by a shim or spacer 50 and is spaced from a bottom framework-51 carrying the upward extremity of the pipes 41 by a shim or spacer '52.

As will be appreciated, the frame F is secured by bolts or similar removable securing elements (not shown) to the rear wall 23a and the bottom frame 51. The shims or

spacers

50 and 52 ar however, employed for the purpose of permitting limited adjustment of the position of the frame F. Thus, if it is desired to lower the frame F the shim '52 can be withdrawn and mounted with the shim 56 to increase the spacing from the rear wall 23a and thus lower the baffle portion 31 and further restrict the mouth or minimum restriction A. In this way control of stock flow, or the rate of stock fiow, into the inlet box =10 is eflected.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that a somewhat different structure for an inlet indicated generallyby the reference numeral is shown. Cornparable elements in these views are indicated by reference numerals corresponding to those shown in Figures 1 through 3 in-the 100 series. The top portion'of the inlet box 100' is omitted from this view, but it will be noted thatthe box 1% is provided with a generally horizontal floor 121 wherein there is provided a bottom opening 1 25 extending the full width of the box 100 and open ing downwardly therefrom along the rear wall 123a of the box 100. A rectifier roll 124a is mounted in close running relation to the wall portions defining the bottom opening 125. As will be seen the floor or bottom wall 121 is suitably mounted on a framework 160 supported lg a pedestal 161 mounted on the floor or ground level In the operation of the device 100, stock is forced from a fan pump or other .suitable pumping device (not shown) into a first conduit 111 which has substantially the shape of the conduit 11 hereinbefore described. The stock flows from th'e'first conduit 111 into a laterally extending header wherein the stock is impinged against a back wall 140a and forced through a right angle turn T3 and also forced laterally. The stock flows upwardly from the conduit 140 through a plurality of vertically extending

pipes

141a, 141b, 141e, etc. The stock-is thus forced into a pattern of generally parallel streams flowing upwardly through the pipes 141 from the header 140. As shown in Figure 5, the pipes 141 are-relatively closely spaced and these pipes are formed by'the use of only two separate sheets of metal bolted together, as by the

bolts

142, 142. One of such sheets is'the conduit back wall 146a which extends upwardly a substantial distance as shown in Figure 4. The other of the sheets, indicated generally by the reference numeral 143 in Figure is formed by bending the same so that it will provide in conjunction with the back wall 140a the plurality of pipes or conduits 141 hereinbefore described. It will be noted that this structure simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the device 100. The sheet 143 has a bottom skirt portion 143a (Figure 4) which is actually a separate sheet welded to the pipe defining upper portion of the sheet 143, which defines the front wall of the header 140. Also, the sheet member 143 has a top frame portion 143]) which defines a vertical wall above the pipe elements 141 at 1430. It will thus be seen that the metal sheet element 143 is actually integrated with a bottom skirt portion 143a and a top portion 143b so as to provide a single element that can be removed as one piece or put in position as one piece during disassembly or assembly of the device 100.

The stock flows upwardly through the pipes 141 and is then impinged against a baflle element 131 above and generally normal to the pipes 141 for turning the stock flowing from the pipes 141 through a right angle turn T-4. The battle 131, of course, slants upwardly in the direction of stock travel and converges with a floor portion 132 which is actually a continuation of the lower rear wall 140a. The

walls

131 and 132 converge to a point of maximum restriction at A-l in the manner hereinbefore described and the stock flows therethrough and impinges against a second baflle 133 which is mounted generally normal to the stock flow from the restricted area A-1 so as to turn the stock again at a right angle at a turn T-S, from which the stock flows directly through the rectifier roll 124a. The bafie element 131 is integral with an upwardly extending conduit portion 134, both of which are mounted on a frame element F-2 which also mounts the back wall 123a of the inlet box 100. The frame element F-2 is mounted for limited vertical adjustment so as to control the size of the mini-' A key to the invention resides in forcing the enter ing stock to impinge upon a conduit surface, which include a baffle in the conduit. The essential idea is to convert the longitudinal velocity energy to obtain transverse mixing velocity. This can be accomplished with a baflie, a 90 turn or even a 180 turn. In any event, the turn is at least about 90.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be eflected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a paper machine, a first conduit of small crosssectional area and width directing a high velocity stream of stock, a stock inlet box of relatively larger cross-sectional area and Width accommodating a relatively slower flow of stock, a header below the box and extending the full width thereof receiving stock from the first conduit,

I a plurality of laterally spaced ducts extending generally vertically from said header to flow stock therefrom, and a flow distributing conduit having a generally flat, generally horizontal baflie beyond and generally normal to said ducts turning stock flowing from the ducts at a right angle, means defining an increasingly restricted mouth the full width of the inlet box receiving stock turned by the horizontal baflle, and a generally flat generally vertical baflle generally normal to stock flowing from said means turning stock again at a right angle and into the bottom of said inlet box.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally horizontal baflle is upwardly inclined in the direction of stock flow.

3. In a paper machine, a first conduit of small crosssectional area and width directing a high velocity stream of stock, a stock inlet box of relatively larger cross-sectional area and width accommodating a relatively slower flow of stock, a header below the box and extending the full width thereof receiving stock from the first conduit, a plurality of laterally spaced ducts extending generally vertically from said header to flow stock therefrom, and a flow distributing conduit having a generally flat, generally horizontal baflle beyond and generally normal to said ducts turning stock flowing from the ducts at a right angle, means defining an increasingly restricted mouth the full width of the inlet box receiving stock turned by the horizontal baffle, and a generally flat generally vertical baffle generally normal to stock flowing from said means turning stock again at a right angle and into the bottom of said inlet box, and a rectifier roll mounted in a bottom opening in said inlet box receiving stock flowing off said vertical baffle.

4. In a paper machine, a first conduit of small crosssectional area and width directing a high velocity stream of stock, a stock inlet box of relatively larger cross-sectional area and width accommodating a relatively slower flow of stock, a header below the box and extending the full width thereof receiving stock from the first conduit, a plurality of laterally spaced ducts extending generally vertically from said header to flow stock therefrom, and a flow distributing conduit having a generally flat, generally horizontal bafile beyond and generally normal to said ducts turning stock flowing from the ducts at a right angle, means defining an increasingly restricted mouth the full width of the inlet box receiving stock turned by the horizontal baffle, and a generally flat generally vertical baffle generally normal to stock flowing from said means turning stock again at a right angle and into the bottom of said inlet box, and mounting means adjustably carrying said generally horizontal baflie for movement thereof relative to said ducts to control flow of stock therethrough.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the bafile means are integral with the inlet box rear wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,739 Berry Sept. 5, 1939 2,736,246 Crittenden Feb. 28, 1956 2,737,087 Bennett Mar. 6, 1956 2,747,471 Corbin May 29, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 851,301 Germany Oct. 2, 1952