WO2007144461A1

WO2007144461A1 - Equipment, lifting device arrangement, method and use of equipment for handling a fabric loop in a web forming machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007144461A1
Application number: PCT/FI2007/050311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jussi SALOJÄRVI; Jyrki Savela; Risto VÄÄTÄNEN
Original assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-06-12
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: FI20065398A; FI20065398A0; EP2035623A1; FI119193B

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment (10) for installing a fabric loop (11) in a fabric cycle of a web forming machine (12) or for removing it from a fabric cycle, around which equipment the fabric loop is adaptable mainly to the replacement geometry (14) of the fabric cycle in connection with its installation of removal, and which equipment includes a frame (15) and at least one arm assembly (16.1), arranged in connection with the frame, to which a support (17) parallel with the frame is arranged for the fabric loop. The frame is adaptable to a lifting device (18) which is arranged to adjust the position of the frame in the vertical direction, and the position of at least one support relative to the frame is arranged to be modifiable with the arm assembly for adapting the fabric loop to the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle. The invention also relates to a corresponding arrangement, method and use of the equipment for handling a fabric.

Description

EQUIPMENT, LIFTING DEVICE, ARRANGEMENT, METHOD AND USE OF EQUIPMENT FOR HANDLING A FABRIC LOOP IN A WEB FORMING MACHINE

The invention relates to equipment for installing a fabric loop in a fabric cycle of a web forming machine or for removing a fabric loop from a fabric cycle, around which equipment the fabric loop is adaptable mainly into the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle in connection with its installation or removal, and which equipment includes - a frame and

- at least one arm assembly arranged in connection with the frame with a support parallel with the frame arranged thereto for the fabric loop.

The invention also relates to a corresponding arrangement, method and use of the equipment for handling a fabric loop.

Various fabric loops are handled at intervals for example in paper, board, tissue and pulp machines, more generally web forming machines . This takes place in connection with mainte- nance shutdowns, for example, when fabrics are replaced with new ones . The old fabric can be either removed as a closed loop for reconditioning or it can be cut. The new closed fabric loop is drawn in from the side of the machine to the position corresponding to the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle.

However, handling fabric loops with present methods is difficult in every way. For example, a problem is created by the huge size and a surprisingly high weight of the fabrics. In current machines, fabric widths can extend to even 8 - 12 meters and the masses can be as high as almost 1000 kg. In addition, the width of the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle in the machine direction, as seen from the lateral direction of the machine, and also its height may extend to even 5 - 10 meters. Unwinding a new fabric loop and arranging it to the shape conforming to the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle as well as supporting the fabric loop beside the machine have been carried out in prior art using several arrangements. The use of an overhead crane is known, to the hooks of which supporting poles of the fabric have been set. Support wires attached between the machine's front side frame and the wall are also known. Further, fabric replacement devices /frame assembly constructions specific to the machine or even to the fabric position are also known. Fabric replacement devices require design work and their design is cost-intensive and prone to errors .

An example of such equipment according to prior art is set forth in an EP patent application, Publication No. 1 375 744 A2. It describes equipment comprising a frame and several arms adapted in the frame in a starlike arrangement. Supports for the fabric loop are set at the ends of the arms. However, with this equipment, the fabric loop can be handled only in one single position and height, determined by the position of the equipment ' s arms . The equipment is custom-built for this particular fabric cycle replacement geometry.

Regardless of the operating method, difficulties are caused by the laboriousness of fabric handling, work safety issues related to handling, and the time consumed in handling. In addition, the work input of several persons is tied up in this handling. The time allocated for maintenance shutdowns and thus for fabric replacements is very limited. When handling a mas- sive fabric near the machine using awkward methods, space and time is taken from other maintenance operations . Replaceable fabrics are located in several different positions in a paper production line, and each of these positions usually has unique replacement geometry of the fabric cycle. Another prior art technique for handling a fabric loop is set forth in Finnish utility model Reg.No. 3709 filed by the applicant. It is characterized in that a replacement device having a shape of a fabric loop is supported with a crane. A replace- ment device for a transfer belt equipped with wheels is described in a Finnish patent application, Publication No. FI991171 filed by the applicant (corresponding PCT publication WO 00/71814) . When replacing a belt, the device can be driven to inside a paper machine. Moreover, problems are associated with the replacement device relative to both the device use and fabric handling.

The object of this invention is to provide equipment for installing a fabric loop in a fabric cycle of a web forming machine or for removing a fabric loop from a fabric cycle, which equipment, for example, multiplies the number of fabric cycles that can be handled with one and the same equipment . In addition, the invention accelerates fabric handling and improves the work safety related thereto. The characteristic features of the equipment according to the invention are set forth in claim 1, those of the arrangement in claim 9, and those of the method in claim 12. The invention also relates to the use of corresponding equipment for handling a fabric.

In the equipment according to the invention, the frame is adaptable in a lifting device with which the position of the frame is arranged to be adjustable in the vertical direction, and the position of at least one support relative to the frame is arranged to be changeable with an arm assembly for adapting the fabric loop to the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle and thus for installing or removing the fabric loop irrespective of the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle.

The position of the supports can be changed irrespective of each other. Thus an individual position of one's own can be specified for each of them. For example, the position of the supports can be changed so that each support can be placed, for example, in one of the corners of a fabric cycle replacement geometry.

According to one embodiment, the frame can include one or more blocks to which the arm assemblies are fastened. A lifting device can be used to adjust the position of the frame and thus the installation height of a fabric loop in the vertical direction. Thus handling of a fabric loop can be easily performed with the same device even in the fabric cycles located in high positions. According to still another embodiment, the support constructions, and possibly the frame as well, can be telescopic. This, too, provides several benefits. The size of the equipment can be varied, which enables its easy storing and additionally handling of fabric loops with various widths. Also, thanks to this feature, the equipment is easily arrangeable within a fabric loop.

With the invention, the fabric replacement devices become standardized and the speed, safety and usability of replacement operations improve.

The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, is described in more detail by making reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows equipment according to the invention with the telescopic parts retracted, and a lifting device adaptable thereto, Figure 2 shows equipment according to the invention with the telescopic parts extracted, and a lifting device adapted in the equipment,

Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the equipment as seen from various directions with a fabric adapted around the equipment,

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the replace- rαent of a fabric loop to the top pos ition using equipment according to the invention, Figures 6a and 6b are s impl i f ied cros s -s ectional views of equipment according to the invention for controlling the loose parts of a fabric in connection with the equipment , Figure 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of equipment according to the invention when applying more than one frame block, and Figure 8 shows an exemplifying application of another l i f t i ng dev i c e t o wh i ch the f r ame i s adapted .

Figures 1 - 5 show one implementation method for equipment 10 according to the invention. Using the equipment 10, the fabric loop 11 is easy and safe to handle when replacing it in e.g. a paper machine 12 or similar. As is well known, paper machines 12 have several fabric cycles in various positions, the shapes of which may differ greatly from each other.

Figure 7 shows one simplified example of elements 13.1 - 13.5 defining a fabric cycle, being in this case exclusively rolls, just to provide an example. The replacement geometry 14 of a fabric cycle as seen from the side of the paper machine 12 can be defined by rotating components, for example, such as rolls or cylinders 13.1 - 13.5, via which the fabric loop 11 is designed to cycle in the machine. When the fabric 11 is installed in place in the machine, the rotating components 13.1 - 13.5 are normally inside the fabric loop 11, but some may also be outside the loop 11. The components 13.1 - 13.5 or the opening points created in the machine 12 frame can also be, when looking at the machine 12 from the side, at least partly at two or more levels relative to each other, both in the vertical and horizontal directions. In connection with the handling operation, it may thus be necessary to support the fabric loop 11 at various points both in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the machine.

In addition to or besides the rotating components 13.1 - 13.5 shown in Figure 7, the replacement geometry 14 of a fabric cycle can also be defined, for example, by various control and conditioning equipment for the fabric loop comprised in the machine. Examples of these can comprise various cleaning devices, suction devices and stretching equipment. The devices can thus be either inside the fabric loop or even outside of it. The replacement geometry 14 of a fabric loop can also be defined by locations in the machine 12 frame that are openable in one way or another or ready open. At these locations, the fabric 11 can be taken inside the machine 12 or removed from the machine 12, i.e. from between the frames. The machine has fabric cycles throughout its entire length, from end to end, such as, for example in the forming section, in the press section, in the dryer section, and in the calender. A fabric loop can be a fabric, felt, metal belt, transfer belt or poly- meric belt, for example; this is in no way restricted by the invention. Generally, it is possible to speak about an endless closed loop regardless of its manufacturing material or method, position or function in the web forming machine.

Figures 1 and 2 show an example of equipment 10 according to the invention for handling a fabric loop in connection with maintenance operations of a web forming machine. In Figures 1 and 2 the equipment 10 is shown without the fabric loop. In its basic form the equipment 10 comprises a frame 15 and moving elements 16.1 - 16.4, 17 arranged in connection with it, protruding radially from the frame 15. The frame 15, which can support the main part of the mass of the fabric handled, can consist of a lattice structure, known as such, of a tower crane type, for example, which can have e.g. a rectangular cross- section. According to one embodiment, a cage-like frame 15 can be equipped with wheels, which allow moving it in the machine and cross-machine directions, for example, without an actual transfer device. Instead of a cage-like design, the frame can be very light, simply a bar-like construction, for example. A fastening frame construction can be arranged in connection with the bar ends for the radially extruding moving elements 16.1 - 16.4. In this case the purpose of the bar construction is to keep the support frames at a desired distance from each other so that the elements 16.1 - 16.4 at each end of the bar are in a uniform arrangement.

The moving elements 16.1 - 16.4, 17 arranged in the frame 15 can be used to set the equipment 10 into the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric cycle for installing a fabric loop 11 in the machine 12 or for removing it from the machine 12 (for a metal belt, for example) . The ability to customize the elements 16.1 - 16.4, 17 irrespective of each other provides, for example, the surprising advantage that one and the same equipment entity 10 can in practice be used to take care of handling of all fabric loops in each of the machine's lateral fabric cycle replacement positions irrespective of the width of the fabric loop, for example, or generally of the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric cycle.

Moving elements comprise at least one arm assembly entity 16.1 arranged movable relative to the frame 15. According to one embodiment, the arm assembly 16.1 can be at both ends of the frame 15. In addition, arms can be provided even between the ends of the frame 15, in case it is necessary for some reason

(not shown). The movement of the arms 16.1 - 16.4, the number of which is now four in this embodiment (two on both sides of the frame 15) , relative to the frame 15 can be very versatile considering the basic idea of the invention. In the proposed embodiment, the arms 16.1 - 16.4 are provided with a pivoting mechanism 22 located in their fastening points relative to the frame 15. Pivot points can be provided even elsewhere in the arms, or they can be located, instead of the fastening points relative to the frame 15, in an extension arm protruding from the frame 15, for example. The frame 15 can have flange-like lugs for fastening and pivoting the arms 16.1 - 16.4 to the frame 15. For example, a hydraulic cylinder 25 can be placed 5 between a point suitably selected from the arm assembly 16.1 - 16.4 and the frame 15 for turning the arm assembly 16.1 - 16.4 (Figures 6a and 6b) . For clarity, the cylinders are omitted from Figures 1 - 5.

10 At least one elongated support pole 17 parallel with the frame 15 is arranged in each arm assembly 16.1 - 16.4 for the fabric loop 11. The position of at least one support 17 relative to the frame 15 is arranged to be modifiable with the arm assembly 16.1 for adapting the fabric loop 11 to the replacement geome-

15 try 14 of the fabric cycle. The support 17 can be an elongated tubular beam which is used for supporting the fabric loop 11 in a desired vertical-horizontal position. Its surface can be, for example, Teflon or other similar low-friction material. The cylindrical roundness of the support 17 provides smooth move-

20 ment for the fabric 11 on top thereof when moving the fabric 11 relative to the elongated frame 15. The cross-sectional dimensions of the support 17 can be, for example, equal to those of the roll located in the x-y position corresponding thereto, or smaller, or the support can be even a larger pipe.

25

For example, the support 17 can consist of an extendable tubular beam being thus telescopic. Even the frame 15 can be of a telescopically extendable type. The number of telescopic extensions can be 1 - 6, in which case the basic length of the frame

30 15 can be, for example, 2 - 6 m, when retracted. In Figure 1 the frame 15 and the support booms 17 are shown in their retracted position. With a telescopic arrangement of the frame 15 and the supports 17 the size of the equipment 10 can be made surprisingly small. This facilitates storing the equipment 10

35 in a paper mill. In addition, the arrangement of the fabric loop 11 requiring handling around the equipment 10 and its removal from the equipment 10 is very easy thanks to the telescopic feature . Another advantage provided by the telescopic feature is that the equipment 10 can be used for handling fabrics of various widths .

5

The arm assembly 16.1 - 16.4 can also be telescopically extendable due to which it provides the movability of the poles 17 relative to the frame 15. In the embodiment shown the number of telescopic extensions 23 is three in each arm assembly 16.1 -

10 16.4. With the pivoting mechanism 22 of the arm assembly 16.1 - 16.4 relative to the frame 15 and its extendability, adaptability of the equipment 10 for different fabric loop replacement geometries is achieved. The telescopic feature of the arms 16.1 - 16.4 and the pivoting mechanism 22 can be used to change the

15 distance between the support booms 17 supported by the arms 16.1 - 16.4 and their angle relative to the frame 15 irrespective of each other (arrows in Figure 1 in the arm assembly 16.2) . By changing these, each support boom 17 can be moved irrespective of each other to a suitable position conforming to

20 the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric loop (for example, a curve/corner/turning point, a frame opening in the fabric loop replacement geometry 14). Moving the adjustable elements 16.1 - 16.4, 17 of the equipment 10 both telescopically and turnably can be achieved by means of actuators arranged in connection

25 with them. For example, the actuators can be medium-actuated, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder actuators. A manual drive, realized with a winch mechanism, for example, is naturally also possible. The arrangement of actuators 24, 25 provided in the arm assemblies 16.1 - 16.4 is illustrated in a

30 very basic level in Figures 6a and 6b.

For example, the frame 15 is removably connectable by its end to a lifting device 18, which is shown as one application example in Figure 1 separated from the frame 15, and in Figures 35 2 - 5 attached to the frame 15. The lifting device 18 can be, for example, a goods hoist equipped with wheels known as such, such as, for example, a lift truck. According to one embodiment the frame 15 of the equipment 10 can also be without wheels and its transfer can be performed solely with a lift truck. As an example of the lifting height of the lifting device 18, 6 - 8 meters, even 10 meters, can be mentioned. The invention relates as well to a lifting device 18, which is suitable for using fabric replacement equipment 10 according to the invention.

The lifting device 18 can also be used to change the position of the frame 15 in the vertical direction, as can be seen in Figure 5. The equipment 10 can be attached, for example, to the telescopic lifting boom 26 of the lifting device 18. Then the frame 15 with supports 17 can be set to a suitable height steplessly and easily taking into account the height of each fabric cycle replacement geometry (vertical arrow) . The actuators of the equipment 10, such as, for example, the cylinder actuators 24, 25 of the arm assemblies 16.1 - 16.4 and the means providing the telescopic movement of the frame 15 and the support poles 17, can be connected, according to one embodi- ment, to the hydraulic system of the lifting device 18. Then the equipment 10 itself need not necessarily be provided with a hydraulic aggregate at all, which simplifies essentially its implementation .

Figures 3 - 5 show some embodiments for installing a fabric 11 in a press section of a paper machine 12. It should be noted that all rolls or generally the functional parts of the machine 12 are not shown in the figures for clarity. Referring to the figures, the method and arrangement according to the invention are also described for handling a fabric loop 11 in connection with a web forming machine 12, thus more particularly outside the machine 12, using equipment 10 according to the invention. In the initial situation, the equipment 10 can be in its arrangement shown in Figure 1, i.e. with the telescopic parts retracted. In addition, the arms 16.1 - 16.4 with the booms 17 can be in a position following closely the frame 15, in which case the main cross-section of the equipment 10 is defined by- its frame 15. The fabric 11 designed to be supported around the frame 15 of the equipment 10 can be unwound, for example, in front of the end of the frame 15 on the side that is without the support of the lifting device 18, supporting at the same time the fabric 11 with an overhead crane, for example. Unwinding can be performed, for example, using an unwinding device 20 known as such.

After unwinding has been carried out to such an extent that the fabric loop 11 created can be conveniently passed around the basic frame 15 from the connection of its free (unsupported) end, the frame 15 with the booms 17 is taken to its length defined by the fabric using the telescopic mechanism. When unwinding the fabric 11 is continued, the telescopic mechanism 23, 24 extends the arms 16.1 - 16.4 and the angle adjustment mechanism 22, 25 changes their angle irrespective of each other relative to the frame 15. As a consequence of the adjustments, the area of the cross-section defined by the extreme points of the equipment 10, seen from the end of the equipment 10, increases. With this, the unwindable fabric loop 11 can be controllably supported around the frame 15, mainly on its sides, so that it will not hang free to a great extent. Besides the support booms 17 provided in the arms 16.1 - 16.4, the frame 15 itself can also support the fabric loop 11 at one point, in which case the top surface of the frame 15 can also be equipped with a sliding/support surface. Hence it is the frame 15 that can be used to support the main part of the mass of the fabric loop 11, and the frame can also form the upper- most support point in the cycle corresponding to the fabric loop 11 and thus also the main guide when transferring the fabric 11 to the machine's fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 as well as when transferring it back towards the equipment 10 from the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. The unwinding device 20 of the fabric loop 11 shown in Figures

3 and 4 can be arranged as desired relative to the equipment 10. For example, it can be connected beside the equipment 10 such that its distance to the frame 15 of the. equipment 10 is constant in the longitudinal direction of the frame 15. The unwinding device 20 can also be fitted with wheels 20' of its own, in which case it is not at all connected to the equipment 10. The connection can additionally enable the movability of the unwinding device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the frame 15. The unwinding device 20 is outside the fabric 11. When maneuvering the replacement geometries of the fabric cycles in the bottom positions, the extra part of the closed fabric loop, the stretching allowance, can be wound twice over the unwinding device 20. If the fabric handled is one belonging to a top position, the unwinding device can be supported with an overhead crane, for example, at its ends beside a fabric handling device 10 that is clearly lifted from the floor level. In both cases, both unwinding ends of the fabric 11 are released from the same side, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. Generally, the unwinding device 20 can be of a type known in prior art. For example, the unwinding device 20 can have, for example, at its ends means 20' moving with wheels connected to the pole 20* of the fabric 11, having a mechanical brake, for example, for limiting the unwinding of the pole 20*, and a sliding surface.

Once the fabric 11 is unwound as desired around the frame 15 of the equipment 10, the next stage can consist of trying on the equipment 10 in a position corresponding to the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric cycle beside the machine 12 and possibly anchoring it in place and/or possibly fastening to the machine 12. This condition is illustrated in Figures 3 - 5. Unwinding is carried out to such an extent that the fabric loop 11 can be supported by the arms 16.1 - 16.4 with poles 17 around the frame 15 of the equipment 10 in the main cross- sectional shape of the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 or even slightly larger than the fabric cycle replacement geometry

14 is in the actual replacement position of the fabric 11. Generally, it is possible to speak about supporting the fabric loop 11 in connection with the handling operation around the frame 15 of the equipment 10 mainly in the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric cycle, in which case the poles 17 of the equipment 10 are each in an X-Y position independent of each other. Now the X-Y direction is the vertical-lateral direction when looking at the machine in the lateral direction.

The arms 16.1 - 16.4 can be used to make the shape of the fabric loop 11 around the frame 15 of the equipment 10 such that it is slightly larger than the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 defined by the rolls or the machine frame, for example, to which the fabric loop 11 is to be transferred from the equipment 10. The frame 15 is lifted to a suitable height with the lifting device 18 in such a way, for example, that its top surface corresponds to the top-most position of the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. Naturally even one of the sup- port booms 17 can be moved to correspond to the top-most extreme point defining the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14.

The following operation consists of transferring the fabric 11 from the equipment 10 to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. In this, several different transfer methods can be applied.

A first method is to draw one or more wires from the back side of the machine 12 (not shown) through the machine 12 to the front side, where the equipment 10 and the fabric loop 11 set thereupon are located. The ends of the wires are fastened to that edge of the fabric loop 11 at which the frame 15 is free, i.e. without support (being the edge opposite to the frame 15, relative to the lifting device 18, on the paper machine side) . The fabric loop 11 is transferred from top of the equipment 10 to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14, for example, to surround the rolls defining it, by drawing it e.g. manually from the back side with wires (horizontal arrow in Figure 5) .

Figure 2 shows another embodiment for leading the fabric loop 11 in the cross direction of the machine 12 from the equipment 10 to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. According to this embodiment, the equipment 10 can be provided with guide arms 21. The guide arms 21 can be extractably and rectractably located in each support 17, for example, or at least in part of them. In this case the fabric loop 11 is grabbed at the edge with the guide arms 21, after which the guide arms 21 transfer the loop 11 from the position corresponding to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 to inside the machine 12. Slim telescopic guide arms 21 fit well in narrow machine element inter- vals and draw the loop 11 edge until to the back side edge. After this the arm 21 ends are detached from the fabric loop 11 and the arms 21 are drawn back to within the booms 17 while the fabric loop 11 remains in the machine 12. The lifting device 18 can be used as the drive power source for the guide arms 21 as well.

According to a third embodiment, a fabric loop 11 that is sufficiently rigid in the cross direction of the machine 12, such as, for example, a metal belt, can be surprisingly even pushed to the machine 12 to the cycle replacement geometry 14. In this case, for example, the equipment 10 frame 15 can comprise at least one wire 27 (Figure 2) running twice over in the frame 15 from end to end. For the wire 27, a roller wheel 28 or similar element can be provided at one end of the frame 15, being now the freely hanging end of the frame 15, which reverses the travel direction of the wire 27. At the opposite end of the frame 15 relative to the roller wheel 28, being now thus the supportable end of the frame 15, means for changing the length of the wire 27, such as, for example, a winch mechanism 29, can be provided. The wire 27 leaving the winch 29 can run the first interval from the supported end of the frame 15 to the freely hanging end within an elongated frame beam, for example. The wire part returning from the roller wheel 28 to the end on the side of the lifting device 18 can run, for example, between the frame 15 and the fabric loop 11 lying on top of it conforming to the shape of the frame 15.

When installing a fabric loop 11 to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14, the end 35 of the wire 27 can be attached to the edge of the fabric loop 11 on the side of the lifting device 18. After this the wire 27 is reeled with the winch 29, whereupon the wire 27 draws the rigid fabric loop 11 connected thereto towards the machine 12. As the fabric loop 11 has been shaped, lifted and set ready in the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 with the equipment 10, the loop 11 is transferred from the equipment 10 to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. When the wire 27 end 35 reaches the freely hanging end on the roller wheel 28 side in the frame 15, the fabric loop 11 has been pushed in place in the machine 12 and the wire 27 end 35 can be detached from the edge of the loop 11. In this em- bodiment no installation equipment is pushed into the machine 12 and no special wires need be drawn across the machine. Handling fabrics even with a lower rigidity is possible pushing in this way, at least if for example the top part of the frame 15 is equipped with for example a chassis having a width corre- sponding to that of the fabric (not shown) , to which the grip 35 can be fastened and by means of which the fabric 11 can be pushed inside the machine 12. Then the chassis can function as a possible reinforcement.

According to one embodiment, when taking the fabric 11 to the machine 12, the frame 15 of the equipment 10 can be lifted even to a slightly higher position than would be required by the actual fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. Thus the long frame, free at its machine 12 side end, is inclined in a small angle towards the machine 12. An angle can also be provided using the tilting feature 30 of lifting boom 26 of the lifting device 18 (Figure 1) . With this inclination, the fabric 11 to be transferred to the machine 12 can be inched/drawn to a slightly downward slope while simultaneously drawing/pushing it to the machine 12, which inclination facilitates the fabric installation for its part. Correspondingly, the boom 26 inclination 30 of the lifting device 18 can also be applied when removing the fabric 11 from the machine 12.

At the same time when the fabric loop 11 moves from the frame 15 of the equipment 10 to the machine 12 (horizontal arrow in Figure 5) , the possible unwinding device 20 can also be transferred inside the machine 12. It should be noted that the equipment 10 itself is not pushed into the machine 12 for the main parts 15, 17. The machine 12 constructions are fitted with an opening in the cross direction of the machine 12 and guides for the unwinding device 20, where the fabric loop 11 can be finally unwound for stretching. Lastly, the unwinding device 20 is drawn out from inside the machine 12 and the final stretching in place of the fabric loop 11 is carried out using the lead and stretcher rolls of the fabric 11.

Correspondingly, when applying the invention to a metal belt, for example, the equipment 10 according to the invention can be used, besides in the installation of a fabric 11, also for removing a fabric loop 11 from a fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 of a web forming machine 12. The operation can be performed, for example, by moving the equipment 10 beside the machine 12 and taking its arms 16.1 - 16.4 provided with booms 17 to an arrangement corresponding to the fabric cycle replace- ment geometry 14 in a similar way as when installing the fabric 11 in the machine 12. For example, the fabric loop 11 can be drawn out of the cycle replacement geometry 14 to surround the equipment 10 frame 15 and the boom beams 17. After this the fabric 11 can be removed from the equipment 10, for example, in reversed order compared to its arrangement on top of the equipment 10 in the embodiment described above. Finally, the fabric loop 11 can be made into a compact double roll using the rewinding feature of the unwinding device 20.

Figures 6a and 6b show some further embodiments of the equip- 5 ment 10 at a very basic level as seen from the end. Now the equipment 10 comprises means 19 for holding together the loose part 11' of the fabric loop during handling. Particularly when installing a fabric loop 11 in top positions, the extra part 11 ' of the fabric loop 11 can be folded on top of the equipment

10 10 in one or several folds. The elements 19 can be composed of, for example, presses or similar, which can be used to release the supported fabric loop 11 quickly and easily from the equipment 10. The number of presses 19 can be e.g. three at both edges, of which two pairs are located at the ends of the fold

15 11' and one pair at the center of the frame 15. The folds 11' can also function as reinforcement when pushing the fabric loop 11 to the machine using the means 27 - 29, 35 of the equipment 10 (Figure 2) .

20 Figure 7 shows an extremely simplified view of another embodiment of the equipment 10 according to the invention. If the replacement geometry 14 of the fabric loop extends to a remarkably large area for example in the longitudinal and/or vertical direction of the machine 12, according to one embodiment, the

25 frame 15 of the equipment 10 can be composed of at least two frame parts 15.1 - 15.3, which can be at different heights in the vertical direction as well. One application for this kind of frame construction could be a fourdrinier former, for example. The basic design of the equipment units 10 can then be,

30 for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and each equipped with a lifting device of one's own (not shown). Then the frames 15.1 - 15.3 can be connected to each other such that they are set at a distance from each other in the vertical or longitudinal direction of the machine. On the other hand, the frame blocks

35 15.1 - 15.3 can also be unconnected. For a possible connection, machine-directional connection beams can be used, which can be telescopic as well. Thus, for example, a long telescopic extension is not required of the arms 16.1 - 16.4 and the constructions are more lightly stressed also otherwise.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the lifting device 18, which is adaptable or even integrated as a part of the equipment 10 according to the invention. The support poles and their arm assemblies are not shown at all in Figure 8. Now the lifting device 18 is based on a scissors mechanism 31. Thus the frame 15 can be made very compact and the device 10 fits in a standard container. The frame components of the scissors assembly 31 can be made similar in design achieving thus the advantages of serial production. The scissors mechanism is arranged to be hauled along a rail 32 provided in the carriage 18, in which case its movement is smooth and, on the other hand, lockable at a desired height. The bottom part of the carriage 18 forms a "housing" for the frame 15, which makes the entire equipment 10 very compact and regular in shape with the scissors mechanism 31 folded together.

In contrast to the lifting truck model, the actuator accessories (i.e. possible batteries, actuator hydraulics or pumps) of the equipment 10 can also be located over a longer distance in connection with the bottom part. The control of the lifting device 18 is easily implementable. The rear wheel (s) of the equipment 10 can turn, which allows easier access to beside the machine 12. Naturally even all the wheels can be steering. The lifting device 18 can additionally comprise support paws 33 on its sides, for example, opening in a Y shape arrangement, for instance. The movement of the support paws 33 including the arms can be versatile allowing thus to adapt the center of gravity of the entire system according to the fabric position/fabric handled at each time. The extra length of the fabric 11 can be folded on top of the equipment 10. Thus the ceiling of the frame part 15 can be made of a continuous plate to support the weight of the fabric 11 and to facilitate installation of the fabric 11 in the machine 12.

The equipment 10 according to the invention can also be pro- vided with intelligence. According to one embodiment, the equipment 10 can be equipped with processor and memory means CPU, MEM. These can be used, for example, for the purpose of storing the handling data of the fabric loop 11 and further for controlling the equipment 10 according to the stored handling data. For example, when installing or removing a fabric 11 in/from each position for the first time, the independent position of the equipment 10 and its elements 16.1 - 16.4 can be stored with a button press in the memory MEM to conform to the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 concerned. In addi- tion, even the position of the equipment 10 in the machine hall can be stored in the memory MEM. During the following handling times, the supports 17 of the equipment 10 can be immediately taken to the correct "geometry" using the data retrieved from the memory MEM with automatic control performed by the proces- sor CPU, which has an essential effect on the speed of handling.

In principle, it may be sufficient in the invention to use only one moving arm assembly and a support boom adapted thereto. Using this kind of equipment, the fabric loop can be handled for example in a triangular fabric cycle replacement geometry position. One arm with booms can thus define one of the corners of the fabric cycle replacement geometry, while the frame corners of the frame 15 can form the other two corners of the fabric cycle replacement geometry. In addition to being telescopic in the longitudinal direction, the frame 15 can be telescopic also in its vertical and/or lateral direction.

If the diameters of the support poles 17, defining the extreme points of the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 around the frame 15 of the equipment 10, are notably smaller than those of the rolls 13.1 - 13.5, for example, (Figure I)₁ this must be taken into account in the distance between the arms 16.1 - 16.4 and the frame 15. Then it may be necessary to set the length of the arms 16.1 - 16.4 even greater than the actual fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 in order that the entire fabric loop 11 can be set all over outside the rolls 13.1 - 13.5 that possibly define the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14. With this, even the entire fabric 11 can be unwound from the unwinding device 20 around the equipment 10, in which case the need of an unwinding device 20 is completely removed when transferring the fabric 11 to the machine 12.

According to a further embodiment, the invention can also be applied in connection with a fabric introduction device set forth in Finnish patent No. FI-103421B filed by the applicant. Generally this type of introduction device is located in the bottom part of the fabric loop. Considering this, the replacement equipment 10 according to the invention can be used to stretch the bottom part of the fabric 11 straight by means with the support arms 16.1 - 16.4 of the equipment 10. This leads to the advantage, for example, that the fabric 11 enters the introduction device reliably without folds.

According to the basic idea of the invention, the equipment 10 is so adjustable that the fabric 11 can be supported around it in the desired fabric cycle replacement geometry, or generally in such a shape which enables a fabric replacement in a web forming machine 12. In addition to (or even instead of) that the shape of the equipment 10 is changed with elements 16.1 - 16.4 protruding from the frame 15 to its sides and/or above/beneath, arranged movable relative to the frame 15, even the frame 15 itself can be moved, on the other hand. For this, for example a boom 26 of a goods hoist 18 equipped with a rotator can be used, allowing to turn the frame 15 to a desired arrangement and adjust the poles 17 thereafter to suitable arrangements using the arms 16.1 - 16.4. It is understood by one skilled in the art that the expression " fabric cycle replacement geometry" can be unders tood very widely in connection with the invention . According to as set forth above , the rol ls through which the fabric 11 cycl es during the operation of the machine 12 , would define the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle . In addition, it must be noted that as regards the context of the invention, the frame constructions of the machine 12 , for example , can also be unders tood as points def ining the fabric cycle replacement geometry 14 expressly as regards the replacement of the fabric 11 . More generally, i t is also pos s ible to speak about an opening which is created on the side of the machine 12 when in the fabric replacement position. Then the fabric loop 11 can be taken inside the machine or removed from the machine e . g . through some other cantilevering position, such as , for example, defined by the frame constructions , which is not necessarily exactly at the roll in all positions . After the fabric loop 11 has been taken inside the machine , it is trans ferred, at least in some positions , in the longitudinal and/or vertical direction of the machine in order to take it to the final on- the-run traveling cycle . In addition, it must be further under-

- stood that the principle drawings do not necessarily show all those rolls that define the fabric cycle replacement geometry. In the context of the invention, the term ' web forming machine ' is used to refer to paper, board, tissue or pulp machine, for example .

It is to be unders tood that the above description and the figures related thereto are intended to only illustrate the present invention . The invention is thus not limited merely to the above described embodiments or those set forth in the claims , but many different variations and modifications of the invention , which are possible within the boundaries of the inventional idea speci f ied in the appended claims , will be apparent for one skilled in the art .

Claims

1. Equipment (10) for installing a fabric loop (11) in a fabric cycle of a web forming machine (12) or for removing it from a fabric cycle, around which equipment (10) the fabric loop (11) is adaptable mainly into the replacement geometry (14) of the fabric cycle in connection with its installation or removal, and which equipment (10) includes

- a frame (15) and - at least one arm assembly (16.1) arranged in connection with the frame (15) to which a support (17) parallel with the frame (15) is adapted for the fabric loop (11) , characterized in that - the frame (15) is adaptable to a lifting device (18), which is arranged to adjust the position of the frame (15) in the vertical direction, and

- the position of at least one support (17) relative to the frame (15) is arranged to be modifiable with the arm assembly (16.1) for adapting the fabric loop (11) to the replacement geometry (14) of the fabric cycle.

2. Equipment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting device (18) is equipped with a boom tilting function (26, 30) for transferring the fabric loop (11) relative to the equipment (10) downhill-assisted.

3. Equipment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame (15) and the support (17) are telescopic.

4. Equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the frame (15) of the equipment (10) is formed of at least two blocks (15.1 - 15.3) arranged at a distance from each other.

5. Equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the equipment (10) includes elements (19) for holding together the loose part (II¹) of the fabric loop during handling.

6. Equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that an unwinding device (20) of the fabric loop (11) is connectable to the equipment (10) .

7. Equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the supports (17) are equipped with guide arms (21) for leading the fabric loop (11) from the equipment (10) to a replacement geometry (14) of the fabric loop, which guide arms (21) are arranged extractably and retractably to the supports (17) .

8. Equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the equipment (10) is equipped with processor and memory means (CPU, MEM) for storing the handling data of the fabric loop (11) and for controlling the equipment (10) according to said handling data.

9. A lifting device (18), which is adaptable as a part of the equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the lifting device (18) is based on a scissors mechanism (31) .

10. An arrangement for handling a fabric loop (11) in connection with a web forming machine (12), which web forming machine (12) includes several fabric cycle replacement geometries (14) and around which equipment (10) the fabric loop (11) is adaptable mainly in the replacement geometry of the fabric cycle (11) in connection with the handling operation, and which equipment (10) includes - a frame (15) and - at least one arm assembly (16.1) arranged in connection with the frame (15) to which a support (17) parallel with the frame (15) is arranged for the fabric loop (11) ,

5 characterized in that

- the frame (15) is adaptable to a lifting device (18) , which is arranged to adjust the position of the frame (15) in the vertical direction, and

- the position of at least one support (17) relative 10 to the frame (15) is arranged to be modifiable with the arm assembly (16.1) for adapting the fabric loop (11) to the replacement geometry (14) of the fabric cycle.

15 11. An arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the web forming machine (12) comprises several elements (13.1 - 13.5) arranged for the fabric loop (11), adapted to define said fabric cycle replacement geometry (14) for said fabric loop (11), and which elements (13.1 - 13.5) are at least partially

20 at different levels relative to each other.

12. A method for handling a fabric loop (11) in connection with a web forming machine (12) , in which the web forming machine (12) includes several fabric cycle replacement geometries (14)

25 and in which handling of the fabric loop (11) when installing it in the web forming machine (12) or removing it therefrom is carried out using equipment (10) around which the fabric loop (11) is supported mainly in the fabric cycle replacement geometry (14) , characterized in that handling of the fabric loop

30 (11) is carried out in connection with each fabric cycle replacement geometry (14) with said one piece of equipment (10) , which is adapted to correspond to the replacement geometry (14) of each fabric cycle.

35 13. Use of equipment (10) according to any of claims 1 - 8 for installing a fabric loop (11) in place in a web forming machine

(12) or for removing it from a web forming machine (12) .