Multiple web tension stand

Abstract

A tension station can include a single brake device configured to provide tension to multiple webs, a nip roller configured to nip the multiple webs to a component of the brake device, a tension transducer idler configured to support the multiple webs and to provide tension information indicative of tension of one or more of the multiple webs, and a controller configured to receive the tension information, to compare the tension information to set point information, and to provide a command signal to the brake device;

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tension station comprising:
 a single brake device configured to simultaneously provide tension to multiple webs;   a nip roller configured to nip the multiple webs to a component of the brake device;   a tension transducer idler configured to support the multiple webs and to provide tension information indicative of tension of one or more of the multiple webs; and   a controller configured to receive the tension information, to compare the tension information to set point information, and to provide a command signal to the brake device;   
     
     
         2 . The tension station of  claim 1 , including a first side plate configured to mechanically support the brake device, the nip roller and the tension transducer. 
     
     
         3 . The tension station of  claim 2 , including a plurality of dancer assemblies configured to accommodate tension variations of the multiple webs, wherein each web of the multiple webs is associated with a single dancer assembly of the plurality of dancer assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The tension station of  claim 3 , including a dancer mount mechanically coupled to the first side plate, wherein the plurality of dancer assemblies are mounted directly to the dancer mount. 
     
     
         5 . The tension station of  claim 3 , wherein each dancer assembly includes:
 a dancer roller configured to support a web of the multiple webs; and   a dancer actuator coupled to the dancer roller, the dancer actuator configured to support movement of the dancer roller in response to tension fluctuations of the web.   
     
     
         6 . The tension station of  claim 5 , wherein the dancer roller includes a groove configured to receive the web. 
     
     
         7 . The tension station of  claim 3 , wherein the dancer assembly includes a position sensor configured to provide position feedback of the dancer roller; and
 wherein the controller includes a dancer position controller configured receive the position feedback and to adjust a force provided by the dancer actuator to maintain a position of the dancer roller in a desired location.   
     
     
         8 . The tension station of  claim 2 , including a second side plate opposite the first side plate and configured to mechanically support the brake device, the nip roller and the tension transducer; and
 wherein the multiple webs are configured to pass between the first side plate and the second side plate.   
     
     
         9 . The tension station of  claim 1 , wherein the single brake device includes a torque generator coupled to a torque roller. 
     
     
         10 . The tension station of  claim 9 , wherein the torque generator includes a brake. 
     
     
         11 . The tension station of  claim 9 , wherein the torque generator includes a clutch. 
     
     
         12 . The tension station of  claim 9 , wherein the torque generator includes a motor. 
     
     
         13 . The tension station of  claim 1 , including a pneumatic nip actuator configured to move the nip roller to engage and to disengage contact with the torque roller. 
     
     
         14 . The tension station of  claim 1 , wherein the tension control station is configured to simultaneously control tension on more than 10 webs. 
     
     
         15 . A multiple-web tension stand comprising:
 a stand frame configured to receive and pass multiple webs;   a plurality of multiple-web tension stations mounted to the stand frame; and   wherein each multiple-web tension station of the plurality of multiple-web tension stations includes:
 a single brake device configured to provide tension to a plurality of webs of the multiple webs; 
 a nip roller configured to nip the plurality of webs to a component of the brake device; 
 a tension transducer idler configured to support the plurality webs and to provide tension information indicative of tension of one or more webs of the plurality of webs; and 
 a controller configured to receive the tension information, to compare the tension information to set point information, and to provide a command signal to the single brake device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The tension stand of  claim 15 , wherein each multiple-web tension station includes a first side plate configured to mechanically support the single brake device, the nip roller and the tension transducer. 
     
     
         17 . The tension stand of  claim 16 , wherein each multiple-web tension station includes a plurality of dancer assemblies configured to accommodate tension variations of the plurality of webs, wherein each web of the plurality of webs is associated with a single dancer assembly of the plurality of dancer assemblies. 
     
     
         18 . The tension stand of  claim 17 , wherein each dancer assembly includes:
 a dancer roller configured to support a web of the plurality of webs; and   a dancer actuator coupled to the dancer roller, the dancer actuator configured to support movement of the dancer roller in response to tension fluctuations of the web.   
     
     
         19 . The tension stand of  claim 17 , wherein each multiple-web tension station includes a second side plate opposite the first side plate and configured to mechanically support the brake device, the nip roller, the tension transducer idler, and the plurality of dancer assemblies; and
 wherein the plurality of webs are configured to pass between the first side plate and the second side plate.   
     
     
         20 . The tension stand of  claim 15 , wherein the multiple webs include at least 80 webs.