Method and apparatus for improved paper turn up systems with controlled paperband tension

Abstract

Improved apparatus and methods of operating a turn up apparatus on a paper machine to improve the performance of a paper machine turn up process is presented. The apparatus may include a cross track with an internal slot for a paperband to move upon and affixed a surface that is proximate to the first internal slot. The first apron may lie across a surface above a location for the paperband and interact with the paperband when the paperband is pulled out of the apparatus during a turn-up operation. An apron tensioning device may provide an additional force against an edge of a surface of the apron. A curved track may hold the paperband at an angle to an axis of the cross track, and the paperband feeding device may advance the paperband during a portion of a turn-up operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for deploying a paperband during a turn-up operation on a paper making machine, the apparatus comprising:
 a cross track comprising a first internal slot in which the paperband may be extended in preparation of a turn-up procedure on the paper making machine;   a transverse opening in the cross track through which the paperband may be deployed;   a pressurized bladder apron device positioned above the transverse opening and contacting a first transverse track surface and a second transverse track surface, to form a seal against debris entering the transverse opening, wherein the pressurized bladder apron device comprises:   a bladder capable of varying degrees of inflation to adjust tension applied on the paperband;   an integrated apron surface, integral to the bladder, designed to contact and exert controlled force on the paperband as it exits through the transverse opening;   a self-fixing attachment feature that allows the pressurized bladder apron device to attach into the cross track;   a curve track holding the paperband at an angle to an axis of the cross track; and   a paperband feeding device operative to advance the paperband through the first internal slot without exiting the transverse opening.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the self-fixing attachment feature comprises a drip edge that fits into an apron holding slot of the cross track to attach the pressurized bladder apron device into the cross track. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the drip edge fits into the apron holding slot of the cross track to attach the pressurized bladder apron device into the cross track without a need of additional clamping features. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas control system to control pressure in the bladder of the pressurized bladder apron device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized bladder apron device is configured to provide adjustable resistance to the paperband, facilitating controlled tension during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle for holding the paperband to the axis of the cross track is adjusted to accommodate various paper-web thicknesses. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of bars through which the paperband is deployed to minimize flutter in the paperband. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein one or both of the pair of bars comprises a plurality of adjusted sequential zones having different distances providing different levels of resistance to the paperband. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of bars are positioned relative to each other in one of the following arrangements: (a) a leading bar is positioned above a second bar, (b) both bars are relatively even along a path of the paperband, (c) the leading bar is positioned below the second bar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an attaching feature comprising at least one of: an apron holding slot, a second apron, and a bladder for securing an apron tensioning device to the cross track. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized bladder apron device provides a frictional force to the paperband during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for deploying a paperband for a turn-up operation, the apparatus comprising:
 a cross track comprising a first internal slot for the paperband to move upon, a transverse opening through which the paperband may be deployed and an attaching feature comprising an apron holding slot to affix a first end of a first apron above the transverse opening, wherein the first end of the first apron contacting a first transverse track surface and a second transverse track surface;   an apron tensioning device positioned above the first end of the first apron, wherein the apron tensioning device provides an additional force against the first end of the first apron;   a curve track extended from the cross track, wherein the curve track holds the paperband at an angle to an axis of the cross track, wherein the curve track carries a second end of the first apron along at least a portion of the curve track; and   a paperband feeding device operative to advance the paperband during at least an initial portion of the turn-up operation.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apron tensioning device comprises a bladder capable of varying inflation to adjust tension applied on the paperband, wherein a bladder is configured to apply a controlled frictional force to the paperband as it exits the cross track during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apron tensioning device comprises a pressurized bladder apron device configured to provide adjustable resistance to the paperband, facilitating controlled tension during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apron tensioning device comprises a second apron exerting a downward pressure on the first apron. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more clips for holding the first apron along the at least a portion of the curve track to ensure smooth transition of the paperband during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a clamp on the cross track for holding a first end of the second apron above the first end of the first apron, wherein the curve track carries a second end of the second apron along at least a portion of the curve track. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first apron and the second apron have same lengths along the at least a portion of the curve track. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first apron and the second apron have different lengths along the at least a portion of the curve track. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first apron and the second apron comprises a cut at an angle at the second end carried by the curve track.