Screen cylinder with improved slot width protection, and method of removing solid contaminants from solid suspension

Abstract

To provide a slot cylinder comprising a hardened layer disposed in a slot region for reducing wear in the slot region.SOLUTION: The method includes a step of forming the outer portion of a container on the inner surface thereof prior to inversion of the container and forming the inner portion of the container on the outer surface thereof prior to inversion of the container, to form a layer of an elastomer or plastic or any combination thereof inside the container in an inverted manner. In an embodiment, the method includes a step of forming or bonding a leak-proof seal on the outer surface of the container prior to inversion of the container. The leak-proof seal provides access to the inner portion of the container when the leak-proof seal is opened subsequent to inversion of the container, and after inverting the container, at least a liquid is retained in the container even when an external force is applied to the container, without using an external structure to keep the leak-proof seal closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 839,314, entitled “Screen Cylinder with Improved Slot Width Protection,” filed April 26, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to screen cylinders for removing excess solid foreign matter from solid suspensions, and more particularly to screen cylinders having improved slot width protection and methods of making and using screen cylinders having improved slot width protection. [Background technology]

[0003] In the paper industry, the papermaking process requires the production of pulp, which is a solid suspension of fibers such as cellulose or other fibers. Depending on the fiber source, the pulp may contain various concentrations and sizes of solid foreign objects such as wood chips, fiber bundles, metal pieces, hardened glue, or other foreign objects. For example, the increased use of recycled paper as a fiber source may increase the presence of hardened glue, metal fragments, and wood chips in the pulp. These excessive solid foreign objects may reduce paper quality and / or cause disturbances in the pulp flow in the headbox of the Fodrinier machine or other papermaking processes.

[0004] To remove these excess solid foreign objects from the pulp prior to its introduction into the papermaking process, the pulp is often screened. Pulp screening may be used to separate the pulp with respect to fiber length or fiber stiffness. Pulp screening may be achieved by introducing the pulp into a pressure screen where an acceptable portion of the pulp passes through the holes or slots in the screen. The excess solid objects or the unacceptable portion of the pulp (e.g., long or stiff fibers in the case of screening based on fiber characteristics) do not pass through the holes or slots in the screen and are discharged through a reject outlet. Pressure screens may also be used in industries other than the pulp and paper industry to remove excess solid foreign objects from slurries and solid suspensions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Thus, there is an ongoing need for pressure screens with improved wear performance, specifically, a screen cylinder having a hardened layer in the slot area to reduce wear in the slot area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the screen cylinder may include a plurality of profile bars that are aligned longitudinally and connected to at least one support ring at the mounting end of the plurality of profile bars. Each of the plurality of profile bars may include an outer surface facing outward from the at least one support ring, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profile bar to the mounting end opposite the outer surface, and a second slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profile bar to the mounting end opposite the first slot surface. The first slot surface of one profile bar and the second slot surface of another adjacent profile bar may define a slot. The profile bars may further include a hardening layer that is integrated with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of the profile bar, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, a profiled bar of a screen cylinder for separating solid foreign matter from a solid suspension may include a mounting end and an outer surface disposed at an end opposite the mounting end. The profiled bar may further include a first slotted surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the mounting end, and a second slotted surface extending from the outer surface to the mounting end opposite the first slotted surface. The profiled bar may further include a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slotted surface, a portion of the second slotted surface, or both, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of making a hardened profile bar for a screen cylinder may include providing a profile bar including an attachment end and an outer surface facing in a direction opposite the attachment end. The profile bar may further include a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profile bar to the attachment end, and a second slot surface extending from the outer surface to the attachment end opposite the first slot surface. The method may further include forming a hardened layer on or integral with at least a portion of the first slot surface. The hardened layer may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1. The method may further include depositing a chrome layer on the outer surface of the profile bar or on the hardened layer.

[0009] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method for removing solid foreign matter from a solid suspension may include contacting the solid suspension with a screen cylinder. The screen cylinder may include a plurality of profiled bars connected to at least one support ring and aligned longitudinally. Each of the plurality of profiled bars may include an outer surface facing outwardly from the at least one support ring, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to an attachment end opposite the outer surface, and a second slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to an attachment end opposite the first slot surface. Each of the profiled bars may further include a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of each of the profiled bars. The hardening layer may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1. The first and second slot surfaces of the side-by-side pairs of profiled bars may define a plurality of slots in the screen cylinder, and contact of the solid suspension with the screen cylinder may cause at least a portion of the solid suspension to pass through the slots. The method may further include recovering the admissible solid suspension from the plurality of slots in the screen cylinder.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are intended to describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of the claimed subject matter. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front perspective view of a screen cylinder of one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a portion of the screen cylinder of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of profiled bars connected to a support ring of the screen cylinder of one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another perspective view of a portion of the screen cylinder of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of profiled bars connected to a support ring of the screen cylinder according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of three shaped bars of the screen cylinder of FIG. 1, the shaped bars having a chrome layer on the outer surface of the shaped bars according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the shaped bar of FIG. 3 in which a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar has worn away after a period of operation, resulting in a larger slot, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a profiled bar having a hardened layer and a chrome layer deposited on the hardened layer according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 6A]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a shaped bar having a hardened layer on a portion of a first slot surface of the shaped bar and a chrome layer overlying the hardened layer, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a shaped bar having a hardened layer on a first slot surface and an outer surface of the shaped bar, and a chrome layer formed on the hardened layer, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a shaped bar having hardened layers on a first slot surface and a second slot surface of the shaped bar according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 6D] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a shaped bar having a hardened layer on the entire outer edge surface of the shaped bar and a chrome coating applied to the hardened layer according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a portion of a shaped bar, in which a stiffening layer is integrally formed with the base material of the shaped bar, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stiffening layer of the profiled bar of FIG. 7 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a shaped bar, in which a hardening layer includes a coating applied to at least a first slot surface, a second slot surface, and an outer surface of the shaped bar, in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of a screen cylinder with hardened profile bars, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a screen cylinder 10 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The screen cylinder 10 may include a plurality of profile bars 12 aligned longitudinally and connected to at least one support ring 14 at the mounting end 30 of the plurality of profile bars 12. With reference to Figure 2, each of the profile bars 12 may include an outer surface 32 facing away from the support ring 14, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface 32 of the profile bar 12 to the mounting end 30, and a second slot surface extending from the outer surface 32 of the profile bar 12 to the mounting end 30 opposite the first slot surface. The first slot surface of one profile bar and the second slot surface of another adjacent profile bar may define a slot 20. Each of the profile bars may include a hardening layer integrated with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of the profile bar 12, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than the base material of the profile bar 12. In some embodiments, the profile bar may include a chrome layer disposed on the outer surface 32 of the profile bar 12 or on the hardening layer. During operation of the screen cylinder 10, an allowable portion of the solid suspension passes through the slots 20 of the slotted cylindrical wall 16. The hardening layer applied to the profile bar 12 may reduce wear of the slot surface of the profile bar 12 caused by the abrasive solid components of the solid suspension. Reducing wear may reduce the widening of the slot 20, thereby maintaining the separation efficiency of the screen cylinder 10 over time. Reducing wear of the slot surface and maintaining the separation efficiency of the screen cylinder 10 over time may increase the useful life of the screen cylinder.

[0013] Unless otherwise specified, it is not intended that any method described herein should be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a particular order, or as requiring a particular orientation of any apparatus. Thus, where a method claim does not actually recite the order in which its steps are to be performed, or where any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation for individual components, or where the claim or the specification does not specifically recite the steps as being limited to a particular order, or where no particular order or orientation is recited for the components of an apparatus, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any respect. This applies to all possible, indefinite grounds for interpretation, including logical considerations regarding the sequence of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; the apparent meaning derived from grammatical construction or punctuation; and the number or type of embodiments described herein.

[0014] Directional terms used in this specification, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, etc., are stated only with reference to the depicted figures and the coordinate axes given therein, and are not intended to denote absolute orientations.

[0015] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0016] As used herein, the term "longitudinal" may refer to an orientation or direction generally parallel to the central axis A of the screen cylinder.

[0017] As used herein, the term "radial" may refer to a direction along any radius extending outward from the central axis A of the screen cylinder (FIG. 1).

[0018] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" may refer to the location of parts relative to the direction of flow of the solid suspension or slurry. For the screen cylinder of the present disclosure, the flow of the solid suspension is generally from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the mounting end 30 of the profiled bar 12.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "solid foreign body" or "excessive solid foreign body" may refer to solid objects such as wood chips, metal pieces, dried glue, or other foreign bodies that are not intended and are undesirable to be present in a solid suspension or slurry, and that can be distinguished from solid components that are intended to be present in the solid suspension, such as, for example, fibers.

[0020] Unless otherwise specified, the Vickers hardness values ​​of the base material, the hardened layer 50, and the chrome layer 40 provided herein refer to Vickers hardness values ​​determined according to ASTM E384-11e1 using an indentation load of 0.05 kilogram-force (kgf) (approximately 0.49 N).

[0021] In the pulp and paper industry, screening of pulp can be accomplished by a pressure screening process using a screen cylinder. The pressure screening process can include introducing a solid suspension, such as a solid suspension of fibers, into the screen cylinder. The fibers can be any type of fiber, such as, but not limited to, cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, fiberglass fibers, or other fibers. The screen cylinder can be an inward flow screen cylinder, where an acceptable portion of the solid suspension flows radially inward through the screen cylinder, or an outward flow screen cylinder, where an acceptable portion of the solid suspension flows radially outward through the screen cylinder. The screen cylinder can include a rotor or other device that can function to remove solid foreign matter from the screen cylinder. Some screen cylinders for pressure screening pulp or other solid suspensions and slurries can have a unitary screen cylinder, which comprises a solid metal cylinder with multiple drilled or milled holes or slots therethrough. However, these unitary screen cylinders provide limited throughput through the screen due to the limited slot area through which the acceptable portion of the solid suspension can pass. The pulp and paper market places increasing demands on greater efficiency of pulp screening processes in terms of higher throughput as well as greater ability to separate oversized solid contaminants from solid suspensions.

[0022] To improve the throughput of the pressure screening process, a screen cylinder has been developed that includes a plurality of longitudinally aligned profile bars, the profile bars defining a plurality of slots that extend the length of the screen cylinder. Referring to Figures 1, 2A, and 2B, a screen cylinder 10 of the present disclosure is shown generally including a plurality of profile bars 12. The screen cylinder 10 includes a plurality of profile bars 12 that are longitudinally aligned and coupled to at least one support ring 14 at the mounting end 30 of the plurality of profile bars 12. In some embodiments, the at least one support ring 14 may include a plurality of support rings 14. The screen cylinder 10 may include annular end flanges 19 at both axial ends of the screen cylinder 10.

[0023] Each of the profiled bars 12 may be longitudinally aligned with respect to the central axis A of the screen cylinder 10 and with respect to each of the other profiled bars 12. The profiled bars 12 may be arranged side-by-side along the circular inner or outer circumference of the support ring 14 to form a slotted cylindrical wall 16. The slotted cylindrical wall 16 formed by the plurality of profiled bars 12 may include a slot 20 defined between each pair of adjacent profiled bars 12. The slot 20 may extend the length of the screen cylinder 10 between the two annular end flanges 19. Further features and aspects of the support structure and operation of the screen cylinder 10 of the present disclosure may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,198, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] By having slots 20 extending the length of the screen cylinder 10, the screen cylinder 10 including multiple profile bars 12 may generally provide an increased open area through which the admissible solid suspension may pass. The wider open area provided by the slots 20 of the screen cylinder 10 may provide a higher throughput through the screen cylinder 10 as compared to a unitary screen cylinder having holes or slots drilled or milled into a metal cylinder. The screen cylinder 10 is shown in Figures 1, 2A, and 2B as an outward flow screen cylinder 10, with the admissible solid suspension flowing radially outward through the slots 20. However, it is understood that the features of the present disclosure may be equally well applied to an inward flow screen cylinder, or any other type of pressure screen device utilizing multiple profile bars. The screen cylinder 10 may function to separate solid foreign matter from a solid suspension.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the profiled bars 12 is shown. Each of the profiled bars 12 may have an attachment end 30 connected to the support ring 14. Each of the profiled bars 12 may have an outer surface 32 facing away from the at least one support ring 14. The outer surfaces 32 of the plurality of profiled bars 12 may form the slotted cylindrical wall 16 (FIG. 1) of the screen cylinder 10. Still referring to FIG. 3, each of the profiled bars 12 may have a first slotted surface 34 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30 opposite the outer surface 32. Each of the profiled bars 12 may have a second slotted surface 36 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30 opposite the first slotted surface 34. A first slot surface 34 of one profile bar 12 and a second slot surface 36 of another adjacent profile bar 12 define one of the slots 20 of the screen cylinder 10. When two profile bars 12 are said to be "adjacent," the two profile bars 12 are side-by-side, and thus the first slot surface 34 of the first profile bar and the second slot surface 36 of the second profile bar define a slot 20, with no other profile bars being disposed between the first and second profile bars.

[0026] The first slot surface 34 may have a first outer contour, and the second slot surface 36 may have a second outer contour. The second slot surface 36 may meet the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 at a nose 38 that projects toward the first slot surface 34 of the immediately adjacent profiled bar 12. At the nose 38, the second outer contour of the second slot surface 36 of one profiled bar 12 may approach the first outer contour of the first slot surface 34 of another immediately adjacent profiled bar 12. Thus, the narrowest portion of the slot 20 may be defined between the nose 38 of the second slot surface 36 of the profiled bar 12 and the first slot surface 34 of the immediately adjacent profiled bar. Downstream of the nose 38, the second contour of the second slot surface 36 of the profiled bar 12 and the first contour of the first slot surface 34 of the adjacent profiled bar 12 may diverge to widen the slot 20 downstream of the nose 38. As discussed above, the flow of the solid suspension through the slot 20 is generally from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30. The first contour and the second contour may have shapes other than those shown in FIG. 3. For example, in an embodiment, the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, or both, may include a smooth or linear surface extending from the attachment end 30 to the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12, or each may have a contour having a generally constant curvature from the attachment end 30 to the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. It is understood that the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36 may have any suitable shape for producing a screen cylinder that removes oversized solid foreign matter from slurries and solid suspensions.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the profiled bars 12 may include a chrome layer 40 applied to one or more surfaces. Specifically, the profiled bars 12 may include a chrome layer 40 applied to the outer surface 32. The outer surface 32 of the profiled bars 12 may be subjected to pressure pulses from a rotor, which provide a cleaning action sufficient to remove excess solid foreign matter from the slotted cylindrical wall 16 (FIG. 1) of the screen cylinder 10. The chrome layer 40 on the outer surface 32 may increase the hardness of the outer surface 32 to reduce wear caused by these pressure pulsations. The chrome layer 40 may have a Vickers hardness value (HV) of 900HV0.05 to 1000HV0.05, as determined using an indentation load of 0.05 kilogram-force (kgf) (approximately 0.49 N) according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0028] The chrome layer 40 may be applied to the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 after assembly of the screen cylinder 10. The chrome layer 40 may be applied using an electroplating process. When electroplating the screen cylinder 10, chrome is usually preferentially deposited on the areas with the least resistance to the flow of electricity, which is usually the outer surface 32 of the parallel bars 12. Since chrome is deposited on the surface with the least resistance, the chrome layer 40 may be uneven and non-uniform across the entire outer peripheral surface of the profiled bar 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the chrome layer 40 may be thicker in areas with low electrical resistance and thinner or absent in areas with higher electrical resistance. For these reasons, it may be difficult to deposit the chrome layer 40 on the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 of the profiled bar 12, which have a greater resistance to the flow of electricity from a geometrical point of view compared to the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. As a result, the chrome layer 40 on the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 may be very thin or even non-existent.

[0029] The screen cylinder 10 may be subjected to electroplating for a sufficient time to develop a chrome layer 40 on the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36. However, chrome plating is very expensive, and chrome use and environmental regulations for the chrome process are increasing. In addition, long exposure to the electroplating process may simply increase the non-uniformity of the chrome layer 40. The non-uniformity of the chrome layer may result in variations in slot width from one slot 20 to the next and along the longitudinal length of the slot 20. Even if the chrome layer 40 is deposited on each of the multiple profiled bars 12 before assembly of the screen cylinder 10, the chrome layer 40 may still be non-uniform, resulting in a chrome layer 40 having a varying thickness across the outer edge surface of the profiled bars 12. Grinding the chrome layer 40 after electroplating to produce a more uniform chrome layer 40 may be labor intensive and waste the expensive chrome electroplated on the surface of the profiled bars 12.

[0030] The unevenness of the chrome layer 40 produced by electroplating may result in the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36 having some areas with a thin chrome layer 40 or areas where no chrome layer 40 is deposited. Although the thin chrome layer 40 may initially provide some protection from wear, the thin chrome layer 40 may wear away to expose the base material underneath. If the slot surface does not have a chrome layer 40 formed thereon, the base material, which may have a Vickers hardness value less than or equal to 400HV0.05, may be directly exposed to the flow of abrasive solid suspension through the slot 20. In either case (e.g., the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 having a thin chrome layer 40 or no chrome layer 40), the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 may experience excessive wear during operation of the screen cylinder 10, causing the width of the slot to change and reducing the separation efficiency of the screen cylinder 10.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, a typical wear pattern of a profiled bar 12 is shown diagrammatically. In FIG. 4, the dashed line represents the original contour of the first slot surface 34 before the screen cylinder 10 is started, and the solid line represents the contour of the first slot surface 34 after the screen cylinder 10 has been used for a period of time. As shown in FIG. 4, wear may be greatest in a portion of the first slot surface 34 directly across the slot 20 from the nose 38 of the immediately adjacent profiled bar 12. As the first slot surface 34 wears in the area immediately adjacent the nose 38 of the immediately adjacent profiled bar 12, the slot width W may increase over time. Increasing slot width W may increase the throughput of the screen cylinder 10, but may also reduce the efficiency of the screen cylinder 10 in separating oversized solid foreign objects from the solid suspension. Thus, wear may result in an increase in the concentration and / or average size of solid foreign objects and debris passing through the screen cylinder 10 into the solid suspension allowed downstream of the screen cylinder 10. As a result, a screen cylinder 10 having a thin or no chrome layer 40 on the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 may have a shortened useful life when used to remove solid foreign matter from a solid suspension of cellulose fibers or other solid components. In some cases, the useful life may be shortened to only 3-12 months. Thus, there is a need to improve the hardness of the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, or both, in the region of the slots 20 to reduce wear on the screen cylinder 10 and maintain separation efficiency, thereby extending the useful life of the screen cylinder 10.

[0032] As mentioned above, the present disclosure relates to a profiled bar 12 having a hardening layer capable of reducing wear of at least a first slot surface 34, and a screen cylinder including the profiled bar 12. Referring to FIG. 5, the profiled bar 12 of the screen cylinder 10 of the present disclosure, which separates solid foreign matter from a solid suspension, may include an attachment end 30, an outer surface 32 located at an end opposite the attachment end 30, a first slot surface 34 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30, and a second slot surface 36 extending from the outer surface 32 to the attachment end 30 opposite the first slot surface 34. The profiled bar 12 of the present disclosure further includes a hardening layer 50 that may be integrated with or located on at least a portion of the first slot surface 34, a portion of the second slot surface 36, or both, and the hardening layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value that exceeds the Vickers hardness of the base material of the profiled bar 12. The hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 700 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1200 HV0.05. In some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may additionally include a chrome layer 40 disposed on the outer surface 32 (such as when the hardened layer 50 is integral with the base material 46) or disposed on the hardened layer 50 (such as when the hardened layer 50 is coated on the outer surface 34 of the base material 46). It should therefore be understood that the chrome layer 40 is distinct from the hardened layer 50 and may be deposited on the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may include a hardened layer 50 without a chrome layer 40 .

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, when multiple profile bars 12 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, the first slot surface 34 of one profile bar 12 and the second slot surface 36 of another adjacent profile bar 12 define one of the slots 20 of the screen cylinder 10. The slot 20 may have a slot width W sufficient to prevent the passage of excessively large solid foreign objects while allowing a portion of the solid suspension to pass through the slot 20. The slot 20 may have a slot width W that is the shortest distance between the first slot surface 34 of one profile bar 12 and the second slot surface 36 of the adjacent profile bar 12. In the case of a screen cylinder 10 for screening paper pulp, the slot 20 may have a slot width W greater than or equal to 80 μm (0.08 mm), for example, 0.08 mm to 1.5 mm. The slot width W disclosed in this specification is generally acceptable for screening paper pulp. However, it is understood that in other industrial applications, such as, but not limited to, mining and prospecting, food processing, water treatment, or other industries, the spacing between the shaped bars 12 and the slot width W may be greater or less depending on the particular industrial application. The slot width W of the slots 20 may be constant along the longitudinal length of the shaped bars 12. In some embodiments, the slot width W of the slots 20 may vary within a tolerance having a magnitude less than or equal to 15 μm, less than or equal to 10 μm, less than or equal to 8 μm, less than or equal to 7 μm, or less than or equal to 6 μm when the screen cylinder 10 is fully assembled.

[0034] Each of the profiled bars 12 may include a base material 46. The base material 46 may be a rigid metal having sufficient strength to withstand pressure pulses from the rotor without deformation or fracture. In some embodiments, the base material 46 may be stainless steel, such as 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel. The base material 46 without the hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value less than the Vickers hardness value of the chrome layer 40, the hardened layer 50, or both. In some embodiments, the base material 46 may have a Vickers hardness less than 500HV0.05, less than or equal to 450HV0.05, less than or equal to 425HV0.05, or less than or equal to 400HV0.05. In some embodiments, the base material 46 may not be annealed.

[0035] Referring again to FIG. 5, the stiffening layer 50 may be integrated with or disposed on the base material 46 of the profiled bar 12. The stiffening layer 50 may be disposed on any portion of the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, the outer surface 32, or a combination thereof. Referring to FIG. 6A, in some embodiments, the stiffening layer 50 may be integrated with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface 34 of the profiled bar 12. As mentioned above, the first slot surface 34 proximate to the nose 38 of the immediately adjacent profiled bar 12 may be the area of ​​the outer peripheral surface of the profiled bar 12 that experiences the greatest wear from the flow of the solid suspension through the slot 20. The stiffening layer 50 may also be integrated with or disposed on a portion of the outer surface 32, the second slot surface 36, or both, of each of the profiled bars 12.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may be integrated with or disposed on the first slot surface 34 and the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. If present, the chrome layer 40 may be deposited over the hardened layer 50 at the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. With reference to FIG. 6C, in some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may be integrated with the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36. The hardened layer 50 at the second slot surface 36 may extend over the nose 38 of the profiled bar 12. If present, the chrome layer 40 may be formed on the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 and on a portion of the hardened layer 50 proximate the outer surface 32. With reference to FIG. 6D, in some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may be integrated with or disposed on the entire outer edge surface of each of the profiled bars 12, the entire outer edge surface including at least the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, and the second slot surface 36. As used herein, the term "entire peripheral surface" may refer to the stiffening layer 50 being integral with or disposed on at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the peripheral surface of the shaped bar 12. In some embodiments, the stiffening layer 50 may be integral with or disposed on at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the peripheral surface of the shaped bar 12.

[0037] The stiffening layer 50 may have a thickness sufficient to protect the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 from abrasive components of the solid suspension passing through the slot 20 to reduce or prevent wear on the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 of the profiled bar 12. For example, and without limitation, the stiffening layer 50 may have a thickness greater than or equal to 5 μm, greater than or equal to 10 μm, greater than or equal to 15 μm, or greater than or equal to 20 μm. In embodiments, the stiffening layer 50 may have a thickness of 5 μm to 300 μm, 5 μm to 250 μm, 5 μm to 200 μm, 5 μm to 100 μm, 5 μm to 50 μm, 5 μm to 30 μm, 10 μm to 300 μm, 10 μm to 100 μm, or 10 μm to 50 μm. In some embodiments, the stiffening layer 50 may have a thickness greater than 300 μm without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] The hardened layer 50 may have sufficient hardness to reduce wear of the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36 during operation of the screen cylinder 10. The hardened layer 50 may have a hardness greater than the base material 46 of the profiled bar 12. For example, the hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than about 400 HV0.05, which is the Vickers hardness value of cold rolled stainless steel. In an embodiment, the hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 700 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1200 HV0.05. The hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value of 500HV0.05 to 5000HV0.05, 700HV0.05 to 2000HV0.05, or 1000HV0.05 to 1500HV0.05. The Vickers hardness value may be determined by measurements performed according to standard test method ASTM E384-11e1.

[0039] 5, the case layer 50 may have a dimensionally consistent and smooth case layer outer surface 56. Providing the case layer 50 with a dimensionally consistent and smooth case layer outer surface 56 may provide a more consistent slot width W along the length of the screen cylinder 10, as well as a more consistent slot width W from one slot 20 to the next. A case layer 50 having a smoother surface finish may also reduce resistance to the flow of the permitted portion of the solid suspension through the slots 20 and may promote a greater flow rate of the permitted portion of the solid suspension through the screen cylinder 10. In other words, a smoother surface finish of the case layer outer surface 56 compared to the base material or chrome layer 40 may allow the solids (e.g., fibers) of the permitted portion of the solid suspension to pass more easily through the slots 20, thus increasing the throughput of the screen cylinder 10 while maintaining effective separation of oversized solid debris from the solid suspension.

[0040] The dimensional constancy and smoothness of the hardened layer outer surface 56 may be a function of the variation in thickness of the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may have a standard deviation in thickness of the hardened layer 50 that is less than or equal to 5 μm, less than or equal to 2 μm, less than or equal to 1 μm, or less than or equal to 0.5 μm. The smoothness of the surface finish of the hardened layer outer surface 56 may be quantified by a surface roughness Ra value of the hardened layer outer surface 56. In some embodiments, the hardened layer outer surface 56 may have a surface roughness Ra that is less than the surface roughness Ra of the base material 46 before the hardened layer 50 is formed. In some embodiments, the hardened layer outer surface 56 may have a surface roughness Ra that is less than the surface roughness Ra of the base material 46 by an amount greater than or equal to 0.025 μm, greater than or equal to 0.030 μm, greater than or equal to 0.050 μm, or greater than or equal to 0.100 μm. In some embodiments, the hardened layer outer surface 56 may have a surface roughness Ra of 0.08-0.30 μm, 0.09-0.25 μm, or 0.09-0.20 μm. The surface roughness Ra of the hardened layer outer surface 56 and / or base material 46 prior to application of the hardened layer 50 may be determined according to standard test methods known in the art, such as ASTM A 480 / 480 M. As discussed above, the reduced surface roughness of the case outer surface 56 can provide the profiled bar 12 with a smoother surface finish, which can facilitate increasing the flow rate of the acceptable portion of the solids suspension through the screen cylinder 10.

[0041] In some embodiments where the chrome layer 40 may be applied, the hardened layer 50 may have an electrical conductivity similar to or slightly less than that of the base material 46 and other metal components of the screen cylinder 10 to reduce differences in electrical resistance during the electroplating process that forms the chrome layer 40 on the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may have the same electrical conductivity as the base material 46 of the plurality of shaped bars 12. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 may have an electrical conductivity that is within 10% of the electrical conductivity of the base material 46. The same or similar electrical conductivity may allow the chrome layer 40 to be electroplated on the hardened layer 50. As discussed above, during electroplating to produce the chrome layer 40, chrome is preferentially deposited in areas of least electrical resistance (e.g., areas of greatest electrical conductivity). Thus, if the electrical conductivity of the hardened layer 50 is substantially less than the electrical conductivity of the base material 46 or other metal components of the screen cylinder 10, the chromium may be preferentially deposited on the base material 46 or other metal components having a greater electrical conductivity and less electrical resistance, rather than on the hardened surfaces of the profiled bar 12, such as the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. If the electrical conductivity of the hardened layer 50 is substantially less than the base material 46 or other metal components of the screen cylinder 10, the chromium layer 40 formed on the hardened layer 50 at the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 may be very thin or non-existent, with the chromium preferentially deposited on the metal having the greater electrical conductivity. If the electrical conductivity of the hardened layer 50 is less than, but within 10% of, the electrical conductivity of the base material 46, the chromium layer 40 may be deposited on the hardened layer 50, but the chromium treatment process may require additional time and / or the chromium layer 40 may have a lesser thickness compared to chromium treatment of the base material 46 without the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments where the chrome layer 40 is not added, the hardened layer 50 may have an electrical conductivity that differs from the electrical conductivity of the base material 46 by more than 10%.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the stiffening layer 50 may be integral with the base material 46. As used herein, the term "integral with" refers to the stiffening layer 50 being part of and inseparable from the base material 46 (as opposed to a stiffening layer 50 coated on the base material 46). A stiffening layer 50 that is integral with the base material 46 at one or more surfaces may be distinguished from a stiffening layer 50 that is a coating, which is a material separate from the base material 46 that is applied to, attached to, or adhered to a surface of the base material 46. The stiffening layer 50 may be formed integrally with the base material 46 by surface treating the base material 46 to modify a portion of the base material 46 proximate its surface, thereby forming the stiffening layer 50. Thus, the stiffening layer 50 may comprise a surface treatment layer of the base material 46 of the shaped bar 12. As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may include a hardened layer 50 and may not have a chrome layer applied to the hardened layer 50 or to the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12.

[0043] Treating the surface of the base material 46 to form the hardened layer 50 may include diffusing one or more chemical constituents into the base material 46, which may change the structure and / or properties of the base material 46 proximate the outer surface to form the hardened layer 50. Examples of surface treatments that diffuse chemical constituents into the surface of the base material 46 may include, but are not limited to, nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding (i.e., diffusing boron into the surface of the base material 46), or other diffusion-based surface treatments. In a nitriding process, nitrogen may be diffused from one or more nitrogen-containing compounds into the surface of the base material 46 under high temperature and pressure. The nitriding process may include a gas nitriding process, in which the base material 46 may be exposed to a gas composition including a gaseous nitrogen-containing compound, such as, but not limited to, nitrogen gas (N2), ammonia gas (NH3), nitrogen plasma, or other nitrogen-containing gas. Alternatively, nitriding may be performed using a liquid bath containing one or more molten nitrogen-containing salts, such as, but not limited to, alkaline cyanates.

[0044] During the nitrocarburizing process, both nitrogen and carbon may diffuse into the surface of the matrix 46, such as from carbon dioxide, carbonates, or other carbon-containing compounds. The nitrocarburizing process may be a gas or liquid phase process. In a boriding process, boron or a boron-containing compound may diffuse into the surface of the matrix 46. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the matrix 46 may include nitride ions. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the matrix 46 may include nitrogen, carbon, boron, or a combination thereof, diffused into the surface.

[0045] Surface treating the matrix 46 to diffuse nitrogen, carbon, boron, or a combination thereof into the surface of the matrix 46 may change the structure of the matrix 46 near the surface. This change in structure may increase the hardness of the matrix 46 near the surface and may result in the formation of a case 50 integral with the matrix 46. When the case 50 is integral with the matrix 46, the case outer surface 56 may blend with the outer edge surface of the matrix 46 (e.g., the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, and / or the second slot surface 36 of the shaped bar 12).

[0046] The case layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a depth D in the base material 46 that may be sufficient to increase the hardness of the base material 46. In some embodiments, the depth D of the case layer may be sufficient to maintain an increased hardness sufficient to reduce wear of the case layer outer surface 56 while allowing some material to be removed from the case layer outer surface 56 by electropolishing. The electropolishing may be performed after the surface treatment to prepare the case layer outer surface 56 for a chromium electroplating process to produce the chromium layer 40, if present. The case layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a depth D in the base material 46 that is greater than or equal to 5 μm, greater than or equal to 10 μm, greater than or equal to 15 μm, or greater than or equal to 20 μm. Examples of surface treatment processes that form a hardened layer 50 integral with the base material 46 may include, but are not limited to, hardening processes performed by BodyCote of the United Kingdom, Nitrex Metal Inc. of Quebec, Canada, Expanite A / S of Cleveland, Ohio, Burlington Engineering, Inc. of Orange County, California, and other hardening processes.

[0047] In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may be formed by a nitriding process that diffuses nitrogen into the surface of the base material 46. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may be formed by exposing the base material 46 to a nitrogen-containing environment at a temperature and pressure sufficient to diffuse nitrogen into the surface of the base material 46. As described above, the nitrogen-containing environment may be in a vapor phase (e.g., a gas including ammonia gas) or a liquid phase (e.g., a bath of molten salts such as alkaline cyanates). During the nitriding process, the profiled bar 12 may be maintained in an ammonia atmosphere (e.g., ammonia vapor or ammonia bath) at a temperature of about 175° C. to about 700° C., e.g., 175° C. to 250° C., 200° C. to 600° C., 200° C. to 550° C., or 350° C. to 550° C. In some embodiments, the temperature of the nitriding process may be maintained at a temperature lower than the annealing temperature of the base material 46. Annealing the base material 46 may reduce the strength of the base material 46, which may result in deformation of the profiled bar 12 during assembly or use. In addition, excessive temperatures may result in deformation of the profiled bar 12 during the nitriding process, which may require further processing of the profiled bar 12 or scrapping of the profiled bar 12 due to out-of-specification material. In some embodiments, the base material 46 of each of the profiled bars 12 may not be annealed after the nitriding process. The profiled bars 12 may be maintained at the nitriding temperature in an ammonia atmosphere for a period of 5 minutes to 50 hours, such as 1 hour to 50 hours, or 1 hour to 20 hours. The nitriding process may be carried out at ambient pressure or above ambient pressure.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 8, the nitriding process may result in the formation of a compound layer 52 on the surface 47 of the base material 46. The compound layer 52 may be characterized by a change in the structure of the base material 46 to an epsilon phase, a gamma phase, or a combination thereof. The compound layer 52 may impart hardness to the base material 46, thus forming a hardened layer 50 integral with the base material 46. The compound layer 52 may extend to a depth D within the surface of the base material 46. The depth D of the compound layer 52 may be greater than or equal to 5 μm, greater than or equal to 10 μm, greater than or equal to 15 μm, or greater than or equal to 20 μm. For example, the depth D of the compound layer 52 after nitriding may be 5 μm to 30 μm, 10 μm to 30 μm, or 15 μm to 25 μm. As shown in FIG. 8, the nitride ions diffuse further into the base material 46, from the compound layer 52 to a diffusion depth D T The diffusion zone 54 may form a diffusion depth D of up to 0.1 mm, or up to 0.5 mm. T The respective thicknesses of compound layer 52 and diffusion zone 54 may be determined in accordance with ASTM B487-85(2007).

[0049] One or more of the surfaces of the base material 46, such as the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, or a combination thereof, may be subjected to a nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other surface treatment process to produce a hardened layer 50 integral with the base material 46. In some embodiments, the entire profiled bar 12 may be subjected to a nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other surface treatment process, such that the entire outer peripheral surface, including the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, and the second slot surface 36, includes a hardened layer 50 integral with the base material 46. Thus, the diffusion-based surface treatment may produce a hardened layer 50 that extends over the entire outer peripheral surface of the profiled bar 12.

[0050] The hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 and formed by nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other surface treatment may have a Vickers hardness value greater than that of the base material 46. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than that of the chrome layer 40. The hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1200 HV0.05. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 and formed by nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other surface treatment may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 1400 HV0.05.

[0051] Treating the surface of the profiled bar 12 with nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other treatments may produce a hardened layer 50 having a surface roughness Ra less than the surface roughness Ra of the base material 46 prior to the treatment that forms the hardened layer on the base material 46. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a surface roughness Ra at least 0.025 μm, at least 0.030 μm, at least 0.050 μm, or at least 0.100 μm less than the surface roughness Ra of the base material 46 prior to the surface treatment that forms the hardened layer 50. As discussed above, reducing the roughness of the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36 may reduce the resistance to flow through the slots 20, thereby improving the throughput of the screen cylinder 10 while maintaining separation efficiency.

[0052] Since the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 is produced by modifying the base material 46, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 formed by nitriding, nitrocarburizing, boriding, or other surface treatment may have an electrical conductivity that is within 10% of the electrical conductivity of the base material 46 prior to the treatment that forms the hardened layer 50. Forming the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may also not change the geometry of the profiled bar 12. Thus, the profiled bar 12 having the hardened layer 50 integrated with its surface may be interchangeable with a standard assembly without modification to the support ring 14 or other structure that holds the profiled bar 12 in place. Additionally, the hardened layer 50 integrated with the base material 46 may have a good bond with the chrome layer 40 and may exhibit reduced corrosion properties.

[0053] 9, in some embodiments, the hardening layer 50 may include a hard coating 60 applied to one or more surfaces of the base material 46 of the profiled bar 12. The hard coating 60 may be applied to the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the hardening layer 50 may be a hard coating 60 applied on the entire outer peripheral surface of the profiled bar 12, including the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, and the second slot surface 36. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 of the hardening layer 50 may be applied to at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the surface area of ​​the outer peripheral surface of the profiled bar 12. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 of the hardening layer 50 may be applied to at least the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36.

[0054] The hard coating 60 of the stiffening layer 50 may be applied to the base material 46 by known coating or spraying methods, such as, but not limited to, high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying, plasma spraying, laser spraying, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), electroplating, electroless plating (e.g., electroless nickel plating), ceramic coating, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, other coating methods, or combinations of these methods. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 may be applied using an HVOF process. The hard coating 60 may include a compound having a hardness greater than that of the base material 46. Examples of hard coatings 60 may include, but are not limited to, tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, electroless nickel plating, ceramic coatings, alumina, other hard coating materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 may be a tungsten carbide coating. In some embodiments, the hardened layer 50 including the hard coating 60 may be a titanium nitride or chromium nitride coating applied using a PVD process. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 of the hardened layer 50 may be a nickel layer applied using an electroless plating process. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 may be a ceramic coating formed by applying a thin film of ceramic paint to one or more surfaces of the profiled bar 12 and firing the profiled bar at a temperature sufficient to harden the ceramic coating and bond it to the base material 46.

[0055] The hard coating 60 may have a thickness greater than or equal to 5 μm, greater than or equal to 10 μm, greater than or equal to 15 μm, or greater than or equal to 20 μm. The hard coating 60 may have a thickness less than or equal to 300 μm, less than or equal to 250 μm, less than or equal to 200 μm, less than or equal to 100 μm, or less than or equal to 50 μm. The hard coating 60 may have a thickness between 5 μm and 300 μm, between 5 μm and 100 μm, or between 10 μm and 50 μm. The hard coating 60 may have a Vickers hardness value sufficient to reduce or prevent wear of the first slot surface 34 and / or the second slot surface 36. The hard coating 60 may have a Vickers hardness value that is greater than the Vickers hardness of the base material 46. In some embodiments, the hard coating 60 may have a Vickers hardness value that is greater than the chrome layer 40. The hard coating 60 may have a Vickers hardness greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 700 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05.

[0056] Referring again to FIG. 5, as previously described herein, in some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may include a chrome layer 40 disposed on the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 or on the hardened layer 50. The chrome layer 40 may protect the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 from wear and damage caused by pressure pulsations from the rotor to remove excess solid foreign objects from the slotted cylindrical wall 16 of the screen cylinder 10. In some embodiments, the outer surface 32 of each of the plurality of profiled bars 12 may include a hardened layer 50, and the chrome layer 40 may be disposed on the hardened layer 50. The chrome layer 40 may be formed on one or more portions of the first slot surface 34, the second slot surface 36, or both. The chrome layer 40 may be deposited on the first slot surface 34 and the second slot surface 36 over the hardened layer 50.

[0057] The chrome layer 40 may have an average thickness sufficient to protect the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 and to withstand pressure pulsations from the rotor. In some embodiments, the chrome layer 40 may have an average thickness greater than or equal to 10 μm, greater than or equal to 20 μm, greater than or equal to 30 μm, or greater than or equal to 40 μm. The chrome layer 40 may have a maximum thickness at the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. The thickness of the chrome layer 40 of each of the profiled bars 12 may decrease from the outer surface 32 of each of the profiled bars 12 toward the mounting end 30. The chrome layer 40 may have a Vickers hardness value of about 900 HV0.05 to about 1000 HV0.05. In some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may have a hardened layer 50 without the chrome layer 40. In some embodiments, the profiled bar 12 may be substantially chrome-free, for example having less than 5% or 5% of the outer edge surface of the profiled bar 12 chrome.

[0058] A method of making a hardened profiled bar 12 for a screen cylinder 10 may include providing a profiled bar 12 including an attachment end 30 and an outer surface 32 facing in a direction opposite the attachment end 30. The profiled bar 12 may include a first slot surface 34 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30, and a second slot surface 36 extending from the outer surface 32 to the attachment end 30 opposite the first slot surface 34. The method may further include forming a hardened layer 50 on or integral with at least a portion of the first slot surface 34, the hardened layer 50 having a Vickers hardness value greater than a Vickers hardness value of the parent material 46. The hardened layer 50 may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1200 HV0.05. The method may further include depositing a chrome layer 40 on at least the outer surface 32 of the shaped bar 12 or on the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments, the method may include forming the hardened layer 50 on a portion of the outer surface 32, a portion of the second slot surface 36, or both, in addition to the first slot surface 34.

[0059] In some embodiments, forming the hardened layer 50 may include subjecting at least the first slot surface 34 of the shaped bar 12 to a surface treatment to diffuse one or more chemical compounds into the matrix 46 at the first slot surface 34. In some embodiments, the method may include subjecting the entire peripheral surface of the shaped bar 12 to a surface treatment to form the hardened layer 50 on the entire peripheral surface of the shaped bar 12, including the outer surface 32, the first slot surface 34, and the second slot surface 36. The method may include forming the hardened layer 50 on at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the surface area of ​​the peripheral surface of the shaped bar 12. The surface treatment may include contacting at least a portion of the shaped bar 12 with a nitrogen-containing gas at a temperature below the annealing temperature of the matrix 46 and at a pressure sufficient to diffuse the nitrogen or nitrogen-containing compound into the matrix 46. The nitrogen-containing gas may include nitrogen gas, ammonia, or other nitrogen gases. In some embodiments, the surface treatment to form the hardened layer 50 integral with the base material 46 may include a nitriding process. The nitriding process may be carried out according to any of the operating parameters previously described herein.

[0060] In some embodiments, forming the hardened layer 50 may include applying a hard coating 60 to at least the first slot surface 34 of the profiled bar 12. Applying the hard coating 60 may include any coating process described herein above, and the hard coating 60 may be any material described herein above. In some embodiments, applying the coating to at least the first slot surface 34 may include a thermal spray process. In some embodiments, the thermal spray process may include a tungsten carbide high velocity fuel spray (HVOF) process.

[0061] The method of manufacturing the profiled bar 12 may include polishing the profiled bar 12 to prepare the hardened layer 50 for electroplating the chrome layer 40. Polishing may include processes known in the art for polishing metal components. The polishing step may be sufficient to prepare the surface for application of the chrome layer 40 but not so much as to disable or completely remove the hardened layer 50.

[0062] The method of making the profiled bar 12 may include forming a hardened layer 50 on the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 and depositing a chrome layer 40 on the hardened layer outer surface 56 of the hardened layer 50 formed on the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12. As mentioned above, the method may include a polishing step between forming the hardened layer 50 and depositing the chrome layer 40. The chrome layer 40 may be applied by an electroplating process.

[0063] As described herein above, the screen cylinder 10 including the shaped bars 12 with the stiffening layer 50 may be used in the paper industry to process solid suspensions of cellulose or other fibers in pulp as described herein. However, the screen cylinder 10 may not be limited to use in the pulp and paper industry. For example, the screen cylinder 10 of the present disclosure with the stiffened shaped bars 12 may be used to screen solid suspensions and / or slurries to remove oversized solid foreign bodies in mining and prospecting applications, food preparation and processing operations, water treatment processes, coating operations, and other industries.

[0064] Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a method for removing excess solid foreign matter from a slurry or solid suspension may include contacting the slurry or solid suspension with a screen cylinder 10. The screen cylinder 10 may include a plurality of profiled bars 12 connected to at least one support ring 14 and aligned longitudinally. The profiled bars 12 may have any of the features or characteristics described herein above. Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of profiled bars 12 may include an outer surface 32 facing outward from the at least one support ring 14, a first slot surface 34 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to an attachment end 30 opposite the outer surface 32, and a second slot surface 36 extending from the outer surface 32 of the profiled bar 12 to the attachment end 30 opposite the first slot surface 34. As mentioned above, each of the profiled bars may include a hardening layer 50 integrated with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface 34 of each of the profiled bars 12, the hardening layer 50 having a Vickers hardness value greater than the base material 46, for example, greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 900 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1000 HV0.05, greater than or equal to 1100 HV0.05, or greater than or equal to 1200 HV0.05. The first and second slot surfaces of adjacent pairs of profiled bars 12 (e.g., pairs of immediately adjacent profiled bars 12) define a number of slots in the screen cylinder. Contact of the slurry or solid suspension with the screen cylinder may cause at least a portion of the slurry or solid suspension to pass through the slots 20. The method may further include recovering an acceptable portion of the slurry or solid suspension from the plurality of slots 20 of the screen cylinder 10. In some embodiments, the shaped bar 12 may further include a chrome layer 40 disposed on the outer surface 32 of the shaped bar 12 or on the hardened layer 50. In some embodiments, the method may further include removing at least a portion of the solid foreign matter from the outer surface 32 of the plurality of shaped bars 12. EXAMPLES

[0065] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be further clarified by the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting the disclosure and / or the claimed embodiments described herein.

[0066] Example 1 A number of stainless steel profile bars of a screen cylinder were subjected to a nitrocarburizing process to produce a hardened layer integrated with the surface of the profile bar. The base material of the profile bar in Example 1 was 316L stainless steel. The nitrocarburizing process was achieved by immersing the profile bar in a molten salt bath maintained at a temperature in the range of 370°C to 540°C for a time sufficient for a hardened layer to form. The salt bath contained cyanate ions to provide nitrogen and carbonate ions to provide carbon. The nitrocarburizing process produced a compound layer and a diffusion zone extending from the compound layer further into the base material.

[0067] In Examples 1 and 2, the thicknesses of the compound layer and diffusion zone of the nitrided samples were measured according to ASTM B487-85 (2007). These thicknesses were measured at a magnification of 1000 times. Vickers hardness values ​​were measured according to ASTM E384-11e1. For the diffusion zone of each nitrided bar, the Vickers hardness (HV) was measured on the cross section of the profiled bar using an indentation load of 0.05 kilograms force (kgf) (approximately 0.49 N). The compound layer was hardness tested on the outer surface of the profiled bar after lightly polishing the outer surface with a 1 μm abrasive. The indentation load was again 0.05 kilograms force (kgf) (approximately 0.49 N). The Vickers hardness measurements were further converted to approximate Rockwell hardness (HRC) values ​​using formula X1.1.1 of ASTM E140-12be1. The average thickness, average Vickers hardness, and average HRC of the compound layer and diffusion layer of the cured profile bars of Example 1 are provided in Table 1 below.

[0068] [Table 1]

[0069] In addition, the profile bar of Example 1 was subjected to a welding test to evaluate the welded joint between the profile bar and the end flange of the screen cylinder. A portion of the profile bar of Example 1 was welded to a stainless steel flange. No welded joint problems were observed.

[0070] Corrosion tests were also performed on the profiled bars of Example 1. In the first corrosion test, a subset of the profiled bars of Example 1 were placed in water for 20 days. After 1 day of immersion in water, no corrosion was observed on the samples. After 20 days, the water-immersed portions of the profiled bars of Example 1 exhibited a layer of corrosion on the outer surface. In addition, a second subset of the profiled bars of Example 1 were exposed to ambient air. After 430 days, the profiled bars exhibited small areas of corrosion on the outer surface.

[0071] Example 2 A second plurality of stainless steel profile bars of the screen cylinder were subjected to a nitrocarburizing process to produce a hardened layer integrated with the surface of the profile bar. The base material of the profile bars of Example 1 was 316L stainless steel. The nitrocarburizing process was achieved by immersing the profile bars in a molten salt bath maintained at a temperature of 370°C to 540°C for a time sufficient for a hardened layer to form. The salt bath contained cyanate ions to provide nitrogen and carbonate ions to provide carbon. The nitrocarburizing process produced a compound layer and a diffusion zone extending from the compound layer further into the base material. The thickness, Vickers hardness, and HRC of the diffusion zone and compound layer of each sample profile bar were measured according to the method described above in Example 1. The average thickness, average Vickers hardness, and average HRC of the compound layer and diffusion layer of the hardened profile bars of Example 2 are provided in Table 2 below.

[0072] [Table 2]

[0073] The profile bar of Example 2 was also subjected to a welding test to evaluate the weld joint between the profile bar and the end flange of the screen cylinder. A portion of the profile bar of Example 2 was welded to a stainless steel flange. No weld joint problems were observed.

[0074] Corrosion tests were also performed on the profiled bars of Example 2. In the first corrosion test, a subset of the profiled bars of Example 2 were placed in water for 20 days. After 2 days of immersion in water, no corrosion was observed on the samples. After 20 days, the water-immersed portions of the profiled bars of Example 2 exhibited a layer of corrosion on the outer surface. In addition, a second subset of the profiled bars of Example 2 were exposed to ambient air. After 430 days, the profiled bars exhibited small areas of corrosion on the outer surface.

[0075] Example 3 In Example 3, another number of stainless steel profile bars of screen cylinders were subjected to a nitriding process carried out according to the NANO-S™ nitriding process provided by Nitrex Metals Inc., Quebec, Canada, to produce a hardened layer integrated with the surface of the profile bar. The nitriding process produced a compound layer and a diffusion zone extending from the compound layer further into the matrix. The thickness and Vickers hardness of the diffusion zone and compound layer of each sample profile bar of Example 3 were measured according to the method described above in Example 1, and the results are provided in Table 3 below.

[0076] [Table 3]

[0077] In addition, the surface roughness Ra of the hardened outer surface of the compound layer was measured to be 0.10 μm, which is comparable to that of the bare untreated profile bar, which had a surface roughness Ra of 0.09 μm.

[0078] Example 4 In Example 4, a number of stainless steel profile bars were subjected to a tungsten carbide HVOF process to coat the profile bars with a tungsten carbide coating. Thus, in Example 4, the case was a hard coating including tungsten carbide.

[0079] The thickness of the hard coating of Example 4 was measured according to ASTM B487-85 (2007). In Example 4, the thickness was measured at a magnification of 500 times. The Vickers hardness values ​​were measured according to ASTM E384-11e1. The Vickers hardness (HV) was measured on the cross-section of the profiled bar using an indentation load of 0.1 kilogram force (kgf) (about 0.98 N). The hardness tests were performed on the areas of the hard coating that were free of large holes or shrinkage. The Vickers hardness measurements were further converted to approximate Rockwell hardness (HRC) values ​​using formula X1.1.1 of ASTM E140-12be1. The average thickness, average Vickers hardness, and average HRC of the hard coating of the profiled bar of Example 4 are provided in Table 4 below.

[0080] [Table 4]

[0081] The profiled bar of Example 4 having a tungsten carbide coating exhibited a higher average hardness than the profiled bars of Examples 1 and 2 having a case integral with the base material. However, it was observed that the profiled bar of Example 4 having a tungsten carbide coating applied by HVOF exhibited a surface roughness greater than the profiled bars of Examples 1 and 2, in which the case was integrally formed with the base material using a nitriding process. In addition, the thickness of the case (i.e., the tungsten carbide coating) of the profiled bar of Example 4 was not as consistent as the thickness of the case of the profiled bars of Examples 1 and 2.

[0082] Furthermore, a bonding test was performed on the interface between the base material and the tungsten carbide coating for the profiled bar of Example 4 using an interface indentation method. In the interface indentation method, a Vickers indentation was applied at the interface between the base material and the tungsten carbide coating using loads of 0.1 kgf (about 0.98 N) and 0.5 kgf (about 4.90 N). In response to the interface indentation test, no visible cracks were observed at the interface at a load of 0.1 kgf (about 0.98 N), but some small cracks were observed at the interface between the base material and the tungsten carbide coating at a pressing load of 0.5 kgf (about 4.90 N).

[0083] Example 5 In Example 5, a number of profile bars from Example 4 having a tungsten carbide coating applied by HVOF were chromium electroplated to produce a chromium layer. The chromium layer was applied over the tungsten carbide coating. For Sample 5A, the electroplating process was carried out for a longer period, resulting in a thicker chromium layer. For Sample 5B, the electroplating time was reduced, resulting in a thinner chromium layer. The average thickness of the tungsten carbide coating was determined. Due to the unevenness of the electroplating process, the thickness of the chromium layer was measured at the thickest chromium layer area, the thinnest chromium layer area, and the intermediate chromium layer thickness area for Samples 5A and 5B. In addition, the Vickers hardness values ​​of the tungsten carbide coating were measured according to the method described herein above. The thickness and Vickers hardness values ​​of Samples 5A and 5B are provided in Table 5 below.

[0084] [Table 5]

[0085] Comparative Example 6 In Comparative Example 6, the Vickers hardness values ​​of a number of untreated profile bars having a base material of 316L stainless steel and no hardened layer or chrome layer were measured. The results of the Vickers hardness values ​​of the profile bars of Comparative Example 6 are provided in Table 6 below.

[0086] Comparative Example 7 In Comparative Example 7, a number of profile bars were chromium electroplated to form a chromium layer, with no hardening layer between the base material and the chromium layer. The Vickers hardness values ​​of the profile bars of Comparative Example 7 were measured according to the test method described herein above. The Vickers hardness values ​​of the profile bars of Comparative Example 7 with a chromium layer and without a hardening layer are provided in Table 6. Due to the uneven thickness of the chromium layer applied by electroplating, the Vickers hardness values ​​of each chromium layer of the profile bars of Comparative Example 7 were determined in a first region with a thicker chromium layer, a second region with a medium thickness chromium layer, and a third region with a thinner chromium layer.

[0087] [Table 6]

[0088] The hardened profile bars of Examples 1-5 all exhibited an average Vickers hardness that exceeded the average Vickers hardness of the untreated profile bar of Comparative Example 6. The hardened profile bars of Examples 1 and 3-5 all had average Vickers hardness that matched or exceeded the hardness of the profile bar of Comparative Example 7 that was coated with a chrome coating. Thus, the hardened profile bars hardened by the methods disclosed herein can have a hardness that is substantially higher than the parent material and matched or exceeded the hardness of a profile bar that had only a chrome layer deposited thereon.

[0089] The embodiment (1) of the present disclosure may relate to a screen cylinder that may include a plurality of profile bars, the plurality of profile bars being aligned in the longitudinal direction and connected to at least one support ring at the mounting end of the plurality of profile bars. Each of the plurality of profile bars may include an outer surface facing outward from the at least one support ring, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profile bar to the mounting end opposite the outer surface, and a second slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profile bar to the mounting end opposite the first slot surface. The first slot surface of one profile bar and the second slot surface of another adjacent profile bar may define a slot. Each of the plurality of profile bars may further include a stiffening layer that is integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of the profile bar. The case may have a Vickers hardness value of greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined in accordance with ASTM E384-11e1.

[0090] An embodiment (2) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (1), wherein a stiffening layer may be disposed on a second slot surface, an outer surface, or a portion of both, of each of the profiled bars.

[0091] An embodiment of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) or (2), wherein a stiffening layer may be disposed on an entire peripheral surface of each of the shaped bars, the entire peripheral surface including at least the outer surface, the first slot surface, and the second slot surface.

[0092] An embodiment (4) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (3), wherein the cured layer may have a cured layer outer surface with a topography that is dimensionally consistent to within a tolerance of less than or equal to 9 micrometers (μm).

[0093] An embodiment (5) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (4), wherein the case may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 900HV0.05, as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0094] An embodiment (6) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (1) to (5), wherein the hardened layer may have the same electrical conductivity as the electrical conductivity of the base material of the multiple shaped bars.

[0095] An embodiment (7) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (1) to (6), and the base material of each of the plurality of shaped bars may include stainless steel.

[0096] An embodiment (8) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (1) to (7), and the base material of each of the multiple shaped bars may not be annealed.

[0097] An embodiment (9) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (8), further including a chrome layer disposed on the outer surface of the shaped bar or on the hardened layer.

[0098] An embodiment (10) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (9), wherein the thickness of the chrome layer of each of the shaped bars may decrease from the outer surface toward the attachment end of each of the shaped bars.

[0099] An embodiment (11) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (1) to (10), and the hardened layer may include a surface treatment layer of the base material of the profiled bar.

[0100] An embodiment (12) of the present disclosure may include the embodiment (11), wherein the depth of the surface treatment layer of the base material may be greater than or equal to 5 μm.

[0101] An embodiment (13) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (11) or (12), wherein the surface treatment layer may include at least nitride ions.

[0102] An embodiment (14) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (8), wherein an outer surface of each of the plurality of shaped bars may include a hardened layer, and a chrome layer is disposed on the hardened layer.

[0103] An embodiment (15) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (10), wherein the hardening layer may be a hard coating applied to at least a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar.

[0104] An embodiment (16) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (15), wherein the thickness of the hard coating is greater than or equal to 5 μm, or between 5 μm and 300 μm.

[0105] An embodiment (17) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (15) or (16), wherein the hard coating may include tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, electroless plating nickel, ceramic coating, alumina, or combinations thereof. The hard coating may be a tungsten carbide coating. The hard coating of the hard layer may be a titanium nitride or chromium nitride coating applied by a PVD process. The hard coating of the hard layer may be a nickel layer applied using an electroless plating process. The hard coating may be a ceramic coating.

[0106] An embodiment (18) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (1) to (17), wherein the screen cylinder may function to separate solid foreign matter from the solid suspension.

[0107] Aspect (19) of the present disclosure may relate to a profiled bar of a screen cylinder for separating solid foreign matter from a solid suspension. The profiled bar may include an outer surface located at a mounting end and an end opposite the mounting end, a first slotted surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the mounting end, a second slotted surface opposite the first slotted surface and extending from the outer surface to the mounting end, and a hardening layer integral with or located on at least a portion of the first slotted surface, a portion of the second slotted surface, or both. The hardening layer may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0108] An embodiment (20) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (19), where when multiple shaped bars are aligned longitudinally and side-by-side, a first slot surface of one shaped bar and a second slot surface of another adjacent shaped bar may define a slot.

[0109] An embodiment (21) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) or (20), wherein the stiffening layer may be disposed on an entire peripheral surface of each of the profiled bars, and the entire peripheral surface may include at least 80% of the outer surface, the first slot surface, and the second slot surface.

[0110] An embodiment (22) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) through (21), wherein the hardened layer may have a hardened layer outer surface with a topography that is dimensionally consistent to within a tolerance of less than or equal to 9 micrometers (μm).

[0111] An embodiment (23) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) to (22), wherein the case has a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 900HV0.05, as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0112] An embodiment (24) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (19) to (23), wherein the hardened layer may have the same electrical conductivity as the electrical conductivity of the base material of the plurality of shaped bars.

[0113] An embodiment (25) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (19) to (24), and a base material of each of the plurality of shaped bars may include stainless steel.

[0114] An embodiment (26) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (19) to (25), wherein the base material of each of the plurality of shaped bars may not be annealed.

[0115] An embodiment (27) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) through (26) and may further include a chrome layer disposed on the outer surface or on the case layer.

[0116] An embodiment (28) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (27), wherein the thickness of the chrome layer may decrease from the outer surface of the shaped bar towards the mounting end.

[0117] An embodiment (29) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (19) to (28), wherein the hardened layer may include a surface treatment of the base material to a depth within the base material of the shaped bar.

[0118] An embodiment (30) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (29), wherein the depth of the hardened layer may be greater than or equal to 5 μm.

[0119] An embodiment (31) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (29) or (30), wherein the hardened layer includes at least nitride ions.

[0120] An embodiment (32) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) through (28), wherein the exterior surface may include a hardened layer, and a chrome layer overlies the hardened layer.

[0121] An embodiment (33) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (19) to (28), wherein the hardening layer may be a hard coating applied to the base material.

[0122] An embodiment (34) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (33), wherein the thickness of the hard coating is greater than or equal to 5 μm, or between 5 μm and 300 μm.

[0123] An embodiment (35) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (33) or (34), wherein the hard coating may include tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, electroless plating nickel, ceramic coating, alumina, or combinations thereof. The hard coating may be a tungsten carbide coating. The hard coating of the hard layer may be a titanium nitride or chromium nitride coating applied by a PVD process. The hard coating of the hard layer may be a nickel layer applied using an electroless plating process. The hard coating may be a ceramic coating.

[0124] An embodiment (36) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (19) to (35) and may relate to a screen cylinder including the shaped bars of any of the embodiments (19) to (35).

[0125] An embodiment (37) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (36), wherein the screen cylinder includes a plurality of profiled bars that are longitudinally aligned and connected to at least one support ring at attachment ends of the plurality of profiled bars.

[0126] An embodiment (38) of the present disclosure may relate to a method of making a hardened profiled bar for a screen cylinder. The method may include providing a profiled bar that may include an attachment end and an outer surface facing in a direction opposite the attachment end, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the attachment end, and a second slot surface opposite the first slot surface and extending from the outer surface to the attachment end. The method may further include forming a hardened layer on or integral with at least a portion of the first slot surface, and the hardened layer may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0127] An embodiment (39) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (38), further including depositing a chrome layer on the outer surface of the shaped bar or on the case layer.

[0128] An embodiment (40) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (38) or (39) and includes forming a hardening layer on the outer surface, the second slot surface, or a portion of both.

[0129] An embodiment (41) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (38) to (40), and forming the hardened layer may include subjecting at least the first slot surface of the shaped bar to a surface treatment that diffuses one or more chemical compounds into the matrix of the first slot surface.

[0130] An embodiment (42) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (41), wherein the surface treatment may include contacting at least a portion of the shaped bar with a nitrogen-containing gas or nitrogen-containing liquid bath at a temperature below the annealing temperature of the base material and at a pressure sufficient to diffuse the nitrogen or nitrogen-containing compound into the base material.

[0131] An embodiment (43) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (38) through (40), and wherein forming the hardened layer may include applying a coating to at least the first slot surface of the shaped bar.

[0132] An embodiment (44) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (43), wherein applying the coating to at least the first slot surface may include a thermal spray process.

[0133] An embodiment (45) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (44), wherein the thermal spraying process may include a tungsten carbide high velocity fuel spray (HVOF) process.

[0134] An embodiment (46) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (43), wherein forming the hardened layer may include applying a thin film of ceramic paint to one or more surfaces of the shaped bar and firing the shaped bar at a temperature sufficient to form a ceramic coating and bond the ceramic coating to the base material of the shaped bar.

[0135] An embodiment (47) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (38) through (46), and includes forming a hardened layer on an outer surface of the shaped bar, and depositing a chromium layer on the outer surface of the hardened layer formed on the outer surface of the shaped bar.

[0136] An embodiment (48) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (47), wherein the thickness of the chrome layer may decrease from the outer surface of the shaped bar towards the mounting end.

[0137] An embodiment (49) of the present disclosure may relate to a method of removing solid foreign matter from a solid suspension. The method may include contacting the solid suspension with a screen cylinder. The screen cylinder may include a plurality of profiled bars coupled to at least one support ring and aligned longitudinally. Each of the plurality of profiled bars may include an outer surface facing outwardly from the at least one support ring, a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to an attachment end opposite the outer surface, a second slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to an attachment end opposite the first slot surface, and a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of each of the profiled bars. The hardening layer may have a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500HV0.05 as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1. The first and second slot surfaces of the side-by-side pairs of profiled bars may define a plurality of slots in the screen cylinder, and contact of the solid suspension with the screen cylinder may cause at least a portion of the solid suspension to pass through the slots. The method may further include recovering the admissible solid suspension from the plurality of slots in the screen cylinder.

[0138] An embodiment (50) of the present disclosure may include embodiment (49), further including removing at least a portion of the solid foreign matter from an exterior surface of the plurality of shaped bars.

[0139] An embodiment (51) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (49) or (50), wherein each of the plurality of shaped bars may include a chrome layer disposed on an outer surface of the shaped bar or on the case layer.

[0140] An embodiment (52) of the present disclosure may include any one of the embodiments (49) to (51), wherein the hardened layer may include a surface treatment layer of the base material of the shaped bar.

[0141] An embodiment (53) of the present disclosure may include any one of embodiments (49) to (51), wherein the hardening layer may be a hard coating applied to at least a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar.

[0142] Although various embodiments of the profiled bar 12 of the screen cylinder 10 and the method of making and using the profiled bar 12 are described herein, it should be understood that each of these embodiments and techniques may be used separately or in conjunction with one or more of the embodiments and techniques. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein, provided that such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0143] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail.

[0144] EMBODIMENT 1 In the screen cylinder, a plurality of profiled bars aligned longitudinally and connected to at least one support ring at an attachment end of the plurality of profiled bars; Including, Each of the plurality of profiled bars is an exterior surface facing away from the at least one support ring; a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the mounting end opposite the outer surface; a second slot surface opposite the first slot surface and extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the attachment end, the first slot surface of one profiled bar and the second slot surface of another adjacent profiled bar defining a slot; and a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05 as determined in accordance with ASTM E384-11e1; Including, screen cylinder.

[0145] EMBODIMENT 2 2. The screen cylinder of embodiment 1, wherein the stiffening layer is disposed on the second slot surface, the outer surface, or a portion of both of each of the profiled bars.

[0146] EMBODIMENT 3 3. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the hardening layer is disposed on an entire peripheral surface of each of the shaped bars, the entire peripheral surface including at least the outer surface, the first slot surface, and the second slot surface.

[0147] EMBODIMENT 4 4. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hardened layer has a hardened layer outer surface with a topography that is dimensionally consistent to within a tolerance of less than or equal to 9 micrometers (μm).

[0148] EMBODIMENT 5 5. The screen cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case has a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 900HV0.05, as determined according to ASTM E384-11e1.

[0149] EMBODIMENT 6 6. The screen cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hardened layer has the same electrical conductivity as the electrical conductivity of the base material of the plurality of shaped bars.

[0150] EMBODIMENT 7 7. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a base material of each of the plurality of shaped bars comprises stainless steel.

[0151] EMBODIMENT 8 8. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base material of each of the plurality of shaped bars is unannealed.

[0152] EMBODIMENT 9 9. The screen cylinder of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a chrome layer disposed on the outer surface of the shaped bar or on the hardened layer.

[0153] EMBODIMENT 10 10. The screen cylinder of embodiment 9, wherein a thickness of the chrome layer on each of the shaped bars decreases from the outer surface towards the mounting end of each of the shaped bars.

[0154] EMBODIMENT 11 11. The screen cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of profiled bars comprises the hardened layer, and a chrome layer is disposed on the hardened layer.

[0155] EMBODIMENT 12 12. The screen cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardening layer is a hard coating applied to at least a portion of the first slot surface of the profiled bar.

[0156] EMBODIMENT 13 12. The screen cylinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the hard coating is greater than or equal to 5 μm, or between 5 μm and 300 μm.

[0157] EMBODIMENT 14 14. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the hard coating comprises tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, electroless plated nickel, ceramic coating, alumina, or a combination thereof.

[0158] EMBODIMENT 15 15. The screen cylinder of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the hard coating comprises a ceramic coating.

[0159] EMBODIMENT 16 12. The screen cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hardened layer comprises a surface treatment layer of the base material of the profiled bar.

[0160] EMBODIMENT 17 17. The screen cylinder of embodiment 16, wherein the depth of the surface treatment layer of the base material is greater than or equal to 5 μm.

[0161] EMBODIMENT 18 18. The screen cylinder according to any one of embodiments 16 or 17, wherein the surface treatment layer comprises at least nitride ions.

[0162] EMBODIMENT 19 19. The screen cylinder according to any one of the preceding embodiments, which serves to separate solid foreign matter from a solid suspension.

[0163] EMBODIMENT 20 1. A method for removing solid foreign matter from a solid suspension, comprising the steps of: contacting the solid suspension with a screen cylinder including a plurality of longitudinally aligned profile bars connected to at least one support ring, each of the plurality of profile bars comprising: an exterior surface facing away from the at least one support ring; a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to a mounting end opposite the outer surface; a second slotted surface opposite the first slotted surface and extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the mounting end; and a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of each of the shaped bars, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05 as determined in accordance with ASTM E384-11e1; Including, the first slot surface and the second slot surface of each side-by-side pair of profiled bars define a plurality of slots in the screen cylinder; contacting the solids suspension with the screen cylinder causes at least a portion of the solids suspension to pass through the slots; and recovering admissible solids suspension from the plurality of slots of the screen cylinder; A method comprising:

[0164] EMBODIMENT 21 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising removing at least a portion of solid foreign matter from the outer surface of the plurality of shaped bars.

[0165] EMBODIMENT 22 22. The method of any one of claims 20 or 21, wherein each of the plurality of shaped bars comprises a chromium layer deposited on the outer surface of the shaped bar or on the hardened layer.

[0166] EMBODIMENT 23 23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the hardening layer is a hard coating applied to at least a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar.

[0167] EMBODIMENT 24 23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the hardened layer comprises a surface treatment layer of the base material of the shaped bar.

Claims

[Claim 1] In the screen cylinder, a plurality of profiled bars aligned longitudinally and connected to at least one support ring at an attachment end of the plurality of profiled bars; Including, Each of the plurality of profiled bars is an exterior surface facing away from the at least one support ring; a first slot surface extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the mounting end opposite the outer surface; a second slot surface opposite the first slot surface and extending from the outer surface of the profiled bar to the attachment end, the first slot surface of one profiled bar and the second slot surface of another adjacent profiled bar defining a slot; and a hardening layer integral with or disposed on at least a portion of the first slot surface of the shaped bar, the hardening layer having a Vickers hardness value greater than or equal to 500 HV0.05 as determined in accordance with ASTM E384-11e1; Including, screen cylinder.

Images