Flow Guide Device for Cylinder Paper Machine Trough Inlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Paper machines with DC cylinder molds lack controlled speed profiles between the entry of fibrous stock suspension and the screen cylinder, leading to negative velocity gradients, backflows, and unfavorable flocculation, which affects the precision of security thread placement and the strength properties of the paper.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a flow guide device with a cover and flexible skirt that accelerates and directs the suspension flow, allowing for adjustable speed profiles and precise thread placement, along with a suspension storage box to regulate pressure and flow conditions, ensuring no backflows or dead zones and enabling independent adjustment of speed at the channel transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an open trough surface is used for fiber suspension flow, then the structure is simple, but negative velocity gradients and backflows occur leading to poor flow control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrough structureVSAvoidflow velocity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible membrane is introduced to cover the open trough surface, creating a closed flow channel. The membrane can be adjusted to control the channel geometry and flow characteristics, eliminating the open surface problems while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

A flow guide device with adjustable baffle is introduced as an intermediary element to control the fiber suspension flow. This baffle regulates the velocity profile and prevents backflow, improving flow control without significantly complicating the overall trough structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If papermaking speed is increased, then productivity improves, but thread positioning accuracy deteriorates due to cross-currents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepapermaking speedVSAvoidthread positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A thread guide device is introduced as an intermediary between the suspension flow and the forming wire. This guide stabilizes the thread position and reduces the impact of cross-currents, allowing high-speed operation while maintaining precise thread placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A adjustable baffle or membrane is used to control the flow velocity profile, creating a more uniform flow that reduces cross-currents. This allows higher papermaking speeds without compromising thread positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If a defined headbox with controlled velocity profile is introduced, then flow conditions improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevelocity profile controlVSAvoidheadbox structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a complex rigid headbox structure, a flexible membrane is used to define the flow channel. This membrane can be adjusted to create the desired velocity profile while keeping the overall structure simpler and more adaptable than a traditional headbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flow control system uses adjustable, movable elements (such as adjustable baffles or membranes) rather than fixed structures. This allows the velocity profile to be optimized for different operating conditions without requiring a completely different structure, balancing control precision with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution improves flow conditions, increases paper production speed, and enhances the accuracy of security thread placement, resulting in better fiber orientation and strength properties of the paper.

Implementation Method 1

a flow guide device with a cover and flexible skirt that accelerates and directs the suspension flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow acceleration:

Implementation Method 2

a suspension storage box to regulate pressure and flow conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a trough with a DC rotary drum screen rotating therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3423627B1Cylinder paper machine
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 ARLEDTER HANS PETER
  • EP3423627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3423627B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3423627B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The invention relates to a paper machine for producing paper or paper-like material webs, wherein the device comprises a machine-wide fibrous suspension inlet (4), a trough (1) with a direct current circular screen (2) rotating therein, a trough inlet (8) and a non-woven take-off device (14). According to the invention, the trough inlet (8) has a flow-guiding device (20), wherein said flow-guiding device (20) comprises a cover (19) that covers the suspension level (A1) of the fibrous suspension and accelerates continuously the suspension stream while steering it into the trough channel inlet (9).