Turn-up paperband guide with variable tension control

Abstract

Improved apparatus and methods of operating turn-up apparatus on a paper machine to improve performance of a paper machine turn-up process via the inclusion of the ability to vary an amount of tension on a paperband being deployed during a turn-up procedure. A cross track may have a first internal slot for the paperband to move upon and a second slot to support a first adjustable track top holder. The first adjustable track top holder holds a first top tension band in a fixed position relative to an underlying first bottom tension band.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for deploying a paperband for a paper machine turn-up operation, the apparatus comprising:
 a first removable tensioner comprising a securing portion and a paperband engagement portion connected by a connection medium;   a cross track, comprising a first internal slot for the paperband to move upon, and a retaining pocket to removably attach the securing portion of the first removable tensioner above the first internal slot, and position the paperband engagement portion of the first removable tensioner across an opening between the paperband and a web spool such that a surface of the paperband engagement portion of the first removable tensioner contacts the paperband during the paper machine turn-up operation; and   a paperband feeding device; wherein the paperband feeding device advances the paperband during at least an initial portion of a turn-up operation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising a cavity within the securing portion of the first removable tensioner, and wherein compression of the securing portion of the first removable tensioner into the cavity permits insertion of the securing portion of the first removable tensioner into the retaining pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cross track comprises a second removable tensioner, affixed to the cross track within a second retaining pocket, the second removable tensioner positioned to contact at least a portion of the paperband during the turn-up operation and apply additional tension to the paperband when the paperband exits the cross track. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first removable tensioner and the second removable tensioner comprises a surface texturing altering a tension of the paperband during the turn-up operation. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the surface texturing is varied along a length of the cross track. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first removable tensioner comprises a first material in the securing portion and a second material in the paperband engagement portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the paperband engagement portion comprises a first material at a first position of the cross track and a second material at a second position of the cross track. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first removable tensioner comprises a first shape at a first position of the cross track and a second shape at a second position of the cross track, wherein the first shape corresponds with a first tension that develops in the paperband, and the second shape corresponds with a second tension that develops in the paperband. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the first tension that develops in the paperband and the second tension that develops in the paperband are different. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for deploying a paperband for a paper machine turn-up operation, the apparatus comprising:
 a cross track, wherein the cross track comprises at least a first internal slot for the paperband to move upon and at least a second slot to support a first adjustable track top holder, wherein the first adjustable track top holder holds a first top tension band in a fixed position relative to an underlying first bottom tension band;   the first top tension band, wherein the first top tension band lies across the cross track above a location for the paperband, and wherein the first top tension band interacts with the first bottom tension band;   the first bottom tension band, wherein the first bottom tension band lies across the cross track above the location for the paperband and below the first top tension band, and wherein the first bottom tension band interacts and contacts the paperband when it is pulled out of the apparatus during the paper machine turn-up operation;   a curve track, wherein the curve track holds the paperband at an angle to an axis of the cross track; and   a paperband feeding device; wherein the paperband feeding device advances the paperband during at least an initial portion of a turn-up operation.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising an adjustment screw, wherein the adjustment screw moves the first top tension band relative to the first bottom tension band. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising
 at least a third slot to support a second adjustable track top holder, wherein the second adjustable track top holder holds a second top tension band in a fixed position relative to an underlying second bottom tension band; 
 the second top tension band, wherein the second top tension band lies across the cross track above the location for the paperband, and wherein the second top tension band interacts with the underlying second bottom tension band; and 
 the underlying second bottom tension band, wherein the second bottom tension band lies across the cross track above the location for the paperband and below the second top tension band, and wherein the second bottom tension band interacts and contacts the paperband when it is pulled out of the apparatus during the paper machine turn-up operation. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a second adjustment screw, wherein the second adjustment screw moves the second top tension band relative to the underlying second bottom tension band. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a lower surface of the first bottom tension band has a surface texturing, wherein the lower surface of the first bottom tension band interacts with the paperband when it is pulled out of the apparatus during the paper machine turn-up operation. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the surface texturing of the lower surface of the first bottom tension band is varied along a length of the cross track. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the first bottom tension band comprises a second material composition on at least a portion of the first bottom tension band that contacts the paperband, wherein the second material composition has a different stiffness. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the second material composition of the first bottom tension band is varied along a length of the cross track. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the first bottom tension band comprises a different size, wherein the different size changes a tension that develops in the paperband. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the different size is varied along a length of the cross track. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the different size is a thickness of the first bottom tension band at a given location along a length of the cross track.