US2437680A - Moisture control device - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1948. CORNELIUS 2,437,680

MOISTURE CONTROL DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1945 INVENTOR. f u/z a '4;

Patented Mar. 16, 1948 MOISTURE CONTROL DEVICE Frank H. Cornelius, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 11, 1945, Serial No. 572,409

15 Claims.

1 This invention relates to control devices and, more particularly, to a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll.

In the manufacture of variegated hard surface linoleum fioor covering, common practice is to calender particles of linoleum mix into a sheet in which the variegations extend longitudinally thereof. Such sheet is then severed into sections, the sections turned though an angle of about 90, and fed through a cross-rolling calender at right angles to the direction of graining. This serves to further spread the variegations and to obtain what is known as a marble graining. The cross-rolling calender includes a hot roll and a refrigerated or cooled roll for the purpose of obtaining the desired marble graining.

It is believed that the type of graining obtained in this process is due to friction between the linoleum sheet being cross-rolled and the. refrigerated roll. Since the roll is refrigerated or cooled, vapor from the air condenses thereon and it is believed that such vapor plays a material part in the formation of the graining. Heretofore, no satisfactory means were provided to control the amount of condensate on the refrigerated roll, and hence, it was extremely difficult to control the quality of the graining being formed by the calender, making it diificult to consistently reproduce a desired type of graining.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll. An object of my invention is to provide control means for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a refrigerated calender roll in order to control the type of graining being produced by the calender. A further object is to provide in combination with a calender, means for controlling the amount of condensate on the refrigerated roll thereof. A still further object is to provide a device easily installed on standard calender-mg equipment for controlling the type of draining produced by thecalender.

This invention relates to a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior face of a calender roll and comprises, in combination, a housing enclosing the calender roll, means for injecting vapor in the housing, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in the housing for controlling the injecting means.

This invention further relates to the combination of a cooled calender roll and means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calender roll, means for injecting vapor in the housing, means for circulating vapor through the housing, and control means I responsive to the amount of vapor in the housing for controlling the injecting means.

The attached drawing discloses a preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrates diagrammatically the device of my invention installed adjacent the refrigerated roll of a crossrolling calender.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a calender having rolls 2 and 3, Roll 2 is usually a heated roll while roll 3 is a cold roll and may be cooled by the circulation of water through the interior thereof or refrigerated by the circulation of brine through the interior thereof. Overlapped blankets 4 of linoleum composition are shown in position to be fed through the rolls 2 and 3 to form a grained linoleum sheet 5.

The device of my invention is shown disposed about roll 3 and controls the amount of condensate onthe exterior surface thereof. Such device comprises a housing or casing 6, the upper surface thereof forming a table I to receive blankets 4. The exterior wall of housing 6 is preferably covered by insulation 8 of any suitable kind. The housing 6 encloses or surrounds roll 3. Within housing 6 are disposed air distribution plates 9 placed on opposite sides of roll 3. Plates 9 contain orifices l0 and serve to distribute the air stream about the exterior surface of roll 3.

An opening II is provided in one end of housing 6 and connects the interior of housing 5 with a fan I2 by means of duct l3. The opposite end of the housing is provided with an opening M which connects fan l2 with the housing by means of a second duct I 5. It will be observed that operation of the fan l2 circulates a" stream of air through duct l3 into the interior of the housing 6 and withdraws the stream from the interior of housing 6 through opening l4 and duct 15.

A steam jet I6 is provided which, preferably,

is disposed within the interior of duct 3 and serves to inject water vapor or steam into the air stream passing through duct l3. The jet I6 is connected to a steam line I! provided with a suitable reducing valve l8, a gate valve I9, and a control valve 20. The control valve 20, of course, serves to control the amount of steam being injected through jet l6 into the circulating air stream passing through duct l3.

Suitable control means. 2| are provided for controlling valve 20. Such control means are preferably disposed within theinterior of the housing 6 adjacent roll 3 and are responsive to the amount of steam or vapor in the housing for controlling the amount of steam flowing through the valve 20. Such means 2| may comprise any suitable psychrometer, such as a wet .and dry bulb differential control or its equivalent, and are connected to valve 20 and serve to control its operation. A Foxboro humidity controller manufactured by the Foxboro Company has been found satisfactory for this purpose.

In the operation of my device, fan I! forces a stream of air through duct l3 and opening ll into the interior of housing 6. Such stream of air is broken up by means of plate 9 and distributed about the surface of the roll. Since the roll is cooled or chilled, the vapor carried by the air stream precipitates and condenses on the exterior surface of roll 3. The air stream is then withdrawn from the interior of housing 6 through opening I! and duct l5 by the fan l2. Control means 2| directly controls the amount of vapor present in the air stream. for precipitation or condensation on roll 3. Depending upon the amount of vapor present in the housing 6, control means It actuates valve 20 to permit steam to be injected through jet l6 into the air stream in duct IS which is being circulated to the interior of housing 8. Thus, control means 2| controls the amount of vapor present in the air stream and available to condense on the exterior surface of roll 3 which results in direct control of the film thickness of the condensate on the surface of the roll. Since such moisture film thickness appears to have a direct bearing on the quality or character of the graining being produced by the calender, it will be appreciated that this accurate con-' trol of the film thickness of the condensate permits an improved graining to be obtained.

The advantages of my invention are readily apparent. My invention permits more satisfactory control of the graining of variegated surface linoleum. It provides a ready and accurate control of the thickness of the water film disposed on the exterior surface of the cooled roll, thus controlling the type of graining being produced. Such control device is simple and does not rethe amount oi vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

3. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calender roll, a duct connecting the housing with air circulating means, a second duct connecting said housing with said air circulating means, means for circulating a stream of air through said housing and said ducts to supply air to and withdraw air from said housing, means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

4. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calender roll, air distribution plates having orifices therein placed in said housing on opposite sides of the calender roll, a duct connecting the housing with air circulating means, a second duct connecting said housing with said air circulating means, means for circulating a stream of air through said housing and said ducts to supply air to and withdraw air from said housing, means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

5. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calendar roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calendar roll, a duct, 9. fan connected to said housing by said duct adapted to circulate a stream of air through said housing, a second duct connected to said fan to permit the fan to withdraw air irom the housing, means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream, and con- .trol means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

quire constant attention from the operators of the calender and provides a more accurate means of controlling the film thickness of the condensate than can possibly be provided by the calender operator. The provision of my device eliminates variations in graining due to changing atmospheric conditions and assures a constant accurate control of graining.

While I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood my invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calender roll, means for injecting vapor into said housing, and controlling means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injectin means. A

2. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calender roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calender roll, means for injecting vapor into said housing, means for circulating vapor through said housing, and control means responsive to 6. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calendar roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calendar roll, air distribution plates having orifices therein placed in said housing on opposite sides of the calendar roll, a duct, a fan connected to said housing by said duct adapted to circulate a stream of air through said housing, a second duct connected to said fan to permit the fan to withdraw air from the housing,.means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

'7. A device according to claim 4 in which the injecting means comprises a steam jet disposed in said first duct.

8. In a device for controlling the amount of condensate on the exterior surface of a calendar roll, the combination of a housing enclosing the calendar roll, air distribution plates having orifices therein placed in said housing on opposite sides of the calendar roll, a fan adapted to circulate a stream of air in said housing, a duct connecting said fan to said housing, a second duct connecting the opposite end of said housing to said fan, a steam jet disposed insaid first duct adapted to inject steam into said circulating air stream, a steam line connected to said jet, a control valve disposed in said'steam line, and means disposed in said housing responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling said valve thereby determining the amount or steam injected in the circulating air stream.

9. A device according to claim 6 in which th upper surface of said housing forms a table for the reception of material to be sheeted by the calendar and in which a, layer of insulation material is provided about the exterior surface of the housing.

10. In combination with a cooled calendar roll, means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calendar roll, means for injecting vapor into said housing, and control means responsive to the amount-of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

11. In combination with a cooled calendar roll, means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calender roll, means for injecting vapor into said housing, means for circulating vapor through said housing, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

12. In combination with a cooled calender roll, means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calender roll, a duct connecting said housing with air circulation means, a second duct connecting said housing with said air circulating means, means for circulating a stream of air in said housing and said ducts to supply air to and withdraw air from said housing, means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream. and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the inject-1 ing means.

13. In combination with a cooled calender roll.-

means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calender roll, air distribution plates having orifices therein placed in said housing on opposite sides of the calender roll. a duct connecting said housing with air circulation means, a second duct connecting said housing with said air circulating means, means for circulating a stream of air in said housing and said ducts to supply air to and withdraw air from said housing, means for injecting steam into the necting said housing with a fan, a fan for circulating a stream of air into said 'housing, a second duct connecting said fan with said housing to permit it to withdraw a stream of air from said housing, means for injecting steam into the circulating air stream, and control means responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling the injecting means.

15. In combination with a cooled calender roll, means for controlling the amount of condensate thereon, said means comprising a housing enclosing the calender roll, air distribution plates having orifices therein placed in said housing on opposite sides of the calender roll, a fan adapted to circulate a stream of air in said housing, a

duct connecting said fan to said housing, a second duct connecting the opposite end of said housing to said fan, a steam jet disposed in said first'duct adapted to inject steam into the circulating air stream, a steam line connected to said jet, acontrol valve disposed in said steam line, and means disposed'in said. housing responsive to the amount of vapor in said housing for controlling said valve thereby determining the amount of steam injected into the circulating air stream.

' FRANK H. CORNELIUS.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,437,680. March 16, 1948.

FRANK H. CORNELIUS It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 1, line 10, for the word though read through; column 2, line 27, for covered by read covered with; column 4, lines 32 and 34, claim 5; lines 44, 46, and 48, claim 6; lines62, 64, and 66, claim 8; column 5, line 6, claim 9; lines 9 and 12, claim 10 ;line 16, claim 11; in each instance the word calendar should read calender; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D. 1948.

[snarl] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

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