US3736669A

US3736669A - Nozzle design for a fabric web treating facility

Info

Publication number: US3736669A
Application number: US00181793A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Amidon; V Galeone
Original assignee: Gulf and Western Systems Co
Current assignee: Gulf and Western Systems Co
Priority date: 1971-09-20
Filing date: 1971-09-20
Publication date: 1973-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-05

Abstract

A nozzle design for particular use with a fabric web treatment facility in which heated air is periodically impinged against the web through nozzles as it is processed through the facility around a plurality of elongated rolls. The design provides for ease of access into the facility for cleaning and threading the web onto the rolls by providing a pivotal mounting for the nozzles in order that they may be arcuately moved between a first operative position closely spaced to the web and a second position spaced remote therefrom. Each nozzle includes three air outlet passages extending transversely thereacross in order that the heated air flow therethrough will impinge the web at varied angles and eliminate return air velocities.

Description

[ 11 3,736,669 51 June5,1973

United States Patent 1 Amidon, Jr. et al.

[54] NOZZLE DESIGN FOR A FABRIC WEB 3,099,541 7/l963 Hildebrand...i............ 3,257,938 6/1966 Goyette.......',........................

TREATING FACILITY e u s my sum W.B n w nm 83 Kqm .T n me imy m e a mxM E E y W n at m m 18! f8! PAA r r mm r m I a G M. va m P Aflf 0 mh "aim b SF: e flaw a .m Cmr m r m n e v n I F 7 [73] Assignee: Gulf & Western Systems Company,

New York, NY.

[57] ABSTRACT A nozzle design for particular use with a fabric web treatment facility in which heated air is periodically impinged against the web through nozzles as ,it is processed through the facility around a plurality of elongated rolls. The design provides for ease. of access into the facility for cleaning and threading the web onto the rolls by providing a pivotal mounting for the nozzles in order that they may be arcuately moved between a first operative position closely spaced to the web and a second position spaced remote therefrom.

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Each nozzle includes three airoutlet passages extend- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing transversely thereacross in order that the heated Hargett u m 5 m m m 0 ac ZD 9895 6366 9999 1111 ///l 4 5 8496 3020 5733 3328 4 4 3233 d .m r. a v t a b w ea m hfi u n m 60 F gn w m p m m H mm D wm 6 ..nm Gm e m UT. :I 0a a In i C mm 8 ad m wa 08 it .un aa 4954 12 1 1 1 //9/ 4454 393 3 2 Gustafsson et a].

PATENTEUJUH 5 I975 SHEET 1 HF FIG. I

ATTORNEYS PAIENTEUJUH 5 I975 SHEETEUFS INVENTOR.

CHARLES H. AMIDON, JR. BY VINCENT A. GALEONE Mequfldfimm; 23 Body FIG. 5

ATTORNEYS PAIENTEDJUH 19B 3. 736,669

sum 3 0F 3 INVENTOR. CHARLES H. AMIDON, JR.

By VINCENT A. G ALEONE M w/um, a M,

ATTORNEYS I NOZZLE DESIGN FOR A FABRIC WEB TREATING FACILITY This application pertains to the art of fabric treatment and more particularly to a nozzle design for use with a fabric web treatment facility.

The invention is particularly applicable to a fabric web treatment facility wherein a heated air flow is directed by a plurality of nozzles to impinge a fabric web as it is processed through the facility around a plurality of elongated rolls and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used in any environments where it is desired to direct a gaseous flow to impinge a fabric web or other workpieces.

In fabric web treatment, it is often desired to pass the In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the plurality of outlet passages comprises three passages. The middle or central passage is disposed so as to direct a portion of the gas flow in a direction normal to the web when the nozzle is in the first position. The other two passages are disposed so as to direct portions of the gas flow against the web at angles to the normal direction.

webthrough a facility wherein a heated air flow is periodically directed against the web. Such treatment may be alternately desired to dry and/or condition the web.

A facility of this type generally employs a plurality of elongated rolls spaced adjacent to and parallel with each other so as to form at least one column or row of rolls which may be enclosed in a housing. The web is threaded between adjacent rolls in a serpentine fashion and a heated air flow directed to impinge the web by nozzles spaced adjacent each roll.

Heretofore, these fabric web treatment facilities utilized a plurality of fixed nozzles placed in closely spaced relationships relative to the web. Because of this arrangement, the nozzles were necessarily located approximately 6 to 10 inches away from the web to enable maintenance work to be perfonned on the facility,

to provide a clearance area for cleaning the rolls, and to permit threading of the web around the rolls. Because of this necessary distance, the effective velocity of the heated air flow issuing from the nozzles was substantially reduced so that the receipt of an efficient heat transfer from the air to the web was greatly impaired. Further, these prior nozzles only utilized a single air outlet passage disposed adjacent the web so that the air was directed to impinge the web only in a direction generally normal thereto. This single outlet passage did-not provide a particularly efficient impinging air supply against the fabric web so that many rolls and associated single outlet passage nozzles were required to dry and/or work the web as desired. Further, in prior facilities of this type, each nozzle formed a part of a plenum chamber which confined the air after it had impinged the web and caused transverse velocities of air resulting in uneven heating of the web selvedges.

The present invention contemplates a new and improved apparatus which overcomes all of the above referred problems and others and provides a nozzle design for a fabric web treatment facility which provides ease of access for cleaning the facility components and which provides more efficient air impingement on the fabric web.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a gas flow supply nozzle for particular use with a fabric web treatment facility. The nozzle is comprised of an elongated housing including a gas inlet area disposed adjacent one end thereof and a plurality of gas outlet passages disposed across the other end in a generally side by side relationship. The nozzle is mounted relative to the facility in order that it may be selectively moved between a first position in closely spaced operative relationship relative to the web and a second position spaced remote therefrom.

In accordance with another limited aspect of the present invention, the angled outlet passages are each disposed to direct gas outwardly at an angle of approximately 30 from the normal.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas flow nozzle for use in a fabric web treatment facility.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas flow nozzle for use in a fabric web treatment facility wherein the nozzle is movable between a first operative position relative to the web to a second position spaced remote therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas. flow nozzle for use in a fabric web treatment facility which improves gas flow impingement onto the fabric web. v

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas flow nozzle for use in a fabric web treatment facility which permits the nozzle to be closely spaced to the fabric web when in the operative position.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas flow nozzle for use in a fabric web treatment facility which eliminates return air velocities.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a fabric web treatment facility using the concepts of the subject invention and having a portion of the side wall removed for ease of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a view of three warm air nozzle assemblies constructed in accordance with the subject invention and which have been arcuately moved from the operative position for cleaning or threading of the facility;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the warm air nozzle assemblies of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the air outlet passages in one of the warm air nozzle assemblies; and,

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred em bodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, the FIGURES show a fabric web treatment facility A including therein warm air circulating units B, fabric web roll assemblies C and warm air nozzle assemblies D.

More specifically, the treatment facility includes a pair of spaced apart side walls 10,12 a front wall 14, a rear wall 16, a top wall 18, and a bottom wall 20. These walls may be constructed from any convenient material such as sheet metal or the like and include extending therebetween and therealong any necessary and appropriate rigid frame members. The facility is not shown in more detail as it, in and of itself, does not form a part of the present invention and as it may comprise any design necessary to fulfill a particular fabric treatment function. Front wall 14 includes a fabric web inlet slot 22 and rear wall 16 includes a fabric web outlet slot 24. Further,

side walls

10,12 may include a plurality of access doors (not shown) which readily permit access to the inside of the treatment facility itself.

Disposed on top wall 18 are a pair of warm air circulating units B comprised of conventional circulating ducts and components generally designated 30,32 which, in the preferred embodiment, are driven by

electric motors

34,36 to generate air flow through the facility. It should be noted that unit 30 includes an air supply duct 38 extending generally vertically along the inside of a portion of side wall and an air supply duct 40 in an identical relationship with side wall 12. Likewise, a second pair of

air supply ducts

42,44 are disposed in association with heating and circulating unit 32 and

side walls

10,12 respectively. The air flow through these ducts will be more fully described hereinbelow relative to operation of the apparatus. A heater 46 is disposed in an operative relationship with circulating unit 30 and a heater 48 is disposed in operative relationship with circulating unit 32 in order to heat the air being circulated inside of the facility. In the preferred embodiment,

heaters

46,48 are mounted to and extend through side wall 10.

Heaters

46,48 are only shown in a general manner and may comprise any of several types of heaters adaptable for such use. An exhaust duct 50 is provided between

units

30,32 to connect the inside of the facility with ambient air in order to assist in providing a continuous flow of air within the facility.

An l-beam like channel member 60 extends vertically upward along each

side wall

10,12 at generally the midpoints thereof. Each channel member includes a base portion 62 and a plurality of pillow block mountings 64 spaced longitudinally therealong on each side thereof. These pillow block mountings are for mounting elongated rolls in position relative to the facility and the number of pillow blocks employed depends entirely upon the number of rolls to be used. In the preferred embodiment, ten elongated cylindrical rolls 66 are used and are journaled in a known fashion between the associated of the pillow block mountings 64 of the two channel members so as to form two vertical columns or rolls. It is, of course, possible to have other spacial relationships between the rolls and still use the concepts of the subject invention. It will be appreciated that the opposed channel members must be rigidly mounted to support these rolls, which rigid mounting may take the form of any of several structural reinforcements which do not form a part of the present invention and are therefore not shown. It should be noted that rolls 66 may be comprised of any material consistent with use for fabric web treatment such as, for example, stainless steel or steel rolls covered by a synthetic material. Disposed atone end of each roll is a sprocket-like element 68 for use in rotatably driving each of the rolls as will hereinafter be more fully described. Spaced adjacent from channel member 60 or mounted therefrom in any convenient manner are

idler sprocket elements

70,72 and 74. In the preferred embodiment, these elements are adapted to receive a drive chain 76 which extends in a continuous fashion therearound and also around each sprocket-like element 68 associated with rolls 66. A drive motor generally designated 78 and of the type generally associated with rotatably driving a plurality of rolls is mounted relative to bottom wall 20 in a known fashion and a second continuous drive chain 80 extends between the drive motor and sprocket-like element 70. The drive motor effects resultant rotational movement between each of rolls 66, the speed of which may be varied by altering the sizes of the sprocket-like elements and/or the drive motor speed in a known fashion. As far as the present invention is concerned, it is merely necessary to appreciate that rolls 66 are driven at identical speeds.

The overall arrangement for warm air nozzle assemblies D is best shown in FIG. 1. In that FIGURE, it will be noted that for each roll 66, an associated nozzle as sembly is mounted in a cooperating relationship therewith adjacent thereto. Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, description of one of these assemblies will hereinafter be made, it being understood that the remainder of the assemblies are identical thereto unless otherwise specifically noted. Assembly D is comprised of a nozzle housing having anvair supply area generally designated 92 and an air outlet area generally designated 94. Housing 90 is comprised of a top wall 96, bottom wall 98 and a pair of spaced apart side walls 100,102. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, these walls are made from a relatively thin walled rigid material such as, for example, sheet metal, although other materials could be employed. Further, it should be noted that the top and bottom walls are formed from a single piece of sheet metal and that the housing is so designed that the top and bottom walls converge toward each other from air supply area 92 to air outlet area 94. As shown, the housing is assembled by using a plurality of mechanical fasteners designated 104, although other means such as welding or adhesives could be utilized. Disposed along the top wall is an access area 106 which includes an access area cover 108 thereover which is retained in position by mechanical fastening means or other convenient means. Disposed in each of side walls 100,102 is a generally circular air supply inlet 1 10. Corresponding, generally circular and outwardly extending, mounting flanges 120,122 are mounted around air supply inlets 110 in walls 100,102 respectively. Corresponding receiving flanges 130,132 extend inwardly from

ducts

42,44 respectively to receive mounting flanges 120,122. Each of these receiving flanges is identical and, as best shown in FIG. 6, flange 132 is designed to provide a circular gasket receiving channel 133 extending therearound. A gasket-like member 134 which may be comprised of rubber or similar material is received in channel 133 in order to provide a relatively air-tight sealing relationship between mounting flanges 120,122 and receiving flanges 130,132. As may also be best seen in FIG. 6, duct 44 includes an air outletpassage area 136 therein inside the confines defined by receiving flange 132. It should be here noted that each of

air supply ducts

38, 40, 42 and 44 include similar air supply outlets as required to facilitate operative mounting for the desired number of nozzle assemblies D.

With mounting flanges 120,122 received inside of receiving flanges 130,132 respectively and with the receiving flanges mounted to their respective air supply ducts, it will be appreciated that nozzle housing 90 may be pivoted about that mounting so that air outlet area 94 may be moved from, and with reference to FIG. 1, a closely disposed relationship with the associated roll 66 to a second position, and with reference to FIG. 2, arcuately spaced therefrom so that a clearance area is developed between each of the rolls and its associated nozzle assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention and with the nozzle assemblies in the first position, air outlet areas 94 are disposed approximately two inches away from their associated rolls. In the second position, however, the nozzles are disposed approximately 18 inches away from their associated rolls. This eighteen inch clearance is more than sufficient to provide access to the rolls and/or nozzles for cleaning or maintenance purposes as will hereinafter be more fully apparent. If tight-fitting relationships exist between receiving flanges 130,132, gaskets 134, and mounting flanges 120,122, the nozzle assemblies will remain focused as positioned without the need for locking means. However, simple locking means for positively locking each of the nozzles in desired location may be easily provided. Further, it is also possible to interconnect all the nozzle assemblies so that they may be simultaneously automatically moved between their first and second positions.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 best show outlet area 94 which is comprised of air outlet passages 140,142 and 144. These passage areas may be fabricated from any relatively thin rigid material such as sheet metal and affixed to the end of housing 90 by any convenient means such as, for example, mechanical fasteners. As seen in FIG. 4, these passages extend transversely across housing 90 in a side by side relationship between side walls 100,102 and have reinforcements 146 extending laterally therebetween to provide rigidity for the structure. As can be appreciated, it is most desirous that the transverse width of housing 90 and the resultant width of each air outlet passage is at least as wide as the fabric web to be treated. Therefore, it is advantageous to have this width substantially the same dimension as the length of rolls 66. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, air outlet passage 1l40 is situated so as to direct a portion of the air flow from the nozzle housing longitudinally coextensive with the housing itself. When the housing is in the first position, this causes an air flow to be directed against the surface of the associated roll 66 in a direction generally normal thereto. Passages 142,144 are disposed so as to direct the remainder of the air flow angularly outward from the nozzle housing at an angle to the normal flow. In the preferred embodiment, and most advantageously, this angle is 30 as it has been found that this angle provides the most efficient air impingement onto the surface of roll 66 and the fabric web. Obviously, other angles could be used or even ad ditional passage areas could be used if desired.

In using the subject invention, all the warm air nozzle assemblies D are first moved to a position similar to that shown in FIG. 2. A fabric web generally designated W which may have previously been treated in a liquid cleaning or dying substance such that it is desired to dry it by impinging warm air thereagainst as it travels through treatment facility A is supplied for processing therethrough. The lead end is inserted through fabric web inlet 22 in front wall 14 and threaded in a serpentine fashion back and forth between the two vertical 6 columns or rolls 66 and then out through fabric web outlet 24 in rear wall 16. The web may be supplied from a reel (not shown) generally associated with fabric web handling and rerolled adjacent the outlet area by a takeup reel (not shown) also of a type used in fabric web handling. As shown in FIG. 1, appropriate leadin roll and exit roll 152 are also provided to support the web. Once the fabric web has been threaded into the facility, nozzle assemblies D may be moved to their first positions as shown in FIG. 1.

The warm air circulating units B may next be energized to provide a continuous flow of warm air through

air supply ducts

38, 40, 42 and 44 and out through outlets 136 into the associated of the nozzle assemblies. At the same time,

heaters

46,48 are activated to heat this air flow in order that warm air will be impinged against the fabric web. The air flow path is shown best in FIG. 1 by arrows designated s for the supply air passed through

ducts

38, 40, 42 and 44 and r for the return air flow which will be reheated and recirculated. The web may then be pulled through the apparatus by the effect of drive motor 78 rotatingly driving in unison all the rolls 66 and the takeup roll. As the web passes between the rolls in the serpentine pattern, one column of the air nozzle assemblies will impinge warm air against one side of the web and the other column of air nozzle assemblies will impinge warm air against the other side of I the web. Thus, both sides of the web receive a flow of warm air thereagainst to dry or otherwise treat the web. As can best be seen in FIG. 5, air passing out of each nozzle assembly has the effect of directing a warm air flow to impinge the web at different angles and is designated i therein. Once this air has impinged the web, it is in effect converted into a portion of return airflow r. Therefore, once the impinging air has expended its energy to the web, it bounces back and returns away from the web so that it is free to return to the recirculating system for reheating and reimpinging.

Once the roll of fabric web has been processed, it is merely necessary to again return the nozzle assemblies to the second positions in order that another roll of fabric web may be threaded and processed through the facility. As can be appreciated, it will oftentimes be desirous of having access to the inside of the facility, and in particular, the surface of the rolls in order to perform maintenance periodic cleaning. With the nozzle assemblies in the positions shown in FIG. 2, and with the access doors in

side walls

10,12 this is easily accomplished as, in the preferred embodiment, a distance between the assemblies and rolls of l8 inches is provided.

This distance is such that maintenance personnel will have free access thereto to perform whatever maintenance for cleaning is deemed necessary. Similarly, access area covers 108 may be removed from the associated access areas 106 in order to provide access into the inside of each nozzle assembly.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is our intention to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereto.

Having thus described our invention, we now claim:

1. A gas flow supply nozzle for particular use in treating a fabric web as it is continuously passed through a web treatment facility, said nozzle comprising:

an elongated housing;

means for mounting said housing relative to said facility and means for selectively moving said housing between a first position in an operative relationship with said web and a second position spaced remote from said web; and,

at least one gas inlet area disposed adjacent one end of said housing and means for forming a plurality of gas outlet passages disposed adjacent the other end of said housing, said plurality of gas outlet passages comprising at least three of said gas outlet passages extending in a generally side by side relationship laterally across said other end wherein said first position one of said at least three passages is disposed so as to direct a portion of said gas flow generally longitudinally outward from said housing substantially transversely across said web and the other of said at least three passages are disposed so as to direct portions of said gas flow outwardly from said housing at angles to the gas flow issuing from said one passage.

2. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means for pivotally mounting said housing adjacent said one end for permitting said other end to be arcuately moved between said first and second positions.

3. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least three outlet passages comprise three of said passages, said one passage comprising the middle one of said three passagesand said angles comprising diverging angles of approximately 30 from each side of the gas flow issuing from said one passage.

4. The nozzle as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing has a generally rectangular cross section defined by a pair of opposed side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, said top and bottom walls converging toward each other from said one toward said other end, said three outlet passages extending transversely across said other end between said side walls.

5. The nozzle as defined in claim 4 wherein said mounting means are disposed in said side walls, said at least one gas inlet area being disposed inside at least one of said mounting means.

6. In a fabric treatment facility wherein a fabric web is passed continuously over a plurality of rolls while a gas flow is directed against said web from at least one nozzle assembly, the improvement comprising:

said nozzle assembly including means for forming a plurality of adjacent outlet passages, each of said plurality extending generally transversely across said assembly in a generally side by side relationship for separating said gas flow into separate gas streams which each impinge said web generally transversely thereacross at varied angles relative to each other from said nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly including means for mounting said assembly for permitting selective movement of said plurality of outlet passages between a first operative position adjacent said web and a second position spaced remote therefrom, said passages extending generally transverse to said web when said outlet passages are in said first position.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said plurality comprises three of said outlet passages in a coextensive side by side relationship, one of said outlet passages being disposed so as to direct a portion of said gas flow against said web in a direction generally normal thereto when said outlet passages are in said first position and the other of said outlet passages being disposed so as to simultaneously direct portions of said gas flow against said web at angles to said normal direction.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein said one outlet passage comprises the center one of said three outlet passages and said other outlet passages are disposed so as to direct said portions against said web at a diverging angle of approximately 30 from each side of said normal direction.

Claims

1. A gas flow supply nozzle for particular use in treating a fabric web as it is continuously passed through a web treatment facility, said nozzle comprising: an elongated housing; means for mounting said housing relative to said facility and means for selectively moving said housing between a first position in an operative relationship with said web and a second position spaced remote from said web; and, at least one gas inlet area disposed adjacent one end of said housing and means for forming a plurality of gas outlet passages disposed adjacent the other end of said housing, said plurality of gas outlet passages comprising at least three of said gas outlet passages extending in a generally side by side relationship laterally across said other end wherein said first position one of said at least three passages is disposed so as to direct a portion of said gas flow generally longitudinally outward from said housing substantially transversely across said web and the other of said at least three passages are disposed so as to direct portions of said gas flow outwardly from said housing at angles to the gas flow issuing from said one passage.

3. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least three outlet passages comprise three of said passages, said one passage comprising the middle one of said three passages and said angles comprising diverging angles of approximately 30* from each side of the gas flow issuing from said one passage.

6. In a fabric treatment facility wherein a fabric web is passed continuously over a plurality of rolls while a gas flow is directed against said web from at least one nozzle assembly, the improvement comprising: said nozzle assembly including means for forming a plurality of adjacent outlet passages, each of said plurality extending generally transversely across said assembly in a generally side by side relationship for separating said gas flow into separate gas streams which each impinge said web generally transversely thereacross at varied angles relative to each other from said nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly including means for mounting said assembly for permitting selective movement of said plurality of outlet passages between a first operative position adjacent said web and a second position spaced remote therefrom, said passages extending generally transverse to said web when said outlet passages are in said first position.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein said one outlet passage comprises the center one of said three outlet passages and said other outlet passages are disposed so as to direct said portions against said web at a diverging angle of approximately 30* from each side of said normal direction.