Reel bar loading system
United States Patent Randpalu et al.  
 [ REEL BAR LOADING SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Adu Randpalu, LaSalle, Quebec;  
 Alfred Edel, Montreal, Quebec; Rodney Harold Bryce, Lachine, Quebec; Bote Gosse Bruinsma, Hudson, Quebec, all of Canada [73] Assignee: Dominion Engineering Works,  
 Limited, Lachine, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 402,383  
 [52] US. Cl 242/65; 242/55.l [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/08; B65h 75/02 [58] Field of Search 242/65, 55, 55.1, 56.9, 242/67.l R, 67.3 R  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,353.82l 7/1944 Fourness 242/67.] R  
 3.258.217 6/1966 MacArthur 242/65 3,380,685 4/1968 Crist 242/65 3,494,566 2/l970 Pawelczyk 242/65 X Apr. 15, 1975 3,586,253 6/1971 Gilbanti 242/65 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 768,059 2/l957 United Kingdom 242/65 Primary ExaminerEdward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. A. Eckersley [57] ABSTRACT A reel for a paper machine is provided with reel bar storage located above the reeling drum; having a pair of reel bar transfer arms movable from a first position to receive a reel bar at the storage to a second position adjacent the drum, where the bar may be driven up to drum speed, then brought into contact with the drum at the turn-up position, and a third position in which the reel bar is supported on a pair of rails, and the transfer arms can be returned to the first position to receive a further reel bar. Winding tension on the reel is maintained relatively constant regardless of reel diameter, using a counter-balanced low friction drum loading device, with an air bag actuator.  
 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures .II IIHHHHH&#39; &#39;IIHHHHH&#39;I FATENTEB 1 5l975 3, 877, 654 sum 3 9 3 REEL BAR LOADING SYSTEM This invention is directed to a reel winding arrangement, and in particular to a reel for reeling substantially continuous webs such as a paper web.  
  In the operation of paper making machines the need to control accurately the reeling of paper while attempting to reduce the number of operators required, has brought particular emphasis to the matter of reel bar handling. Also certain paper grades including light grades such as tissue need sensitive loading mechanisms for control of web tension during reeling.  
  A machine exemplifying reel bar handling and roll tensioning of the prior art is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,253, June 22. I971, Gilbank, classified in Class 242-65.  
 The prior art arrangements such as that referred to above. are characterized by complexity of operation in reel bar handling and a lack of sensitivity that makes difficult the accurate winding of paper grades such as tissue. Many prior systems make use of reeling control systems to control reeling formation having wheeled carriages and piston-and-cylinder pushers. These suffer from the disadvantages of high inertia loads and frictional hang-ups that diminish the uniformity of reel tension.  
  The present invention provides a paper reel having reel bar loading provision for loading reel bars from a storage location to a position adjacent the drum, where it can be run-up to speed and brought into web reeling relation with the drum, wherein the web is turned up on the reel bar, then bringing the reel bar into contact with a secondary loading and support system without intermediate transference from the loading arms. The loading arms then may be repositioned to permit the picking up of another reel bar while the first reel bar continues to build up paper.  
 A low friction secondary loading arrangement is provided to permit accurate and consistent loading that is desirable for tissue paper reeling or any other web material requiring high accuracy and consistency of loadmg.  
  The present invention thus provides in a reel for reeling continuous web material, having a reel drum to drive a continuous web in winding relation on a reel bar when in use, having reel bar transfer means with a pair of transfer arms located at opposite ends outboard of the drum, reel bar clamp means mounted on the arms to secure a reel bar for movement therewith, actuator means to bring the reel bar into a reeling contact position with the drum, and means to lower the bar to a further position for continuous reeling. the improvement comprising reel bar storage means for storing at least one reel bar adjacent the reel, the transfer arms presenting the clamp means adjacent the storage means to receive a stored reel bar in clamped relation therewith for transfer to the contact position, whereby rapid changing of the reel bar may be effected with a minimum amount of handling.  
  Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved transfer arm arrangement having a pair of arms capable of receiving a reel bar from storage, moving the bar in a first motion towards the reel drum and positioning the bar in relation to a pair of bar locating stops, to thus permit initial reel bar displacement without synchronizing the inward motion of the two ends of the reel bar.  
  To this end a pair of oppositely located end clamps are provided securing the housings of the reel bar bearings to the transfer arms, wherein one of the end clamps permits restricted movement of the bearing housing within the clamp, in the cross machine direction, so as to permit limited canting of the reel bar during the time of displacement from the storage location to the vicinity of the drum.  
  Rotational displacement of the-two transfer arms to bring the reel bar positioned between the end clamps into operative contact with the reel drum is effected in synchronism, using a synchronizing shaft or other appropriate means to maintain the two arms at the same relative inclination.  
  A further object of the present invention is the provision of low-friction reel drum load applying means capable of applying uniform, closely controlled loading forces against the reel bar bearing housings, to obtain the uniform, accurate winding that is desirable for tissue. To this end, low friction fluid actuated air bags are used in conjunction with counter-balanced loading arms.  
  In application where the loading arms are long, the variation in loading obtained due to the fact that the arms move on a radius is negligible, however if the extra accuracy is desired or if the arms due to other reasons must be short, thereby increasing loading error, a sensor may be added to the loading assembly to read the position of the arms and automatically regulate the air pressure to the loading diaphragm or air bags thereby eliminating this inaccuracy.  
  Certain embodiments of the present invention are described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein;  
  FIG. I is a side elevation showing the winding drum and a reel bar transfer arm with the reel clamp raised relative to a reel bar storage arrangement;  
  FIG. 2 is a portion of the view of FIG. 1 showing the clamps and reel bar in a second position lowered adjacent the reel drum;  
  FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the transfer arm and reel bar positioned in winding relation with the drum; and  
  FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing the reel bar loading means according to the present invention.  
  Referring first to FIG. 1, the reel 10 has a reel storage zone with a front rail 12 and a parallel back rail (not shown) on which reel bars 14 are supported by means of their respective bearing housings 16, for rolling displacement along the rails.  
  The reel drum 18 has a pair of outboard reel transfer arms 20 pivotally mounted in the illustrated embodiment in substantial coaxial relation therewith.  
  The mounting of the transfer arms may be eccentric in relation to the drum 18 so that as the transfer arms rotate about their axis, the reel bar is automatically brought into contact with the drum, thereby eliminating the need of intermediate positioning stops, such as the cam brackets referred to below. In such an instance the radially inward displacement of the reel bar towards the drum may be terminated by the conclusion of the stroke of the respective actuating cylinder.  
  An actuator 22 having one end pinned to a fixed bracket 24 is connected at 26 with a link 28 extending from an arm synchronizing shaft 30, for rotation therewith. The shaft 30 connects link 28 of the front arm with the corresponding back link (not shown) to maintain the transfer arms 20 in synchronized angular relation. A connecting rod 32 incorporating a turnbuckle 36 for purposes of adjustment is pinned at 38 to the link 28, and connected by pin connection 40 with bracket 42 by means of which the arm 20 is pivoted about its axis, to enable pivoting of the arms 20 from the first or reel bar loading position of FIG. 1 to an intermediate sheet-turn-up position. and finally, to the third position in FIG. 3, for reeling.  
  The jaw arrangement 50 which serves to secure the reel bar bearing housings 16 comprises a lower or inner jaw portion 52 and an outer jaw portion 54 movable relative thereto by means of actuator 56 which is connected with the inner jaw 52. The outer jaw 54 is also illustrated in its raised or open condition, in phantom, for receiving a real bar 14.  
  Top jaw rolls 55 are provided for both arms, while a bottom jaw roll 57 is provided on only one arm of the machine. This permits the respective reel bearing housing to accommodate itself axially, sideways in the jaw in the cross-machine direction. The other reel bearig housing is keyed to the respective other jaw 52 by a transverse rod-like key, not illustrated, which engages in a peripheral groove in the bearing housing, thus permitting the bearing housing to cant or tip, relative to that jaw in response to cross-machine misalignment between the spaced apart jaws 50. Such misalignment occurs when the controlling actuators 70 are slightly out of step one with the other.  
  The jaw portions 52, 54 are supported by cylinder actuator 70 and have guide rollers 62, 64, 66, 68 to give linear motion along a groove between flanges 21 of each of the arms 20. Displacement of the jaws 50 along an arm 20 is effected by cylinder actuator 70 mounted on the arm 20 and having one end attached to the inner jaws 52 in controlling relation therewith.  
  The termination of the stroke of actuator 70 may be utilized to limit the radially inward travel of the bar 14 towards the drum, where the arms 20 are pivoted eccentrically in relation to the reel drum axis.  
  A stationary frame 80 adjacent the transfer arm 20 has a bracket 82 from which extends a cam plate 84. The innerjaw 52 has follower rolls 65 rotatably secured thereto, which rolls 65 make contact with the cam plate 84 (see FIG. 2) on inward motion of the inner jaw 52, along the arm 20 in the direction of the arrow 23, so as to position the periphery of the reel bar 14 clear of the drum 38, as shown in FIG. 2, in a position to be run up to speed by reel-bar acceleration means (not shown). The provision of oppositely located front and back cam plates 84, serving as stops, serve to position the reel bar 14 parallel with the axis of the drum l8.  
  Shown also in FIG. 2 are guide rolls 90, 90 by means of which the web W is guided to the winder drum 18.  
  Referring to FIG. 3 the arms 20 are shown with the actuator 22 extended so as to pivot the reel bar over to the web reeling position, having the reel bar bearing housings 16 supported on the tracks 100, along which they roll as the wound parent roll grows.  
  The cam plate 84 is of sufficient length, and so inclined that as the arms 20 are pivoted in the clockwise direction illustrated about their axis of rotation, the rotating surface of the reel 14 is brought gradually into contact with the surface of drum 18, to obtain contact without impact. The web is then transferred from the drum to the reel bar by an air jet or other suitable means. If there is no other paper roll being wound on rails 100, the transfer arms are rotated to bring the reel bar which is still winding up paper into contact with the rails. If another roll is present, it must first be displaced along the rails by the secondary loading means (FIG. 4). In the condition illustrated in FIG. 3, the actuation of the jaw actuator 56 to move the top jaw outwardly disengages the jaws from the bearing housings 16 of the reel 14. Subsequent actuation of the actuator 22 can then pivot the arms 20 clockwise back towards the upright position, and on approaching this upright position the actuators can be extended to bring the lower jaws 52 level with the storage rails 12, to receive a fresh reel bar in preparation for a further reel bar changing operation. A pneumatic interlock is used to preclude extension of the actuator 70 until the arms 20 are back in the upright position.  
  Referring to FIG. 4, the reel bar 14 is shown in an initial reeling position, and in a final reeling position, with the constant load device shown solid in the first instance, and in phantom in the second instance.  
  In operation of the reel 10, the reel drum l8 drives the reel bar 14 through contact with the web in the fashion indicated, the position of the reel bar 14 as the paper is built being controlled by a presser roll 122, which tends to resist the leftward travel of the bearing housing 16 of the reel bar 14.  
  A load device 120 is provided at both sides of the machine, having a connecting synchronizing shaft therebetween extending across the machine to maintain conditions consistent in the cross-machine direction. A manual adjustment of the presser roll 122 or a slight play in the cross shaft connection between the two arms 124 may be provided to allow for uneven paper build-up front to rear of the machine.  
  An arm I24 pivoted about shaft 125 carries the presser roll 122 rotatably mounted on arm 124. A pair of opposed air bag actuators I30, 132 control the force acting on the arm 124, by way of a cross-head 134 which is pinned at 136 to a counterweight arm I38 having a counterweight 139 thereon. The arm 138 and its counterweight 139 effectively balance the static mass of the presser arm I24 and its related equipment. Owing to the low friction of the actuators 130, I32 and the static balance provided, it is possible to provide very delicately controlled winding force through the presser roll 122. This force is a function of the pressures in the bag actuators and 132, which can be closely controlled and regulated. For moving the finished parent roll away from the drum actuator 132 is employed.  
  The loading sensor 160 which is connected at 162 with the loading arm 124 may be utilized as a compensator, to control the pressure of air admitted to the air bag actuators. This is of more importance in cases where the length of the loading arm 124 is restricted.  
  The load device 120 includes a brake shoe I40 connected in pivotal relation with actuator 142, a pusher 144 and an adjustable intermediate position stop 150. When the parent roll is finished, diaphragms 132 and 152 are energized As arm 124 moves, pusher 144 causes the parent roll to move away from the drum until arm 124 hits stop 150. At the same time the brake is applied to slow down the rotation of the parent roll. The purpose in thus displacing and slowing the roll is to create an envelope of the web between the parent roll and reel drum to facilitate putting the web on the new reel bar. After turn-up of the web on to the new reel bar is accomplished. the brake 140 is retracted and the pressure of the fluid in actuator 152 is relieved. causing the parent roll to move along the rails 100. As presser roll 122 goes below the level of the rail. the par ent roll may move over the load arms 124 and on to the brake.  
  What l claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
  l. A reel machine for reeling continuous web material such as paper on a reel bar, having a pair of transfer arms at opposite ends of the machine mounted out board of a reel drum in substantially coaxial relation therewith, clamp means mounted on said arms to secure a said reel bar for movement along said arms. radially relative to said drum, actuator means to pivot said arms to displace said reel bar into a reeling contact position with the drum, means to synchronize said arms for pivotal displacement, and means to receive the bar at a further position for continuous reeling. in combination with reel bar storage means for storing at least one reel bar adjacent the reel, said transfer arms presenting said clamp means adjacent the storage means to receive a said stored reel bar in clamped relation therein, for transfer along said arms towards said drum contact position. whereby rapid changing of a said reel bar with a minimum of handling is effected.  
  2. The reel as claimed in claim 1 including stop means to position a said reel bar a predetermined distance radially from said drum before pivotal movement of said arms to bring said bar to said reeling contact position.  
  3. The reel as claimed in claim 2 wherein one said clamp means carried by a respective said transfer arm holds a said reel bar bearing housing in substantially rigid transverse relation, and the other said clamp means carried by the other said transfer arm includes accommodation means permitting relative transverse motion in a cross-machine direction between a said bearing housing and the respective said clamp means, in accommodating relation to canting of a said reel bar, to permit inward travel of said clamp means along said transfer arms in non-synchronized relation.  
  4. A reel for web material such as paper as claimed in claim 1, having said reel drum to drive a web in winding relation on a reel bar, said reel bar transfer arms transferring a said reel bar to substantially horizontal rails at said further position to support said reel bar in web winding relation with the drum, a low friction loading means consisting of loading arms in pivotal pressing relation with said reel bar supported by bearings, and  
 loading means powered by diaphragm actuators to provide substantially friction free positioning of the reel against the drum.  
  5. The reel as claimed in claim 4 having counter bal ance means to pivotally counter balance the self-weight load of said loading arm, to maintain the tension of said web on a said reel bar substantially constant.  
  6. The loading means as claimed in claim 4 having a position sensor to control the fluid pressure in the diaphragm actuators to allow for the variation in load obtained by the weight of the loading arms and by the change in position of the loading arms.  
  7. The loading means claimed in claim 5 having a position sensor to control the fluid pressure in the diaphragm actuators to allow for the variation in load obtained by the change in position of the loading arms.  
  8. In a reel for reeling continuous web material such as paper on a reel bar, having a pair of transfer arms at opposite ends of the machine mounted outboard of a reel drum, clamp means mounted on said arms for radial movement therealong relative to said reel drum to secure a said reel bar for movement therewith, actuator means to bring said reel bar pivotally into a reeling contact position with the drum, and means to receive the bar at a further position for continuous reeling, the improvement comprising reel bar storage means for storing at least one reel bar adjacent the reel, said transfer arms having a first pivotal position to present a radially inner portion of said clamp means in aligned relation with the storage means to receive a said stored reel bar in clamped relation therein, and stop means to locate said clamp means to position said reel bar radially at an intermediate position in non-contacting relation with said drum for transfer to said contact position, whereby rapid changing of said reel bar with a minimum of handling is effected.  
  9. The reel as claimed in claim 8, including cam means associated with said stop means, to permit controlled radially inward travel of said clamp means from said intermediate position to bring a said reel bar into operative reeling contact with said drum on downward pivotal rotation of said arms towards said continuous reeling position.  
  10. The reel as claimed in claim 9 wherein said continuous reeling position comprises a pair of horizontal rails, to receive said reel bar bearings, to permit opening of the clamp portions to release the reel bar, for subsequent pivotal return of said transfer arms and outward displacement of said clamp means to said first position.