Variable stage pressure diffuser

US5567279A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ahlstrom Machinery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Joseph R. Phillips · Queensbury, US
• John Weston · Queensbury, US
• Victor L. Bilodeau · Glens Falls, US
• Ronald Bain · Glens Falls, US
• Mark D. Barrett · Queensbury, US
• Brian F. Greenwood · Cumming, US
• John Pietrangelo · Glens Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 2, 1991
• Grant date: Oct 22, 1996
• Expiry date: Dec 2, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D21D1/40
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Located within the annular screen of the pressure diffuser is a tubular baffle hung from adjacent the top of the vessel. The baffle has two headers disposed on its inner surface, with openings in the tube providing communication between the exterior of the tube and the headers. A conduit extends from each header to an arm at the top of the vessel, to allow extracted liquid to be discharged. Another extraction conduit is provided at the bottom of the vessel, in communication with the screen interior and the tubular baffle interior. Treatment liquid, such as wash liquid, may be introduced at two, three, or more positions along the vessel with the liquid extracted from the first and second headers being introduceable at different positions along the vessel. A flexible, elastomeric material, sealing element with integral annular skirt may extend from the bottom end of the tubular baffle and engage the screen to provide a seal minimizing mixing between stages.