Apparatus for guiding a moving web
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsRonald P. Swanson, Daniel H. Carlson, James N. Dobbs, Karl K. Stensvad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for steering a web, including a web path having at least one steering roller and an exit roller, each having a mount; wherein the steering roller(s) each have an axis of rotation and wherein the mounts for the steering roller(s) can pivot those axes with a total of two degrees of freedom. An array comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring the position of the web is present connected to a controller so as to determine the position and angular orientation of the web. The controller adjusts the pivot(s) of the mount(s) so as to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web at a particular point along the web path.
Claims16
An apparatus for steering a web, comprising:
- a web path comprising at least one steering roller and an exit roller, each having a mount;
- wherein the at least one steering roller has an axis of rotation and wherein the mount for the at least one steering roller can pivot and/or translate the axis of rotation with a total of two degrees of freedom;
- an array comprising a plurality of position sensors for monitoring the position of the web;
- a controller connected to the array for determining the lateral position and angular orientation of the web;
- and
- two actuators operably connected to the at least one steering roller for positioning the steering roller to control the angular orientation and the lateral position of the web at a particular point along the web path.
16-21. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.