Sheet break detector apparatus

A sheet break detector apparatus for detecting a break in a sheet disposed contiguously between an upstream and a downstream felt in a without open draw transfer of a paper machine dryer section, said apparatus comprising:

• an infrared light emitter means disposed adjacent to the sheet disposed between the felts for emitting a beam of infrared light towards the sheet moving contiguously between the felts, said emitter means being disposed on an opposite side of one of the felts relative to the sheet;
• an infrared light receiver disposed on an opposite side of the felts relative to said emitter means for receiving said beam in the absence of the sheet, said beam being blocked by the presence of the sheet while the felts permit the passage therethrough of said beam;
• transmitter means connected to said receiver for transmitting a signal from said receiver in the absence of the sheet;
• and
• alarm means connected to said transmitter means such that in the event of a sheet break, said beam of light is received by said receiver and said signal is transmitted to said alarm means so that an alarm signal is generated indicating that a sheet break has occurred such that scuffing between the felts is inhibited.