Adjustable width steam box for fabric processing and method of using the same

摘要

A high efficiency steam box, particularly for the processing of fabrics. The box housing is subdivided into a plurality of steam chambers isolated from each other but communicating with a perforated steam tube which extends throughout the housing. Steam is delivered to the center portions of the steam tube and flows toward the ends. Valve pistons are movably positioned in the opposite end portions of the steam tube to confine the steam. The valve pistons are axially adjustable by a screw shaft extending through the steam tube and can be positioned to isolate outer chambers when processing narrow fabrics to prevent or minimize the discharge of steam from steam discharge slots extending beyond the edges of the fabric. Steam flow control can be integrated with positioning of the valve pistons to provide uniform steam flow per unit length of the discharge slots for optimum efficiency in processing and steam utilization.

主权项

1. A variable discharge steam box for use in the processing of fabric webs of variable width, which comprises
an enclosed housing having an axis and an axial length sufficient to extend transversely across a full width of a fabric web of a predetermined maximum fabric width, a plurality of partition elements dividing said steam box axially into a central chamber and a plurality of additional chambers on opposite axial sides of said central chamber, said housing having a fabric-facing wall and said fabric-facing wall having steam outlet openings associated with each of said chambers for the discharge of steam onto a fabric web moving adjacent to said fabric-facing wall, a steam duct extending axially through said enclosed housing and having portions thereof within each of said chambers, said steam duct having at least one steam outlet orifice in each of said chambers, a steam inlet in a central portion of said steam duct to introduce steam under pressure into said central portion for flow axially outward within said steam duct toward opposite ends thereof, controllable valve elements in said steam duct operative to block axial steam flow in said steam duct at a pair of axially spaced apart positions therein to controllably limit the axial extent of the flow of steam within said steam duct axially outward from said central portion thereof, to establish an effective adjusted length of said steam duct and thereby determine an effective width of steam discharge from said steam box.