Steam distribution system

Claim 2

Apparatus for distributing steam comprising: a. means forming a chamber having a multiplicity of steam distribution outlets spaced along a portion of its surface; b. means forming a plurality of steam supply ports in fluid communication with diverse portions of said chamber; and c. means for variably regulating the passage of steam through at least a number of said ports individually to effect variation in the distribution of steam throughout said chamber as such steam passes thereinto and thereby produce variation in the steam distribution profile established at said steam distribution outlets.

Claim 3

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for variably regulating the passage of steam through a number of said ports comprises a plurality of valves, each valve being Mounted for regulating the passage of steam through one of said number of ports.

Claim 4

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the passage of steam through all of said steam supply ports is variably regulated by said plurality of valves.

Claim 5

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said steam distribution outlets are substantially downwardly directed, further comprising means forming a raised water barrier surrounding each of said steam distribution outlets internally of chamber for resisting passage of condensation from the interior of said chamber through said outlets.

Claim 6

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said steam distribution outlets are substantially downwardly directed, further comprising means forming a raised water barrier surrounding each of said steam distribution outlets internally of said chamber for resisting passage of condensation from the interior of said chamber through said outlets.

Claim 7

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said chamber is of polygonal cross section and said steam distribution outlets are grouped in a plane face thereof nearer to the junction of said plane face and one intersecting face than to the junction of said plane face and another intersecting face whereby a condensate conduit is formed at said junction of said plane face and said other intersecting face when said plane face is angularly disposed to the horizontal so that said junction of said plane face and said other face forms the lower extremity of said apparatus.

Claim 8

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means forming a raised water barrier surrounding at least a portion of said steam distribution outlets internally of said second chamber for resisting the passage of condensate from the interior of said chamber through said outlets.

Claim 9

Steam distributing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means forming a plurality of steam supply ports comprises a steam inlet manifold disposed internally of said chamber and connected to a source of supply for conveying steam to diverse portions of said chamber through said ports.

Claim 10

Apparatus for distributing steam comprising: a. an elongated steam inlet manifold forming a plurality of ports along the length thereof; b. means forming an elongated enclosed chamber surrounding the portion of said manifold along which said ports are distributed; c. means forming a multiplicity of steam distribution outlets along the length of said chamber; and d. a plurality of valves, each valve being mounted for variably regulating the passage of steam from said manifold through an individual port into said chamber, to thereby vary the distribution of steam throughout said chamber and permit the establishment of a variety of steam distribution profiles at said steam distribution outlets.

Claim 11

Apparatus for distributing steam comprising: a. an elongated steam inlet manifold forming a plurality of ports along the length thereof; b. means forming an elongated enclosed chamber surrounding the portion of said manifold along which said ports are distributed; c. means forming a multiplicity of steam distribution outlets along the length of said chamber; and d. a plurality of valves, each valve being mounted for variably regulating the passage of steam from said manifold through an individual port into said chamber, to thereby vary the distribution of steam throughout said chamber and permit the establishment of a variety of steam distribution profiles at said steam distribution outlets.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising means outside of said enclosed chamber for adjusting each of said plurality of valves individually.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said steam distribution outlets are substantially downwardly directed, further comprising means forming a raised water barrier surrounding each of said steam distribution outlets internally of said chamber for resisting the passage of condensation through said outlets from the interior of said chamber to the exterior thereof.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein paid steam distribution outlets are arranged along one side of said enclosed chamber and said ports are arranged linearly along said manifold to face in a direction away from said steam distribution outlets.

Claim 15

Apparatus for distributing steam upon a travelling web comprising: a. means forming an elongated chamber adapted to be mounted above and extend substantially across said web; b. means forming a multiplicity of steam distribution outlets along the length of a substantially downwardly directed portion of said chamber; c. an elongated steaM inlet manifold enclosed within said elongated chamber and extending substantially lengthwise thereof, said manifold forming a plurality of substantially upwardly directed ports for distributing steam through said chamber; d. a plurality of valves, each one of which regulates the amount of steam passing through one of said ports; e. means outside of said chamber for variably adjusting each of said plurality of valves individually to thereby vary the distribution of steam throughout said chamber and permit the establishment of a variety of steam distribution profiles at said steam distribution outlets; and f. means forming a raised water barrier surrounding each of said steam distribution outlets internally of said chamber for resisting the passage of condensate through said outlets from the interior of said chamber to the exterior thereof.

Claim 16

Apparatus for distributing steam upon a travelling web comprising: a. means forming an elongated chamber adapted to be mounted above and extend substantially across said web; b. means forming a multiplicity of steam distribution outlets along the length of a substantially downwardly directed portion of said chamber; c. an elongated steaM inlet manifold enclosed within said elongated chamber and extending substantially lengthwise thereof, said manifold forming a plurality of substantially upwardly directed ports for distributing steam through said chamber; d. a plurality of valves, each one of which regulates the amount of steam passing through one of said ports; e. means outside of said chamber for variably adjusting each of said plurality of valves individually to thereby vary the distribution of steam throughout said chamber and permit the establishment of a variety of steam distribution profiles at said steam distribution outlets; and f. means forming a raised water barrier surrounding each of said steam distribution outlets internally of said chamber for resisting the passage of condensate through said outlets from the interior of said chamber to the exterior thereof.