Oscillating doctor-blade mechanism

Claim 2

In a doctor blade, an oscillating device comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for relative movement with respect to said fixed plate, an inflatable member positioned between said fixed plate and said movable plate, and adapted to move said movable plate upon inflation, means offset from the path of said movable plate adapted to transmit oscillation of said movable plate to said doctor blade, and means to cause periodic flow of water to said inflatable member including means to initiate said flow at fixed time intervals and means to restrict the rate of motion of said movable plate relative to said fixed plate comprising an exhaust passage from said inflatable member and flow regulating means in said exhaust passage adapted to control the rate of flow away from said inflatable member.

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1 wherein said means to initiate said flow includes a cam having a lobe of predetermined length and a switch having an actuator positioned in the path of motion of said lobe.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 2 wherein a number of said switches are so positioned, each said switch being adapted to initiate said periodic flow to a said inflatable member.

Claim 5

In a doctor blade, an oscillating device comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for relative movement with respect to said fixed plate, an inflatable member positioned between said fixed plate and said movable plate, means to transmit oscillation of said movable plaTe to said doctor blade, and means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to said inflatable member including means to initiate said flow at fixed time intervals, said device including a second fixed plate, and a second inflatable member positioned between said second fixed plate and said movable plate, said means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water including means to alternately inflate said inflatable members, each said inflatable member having an exhaust passage and a flow regulating means in each said exhaust passage adapted to control the rate of flow away from each said inflatable member, said means to initiate said flow including a single cam having a lobe of predetermined length and a switch adapted to initiate said flow and having an actuator in the path of said lobe, a said switch being provided for each said inflatable member, each said switch being adapted to occupy a plurality of positions along the path of said lobe.

Claim 6

In a doctor blade, an oscillating device comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for relative movement with respect to said fixed plate, an inflatable member positioned between said fixed plate and said movable plate, means to transmit oscillation of said movable plaTe to said doctor blade, and means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to said inflatable member including means to initiate said flow at fixed time intervals, said device including a second fixed plate, and a second inflatable member positioned between said second fixed plate and said movable plate, said means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water including means to alternately inflate said inflatable members, each said inflatable member having an exhaust passage and a flow regulating means in each said exhaust passage adapted to control the rate of flow away from each said inflatable member, said means to initiate said flow including a single cam having a lobe of predetermined length and a switch adapted to initiate said flow and having an actuator in the path of said lobe, a said switch being provided for each said inflatable member, each said switch being adapted to occupy a plurality of positions along the path of said lobe.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 4 wherein said supporting means includes a shaft mounted for linear movement in said fixed plates.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 4 wherein said supporting means includes a shaft mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed plates.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 4 wherein said means to cause periodic flow includes a solenoid actuated reversing valve, said switch being connected to control said valve.

Claim 10

In combination, a doctor blade, an oscillating device comprising a pair of fixed plates, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for relative movement with respect to said fixed plates along a path, means offset from said path and from said fixed plates connecting said movable plate and said doctor blade and adapted to oscillate said doctor blade with said movable plates, a first inflatable member positioned between said movable plate and one of said fixed plates, a second inflatable member positioned between said movable plate and the other of said fixed plates, means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to alternately inflate said inflatable members, said means to alternately inflate said inflatable members including a solenoid actuated reversing valve to control the flow of pressurized water, a switch connected to control said valve, and a cam having a lobe positioned to periodically actuate said switch, and an exhaust passage from said inflatable members and an adjustable fluid flow restrictor in each of said exhaust passages to restrict the rate of motion of said movable plate relative to said fixed plates.

Claim 11

In combination, a doctor blade, an oscillating device comprising a pair of fixed plates, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for relative movement with respect to said fixed plates along a path, means offset from said path and from said fixed plates connecting said movable plate and said doctor blade and adapted to oscillate said doctor blade with said movable plates, a first inflatable member positioned between said movable plate and one of said fixed plates, a second inflatable member positioned between said movable plate and the other of said fixed plates, means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to alternately inflate said inflatable members, said means to alternately inflate said inflatable members including a solenoid actuated reversing valve to control the flow of pressurized water, a switch connected to control said valve, and a cam having a lobe positioned to periodically actuate said switch, and an exhaust passage from said inflatable members and an adjustable fluid flow restrictor in each of said exhaust passages to restrict the rate of motion of said movable plate relative to said fixed plates.

Claim 12

In combination, a doctor blade, and an oscillating device comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for reciprocating movement relative to said fixed plate, an inflatable member positioned between said fixed plate and said movable plate and adapted to move said movable plate upon inflation, motion transmitting connections between said movable plate and said doctor blade, said connections being offset from the path of said plate, an exhaust passage from said inflatable member, means controlling the rate of flow of fluid away from said inflatable member through said passage and means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to said inflatable member including a cam having a lobe of predetermined length and a switch having an actuator positioned in the path of motion of said lobe.

Claim 13

In combination, a doctor blade, and an oscillating device comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate, means supporting said movable plate for reciprocating movement relative to said fixed plate, an inflatable member positioned between said fixed plate and said movable plate and adapted to move said movable plate upon inflation, motion transmitting connections between said movable plate and said doctor blade, said connections being offset from the path of said plate, an exhaust passage from said inflatable member, means controlling the rate of flow of fluid away from said inflatable member through said passage and means to cause periodic flow of pressurized water to said inflatable member including a cam having a lobe of predetermined length and a switch having an actuator positioned in the path of motion of said lobe.