(57) An apparatus is provided which both floatingly supports a web (W), and maintains
the web in a substantially straight path as it travels through a dryer. The apparatus
comprises a steerable air bar assembly (24) comprising: i) one or more adjustable
air bars (38), each having an elongated surface from which air may be discharged,
said surface being in opposing relation to the running web, and each having two ends;
ii) air supply means (42,44,46,48), in fluid communication with the air bars; and
iii) adjustment means (40) for altering the orientation of the elongated surfaces
of the adjustable air bars with respect to the running web. In a preferred embodiment
the orientation of the surfaces is adjusted such that each said surface rotates about
an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the running
web. Said steerable air bar assembly is positioned in a web dryer such that the web
is guided through the dryer in a substantially straight path. A plurality of such
steerable air bar assemblies can be used in a web dryer. The dryer can also include
one or more fixed air bars.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises in combination
with the steerable air bar assembly (24), back pressure means (34) for creating an
opposing force to urge the web back to a substantially centered position. Said back
pressure means preferably comprises one or more edge dams (35) preferably disposed
at or near the ends (30) of one or more fixed air bars (18) in the web dryer.
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