Axially compliant pressure roller utilizing non-newtonian fluid

1. A compliant pressure roller for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprising:

a stationary inner core;

a plurality of shoes pivotally mounted to said stationary inner core;

dividers creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of said shoes occupies one of said chambers;

a non-Newtonian fluid filling each of said chambers;

a plurality of actuators each of which is connected to at least one of said shoes; and

a thin, rotatable shell surrounding said plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core.

2. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein each of said actuators comprises a bimetallic device.

3. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein each of said actuators comprises an electric motor.

4. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein each of said actuators comprises a solenoid.

5. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein each of said actuator is individually adjustable to compensate for deformation in said thin, rotatable shell.

6. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein each of said actuators is individually adjustable to compensate for variations in thickness of a web.

7. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein a force on said non-Newtonian fluid created by rotation of said thin, rotatable shell compensates for deformation in said shell.

8. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein a deformation detector is located in each of said shoes.

9. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein an eddy current detector detects deformation in said thin, rotatable shell and provides a deformation signal to a microprocessor which adjusts at least one of said actuators.

10. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein a laser detector detects deformation in said thin, rotatable shell and provides a deformation signal to a microprocessor which adjusts at least one of said actuators.

11. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein a face of a each of said pluralities of shoes creates a converging zone with an inner surface of said thin, rotatable shell.

12. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of shoes are eccentrically mounted.

13. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 1 wherein a deformation detector detects deformation in said shell and adjusts at least one of said actuators to compensate for said deformation.

14. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 13 wherein an eddy current detector detects deformation in said shell and provides a deformation signal to a microprocessor which adjusts at least one of said actuators.

15. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 13 wherein a laser detector detects deformation in said thin, rotatable shell and provides a deformation signal to a microprocessor which adjusts at least one of said actuators.

16. A compliant pressure roller for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprising:

a stationary inner core;

a plurality of shoes pivotally mounted to said stationary inner core;

dividers creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of said shoes occupies one of said chambers;

a non-Newtonian fluid filling each of said chambers;

a plurality of actuators for moving said shoes;

a thin, metal, rotatable shell surrounding said plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core;

wherein each of said actuators are individually adjustable to compensate for deformation in said rotatable shell; and

wherein a hydrodynamic force on said fluid created by rotation of said shell compensates for deformation in said shell.

17. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 16 wherein each of said actuators moves at least one of said shoes.

18. The compliant pressure roller as in claim 16 wherein said fluid is a heat transfer agent.

19. A compliant pressure roller for creating uniform pressure comprising:

a stationary inner core;

a plurality of shoes mounted on said stationary inner core;

dividers creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of said shoes occupies one of said chambers;

a non-Newtonian fluid filling each of said chambers;

a plurality of actuators for changing a position of each of said shoes;

a thin, rotatable shell surrounding said plurality of chambers, shoes, actuators, and stationary inner core;

at least one detector for detecting deformation in said thin, rotatable shell;

a microprocessor for processing information on shell deformation; and

adjusting a position of at least one of said actuators to compensate for shell deformation.

20. A compliant pressure roller for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprising:

a stationary inner core;

a plurality of shoes pivotally mounted to said stationary inner core;

dividers creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of said shoes occupies one of said chambers;

a non-Newtonian fluid filling each of said chambers;

a plurality of actuators each of which is connected to at least one of said shoes;

a thin, rotatable shell surrounding said plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core; and

wherein each of said actuators comprises a cam.

21. A compliant pressure roller for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprising:

a stationary inner core;

a plurality of shoes pivotally mounted to said stationary inner core;

dividers creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of said shoes occupies one of said chambers;

a non-Newtonian fluid filling each of said chambers;

a plurality of actuators each of which is connected to at least one of said shoes;

a thin, rotatable shell surrounding said plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core; and

wherein each of said actuators comprises a stepper motor and lead screw.