Patent ID: 8187426

Claim:
A steam shower for providing steam to a web in a paper machine, the steam shower comprising: a cross-beam having a longitudinal axis for disposal in the cross machine direction of the paper machine, the cross-beam having opposing ends and defining an interior steam header for connection to a source of steam; and a diffuser assembly comprising a plurality of separated steam compartments, each steam compartment having an inlet orifice and a plurality of outlet openings through which steam may exit the steam compartment and travel to the web, the diffuser assembly being mounted to the cross-beam for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross beam between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein when the diffuser assembly is in the retracted position, the inlet orifices of the steam compartments are connected to the steam header for steam flow from the steam header to the inlet orifices, and wherein when the diffuser assembly is in the extended position, the steam compartments are disposed outward from one of the ends of the cross-beam and the inlet orifices of the steam compartments are disconnected from the steam header.