Abstract: An electronic device for calibrating a nip measuring device associated with nip rollers includes a sensor selection circuit configured to receive signals from a sensor array that includes a plurality of nip sensors that are configured to detect operational parameters of the nip rollers, a plurality of sensor channel lines electrically connected between respective ones of the plurality of nip sensors and the sensor selection circuit, a calibration array including one or more calibration resistors, and a calibration channel line electrically connected between the calibration array and the sensor selection circuit. A signal on a respective one of the plurality of sensor channel lines is configured to be sampled by a respective one of a plurality of gain resistances. A nip sensor resistance of a sensor is determined based on the sampled signal on the sensor channel lines and the gain resistances. Related methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An assembly for a papermaking machine includes: a seal strip with an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll; a seal strip holder, the seal strip residing in the seal strip holder and movable relative thereto; and a wear monitoring system. The wear monitoring system may include a magnet and magnetic field sensors or an ultrasonic transducer to monitor movement of the seal strip relative to the holder, thereby indicating wear.

Abstract: A suction roll includes: a cylindrical shell having an internal lumen and a plurality of through holes; a suction box positioned in the lumen of the shell; a suction source operatively connected with the suction box; at least one seal strip attached to the suction box and configured to assist in forming a seal between the suction box and the shell; a sensor attached to the seal strip; and a controller operatively connected with the sensor. The sensor is configured to convey signals to the controller, the signals being processed in the controller to provide data on the seal strip on at least one of temperature, wear, vibration, and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an industrial roll, comprising: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; a base layer that is adhered to and circumferentially overlies the core; a polymeric topstock layer that circumferentially overlies the base layer; and a hydrophobic and/or amphiphobic coating that circumferentially overlies the topstock layer.

Abstract: A calender roll for a papermaking machine includes: a substantially cylindrical core; and a cover circumferentially surrounding the core. The cover comprises a base layer circumferentially overlying the core; and a topstock layer comprising polyurethane circumferentially overlying the base layer, the topstock layer being fiber reinforced, the polyurethane having a glass transition temperature of between about 120 and 150° C., the topstock layer having a hardness of 70 to 90 ShD.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; a rubber base layer that is adhered to and circumferentially overlies the core; a rubber top stock layer that circumferentially overlies the base layer; and a polyurethane coating that circumferentially overlies the top stock layer. In this configuration, the roll can provide improved abrasion-resistance, sheet release properties, and/or toughness compared to a roll with a rubber cover, but may provide these properties in a cover that is softer than a typical polyurethane cover.

Abstract: A cylindrical polymeric cover for an industrial roll includes a plurality of through holes and a plurality of blind drilled holes. The through holes and the blind drilled holes are arranged in a pattern in which: (a) the through holes are arranged in rows that define an oblique angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cover; (b) the through holes of one row are offset from the through holes of the adjacent row, with the offset between rows defining an angle of approximately 20-40 degrees; (c) the blind drilled holes are arranged in rows located between the rows of through holes; (d) the blind drilled holes of one row are offset slightly from the blind drilled holes of the adjacent row, with the offset between rows defining an angle similar to that defined by the through holes; and (e) each of the blind drilled holes is located at the substantial center of a triangle defined by the closest three through holes.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface, wherein the shell and cover have a plurality of through holes that provide fluid communication between the lumen and the atmosphere; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; at least one signal-carrying member connected with at least one of the sensors, wherein the signal-carrying member includes openings that align at least partially with some of the through holes of the shell and cover; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors.

Abstract: A method of determining the angular position of a roll includes: (a) detecting signals generated by an accelerometer attached to an end of a rotating roll; (b) determining whether a signal generated in step (a) has reached a pre-trigger threshold, and repeating step (a) if the signal has not reached the pre-trigger threshold; (c) if the signal is determined in step (b) to have reached the pre-trigger threshold, detecting a subsequent signal generated by the accelerometer; (d) determining whether the signal detected in step (c) has reached a trigger threshold, and repeating step (c) if the signal has not reached the trigger threshold; and (e) if the signal has reached the trigger threshold, establishing the angular position of the roll based on the signal that has reached the trigger threshold.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; a base layer that is adhered to and circumferentially overlies the core; and a top stock layer that circumferentially overlies the base layer. The top stock layer includes circumferential grooves, wherein the grooves have a width/height ratio of at least 0.7.

Abstract: A method of determining a rotative position of an industrial roll includes: (a) providing a rotating industrial roll having a longitudinal axis, the industrial roll having mounted on one end thereof an accelerometer, the industrial roll further including a plurality of sensors; (b) determining a pre-trigger angular position of the roll based on a first gravity vector provided by the accelerometer; then (c) determining a trigger angular position of the roll based on a second gravity vector provided by the accelerometer, the magnitude of the second gravity vector differing from the magnitude of the first gravity vector by more than the magnitude of a typical noise signal; and (d) gathering data from the sensors after the roll has passed the trigger angular position; and (e) matching the data gathered in step (d) with a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors based on the determination of the trigger angular position.

Abstract: A method of determining the width of a nip formed by an industrial roll and a mating structure includes the steps of: providing an industrial roll having a cylindrical core and a polymeric cover surrounding the core, the industrial roll further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors mounted in the roll (optionally distributed in a helical pattern on the roll about a longitudinal axis of the roll); positioning the industrial roll in contact with the mating structure to form a nip; rotating the industrial roll; receiving pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors at a controller; and in the controller, utilizing the pressure signals from the pressure sensors to determine the width of the nip at locations on the roll associated with the pressure sensors.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a first signal carrying member serially connecting a first set of sensors; a second signal carrying member serially connecting a second set of sensors; and a signal processing unit operatively associated with the first and second signal carrying members and configured to selectively monitor the signals provided by the first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A method of determining the rotative position of an industrial roll includes: (a) providing a rotating industrial roll having a longitudinal axis, the industrial roll having mounted on one end thereof an accelerometer, the industrial roll further including a plurality of sensors; (b) determining a pre-trigger angular position of the roll based on a first gravity vector provided by the accelerometer; then (c) determining a trigger angular position of the roll based on a second gravity vector provided by the accelerometer, the magnitude of the second gravity vector differing from the magnitude of the first gravity vector by more than the magnitude of a typical noise signal; and (d) gathering data from the sensors after the roll has passed the trigger angular position; and (e) matching the data gathered in step (d) with a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors based on the determination of the trigger angular position.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an industrial roll, comprising: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; a base layer that is adhered to and circumferentially overlies the core; a polymeric topstock layer that circumferentially overlies the base layer; and a hydrophobic and/or amphiphobic coating that circumferentially overlies the topstock layer.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a first signal carrying member serially connecting a first set of sensors; a second signal carrying member serially connecting a second set of sensors; and a signal processing unit operatively associated with the first and second signal carrying members and configured to selectively monitor the signals provided by the first and second set of sensors.