CN116601457A - Seal wear and temperature monitoring system and its components - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly for a paper machine, comprising: a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for the suction roll; the sealing strip support is provided with a sealing strip, and the sealing strip is positioned in the sealing strip support and can move relative to the sealing strip support; and a wear monitoring system. The wear monitoring system may include a magnet and a magnetic field sensor or ultrasonic transducer to monitor movement of the seal bar relative to the bracket to indicate wear.

Description

Sealing strip abrasion and temperature monitoring system and assembly thereof

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application requests priority and rights to U.S. provisional patent application nos. 63/111,849 and 63/229,679, filed on month 11 and 10 of 2020, and filed on month 8 and 5 of 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to papermaking and, more particularly, to suction rolls and equipment within a papermaking machine.

Background

Paper manufacture essentially requires removal of water at many points in the production process. In general, pulp (slurry of water and wood and other fibers) is located on top of a felt (in the form of a wide band) that acts as a carrier for the wet pulp before the actual sheet is formed. The felt is used to carry pulp in the wet section of the paper machine until sufficient moisture is removed from the pulp to allow the paper sheet to be treated without additional support added by the felt.

Typically on the wet end of a paper machine, the first removal of water is accomplished using suction rolls in the press section, which are a couch, picker or squeeze suction rolls, in combination with a standard press roll that is imperforate (or against a yankee dryer in a tissue machine) that is aligned to match the suction rolls. A felt pulp carrier is pressed between the two rolls.

The primary components of the suction roll 10 include a hollow shell 12 (fig. 1) made of stainless steel, bronze or other metal having tens of thousands of holes drilled radially around the circumference of the roll in a prescribed pattern. The size of these holes is metered (covering a range of less than 1/8 "to nearly 1/4") and is tailored for the specific paper material to be treated. It is these holes that form "vents" for removal of water. Such vents may typically encompass a range of about 20% to 45% of the effective roll surface area. The suction roll shell is driven by a drive system which rotates the shell around a stationary core called a suction box.

The suction box 20 (fig. 2) can be regarded as a conventional long rectangular box with no cover on top and ports on the ends, bottom or sides. The end of the box, in particular the drive end, is usually provided with a guide bearing, the inner raceway of which is a guide bush or bearing with a sliding fit with a journal on the suction box, and the outer raceway is pressed onto the rotating shell. The suction box 20 is connected to a suction source, such as a vacuum pump. An exemplary suction box and shell is shown in U.S. patent No. 6,358,370 to Huttunen, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

To utilize the holes in the shell, these ports must be used on the inside of the suction roll shell in a zone directly below the pulp being treated to create the vacuum zone 30. This is achieved by the suction box 20 using slotted brackets 32 which maintain a seal on both sides along the long axis of the suction box. Fig. 2 shows a slotted bracket 32, and fig. 3 and 4 show two seals 34,34' in the form of strips (hereinafter "sealing strips"). In addition to these long seals, there are two shorter seals (called end seals) on the short ends (called drive and drive ends) that make some axial adjustments as needed to accommodate various sheet widths.

The sealing strips 34,34' are typically made of rubberized polymeric graphite and remain almost in contact with the inner surface of the shell 12 during operation (see fig. 3 and 4). A constant vacuum is drawn between the sealing strips 34, 34'. This allows vacuum zones 30 to be created under the sheet 40 as it passes through the roll 10. The sealing strips 34,34 'are biased upwardly toward the suction roll housing 12 by a load tube 142, which is a sealed hose that extends below the entire length of the sealing strips 34, 34'. The pressure in the load tube 142 expands the load tube 142 (much like air in a balloon) and lifts the sealing strips 34,34' toward the inside surface of the shell 12. This effect, together with the aid of the system vacuum from the suction box 20 and the aforementioned laminar flow of lubricating water, forms a seal between the edge of the sealing strip 34 and the inside of the shell 12.

In practice, in a normally operating suction roll, the sealing strips 34,34' never directly contact the inside of the suction roll shell 12. If the sealing strips 34,34' contact the housing 12, they will wear away and will quickly lose their sealing ability. To eliminate or significantly reduce such wear and provide a seal, water is applied along the length of the seal strips 34,34' using a lubrication shower formed by water flowing through the spray nozzles 24 (see fig. 2). The sprayer maintains the seal strips 34,34' lubricated by a laminar flow of water between the sealing surface and the inside surface of the housing 12.

The amount of water used for lubrication should be properly metered so that an appropriate amount of lubrication is applied to keep the seal strips 34,34' lubricated, but not so much as to be a problem with the treated pulp or waste water. In addition, the process water used in paper mills may contain chemicals and also a large amount of particulates that may clog the lubrication shower nozzles 24 during normal operation. Because these nozzles 24 are located inside the rotating shell 12, they are not visible to the paper machine operator.

Disclosure of Invention

As a first aspect, embodiments of the present application are directed to an assembly. The assembly comprises: a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for the suction roll; the sealing strip support is provided with a sealing strip, and the sealing strip is positioned in the sealing strip support and can move relative to the sealing strip support; and a wear monitoring system. The wear monitoring system includes: a magnet mounted to one of the weatherstrip support and the weatherstrip; a magnetic field sensor mounted to the other of the weatherstrip support and the weatherstrip; and a controller operatively connected to the magnetic field sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the magnetic field sensor regarding the magnetic field generated by the magnet, wherein a change in the signal is indicative of relative movement of the weather strip and the weather strip support, such relative movement being indicative of wear on the upper surface of the weather strip.

As a second aspect, embodiments of the present application are directed to an assembly comprising: a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for the suction roll; the sealing strip support is provided with a sealing strip, and the sealing strip is positioned in the sealing strip support and can move relative to the sealing strip support; and a wear monitoring system. The wear monitoring system includes: an ultrasonic generator installed in the sealing strip and configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward an upper surface of the sealing strip; an ultrasonic detector mounted in the sealing strip and configured to receive ultrasonic waves returned from an upper surface of the sealing strip; and a controller operatively connected to the ultrasonic detector. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the ultrasonic detector, wherein a change in the signal is indicative of wear on the upper surface of the sealing strip.

Each of these assemblies may be used in conjunction with a suction roll of a paper machine.

As a third aspect, embodiments of the present application are directed to an assembly comprising: a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for the suction roll, the sealing strip including a cavity therein; the sealing strip support is provided with a sealing strip, and the sealing strip is positioned in the sealing strip support and can move relative to the sealing strip support; and a temperature monitoring system. The temperature monitoring system includes: an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the cavity of the sealing strip, the infrared radiation sensor configured to sense infrared radiation emitted into the cavity as a result of operation of the suction roll; and a controller operatively connected to the infrared radiation sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal from the infrared radiation sensor and process the signal to indicate the temperature of the upper surface of the weatherstrip.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective end view of a typical suction roll of a paper machine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective end view of the suction box area of a typical suction roll.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the suction box section and seal bar of a conventional suction roll.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the suction box section and seal bar of another conventional suction roll.

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of a seal and wear monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present application, with the sensor PCB rotated for clarity.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the seal and wear monitoring system of FIG. 5.

Fig. 7A and 7B are an end view and a fragmentary front view, respectively, of the seal and wear system of fig. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial front view of the wear monitoring system of FIG. 5 showing the magnetic field generated by the triangular magnets.

Fig. 9 is a schematic partial front view of the wear monitoring system of fig. 5, showing the magnetic field generated by the pole pieces of the magnet.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial front view of the wear monitoring system of FIG. 5 showing the magnetic field generated by the rectangular magnet.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a sensor PCB of the wear monitoring system of fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating electronic components of the wear monitoring system of fig. 5.

FIG. 13 is a schematic end view of a seal and wear monitoring system according to an alternative embodiment of the application.

FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of the wear monitoring system of FIG. 13 showing the propagation and sensing of ultrasonic waves within the seal strip.

Fig. 15 is a bottom fragmentary cross-sectional view of the PCB of the wear monitoring system of fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of an ultrasonic sensing PCB of the wear monitoring system of fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a top view of the ultrasonic sensing PCB of fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating electronic components of the wear monitoring system of fig. 13.

FIG. 19 is a schematic end view of a seal and temperature monitoring system according to an embodiment of the application.

FIG. 20A is a partial end view of the infrared thermopile array sensor of the temperature monitoring system of FIG. 19, showing a shell lined with a cavity for a seal.

FIG. 20B is a partial end view of the infrared thermopile array sensor of the temperature monitoring system of FIG. 19, illustrating an alternative embodiment of a housing lined with a cavity for a seal.

Fig. 21 is a bottom fragmentary cross-sectional view of the PCB of the temperature monitoring system of fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating electronic components of the wear monitoring system of fig. 19.

Fig. 23A-23E are schematic illustrations of steps performed to form a shell and locate the sensor of the system of fig. 19.

Detailed Description

The present application will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the application are shown. This application may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The thickness and size of some of the components may be exaggerated for clarity.

In addition, spatially relative terms such as "below," "lower," "upper," and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to other element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 5-12 a seal strip 100 and an accompanying wear monitoring system 120. The weather strip 100 has a conventional design, except for the receiving portion of the wear monitoring system 120 described below: the seal strip is elongate and has a substantially constant cross-section (shown as rectangular in figure 5); the seal strip is located within the channel-shaped bracket 102 and is supported by the load tube 104 against its lower surface 106; the load cell 104 biases the seal strip 100 upward (i.e., toward the shell of the suction roll) such that the upper surface 105 of the seal strip faces the shell and helps seal therewith; and the sealing strip is made of a polymeric material such as rubber (which may be filled with a filler such as graphite).

Still referring to fig. 5 and also to fig. 6, the wear monitoring system 120 includes two control modules 122 mounted at each end to one of the side walls of the bracket 102. A magnet 124 (or other magnetic field generating member, such as an electromagnet) is mounted within each of the control modules 122. PCB126 is mounted near each end of seal bar 100 (see fig. 7A, 7B and 8). Connector PCBs 130 extend between PCBs 126. The sealing strip 100 has a surface recess in which the PCBs 126,130 are mounted.

Each of PCBs 126 includes a magnetic field sensor and/or circuitry (indicated at 128 in fig. 11) that can detect the presence and strength of a magnetic field. Exemplary magnetic field sensors include hall effect sensors and magnetoresistive sensors, although other types may be used.

In basic operation, the magnetic field sensor 128 on the PCB126 is triggered by the magnetic field generated by the magnet 124. As the suction roll 12 rotates, the suction roll will gradually begin to wear against the adjacent (upper) surface of the sealing strip 100. As wear occurs, the seal strip 100 moves away from the bottom (generally upward) of the bracket 102 due to the bias of the load tube 104. As the seal bar 100 moves, the PCB126, and thus the magnetic field sensor 128 mounted thereon, also moves relative to the magnet 124. The relative movement of the magnetic field sensor 128 and the magnet 124 causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor 128. This change in magnetic field strength is indicative of movement in the seal strip 100, which in turn is indicative of wear on the seal strip 100.

As seen in fig. 8-10, different configurations for the magnet 124 may be employed. Fig. 10 shows a rectangular magnet, fig. 9 shows the "pole pieces" of the magnet, and fig. 8 shows a triangular or "wedge" magnet. The triangular-shaped magnet 124 of fig. 8 may have a performance advantage in that the resulting magnetic field varies more in intensity over a given distance from the magnet 124, which may help the magnetic field sensor 128 detect smaller movements of the weather strip 100 (i.e., the use of triangular-shaped magnets may increase the granularity sensed by the magnetic field sensor 128).

In addition, two temperature sensors 132 extend from each of the PCBs 126 into the sealing strip 100 (see fig. 11). The temperature sensor 132 is configured to detect and report the temperature of the weather strip 100 itself. The temperature rise may be interpreted as a need to increase lubrication. Monitoring the temperature while reducing lubrication may enable an operator to determine and apply the minimum lubrication required for the indication without causing temperature changes.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electronics of the wear monitoring system 120. As shown therein, the magnet 124 is sufficiently close to the magnetic field sensor 128 such that the magnetic field of the magnet 124 is detectable. The magnetic field sensor 128 is coupled to a processor 140 (also referred to herein as a "controller") and the temperature sensor 132. The system 120 also includes other components that facilitate data collection, transmission, and processing, including an amplification filter 142, a voltage regulator 144, an input power connector 146, an RS-485 data bus 148, and a data "input/output" connector 150. These components are generally known and need not be described in detail herein.

Referring now to fig. 13-18, an alternative embodiment of a seal bar 200 and wear monitoring system 220 is shown. In addition to the receptacles for the wear monitoring system 220 described below, the seal strip 200 has a conventional design: the seal strip is elongate and has a substantially constant cross-section (shown as rectangular in figure 13); the seal strip fits within the channel-shaped bracket 202 and is supported by a load tube 204 that biases the seal strip 200 upward (i.e., toward the shell of the suction roll); and the sealing strip is made of a polymeric material.

The wear monitoring system 220 includes a piezoelectric transducer 222 mounted on a PCB 224. An epoxy or other insert 226 is located beneath the PCB 224. The transducer 222, PCB224 and insert 226 are positioned in the bottom portion of the seal bar 200. PCB224 also includes other electronic components described below (see fig. 16 and 17).

As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the piezoelectric transducer 222 generates ultrasonic waves that propagate through the sealing tape 200 to the upper surface thereof. When the ultrasonic waves reach the changing portion of the material composition (e.g., water or steel as would be present outside the upper surface of the sealing strip 200), the ultrasonic waves are reflected back toward the piezoelectric transducer 222. The "time of flight" (TOF) of the ultrasound (i.e., the total travel time from the transducer 222 to the surface and back) may be measured.

As the sealing tape 200 wears, the thickness of the sealing tape 200 decreases. The load tube 204 biases the seal bar 200 upward toward the shell of the suction roll. Thus, as wear progresses, the distance from the piezoelectric transducer 222 to the housing (or the underlying water layer) decreases. As a result, the TOF of the ultrasound waves also changes. Thus, detection of TOF changes by the piezoelectric transducer 222 is indicative of wear in the seal bar 200.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that in some embodiments, the piezoelectric transducer may be replaced by other sources of ultrasound, such as magnetostrictive transducers.

Also, although only a single piezoelectric transducer 222 is shown, multiple transducers 222 may be placed over the length of the seal bar 200 to provide a large number of wear indication points.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, inserts formed of different materials may be embedded or placed into the seal strip 222 to act as a medium through which ultrasound travels. As one example, a small hole may be formed in the sealing tape 200 to embed an acrylic rod or panel extending to the upper surface of the sealing tape 200. The acrylic sheet may then be used to propagate ultrasound through. As the acrylic sheet wears with the seal bar 200, its length will decrease and the TOF through the acrylic will decrease to indicate wear. This embodiment may enable more consistent propagation of the ultrasonic wave and/or more accurate detection.

Further, in some embodiments, a temperature sensor may be employed to detect the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the seal bar 200. Such detection may enable the wear monitoring system 220 to compensate for changes in the speed of sound through the seal bar 200 with temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the electronic components of the wear monitoring system 220 are schematically illustrated. As shown therein, the piezoelectric transducer 222 is connected to an analog front end circuit driver/receiver 228, which in turn is connected to a processor 240. The system 220 also includes other components that facilitate data collection, transmission, and processing, including a voltage regulator 244, input power connector 246, RS-485 data bus 248, and data "input/output" connector 250. As noted above, these components are generally known and need not be described in detail herein.

A temperature monitoring system that measures the temperature of the seal strip may also be useful. Referring now to fig. 19-23E, a seal strip 300 and an accompanying temperature monitoring system 320 including an assembly 310 are shown in fig. 5-8. The weather strip 300 has a conventional design except for the housing of the temperature monitoring system 320 described below: the seal strip is elongate and has a substantially constant cross-section (shown as rectangular in figure 19); the seal strip is located within the channel-shaped bracket 302 and is supported by the load tube 304 against its lower surface 306; the load cell 304 biases the seal strip 300 upward (i.e., toward the shell 312 of the suction roll) such that the upper surface 305 of the seal strip faces the shell and contributes to its sealing; and the sealing strip is made of a polymeric material such as rubber (which may be filled with a filler such as graphite).

The temperature monitoring system 320 includes an infrared thermopile array sensor 322 located within a cavity 324 in the seal 300 that extends axially for a majority of the length of the seal 300. The infrared thermopile array sensor 322 is a single sensor that can sense infrared thermal radiation emitted by the solid matter from a remote location. Thermopiles typically include a number of thermocouples mounted on a silicon chip. Thermopiles generate small voltages when exposed to Infrared (IR) radiation or heat. In general, the higher the temperature of the object being measured, the more IR energy is emitted. The thermopile sensing element absorbs energy and generates an output signal. The reference sensor is typically designed into the package as a compensation reference. The configuration of the sensor 322 allows it to sense infrared radiation (typically limited or focused by a lens) across a wide field of view, which is then processed to produce a temperature grid representative of the sensed temperature. An exemplary infrared thermopile array sensor is model MLX90641 available from Melexis (belgium, tensen delosol).

The sensor 322 is connected via a cable 326 to a series of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 328 also located within the cavity 324. The PCBs 328 are interconnected with each other by cables 334 (see fig. 21). In some embodiments, the cable 326 is encapsulated in a potting compound 329 or the like for protection; similarly, in some embodiments, the space in cavity 324 below PCB328 may also be filled with potting compound 331 or other protective material. The space 324a within the cavity 324 above the sensor 322 is typically left empty.

As shown in fig. 20A and 20B, in some embodiments, a shell or housing 330 may be included to line the cavity 324, thereby protecting the empty space above the sensor 322 and/or providing reinforcement to the seal strip 300. The shell 330 may take any number of configurations; as an example, in fig. 20A, the outline of the shell 330 is generally rectangular; in fig. 20B, the shell 330' is shown as having a high, thin pentagonal profile. Other contoured shapes (e.g., triangular, semi-hexagonal or semi-octagonal, arched, etc.) may also be employed.

The material comprising the shell 330 should be heat transmissible so as to have minimal effect on the temperature of the weather strip 300 sensed by the sensor 322. The shells 330,330' may be formed from a variety of suitable materials. Exemplary materials for the shell 330,330' include thermosetting resins (e.g., epoxy, polyurethane, polyurea, polyurethane-urea, vinyl ester, polyimide, bismaleimide, phenol formaldehyde, silicone, diallyl phthalate, melamine, acrylate, cyanate ester, furan, and benzoxazine), rubbers (e.g., natural rubber, neoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, hydrogenated butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-isoprene terpolymer rubber, carboxylated nitrile terpolymer, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and fluoroelastomers), and thermoplastic resins (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, maleimide resin, polyamide, and liquid crystal polymers). The material may be unfilled, or may include one or more fillers such as carbides (e.g., silicon carbide, boron carbide, aluminum carbide, titanium carbide, and tungsten carbide), nitrides (e.g., silicon nitride, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride, chromium nitride, tungsten nitride, magnesium nitride, molybdenum nitride, and lithium nitride), carbon-based compounds (e.g., carbon black, carbon fibers, graphite, graphene, diamond, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers), metals (e.g., aluminum, nickel, tin, iron, copper, and silver), and metal oxides (e.g., beryllium oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, and barium titanate). Any filler may have a high aspect ratio to increase the modulus of the composite. The filler may also have a high emissivity. Additional non-conductive fillers may also be added to alter the mechanical properties of the composite, and additional additives, solvents, and fillers may be added to alter the rheological properties of the composite prior to curing or cooling.

In some embodiments, the shells 330,330' may be preformed and inserted into the cavity 324. In other embodiments, the shells 330,330' may be formed in the cavity. One fabrication technique is shown in fig. 23A-23E. First, a cavity 324 is formed in the sealing strip 300 (e.g., via milling) (fig. 23A). Most or all of the cavity 324 is filled with the material forming the shell 330' (fig. 23B). A substantial portion of the material of the shell 330 'is then removed (e.g., via milling) such that the remaining material forms the shell 330' (fig. 23C). The sensor 322 and its accompanying electronics are positioned in a housing 330' (fig. 23D). Finally, the space between the sensor 322 and the outer surface of the sealing strip 300 is filled with a potting material 331, which may be the same as or different from the material of the case 330' (fig. 23E). This technique may ensure that the shell 330' fits tightly within the sealing strip 300 and may also eliminate the need for an additional layer of adhesive material that may otherwise be necessary to secure the preformed shell within the cavity.

In operation of the paper machine, the rotation of the suction roll 10 relative to the sealing strip 300 generates heat. The heat spreads downward toward the base of the weather strip 300, and the strength decreases with increasing distance. Due to the heat, infrared radiation is emitted from the material of the sealing strip 300 surrounding the cavity 324 (or from the shell 330 lining the cavity 324), wherein the nearer the contact point of the sealing strip 300, the greater the amount of infrared radiation generated by the material. The sensor 322 senses infrared radiation emitted at a plurality of axial locations along the inside surface of the cavity 324. From this information, a temperature array of the sealing strip 300 at different points along the surface of the sealing strip 300 is determined, which can be used to evaluate potential wear of the surface of the sealing strip 300.

The electronic components of the temperature monitoring system 320 (some of which may be mounted on the PCB 328) are shown in fig. 22. These electronics may include both a processor 350 and a driver circuit 352 for interfacing with the sensor 322. Communication driver 354 serves as a bridge between processor 350 and a primary communication module 360 mounted remotely from seal strip 300. The voltage regulation section 356 allows for the supply of the appropriate voltage to the system. The primary communication module 360 allows wireless communication between the system and the operator display 362.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the temperature monitoring system 320 may be carried by one or more other systems, such as the wear monitoring systems 120,220 discussed above. The wear information may be combined with the infrared radiation sensed by sensor 322 to derive an overall wear/temperature profile for sealing strip 300. It should also be appreciated that in some cases, both the ultrasonic transducer and the infrared sensor 322 for such sensing may be connected with the same PCB328, which would include means for receiving and processing both ultrasonic and infrared signals, as well as for transmitting the processed signals to the main communication module 360 and/or the operator display 362.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that in some embodiments, the infrared thermopile array sensor 322 may be replaced by another infrared radiation sensor within the cavity 324 that may sense and then provide information regarding the temperature of the seal strip 300.

Also, although only a single infrared thermopile array sensor 322 is shown, multiple sensors 322 may be placed over the length of the seal bar 200 to provide IR readings at a large number of locations.

Further, in some embodiments, a temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor may be employed that senses the temperature and/or humidity of the ambient air surrounding the weather strip 300. Such sensing may enable the temperature monitoring system 320 to compensate for any changes in infrared radiation through the weather strip 300 due to environmental factors.

With respect to the electronics and microcontrollers discussed above, embodiments of the inventive concept can be embodied in hardware and/or software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept may take the form of a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept are described herein with reference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions and/or hardware operations. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means and/or circuits for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

In some embodiments, the controller may be connected to or associated with (hardwired or wireless) display devices (e.g., monitor, tablet, smart phone, notebook, etc.) that may generate one or more visual displays regarding temperature, wear, and/or lubrication parameters of the system. Also, in some embodiments, the controller is configured to make recommendations regarding the amount of lubrication based on the "wear" signal and/or the temperature signal from the temperature sensor within the seal strip. The controller may also be configured to provide a warning or alarm (visual, audible, or otherwise) to signal that a certain threshold parameter (e.g., threshold temperature or wear level) has been reached so that the parameter of interest may be addressed.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the temperature sensor for the inner bearing may be mounted inside the lubrication line for the inner bearing. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the lubricant and may indicate a change in the bearing temperature. Further, in some embodiments, a vibration sensor may be mounted proximate to the inner bearing to detect vibrations in the inner bearing. Other possibilities are discussed in U.S. patent No. 10,822,744 to Reaves et al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

It should also be noted that the wear monitoring systems 120,220 and the temperature monitoring system 320 may employ different components for performing different functions. For example, the load tube 104,204,304 may be replaced with other members (e.g., springs, resilient pads, etc.) that bias the seal bars 100,200,300 toward the shell of the suction roll. The weatherstrip support 102,202,302 may take different configurations.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present application and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this application. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as set forth in the following claims. The application is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims (35)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll;

a seal bar holder in which the seal bar is located and which is movable relative to the seal bar holder; and

a wear monitoring system, comprising:

a magnet mounted to one of the weatherstrip support and the weatherstrip;

a magnetic field sensor mounted to the other of the weatherstrip support and the weatherstrip;

a controller operatively connected to the magnetic field sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal from the magnetic field sensor regarding the magnetic field generated by the magnet, wherein a change in the signal is indicative of relative movement of the weatherstrip and the weatherstrip support, the relative movement being indicative of wear on an upper surface of the weatherstrip.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnet is mounted to the seal bar carrier and the magnetic field sensor is mounted to the seal bar.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the seal bar holder comprises a channel having opposing sidewalls, and wherein the magnet is mounted to one of the sidewalls of the channel.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the magnet has a triangular shape.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the seal strip has a lower surface, and wherein the magnetic field sensor is mounted adjacent the lower surface of the seal strip.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing strip comprises rubber.

7. A suction roll, comprising:

a cylindrical shell having an interior cavity and a plurality of through holes;

a suction box positioned in the interior cavity of the shell; and

a suction source operatively connected to the suction box;

the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing strip and the sealing strip holder are mounted in the suction box such that an upper surface of the sealing strip faces an inner surface of the shell.

8. An assembly, comprising:

a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll;

a seal bar holder in which the seal bar is located and which is movable relative to the seal bar holder; and

a wear monitoring system, comprising:

an ultrasonic generator mounted in the sealing strip and configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward an upper surface of the sealing strip;

an ultrasonic detector mounted in the sealing strip and configured to receive ultrasonic waves returned from an upper surface of the sealing strip; and

a controller operatively connected to the ultrasonic detector, the controller configured to receive a signal from the ultrasonic detector, wherein a change in the signal is indicative of wear on the upper surface of the sealing strip.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein an insert is located below the sonotrode.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic generator is a piezoelectric transducer.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the sealing strip further comprises an ultrasonic transmission member inserted therein.

12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the weatherstrip bracket includes a channel having opposing sidewalls.

13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing strip has a lower surface, and wherein the ultrasonic generator is mounted adjacent the lower surface of the sealing strip.

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing strip comprises rubber.

15. A suction roll, comprising:

a cylindrical shell having an interior cavity and a plurality of through holes;

a suction box positioned in the interior cavity of the shell; and

a suction source operatively connected to the suction box; and

the assembly of any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the sealing strip and the sealing strip holder are mounted in the suction box such that an upper surface of the sealing strip faces an inner surface of the shell.

16. An assembly, comprising:

a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll, the sealing strip including a cavity therein;

a seal bar holder in which the seal bar is located and which is movable relative to the seal bar holder; and

a temperature monitoring system, comprising:

an infrared radiation sensor positioned in a cavity of the sealing strip, the infrared radiation sensor configured to sense infrared radiation emitted into the cavity as a result of operation of the suction roll; and

a controller operatively connected to the infrared radiation sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal from the infrared radiation sensor and process the signal to indicate the temperature of the upper surface of the weatherstrip.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the infrared radiator sensor comprises an infrared thermopile array sensor.

18. The assembly of claim 16 or claim 17, further comprising a shell lining the cavity.

19. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the shell is formed of a polymeric material.

20. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the cavity has an open lower end.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the open end of the cavity is filled with a potting compound.

22. The assembly of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the controller comprises a printed circuit board, and wherein the printed circuit board is positioned in the cavity.

23. The assembly of any one of claims 16 to 22, further comprising a wear monitoring system operatively connected with the controller.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the wear monitoring system comprises an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic sensor.

25. A suction roll, comprising:

a cylindrical shell having an interior cavity and a plurality of through holes;

a suction box positioned in the interior cavity of the shell; and

a suction source operatively connected to the suction box; and

the assembly of any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein the sealing strip and the sealing strip holder are mounted in the suction box such that an upper surface of the sealing strip faces an inner surface of the shell.

26. An assembly, comprising:

a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll, the sealing strip including a cavity therein;

a seal bar holder in which the seal bar is located and which is movable relative to the seal bar holder; and

a temperature monitoring system, comprising:

an infrared thermopile array sensor positioned in a cavity of the seal strip, the infrared thermopile array sensor configured to sense infrared radiation emitted into the cavity as a result of operation of the suction roll; and

a controller operatively connected to the infrared thermopile array sensor, the controller configured to receive signals from the infrared thermopile array sensor and process the signals to indicate the temperature of the upper surface of the seal strip, the controller comprising a printed circuit board positioned within the cavity.

27. The assembly of claim 26, further comprising a shell lining the cavity.

28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the shell is formed of a polymeric material.

29. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the cavity has an open lower end and the open end of the cavity is filled with potting compound.

30. The assembly of any one of claims 26 to 29, further comprising a wear monitoring system operatively connected with the controller.

31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein the wear monitoring system comprises an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic sensor.

32. A suction roll, comprising:

a cylindrical shell having an interior cavity and a plurality of through holes;

a suction box positioned in the interior cavity of the shell; and

a suction source operatively connected to the suction box; and

the assembly of any one of claims 26 to 31, wherein the sealing strip and the sealing strip holder are mounted in the suction box such that an upper surface of the sealing strip faces an inner surface of the shell.

33. An assembly, comprising:

a sealing strip having an upper surface configured to provide a seal for a suction roll, the sealing strip comprising a cavity therein, the cavity lined with a shell;

a seal bar holder in which the seal bar is located and which is movable relative to the seal bar holder; and

a temperature monitoring system, comprising:

an infrared thermopile array sensor positioned in a cavity of the seal strip, the infrared thermopile array sensor configured to sense infrared radiation emitted into the cavity as a result of operation of the suction roll; and

a controller operatively connected to the infrared thermopile array sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal from the infrared thermopile array sensor and process the signal to indicate a temperature of an upper surface of the seal strip.

34. The assembly of claim 33, further comprising a wear monitoring system operatively connected with the controller.

35. A suction roll, comprising:

a cylindrical shell having an interior cavity and a plurality of through holes;

a suction box positioned in the interior cavity of the shell; and

a suction source operatively connected to the suction box; and

the assembly of any one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the seal and the seal holder are mounted in the suction box such that an upper surface of the seal faces an inner surface of the shell.