Industrial roll with sensors arranged to self-identify angular location

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 comprises: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to detect an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals representative of the operating parameter, wherein one of the plurality of sensors is a tracking sensor and the remaining sensors are non-tracking sensors; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. The sensors are arranged at a substantially equal radial distance from the core outer surface, such that they define a circle when viewed from an end of the roll. Each of the non-tracking sensors is further arranged at a substantially equal first angular distance from its immediate non-tracking sensor neighbors, two endmost non-tracking sensors defining an angular gap. The tracking sensor is disposed in the angular gap, such that a second angular distance defined by the tracking sensor and either of the endmost sensors differs from the first angular distance. In this configuration, the sensing system can identify from which sensor signals are generated without a trigger signal generator or accelerometer.