Patent ID: 8475347

Claim:
An industrial roll, comprising: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system comprising: a plurality of sensors comprising a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors at least partially embedded in the polymeric cover and arranged in a helical configuration around the roll, wherein the sensors are configured to sense an operating parameter experienced by the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter, and wherein the sensors of the first sensor set are distinct from the sensors of the second sensor set; a first signal carrying member serially connecting the first set of sensors; a second signal carrying member serially connecting the second set of sensors; and a signal processing unit operatively associated with the first and second signal carrying members, wherein the signal processing unit is configured to selectively monitor the signals provided by the first and second set of sensors; wherein the industrial roll is in combination with a mating structure positioned relative to the industrial roll to form a nip therewith, wherein the sensing system is configured such that no more than one sensor of the first sensor set and no more than one sensor of the second sensor set is positioned in the nip simultaneously.