MÉTODOS, DISPOSITIVOS E SISTEMAS PARA DETERMINAÇÃO DA POSIÇÃO DE TIRAS DO MÓDULO DA ZONA DE TIRAS DE VEDAÇÃO

Abstract

An electronic device for determining a location of a seal strip device in a strip of a papermaking machine includes a seal strip location identification component associated with the seal strip device, a current monitoring circuit configured to measure a current through the seal strip location identification component that is associated with the seal strip device, and a location circuit configured to transmit information related to the current through the seal strip location identification component, and configured to receive an address related to the location of the seal strip device. Related methods and systems are also described.

Description

1 / 26 METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF STRIPS IN THE SEALING STRIP ZONE MODULE RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 347,943, filed July 6, 2023, the description of which is incorporated by reference in this descriptive report. FIELD

[0002] Several embodiments described in this descriptive report refer to suction roller devices for paper production machines and, more specifically, to temperature and wear sensors for sealing strips installed in a sealing strip, which is used in conjunction with rollers, such as those used in paper production machines, steel production machines, plastic calendering machines and / or printing presses. BACKGROUND

[0003] Suction rolls, also known as wedge or clamp rolls, are used in a large number of continuous processing industries, including paper production, steel production, plastic calendering, and / or printing. Suction rolls are used to press together two or more sheets of material. The characteristics of suction rolls are particularly important in paper production. Two or more suction rolls can provide joint pressing by exerting a force on the paper or sheet types between them. Various sensors can be used to monitor the pressure, temperature, wear, or other characteristics of the suction rolls during operation. Sensors may include a temperature and wear sensor for sealing strips, sometimes referred to as a zone module, and is installed on Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 6 / 54 2 / 26 a sealing strip before power is supplied to the system. The sealing strips inside a suction roller are not visible to the equipment operator. SUMMARY

[0004] Several embodiments of the present inventive concepts relate to an electronic device for determining the location of a device for producing sealing strips on a strip of a paper production machine. The electronic device includes a sealing strip location identification component associated with the device for producing sealing strips, a current monitoring circuit configured to measure a current through the sealing strip location identification component, which may be associated with the device for producing sealing strips, and a location circuit configured to transmit current-related information through the sealing strip location identification component and configured to receive an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips.

[0005] According to some embodiments, the locating circuit may include a transceiver, configured to transmit current-related information from the sealing strip location identification component to a system coordinator circuit and configured to receive the address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips from the system coordinator circuit. The electronic device may further include a common bus that can be electrically connected to the sealing strip location identification component. The common bus may be electrically separated from a strip power bus. Current-related information from the sealing strip location identification component may be communicated to the system coordinator circuit via the common bus. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 7 / 54 3 / 26

[0006] According to some embodiments, the current monitoring circuit includes a differential monitoring circuit, configured to determine a voltage differential across the sealing strip location identification component. The sealing strip location identification component may include a passive electrical component. The passive electrical component may be a resistor. The location of the device for producing sealing strips may be configured to be programmed into the paper production machine's strip installation. The location of the device for producing sealing strips may be based on a value of the sealing strip location identification component.The sealing strip location identification component may include an active microcontroller, which includes an input, configured to receive status information indicating the address related to the device for producing sealing strips, and an output, which can be switched to control the addressing of another active microcontroller.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the device for producing sealing strips includes a first device for producing sealing strips from a plurality of devices for producing sealing strips, and the sealing strip location identification component includes a first sealing strip location identification component from a plurality of sealing strip location identification components. The respective sealing strip location identification components have different values ​​from each other to indicate the respective unique locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips, including the device for producing sealing strips on the strip. The sealing strip location identification components associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips are electrically connected in series. The respective location circuits, which include the circuit of Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 8 / 54 4 / 26 location, are associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips and are configured to transmit information related to the respective currents through the respective sealing strip location identification components to a system coordinator circuit. The respective location circuits are configured to receive the respective addresses from the system coordinator circuit related to the respective locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the electronic device further includes a common bus, which can be electrically connected to sealing strip location identification components. The common bus can be electrically separated from a strip power bus. Current-related information through the sealing strip location identification components can be communicated to the system coordinator circuit via the common bus. When energized, the first device to produce sealing strips can receive a first address and then trigger a second device to produce sealing strips to obtain a second address.

[0009] Several embodiments of the present inventive concepts are directed to a method for determining the location of a device for producing sealing strips on a strip of a paper production machine. The method includes: determining a current through a sealing strip location identification component associated with the device for producing sealing strips; reporting the current through the sealing strip location identification component to a system coordinator device; receiving, from the system coordinator device, an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips; and determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips based on the address that Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 9 / 54 5 / 26 was received from the system coordinator device.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the device for producing sealing strips includes a first device for producing sealing strips from a plurality of devices for producing sealing strips, and the sealing strip location identification component includes a first sealing strip location identification component from a plurality of sealing strip location identification components. The respective sealing strip location identification components may have different values ​​from each other to indicate unique locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips, including the device for producing sealing strips on the strip.In some embodiments, the method may also include, upon energization, assigning a first address to the first device to produce sealing strips and then activating a second device to produce sealing strips in order to obtain a second address.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the location identification components, associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips, are electrically connected in series. The respective location circuits are associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips. The method further includes the transmission of information, related to the respective currents through the respective sealing strip location identification components, to a system coordinator circuit, and the reception, by the respective location circuits, of the respective addresses of the system coordinator circuit related to the respective locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips.

[0012] Several embodiments of the present inventive concepts relate to a sealing strip location determination circuit for determining the location of a device for producing strips. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 10 / 54 6 / 26 of a sealing strip on a paper production machine. The sealing strip location determination circuit includes: a sealing strip identification circuit associated with the device for producing sealing strips; a current monitoring circuit configured to determine a current through the sealing strip identification circuit, which may be associated with the device for producing sealing strips; and a location circuit configured to transmit current-related information through the sealing strip identification circuit and configured to receive an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips.

[0013] It should be noted that aspects of the inventive concepts described in relation to one embodiment may be incorporated into a different embodiment, even if they are not specifically described in relation to it. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any way and / or in a combination. Other operations according to any of the embodiments described in this descriptive report may also be performed. These and other aspects of the inventive concepts are described in detail in the descriptive report presented below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated into and form part of this patent application. These drawings illustrate certain exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a typical suction roller of a paper machine, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0016] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 11 / 54 7 / 26 end of the suction box area of ​​a typical suction roller, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0017] Figure 3 is an end view of the suction box area and sealing strips of a suction roller, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0018] Figure 4 is a plan view of a sealing strip monitoring system, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0019] Figures 5A and 5B are sequential perspective views illustrating the construction of the sealing strip monitoring system of Figure 4, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0020] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a sealing strip monitoring system, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0021] Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are circuit diagrams of sealing strip monitoring devices, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report.

[0022] Figures 12, 13 and 14 are flowcharts of operations for sealing strip monitoring devices, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Various embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Other embodiments may take many different forms and should not be interpreted as limited to the embodiments described in this descriptive report. Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the document.

[0024] Sealing strip sensors, also referred to as Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 12 / 54 8 / 26 sensors can be placed on suction rollers to monitor the operational parameters of the sealing strips, such as pressure, temperature, wear, load, deflection, size, direction of rotation, rotation speed, and / or other characteristics. The sensors may be part of a measuring device that distinguishes these various operational parameters from the sensors and transmits them to a processor, hardware, software, firmware, and / or a user interface. The measuring device may need to be calibrated to correctly detect the sensor parameters. The temperature and wear sensor for the sealing strips, sometimes referred to as a zone module, is installed on the sealing strip before power is available to the system. After installation, the strips will be sealed in their location within a suction roller so that access to each panel is limited, if it is possible at all.Each zone module needs to be correlated to a location on the sealing strip.

[0025] Several embodiments of the present inventive concepts originate from the recognition of a need to correlate a zone module to a location on the sealing strip without physical access. Zone modules are connected, in a series configuration, to each sealing strip. Each successive zone module in the series can modify the state of this shared bus. If each zone module monitors this bus, the changes detected in each zone module will vary depending on where they are on the sealing strip.

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective end view of a typical suction roll of a paper production machine, according to various embodiments described herein. With reference to Figure 1, the main component of a suction roll 10 includes a hollow housing 12 made of stainless steel, bronze or other metal, which has dozens of Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 13 / 54 9 / 26 thousand holes, drilled in a predetermined pattern radially around the circumference of the roll. These holes are calibrated in size (ranging from below -3.3 mm - 1 / 8" to almost -6.3 mm - 1 / 4") and are designed for the particular paper material being processed. It is these holes that form the venting for water removal. This venting can typically vary between approximately 20 and 45 percent of the active surface area of ​​the roll. The suction roll housing is driven by a drive system that rotates the housing around a stationary core called the suction box.

[0027] The suction box 20 (Figure 2) can be considered as a conventional long rectangular box without a top cover and with openings at the end, base or sides. The end (specifically the drive end) of the box normally has a pilot bearing, whose inner race is a pilot bushing or pilot bearing with sliding fit in a trunnion in the suction box and the outer race is pressed onto the rotating casing. The suction box 20 is connected to a suction source (e.g., a vacuum pump). An example of a suction box and casing is shown in Huttunen's patent no. 6,358,370, the description of which is incorporated in full in this descriptive report.

[0028] To take advantage of the holes in the casing, a vacuum zone 30 must be created using these holes inside the suction roll casing, in a zone that lies directly below the paper pulp being processed. This is done by the suction box 20 using a grooved support 32 that maintains a seal along the long axis of the suction box on both sides. Figure 2 shows the grooved supports 32 and Figure 3 shows varieties of seals 34 that are in the form of strips (hereinafter referred to as sealing strips). In addition to these long seals, there are two shorter seals (called Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 14 / 54 10 / 26 final molds for paper production) at the short ends (called the intake and drive ends), which allow some axial adjustment, as needed, to accommodate various sheet widths.

[0029] The sealing strips 34 are generally made of polymerized, rubberized graphite and are kept almost in contact with the inner surface of the housing 12 during operation (see Figure 3). A constant vacuum is established between the sealing strips 34. This allows the vacuum zone 30 to be created under the sheet 40 as it passes over the suction roller 10. The sealing strips 34 are inclined upwards towards the housing of the suction roller 12 by loading tubes 42, which are sealed hoses that run under the entire length of the sealing strip 34. The pressure in the loading tube 42 expands the loading tube 42 (much like air in a balloon) and lifts the sealing strip 34 towards the inner surface of the housing 12. This effect, together with the help of the vacuum from the suction box system 20 and the laminar flow of lubricating water mentioned earlier, forms the seal between the edge of the sealing strip 34 and the inside of the housing 12.

[0030] In a real application, in a properly functioning suction roller, the sealing strips 34 never come into direct contact with the inside of the suction roller housing 12. If the sealing strips 34 were to come into contact with the housing 12, they would wear out and quickly lose their sealing capacity. To eliminate or significantly reduce this wear and provide a seal, water is applied along the length of the sealing strips 34 with a lubrication shower formed by water flowing from a spray nozzle 24 (see Figure 2). This shower keeps the sealing strips 34 lubricated with a laminar flow of water between the sealing surface and the inner surface of the housing 12. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 15 / 54 11 / 26

[0031] The amount of water used for lubrication must be measured properly so that the correct amount of lubrication is applied to keep the sealing strips 34 lubricated, but not in excess, so as not to become a problem for the pulp to be processed or to waste water. In addition, the process water used in a paper mill may contain chemicals and also particulate matter in a significant quantity, which can clog the nozzles of the lubrication shower 24 during normal operation. Since these nozzles 24 are located inside the rotating casing 12, they are not visible to the paper machine operator.

[0032] Sealing strips are normally replaced periodically after some degree of wear occurs. However, since the sealing strips within a suction roll are not visible to the papermaking equipment operator or anyone attempting to view the sealing strips, many conditions within an operating suction roll, including the degree of sealing strip wear, are unknown. Thus, reliable methods for detecting sealing strip wear have been developed to inform the papermaking equipment operator that maintenance is needed on the equipment before a failure occurs. However, since the sealing strips are in various positions on the suction roll, there is a need to correlate a zone module that has been installed in a location on the sealing strip without physical access to the zone module.The zone modules in the sealing strips can be connected in a series configuration to each sealing strip. Each successive zone module in the series can modify the state of a shared bus to which the various zone modules are connected. Each zone module can monitor this common bus, and the changes detected in each zone module may vary. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 16 / 54 12 / 26 depending on where they are on the sealing strip.

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates another wear monitoring system, generally referred to as 420. The 420 wear monitoring system is mounted on a single printed circuit board (PCB) 423 (i.e., both the sensing part 422 and the signal processing part 424 are located on the same PCB 423). Thus, there are no cables; instead, the traces 430 are connected directly to the components of the signal processing part 424. The PCB 423 is flexible, allowing it to be bent so that the finger 421, on which the sensing part 422 is mounted, can generally be oriented perpendicular to the main part 427 of the PCB 423. Any of the 120, 220, 320 wear monitoring systems described above can be mounted on the PCB 423.

[0034] In some embodiments, a temperature monitoring system 470 is also mounted on PCB 423. The temperature monitoring system 470 can take many forms, including that described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 375,587, filed September 14, 2022, the description of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety in this descriptive report. A sensor part 472 of the temperature monitoring system 470 is mounted on the finger 471 of PCB 423, and the signal processing components of the temperature monitoring system 470 are mounted on the main part 427 of PCB 423. Together, the wear monitoring system 420 and the temperature monitoring system 470 form an overall sealing strip monitoring system 480.

[0035] The assembly of the 480 sealing strip monitoring system is illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B. Figure 5A illustrates the lower surface of a 400 sealing strip, in which a channel 408 has been formed and holes 409, 410 have been drilled perpendicular to channel 408. Figure 5B illustrates that the 480 system is installed on the strip of Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 17 / 54 13 / 26 seal 400, with fingers 421, 471 inserted into holes 409, 410, to implant sensitive parts 422, 472, and the main part 427 of PCB 423 mounted in the channel 408 itself. According to various embodiments described in this descriptive report, PCB 423 includes an electronic device, such as the device for producing sealing strips 600 of Figure 6, to determine the location of a device for producing sealing strips on the sealing strip of the paper production machine.

[0036] The zone module is installed on a sealing strip and then sealed (i.e., waterproofed) in place. The PCB 423, which includes the zone module, will receive a known identifier before being sealed in its position on the sealing strip. Each PCB 423 will be customized for each position on the sealing strip or have a custom parameter assigned at the time of installation. In some embodiments, each PCB can be powered on during installation and programmed with a strip location manually in a firmware menu. However, this solution can be difficult, as it will require the installer to learn the powering and programming process. In some embodiments, specific components may be included on the PCB 423 that correlate the specific PCB 423 to a strip location on the sealing strip.For example, the component used to identify the location of sealing strips could be a resistor, with a resistance value that varies for each position of the sealing strip.

[0037] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a seal monitoring system, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report. With reference to Figure 6, the device for producing seal strips 600 may include a seal strip location identification component 610, a current monitoring circuit 620, a location circuit 630 and / or a Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 18 / 54 14 / 26 transceiver 640. The sealing strip-producing device 600 can communicate with a system coordinator circuit 650, which is external to the sealing strip-producing device 600. The sealing strip-producing device 600 can be the zone module located on the sealing strip. The sealing strip location identification component 610, associated with the sealing strip-producing device 600, can be a passive electrical component, such as a conductor wire or a resistor. Each zone module (i.e., sealing strip-producing device 600) can introduce a known change in the power bus, since the power bus is used by all modules in series. The power bus can then be monitored in each zone module to determine how much change is observed in total.The further downstream in the series chain the zone module is located, the greater the overall effect on the total voltage variation at the power bus. Although some embodiments described in this descriptive report are in the context of a zone module, the zone module is not essential to the system, and other devices connected in series can be used to determine the location of the device for producing 600 sealing strips on the sealing strip. The devices for producing 600 sealing strips on a sealing strip may each have a 610 sealing strip location identification component with a different value, so that the respective different voltages may be present in different 610 sealing strip location identification components.In some embodiments, the sealing strip location identification component 610 of each of the devices for producing sealing strips 600 on the sealing strip may be the same for each other, and the system coordinator circuit 650 may determine the position of a given device for producing sealing strips 600 based on the voltage on that given device. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 19 / 54 15 / 26 for producing sealing strips 600. The sealing strip location identification component 610 is connected in series to a bus 660, which is common to other devices for producing sealing strips. The modification to the bus by the sealing strip location identification component 610 is important in the system, since the change applied to the bus by a device for producing sealing strips 600 is used by subsequent modules to determine their locations. Monitoring of the shared bus by the current monitoring circuit 620 is important, as each device for producing sealing strips 600 determines the state of the bus at its location.

[0038] Still referring to Figure 6, the current monitoring circuit 620 measures a current through the sealing strip location identification component 610, which is associated with the sealing strip production device 600. The location circuit 630 transmits information, related to the current through the sealing strip location identification component 610, to the system coordinator circuit 650 using the transceiver 640. The location circuit 630 receives an address related to the location of the sealing strip production device 600 on the sealing strip of the system coordinator circuit 650.

[0039] Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are circuit diagrams of sealing strip monitoring devices, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report. With reference to Figure 7, a circuit diagram is provided of a simple implementation of the inventive concepts described in this descriptive report, in which the 720 power bus is connected in series by 710 PCBs that include the devices for producing sealing strips in a sealing strip. The electrical installation of the 720 power bus has an inherent resistance, so that the current Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 20 / 54 16 / 26 can be monitored across multiple 710 PCBs. Different 710 PCBs on the 720 power bus will perceive different resistance with the power source on the 720 power bus, based on a distance (i.e., length of the electrical installation) from the 720 power bus. The current monitoring circuit 740, which may correspond to the current monitoring circuit 620 in Figure 6, measures the current on the 720 power bus at the 710 PCB. The location monitoring circuit 730, which may correspond to the location circuit 630 in Figure 6, transmits current-related information to a system coordinator and / or may receive an address related to the location of the 710 PCB on the system coordinator's sealing strip.

[0040] With reference to Figure 8, a circuit diagram is provided of some embodiments of the inventive concepts described in this descriptive report, wherein each PCB 810 has a current sensing resistor 850 on the power trace of the power bus 820. Each PCB 810 will draw current through resistor 850 to power the PCB 810. This current will be monitored by the current monitoring circuit 840. In the first PCB 810 in the series closest to the power source of the power bus 820, the current will be higher. Successive PCBs 810 in the series chain will measure less current due to a smaller number of remaining PCBs 810 in the series that are drawing current. A location monitoring circuit 830 for each PCB 810 will record the measured current in the system coordinator. The system coordinator will assign a specific address to the 810 printed circuit boards, which is correlated with their position on the strip.

[0041] With reference to Figure 9, a circuit diagram is provided of some embodiments of the inventive concepts described in this descriptive report, in which monitoring is done by Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 21 / 54 17 / 26 Measurement of a voltage differential by resistor 950. Resistor 950 is connected in series on power bus 920. Differential monitoring circuit 930 can measure a voltage differential across resistor 950. Using the voltage differential across resistor 950 provides greater accuracy, so the location of a sealing strip with elevated temperature or significant wear can be identified within a window of a few centimeters (inches). In this circuit configuration, a separate communication bus (not shown) can be used to communicate with a system coordinator regarding the address assigned to PCB 910 on the sealing strip and to communicate the temperature, wear, and other device characteristics for producing sealing strips. The current consumed can be measured by current consumption circuit 940.

[0042] With reference to Figure 10, a circuit diagram is provided of some embodiments of the inventive concepts described in this descriptive report, in which the passive components are removed and the main microcontroller (or other active component) would be used. This solution would include a separate input and output on an active component for connection to the common 1020 bus. The first 1010 PCB recognizes that the input is in a particular state and would be designated as the first in the sequence of devices to produce sealing strips. The first 1010 PCB device then switches its output to the same particular state, which indicates to the next 1010 PCB in the series that it is assigned to the next address. This solution thus provides addresses for all devices to produce sealing strips on the sealing strip.

[0043] With reference to Figure 11, a circuit diagram is provided of some embodiments of the inventive concepts described in this descriptive report, in which a separate common bus 1120 is used for connection to the various circuit boards. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 22 / 54 18 / 26 printed 1110 along the sealing strip. The passive or active bus modification element 1130 may correspond to the sealing strip location identification component 610 of Figure 6. The passive or active bus modification element 1130 may include resistors, capacitors, and / or inductors. Successive PCBs 1110 on the sealing strip may record values, such as resistance, capacitance, and / or inductance, measured relative to ground, in the system coordinator. The passive or active bus modification element 1130 may be advantageous since the voltage does not drop across a resistor, as in the embodiments related to Figures 8 and 9.A location monitoring circuit 1140 for each PCB 1110 will communicate with the system coordinator to obtain location information using a separate bus 1160, which serves as both a power bus and a communication bus, but is separate from the common bus 1120 used to connect the PCBs 1110 together. The system coordinator will assign each PCB 1110 a specific address, which is correlated with its position on the strip. Upon power-up, the location monitoring circuit 1140 for the first PCB 1110 is assigned as the first location by the system coordinator based on communication using the location monitoring circuit 1140 via the power bus 1160.The passive or active bus modification element 1130 of the first PCB 1110 then drives the passive or active bus modification element 1130 of the second PCB 1110, which then communicates with the system coordinator and is assigned as the second location. The second PCB 1110 then drives a subsequent PCB 1110 in the chain, etc. Thus, the locations of all PCBs on the sealing strip are determined without the additional power loss incurred by resistors 850 and 950 of Figures 8 and 9, respectively. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 23 / 54 19 / 26

[0044] Figures 12, 13, and 14 are flowcharts of operations for sealing strip monitoring devices, according to various embodiments described in this descriptive report. With reference to Figure 12, operations may include determining a current through a sealing strip location identification component associated with the device for producing sealing strips, in block 1.210. Operations may include current information from the sealing strip location identification component to a system coordinator device, in block 1.220. Operations may include receiving, from the system coordinator device, an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips, in block 1.230. Operations may include determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips based on the address that was received from the system coordinator device, in block 1.240.The device for producing sealing strips may include a first device for producing sealing strips from a plurality of devices for producing sealing strips, and the sealing strip location identification component may include a first sealing strip location identification component from a plurality of sealing strip location identification components. The respective sealing strip location identification components may have different values ​​from each other to indicate unique locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips.

[0045] With reference to Figure 13, operations for sealing strip monitoring devices may include assigning, upon power-up, a first address to the first device to produce sealing strips and then triggering a second device to produce sealing strips to obtain a second address, in block 1.310. The strip location identification components of Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 24 / 54 20 / 26 sealing devices, associated with their respective devices for producing sealing strips, can be electrically connected in series. With reference to Figure 14, the operations may include the transmission of information related to the respective currents by the respective location identification components to a system coordinator circuit, in block 1.410, and the reception, by the respective monitoring circuits, of the respective addresses of the system coordinator circuit related to the respective locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips, in block 1.420.

[0046] According to various embodiments described in this descriptive report, a group of devices for producing sealing strips is able to use a common bus to automatically coordinate their order on a series of PCBs in a sealing strip. This is done with a sealing strip location identification element and current and location monitoring circuits. In this way, the embodiments described in this descriptive report can provide a convenient solution that offers simple installation, reduces production complexity, allows the use of common firmware and hardware on different PCBs, does not require operator training to correctly assign addresses in the installation and / or provides better accuracy in determining the location of the devices for producing sealing strips in a sealing strip.

[0047] In the above description of various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terminology used herein is intended only to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this descriptive report have the same meaning that is commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms, such as those defined in dictionaries Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 25 / 54 21 / 26 commonly used, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this descriptive report and the relevant technique, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly defined in this descriptive report.

[0048] When an element is referred to as being connected, coupled, responsive, or variants thereof to another element, it may be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element, or intermediate elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being directly connected, directly coupled, directly responsive, or variants thereof to another element, there are no intermediate elements present. Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the text. Furthermore, coupled, connected, responsive, or variants thereof, as used in this descriptive report, may include wireless coupled, connected, or responsive. As used in this descriptive report, the singular forms a, an, or are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructs may not be described in detail for brevity and / or clarity.The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated items.

[0049] It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used here to describe various elements, the elements should not be limited by these terms; instead, these terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed could be called a second element without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts present.

[0050] As used in this document, the terms include, Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 26 / 54 22 / 26 including, includes, includes, includes, has, has, having or their variants are open and include one or more indicated resources, integers, elements, steps, components or functions, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other resources, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

[0051] The illustrative embodiments described in this document refer to block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations of methods implemented by computer, devices (systems and / or equipment) and / or computer program products. It should be understood that a block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations may be implemented by computer program instructions, which are executed by one or more computerized circuits.These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor circuit of a general-purpose computer circuit, a special-purpose computer circuit, and / or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which are executed by the computer processor and / or other programmable data processing device, transform and control transistors, values ​​stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within that circuit assembly to implement the functions / actions specified in the block diagrams and / or one or more flowchart blocks, and thus create a means (a functionality) and / or structure to implement the functions / actions specified in the block diagrams and / or one or more flowchart blocks.

[0052] These computer program instructions can also be stored on a tangible, computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable device to Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 27 / 54 23 / 26 data processing to function in a specific way, so that instructions stored in computer-readable media produce a manufactured article including instructions that implement the functions / actions specified in the block diagrams and / or in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0053] A tangible, non-transient, computer-readable medium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of computer-readable media include the following: a laptop computer floppy disk, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a read-only memory (ROM) circuit, a read-only erasable programmable memory (EPROM or Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact disc (CD-ROM) read-only memory, and a portable digital video disc (DVD / Blu-ray) read-only memory.

[0054] Computer program instructions can also be loaded into a computer and / or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operational steps to be executed on the computer and / or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps to implement the functions / acts specified in the block diagrams and / or in one or more flowchart blocks. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can be incorporated into hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) that runs on a processor, such as a digital signal processor, which can be collectively referred to as a circuit assembly, a module, or variants thereof.

[0055] The aspects of the present invention are described herein. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 28 / 54 24 / 26 Descriptive report with reference to illustrations of flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems) and computer program products, according to the embodiments of the invention. It is understood that each block of illustrations of flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the illustrations of flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which are executed by means of the computer processor or other programmable instruction execution device, create a mechanism to implement the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or in one or more blocks of block diagrams.

[0056] These computer program instructions can also be stored on a computer-readable medium which, when executed, can direct a computer, other programmable data processing device, or other devices to operate in a specific way, so that the instructions, when stored on the computer-readable medium, produce a manufactured article including instructions which, when executed, cause a computer to implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or in one or more blocks of the block diagram. Computer program instructions can also be loaded into a computer, other programmable instruction-executing device, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be executed on the computer, other programmable devices, or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions, which are executed on the computer or on Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 29 / 54 25 / 26 other programmable device, provide processes to implement the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or in one or more block diagrams.

[0057] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of computer program systems, methods, and products, according to the various aspects of the present invention. In this respect, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or part of the code, comprising one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the block may occur out of the order shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration may be implemented by special-purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or actions, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0058] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions / actions indicated in the blocks may occur out of the order shown in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown sequentially may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functionality / actions involved. Furthermore, the functionality of a given block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams may be separated into several blocks. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 30 / 54 26 / 26 and / or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks can be added / inserted between the illustrated blocks. Furthermore, although some of the diagrams include arrows in the communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it should be understood that communication can occur in the opposite direction to the arrows shown.

[0059] Many different embodiments have been described in this descriptive report in relation to the description presented above and the drawings. It should be understood that it would be unduly repetitive and confusing to literally describe and illustrate all combinations and subcombinations of these embodiments. Thus, this descriptive report, including the drawings, should be interpreted as constituting a complete written description of various exemplary combinations and subcombinations of embodiments and the manner and process of production and use thereof, and should support the claims to any combination or subcombination. Many variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing substantially from the principles described in this descriptive report. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this descriptive report. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 31 / 54

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. Electronic device for determining the location of a device for producing sealing strips on a strip of a paper production machine, characterized in that the electronic device comprises: a sealing strip location identification component associated with the device for producing sealing strips; a current monitoring circuit configured to measure a current by the sealing strip location identification component, which is associated with the device for producing sealing strips; and a location circuit configured to transmit current-related information by the sealing strip location identification component and configured to receive an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips.

2. Electronic device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the locating circuit comprises: a transceiver configured to transmit information related to the current through the sealing strip location identification component to a system coordinator circuit, and configured to receive the address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips from the system coordinator circuit.

3. Electronic device, according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: a common busbar that is electrically connected to the sealing strip location identification component, wherein: the common busbar is electrically separated from a strip power busbar; and Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 32 / 54 2 / 6 the current-related information from the sealing strip location identification component is communicated to the system coordinator circuit via the common busbar.

4. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the current monitoring circuit comprises a differential monitoring circuit, configured to determine a voltage differential by the sealing strip location identification component.

5. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sealing strip location identification component comprises a passive electrical component.

6. Electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that the passive electrical component comprises a resistor.

7. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the location of the device for producing sealing strips is configured to be programmed in the strip installation of the paper production machine.

8. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the location of the device for producing sealing strips is based on a value of the sealing strip location identification component.

9. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sealing strip location identification component comprises an active microcontroller, which comprises an input, configured to receive state information indicating the address related to the device for producing sealing strips, and an output, which is switched to control the addressing of another active microcontroller. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, p. 33 / 54 3 / 6 10. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device for producing sealing strips comprises a first device for producing sealing strips from a plurality of devices for producing sealing strips, and the sealing strip location identification component comprises a first sealing strip location identification component from a plurality of sealing strip location identification components, and wherein the respective sealing strip location identification components have different values ​​from each other to indicate the respective unique locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips, which comprise the device for producing sealing strips on the strip.

11. Electronic device, according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing strip location identification components, associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips, are electrically connected in series.

12. Electronic device, according to claim 11, characterized in that the respective locating circuits, comprising the locating circuit, are associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips and are configured to transmit information, related to the respective currents by the respective sealing strip location identification components, to a system coordinator circuit; and wherein the respective locating circuits are configured to receive the respective addresses from the system coordinator circuit, related to the respective locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips.

13. Electronic device, according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises: Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 34 / 54 4 / 6 a common bus, which is electrically connected to sealing strip location identification components, wherein: the common bus is electrically separated from a strip power bus; and the current-related information from the sealing strip location identification components is communicated to the system coordinator circuit via the common bus.

14. Electronic device, according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, when energized, the first device for producing sealing strips receives a first address and then triggers a second device for producing sealing strips to obtain a second address.

15. Method for determining the location of a device for producing sealing strips on a strip of a paper production machine, characterized in that it comprises: determining a current by a sealing strip location identification component associated with the device for producing sealing strips; informing the current by the sealing strip location identification component to a system coordinator device; receiving, from the system coordinator device, an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips; and determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips based on the address that was received from the system coordinator device.

16. Method for determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips, according to claim 15, characterized in that the device for producing sealing strips Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 35 / 54 5 / 6 comprises a first device for producing sealing strips from a plurality of devices for producing sealing strips, and the sealing strip location identification component comprises a first sealing strip location identification component from a plurality of sealing strip location identification components; and wherein the respective sealing strip location identification components have different values ​​from each other to indicate unique locations of the respective sealing strip devices, which comprise the sealing strip device on the strip.

17. Method for determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips, according to claim 16, characterized in that the method further comprises: when energized, assigning a first address to the first sealing strip device and then activating a second sealing strip device to obtain a second address.

18. Method for determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips, according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the location identification components of the respective sealing strips, associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips, are electrically connected in series.

19. Method for determining the location of the device for producing sealing strips, according to claim 18, characterized in that the respective location circuits are associated with the respective devices for producing sealing strips, the method further comprising: transmitting information, related to the respective electrical properties of some of the sealing strip location identification components, to a system coordinator circuit; and Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, page 36 / 54 6 / 6 receiving, through the respective location circuits, the respective addresses of the system coordinator circuit related to the respective locations of the respective devices for producing sealing strips.

20. Sealing strip location determination circuit for determining the location of a device for producing sealing strips on a strip of a paper production machine, the sealing strip location determination circuit characterized in that it comprises: a sealing strip identification circuit associated with the device for producing sealing strips; a current monitoring circuit configured to determine a current by the sealing strip identification circuit, which is associated with the device for producing sealing strips; and a location circuit configured to transmit current-related information by the sealing strip identification circuit and configured to receive an address related to the location of the device for producing sealing strips. Petition 870250084077, dated 09 / 18 / 2025, pp. 37 / 54

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