Papermaking belt

Abstract

An innovative papermaking belt is disclosed. The papermaking belt has a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface defining a paper-contacting side of the papermaking belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits extending between the first and second surfaces. A reinforcing structure is positioned between the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface. A material having at least one discrete measuring device disposed therein is disposed upon the reinforcing structure and extends from the first surface to the second surface. The material is distributed so that the reinforcing structure and the discrete measuring device are positioned between the first and second surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A papermaking belt having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal and coplanar thereto, the papermaking belt comprising:
 a framework, said framework having a first surface defining a paper-contacting side of said papermaking belt, a second surface opposite said first surface, and conduits extending between said first and second surfaces;   a reinforcing structure positioned between said first surface and at least a portion of said second surface; and,   a material having at least one discrete measuring device disposed therein, said material being disposed upon said reinforcing structure, said material extending from said first surface to said second surface, said material being distributed so that said reinforcing structure and said discrete measuring device are positioned between said first and second surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The papermaking belt of  claim 1  wherein said reinforcing structure comprises a plurality of machine direction warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of cross-machine direction weft yarns. 
     
     
         3 . The papermaking belt of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises a plurality of discrete measuring devices disposed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The papermaking belt of  claim 3  wherein each of said plurality of discrete measuring devices are disposed collinearly relative to said cross-machine direction. 
     
     
         5 . The papermaking belt of  claim 1  wherein said discrete measuring device is selected from the group consisting of thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure sensors, pH sensors, wear gauges, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The papermaking belt of  claim 1  wherein said discrete measuring device is capable of measuring a physical characteristic of said papermaking belt, said physical characteristic being selected from the group consisting of temperature, deformation, tension, compression, bending moment, stress, strain, pressure, acceleration, moisture, speed, pH, wear, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The papermaking belt of  claim 6  wherein said papermaking belt is capable of cooperative association with a papermaking process, said papermaking process having at least one receiver disposed thereabout, said at least one receiver being cooperatively associated with said discrete measuring device, said discrete measuring device being in communication with said receiver when said discrete measuring device is disposed proximate thereto by said papermaking process. 
     
     
         8 . The papermaking belt of  claim 7  further comprising a data acquisition system, said data acquisition system being capable of collecting and storing said measured characteristic measured by said discrete measuring device and communicated to said receiver. 
     
     
         9 . The papermaking belt of  claim 1  wherein said discrete measuring device is disposed within a seam formed by joining distal ends of said papermaking belt thereby forming an endless loop. 
     
     
         10 . A papermaking belt having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal and coplanar thereto, the papermaking belt comprising:
 a framework, said framework having a first surface defining a paper-contacting side of said papermaking belt, a second surface opposite said first surface, and conduits extending between said first and second surfaces;   a reinforcing structure positioned between said first surface and at least a portion of said second surface;   a cured photosensitive material, said cured photosensitive material coating said reinforcing structure, said cured photosensitive material extending from said first surface to said second surface; and,   at least one discrete measuring device disposed upon either of said first or second surfaces.   
     
     
         11 . The papermaking belt of  claim 10  wherein said reinforcing structure comprises a plurality of machine direction warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of cross-machine direction weft yarns. 
     
     
         12 . The papermaking belt of  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of discrete measuring devices disposed upon either of said first or second surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The papermaking belt of  claim 12  wherein each of said plurality of discrete measuring devices are disposed collinearly relative to said cross-machine direction. 
     
     
         14 . The papermaking belt of  claim 10  wherein said discrete measuring device is selected from the group consisting of thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure sensors, pH sensors, wear gauges, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The papermaking belt of  claim 10  wherein said discrete measuring device is capable of measuring a physical characteristic of said papermaking belt, said physical characteristic being selected from the group consisting of temperature, deformation, tension, compression, bending moment, stress, strain, pressure, acceleration, moisture, speed, pH, wear, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The papermaking belt of  claim 15  wherein said papermaking belt is capable of cooperative association with a papermaking process, said papermaking process having at least one receiver disposed thereabout, said at least one receiver being cooperatively associated with said discrete measuring device, said discrete measuring device being in communication with said receiver when said discrete measuring device is disposed proximate thereto by said papermaking process. 
     
     
         17 . The papermaking belt of  claim 16  further comprising a data acquisition system, said data acquisition system being capable of collecting and storing said measured characteristic measured by said discrete measuring device and communicated to said receiver. 
     
     
         18 . The papermaking belt of  claim 10  wherein said discrete measuring device is disposed within a seam formed by joining distal ends of said papermaking belt thereby forming an endless loop.