A force transducer capable of measuring tension and/or compression loads, including a generally rectangular flexure body made of high modules of elasticity material having through cuts that divide the body into an S shaped force transmission path. Strain gages are strategically located on the inside surfaces of a central opening and are connected into a bridge circuit mounted on a printed circuit board which is integrally attached to said body. Printed circuit means are provided for conditioning and transmitting signals from the bridge circuit either through hardwiring or wirelessly. A battery powered embodiment is described. Various configurations of covers for the device are shown.
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
A device for attachment to a linear force transmission medium such as a wire or rod includes a flexure body having axially aligned tubular extensions on opposite ends that can receive and be crimped to the medium to create a continuous path for tensile force transmission. The flexure carries strain gages on top and bottom planar surface portions that are connected into a bridge circuit that responds to stress in the flexure body. Leads are protected against disconnection from solder pads by wrapping the leads and a carrier for them around the exterior circumferential surface of a jacket that fits on and around the flexure body. An FPC plug embodiment is disclosed.
G01L 5/108 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means for measuring a reaction force applied on a single support, e.g. a glider
A load sensor is designed to be mounted on a continuous force-applying medium such as a cable so as to deform according to the force transmitted through the medium. The sensor includes a body having a longitudinal through-passage for the medium and is mechanically secured to the medium only at the opposite ends of the body. A lateral hole provides a strain concentration area with zones that are instrumented with strain gages. The sensor body can be enclosed to provide support for a wrap-around lead carrier.
G01L 5/10 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means
G01L 5/102 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means using sensors located at a non-interrupted part of the flexible member
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
9.
Tripedal flexure member and load/torque measurement systems using same
A flexure structure comprising the unitary combination of three modified S-shaped beams arranged in parallel and sharing common top and bottom structures. The outside beams are oriented alike in one direction while the inside or center beam is oriented in the opposite direction. The outside edge surfaces of the beams are flat and are instrumented with strain sensors connected in bridge circuits.
G01G 3/14 - Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing measuring variations of electrical resistance
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tension and compression force transducers and load cells of the type incorporating a high modulus of elasticity flexure element instrumented with variable resistance, strain sensing elements in strategic locations of stress concentration to generate electrical outputs, and electronics to provide excitation to the circuits on the flexure element and condition the outputs from the circuits
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Tension and compression force transducers and load cells of the type incorporating a high modulus of elasticity flexure element instrumented with variable resistance, strain sensing elements in strategic locations of stress concentration to generate electrical outputs, and electronics to provide excitation to the circuits on the flexure element and condition the outputs from the circuits
12.
PCB inductive coupling for torque monitoring system
An inductive power transfer system for the shaft mounted electronics of a rotary torque signal generating system includes a pair of planar PCB inductors formed by spiral copper traces on the planar surfaces of one or more layers of PCB substrate material. A primary inductor comprising a copper trace on a planar PCB substrate surrounds but is not connected to a steel torque transmission shaft. A secondary PCB trace inductor on another planar substrate is mounted for rotation with the shaft and in coaxial relation with both the shaft and primary inductor substrate so as to be inductively linked therewith.
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
G01L 3/10 - Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft involving electric or magnetic means for indicating
An optical system for wireless data communication between the sensor electronics on a rotary shaft and the fixed data processor is disclosed. A first ring carrying IR LEDs is mounted to rotate with the shaft. A second ring carrying a photodetector is mounted adjacent to the first ring but does not rotate with the shaft. In the disclosed embodiment, both rings have LEDs and a photodetector so data and/or information can be transferred both to and from the shaft.
G01L 3/10 - Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft involving electric or magnetic means for indicating
A sensor such as a load cell includes a metal body containing the sensor electronics and flexure elements. Power is brought into the electronics and signals are taken out via header pins arranged in any of various groupings so as to extend through holes in the body. The pins are fixed by means of fused glass or ceramic material and the body is sealed to tolerate harsh environmental conditions.
G01L 5/16 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring several components of force
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
16.
Torque sensing system with wireless two-way communication
A torque sensing system which includes a torque sensor capable of wirelessly communicating torque and misalignment data to a smartphone or a tablet using a protocol such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology, and wirelessly communicating commands from the smartphone or table back to the torque sensor. The torque sensor electronics include an rf coil for taking power off of a stationary housing to a rotary shaft and one or more accelerometers for indicating misalignments.
G01L 3/10 - Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element comprises a torsionally-flexible shaft involving electric or magnetic means for indicating
G01L 25/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency
17.
Load and torque sensing systems utilizing magnetic key for mechanical engagement
Torque is transmitted by way of a shaft having an axial groove formed as a keyway therein and a key held in the groove by means of a coin-shaped magnet located in a pocket formed in the floor of the groove. A second element, such as a coupling, is configured to receive the shaft and key therein and has a matching keyway.
G01L 3/00 - Measuring torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency, in general
F16D 1/04 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for connecting two abutting shafts or the like with clamping hubCouplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for connecting two abutting shafts or the like with hub and longitudinal key
G01L 3/14 - Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element is other than a torsionally-flexible shaft
F16D 1/08 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hubCouplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with hub and longitudinal key
Two forms of load bearing or transmitting structures are disclosed wherein each uses magnetism to hold a key in one of two bodies to prevent movement therebetween. One embodiment is a clevis, wherein the clevis pin is instrumented as a load cell and a magnetic key resides in a slot in a portion of the clevis pin which protrudes outside of one of the clevis legs. In another embodiment, torque is transmitted between a shaft and a coupling by means of keys that are held in keyways by magnetism thereby to provide a torque coupling between the shaft and coupling members.
G01L 3/00 - Measuring torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency, in general
G01L 3/14 - Rotary-transmission dynamometers wherein the torque-transmitting element is other than a torsionally-flexible shaft
F16D 1/04 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for connecting two abutting shafts or the like with clamping hubCouplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for connecting two abutting shafts or the like with hub and longitudinal key
F16D 1/08 - Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hubCouplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with hub and longitudinal key
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Sensors, namely, force sensors, load sensors, pressure sensors, and torque sensors; Amplifiers; Digital Display units for Sensors Calibration of Sensors
