US3683685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring angular rotation
Assignee: Michigan Technological University
•
Filing: 1970-03-27
•
Granted: 1972-08-15
•
Expires: 1990-03-27
Abstract
Abstract Relative angular rotation between two spaced areas on a rotatable member is converted to linear motion by providing a threaded engagement between two tubes each of which is connected to a respective one of said areas for rotational movement therewith. Relative rotation between the spaced areas causes relative rotation between the tubes and this is converted by the threaded engagement into axial or linear movement. This linear movement can then be converted into an electrical signal which can be registered or recorded by an electronic device. To increase the range of angular rotation which can be effectively measured, a third member is interposed between those already discussed. A threaded connection is provided between this third member and one of the first mentioned members and a pin and slot connection is provided between the third member and the other of the two first mentioned members. The pin and slot connection accommodates linear movement so that axial movement of the connections of the tubes at the spaced areas does not occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L Viegelahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L3/00; G01L3/02; G01L3/04; G01L3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for measuring angular rotation between two axially spaced areas on a rotatable body comprising, in combination, first means affixed to said rotatable body at one of said areas and having an axial extension along said rotatable body, second means affixed to said rotatable body at the other of said areas and having an axial extension along said rotatable body, third means connecting said first and second means and operative to respond to relative rotation between said first and second means as a result of relative angular rotation between said areas and to move axially relative to said first and second means by an amount corresponding to said relative rotation between said spaced areas, and motion sensing means including fourth means connected to one of said first and second means, and fifth means connected to said third means and adapted to move axially therewith whereby said fourth and fifth means move axially relative to one another in response to said angular rotation and said relative axial movement to generate a signal representative of the degree of said angular rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for measuring angular rotation between two axially spaced areas on a rotatable body comprising, in combination, first means affixed to said rotatable body at one of said areas and having an axial extension along said rotatable body, second means affixed to said rotatable body at the other of said areas and having an axial extension along said rotatable body, third means connecting said first and second means and operative to respond to relative rotation between said first and second means as a result of relative angular rotation between said areas and to move axially relative to said first and second means by an amount corresponding to said relative rotation between said spaced areas, and motion sensing means including fourth means connected to one of said first and second means, and fifth means connected to said third means and adapted to move axially therewith whereby said fourth and fifth means move axially relative to one another in response to said angular rotation and said relative axial movement to generate a signal representative of the degree of said angular rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second means comprise generally tubular members and said third means comprises a threaded connection between said tubular members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said third means is connected to said second means through means holding said third means against rotation relative to said second means and providing for relative axial movement therebetween so that said angular rotation results in rotation of said third means relative to said first means and axial displacement of said third means relative to both said first and second means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first cylindrical tube surrounding a portion of said rotatable body, including means for attaching said first tube to one of said areas and with a portion extending toward said other area, wherein said second means comprises a second cylindrical tube surrounding a portion of said rotatable body, including means for attaching said second tube to said other of said areas and with a portion extending toward said one area, and wherein said third means includes a third cylindrical tube surrounding said rotatable body and being in threaded engagement with said first tube to permit relative rotation and axial displacement therebetween, said third tube being in telescoped relationship with said second tube, and including means connecting said second and third tubes and operative to permit axial displacement while preventing relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said motion sensing means comprises a cone mounted on the outer periphery of one of said three cylIndrical means with the angularly sloping surface thereof facing in a generally axial direction, a beam mounted on another of said three cylindrical means, said beam extending axially toward and engaging said sloped surface of said cone so that axial movement of said cone or beam towards or away from each other will deflect said beam, and at least one strain gauge mounted on said beam so that the deflection of said beam will produce a signal corresponding to the rotation between said areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said motion sensing means comprises an electrical coil affixed to one of said three cylindrical means, a core extending into said coil, means connecting said core to another of said three cylindrical means so that axial movement of said one of said three cylindrical means relative to said other will cause said core to move axially relative to said coil and change the output signal of the coil in accordance with the angle of rotation between said areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means comprises means defining an axial slot in one of said second and third tubes and a pin fixed to the other of said second and third tubes, said pin and slot permitting said third tube and second tubes to move axially with respect to each other while preventing relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said motion sensing means comprises a cone having a sloping surface facing in a generally axial direction and a beam, one of said cone and beam mounted on said third tube and the other mounted on one of said first and second tubes, said beam extending axially toward and engaging the sloped surface of said cone so that axial movement of said cone or beam toward or away from each other will deflect said beam, and at least one strain gauge mounted on said beam so that the deflection of said beam will produce a signal proportional to the angle of rotation between said areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said motion sensing means comprises an electrical coil and core, said coil connected to said third tube, said core connected to one of said first and second tubes and extending into said coil so that axial movement of said third cylindrical tube relative to said one of said first and second tubes will cause said core to move relative to said coil to generate a signal corresponding to the angle of rotation between said areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring angular rotation between two axially spaced areas on a rotatable body comprising, in combination, first and second members threadably connected together to provide relative axial movement therebetween in response to relative rotation thereof, means affixing said first member to one of said areas; means connecting said second member to the other of said areas, said connecting means connected to and rotatable with said rotatable body and operative to permit said second member to rotate with said rotatable body while accommodating relative axial movement between said first and second members; and motion sensing means including a first sensing member affixed to one of said first and second members and a second sensing member affixed to the other of said first and second members and adapted to move axially, therewith whereby said first and second sensing members move axially relative to one another in response to said angular rotation and said relative axial movement to generate a signal representative of the degree of said angular rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring angular rotation between two axially spaced areas on a rotatable body comprising, in combination, first and second members threadably connected together to provide relative axial movement therebetween in response to relative rotation thereof, means affixing said first member to one of said areas; means connecting said second member to the other of said areas, said connecting means connected to and rotatable with said rotatable body and operative to permit said second member to rotate with said rotatable body while accommodating relative axial movement between said first and second members; and motion sensing means including a first sensing member affixed to one of said first and second members and a second sensing member affixed to the other of said first and second members and adapted to move axially, therewith whereby said first and second sensing members move axially relative to one another in response to said angular rotation and said relative axial movement to generate a signal representative of the degree of said angular rotation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU158684A1
Cited
US2230049A
Cited
US2260036A
Cited
US2432900A
Cited
US2737049A
Cited
US3104544A
Cited
US3084540A
Cited
US3339405A
Cited
US3403550A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |