US3879995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strain gage transducer
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A strain gage transducer suitable for use in the measurement of forces along three orthogonal axes and moments about two of these axes. The transducer includes a substantially square plate. The center of the square plate is located at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lines drawn between oopposite corners of the square plate. The plater has four openings equidistantly located from the center of the square plate, and each of the openings is located between the center and a corner of the plate. The openings each are symmetrical with respect to one of the diagonal lines and are formed from two circular holes interconnected by an open slot. The square plate has eight preferably arcuate grooves on each of its square surfaces, each of these grooves extending from an edge of the plate to one of the openings. Also, two preferably arcuate grooves are provided on each edge of the square plate, each of the two arcuate grooves interconnecting a groove on one of the square surfaces of the plate with a groove on the opposite square surface. Strain gage means are provided for measuring tension and compression forces in each of the grooves and circular holes. The strain gage transducer is particularly suitable for use in measuring the three forces and two moments acting upon a spindle in a vehicle wheel assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 George Z Libertiny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G19/12; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/16; G01L5/161; G01L5/1627
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A transducer suitable for use in the strain-gage measurement of a plurality of forces and moments acting upon the transducer, said transducer comprising: a substantially square baseplate, the center of said baseplate being located at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lineS drawn between opposite corners of the baseplate, said baseplate having four openings equidistantly located from the center of said baseplate, each of said openings being located between said center and a corner of said baseplate, being symmetrical with respect to one of said diagonal lines, and being formed by two circular holes located on opposite sides of one of said diagonal lines, said circular holes being interconnected by an open slot, said circular holes and slot extending through said baseplate, said baseplate having eight grooves on each of its square surface areas, each of said eight grooves extending from an edge of said plate to one of said circular holes, and said baseplate having two grooves on each of its four edges, each of said two grooves interconnecting a groove on one of said square surface areas with a groove on the opposite square surface area, and strain gage means for measuring tension and compression forces in each of said grooves and circular holes and at locations on said square surface areas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A transducer suitable for use in the strain-gage measurement of a plurality of forces and moments acting upon the transducer, said transducer comprising: a substantially square baseplate, the center of said baseplate being located at the intersection of two imaginary diagonal lineS drawn between opposite corners of the baseplate, said baseplate having four openings equidistantly located from the center of said baseplate, each of said openings being located between said center and a corner of said baseplate, being symmetrical with respect to one of said diagonal lines, and being formed by two circular holes located on opposite sides of one of said diagonal lines, said circular holes being interconnected by an open slot, said circular holes and slot extending through said baseplate, said baseplate having eight grooves on each of its square surface areas, each of said eight grooves extending from an edge of said plate to one of said circular holes, and said baseplate having two grooves on each of its four edges, each of said two grooves interconnecting a groove on one of said square surface areas with a groove on the opposite square surface area, and strain gage means for measuring tension and compression forces in each of said grooves and circular holes and at locations on said square surface areas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein said strain gage means comprises a pair of strain gages located in each of said grooves, two pairs of strain gages located in each of said circular openings, and a pair of strain gages located between each of said openings on both square surface areas of said baseplate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein each of said strain gages has its sensing-direction axis positioned at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to either an edge or square surface area of said baseplate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A transducer according to claim 3, wherein the strain gages of each pair of strain gages overlap one another, and wherein all of said grooves are arcuate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein each of said strain gages is responsive to tension or compression forces acting at an angle of 45* with respect to either an edge or square surface area of said baseplate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein said strain gages are electrically connected in five bridge circuits, said bridge circuits collectively providing electrical signals indicative of forces acting upon said transducer along three orthogonal axes and electrical signals indicative of moments about two of said axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein said transducer further includes a spindle having an axis extending from said center of said plate and in a direction perpendicular to said square surfaces, and wherein said strain gages are electrically connected in five bridge circuits providing electrical signals indicative of forces acting upon said transducer along three orthogonal axes, where said spindle axis is one of said orthogonal axes, and said bridge circuits providing electrical signals indicative of moments acting about the two axes, neither of which is said spindle axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein said transducer further includes a spindle having an axis extending from said center of said square plate and in a direction perpendicular to said square surface areas, said spindle being adapted to receive a member to be rotated about said spindle axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transducer according to claim 8, wherein said transducer forms a part of a spindle assembly for attachment to the suspension system for a wheel of a motor vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |