Patent US4079624A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4079624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load washer transducer assembly
Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products Inc
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Filing: 1976-12-29
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A load washer transducer assembly includes a cylindrical housing symmetrically disposed about a given axis and having a longitudinal central aperture extending from a top to a bottom surface. The loop and bottom surfaces each have a peripheral flange coaxially located with respect to the aperture. The major surface of said cylinder includes a narrow slot located relatively centrally and coaxial with the aperture. A thin metallic shim is coupled to the housing and positioned across the slot and has mounted thereon a sensor element to monitor a pressure applied to one of said surfaces as concentrated mainly about said associated flange. In a typical load cell, another thin metallic shim is coupled to the housing and positioned across the slot and along the same diameter as the above noted shim. This shim also has mounted thereon a sensor element. The two sensors mounted diametrically opposite on the housing and across the slot serve to provide compensation for bending moments which may be induced by off-center loads. Other embodiments which employ more than two shims and associated sensors are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony D. Kurtz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/22; G01L1/2206; G01L1/2218; G01L1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a longitudinal cylindrical member disposed about a given axis and having a top and a bottom surface, each surface including a central aperture extending between said surfaces, a main surface of said member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said member between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot located about said axis and relatively coaxial with said aperture, and at least one sensor secured to said main surface and positioned to bridge said slot to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to one of said top and bottom surfaces, said at least one sensor disposed relatively parallel to said axis and positioned mainly within the area of said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a longitudinal cylindrical member disposed about a given axis and having a top and a bottom surface, each surface including a central aperture extending between said surfaces, a main surface of said member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said member between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot located about said axis and relatively coaxial with said aperture, and at least one sensor secured to said main surface and positioned to bridge said slot to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to one of said top and bottom surfaces, said at least one sensor disposed relatively parallel to said axis and positioned mainly within the area of said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 1 further comprising a second sensor secured to said main surface and diametrically opposite said at least one sensor and oriented relatively parallel to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A load transducer, comprising: a housing of a generally cylindrical configuration, said housing having a top and bottom surface, at least one of said surfaces having a projecting peripheral flange, said top and bottom surfaces including a central aperture aligned relatively coaxially with said flange and extending between said top and bottom surfaces, a major surface of said cylindrical member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and further having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot located between said top and bottom surfaces and coaxial with said aperture, and at least one sensor secured to said housing on said major surface and positioned to bridge said slot, to cause said sensor to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to either said top or bottom surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
A load transducer, comprising: a housing of a generally cylindrical configuration, said housing having a top and bottom surface, at least one of said surfaces having a projecting peripheral flange, said top and bottom surfaces including a central aperture aligned relatively coaxially with said flange and extending between said top and bottom surfaces, a major surface of said cylindrical member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and further having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot located between said top and bottom surfaces and coaxial with said aperture, and at least one sensor secured to said housing on said major surface and positioned to bridge said slot, to cause said sensor to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to either said top or bottom surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a cylindrical housing symmetrically disposed about an axis having a top and bottom surface with a central aperture extending between said surfaces and disposed about said axis, one of said surfaces having a peripheral projecting flange relatively coaxial with said central aperture, a major surface of said cylindrical housing extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said housing between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot coaxial with said aperture, said sensing means coupled to said housing and positioned to bridge said slot to cause said sensing means to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to said flanged surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a cylindrical housing symmetrically disposed about an axis having a top and bottom surface with a central aperture extending between said surfaces and disposed about said axis, one of said surfaces having a peripheral projecting flange relatively coaxial with said central aperture, a major surface of said cylindrical housing extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said housing between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot coaxial with said aperture, said sensing means coupled to said housing and positioned to bridge said slot to cause said sensing means to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a load applied to said flanged surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 4 wherein said cylindrical housing is fabricated from a metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 4 further including a projecting peripheral flange relatively congruent with said first flange and located on said other surface, whereby both said top and bottom surface include a flange.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 4 wherein said sensing means includes a thin metallic shim coupled to said housing and positioned across said slot with the center line of said shim relatively parallel to said axis, and at least one sensor element mounted on said shim in the area of said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a longitudinal cylindrical member disposed about a given axis and having a top and bottom surface, each extending including a continuous central aperture extending between surfaces and aligned with said axis, said top and bottom surfaces each having a peripheral flange coaxial with said central aperture to provide a force receiving area, a main surface of said member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a peripheral slot coaxial with said aperture and positioned relatively parallel to said top and bottom surfaces, and at least one thin metallic shim coupled to said housing and bridging said slot, and at least one sensor element mounted on said shim and mainly located within said area of said shim overlaying said slot to cause said sensor element to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a force applied to one of said flanges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a longitudinal cylindrical member disposed about a given axis and having a top and bottom surface, each extending including a continuous central aperture extending between surfaces and aligned with said axis, said top and bottom surfaces each having a peripheral flange coaxial with said central aperture to provide a force receiving area, a main surface of said member extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a peripheral slot coaxial with said aperture and positioned relatively parallel to said top and bottom surfaces, and at least one thin metallic shim coupled to said housing and bridging said slot, and at least one sensor element mounted on said shim and mainly located within said area of said shim overlaying said slot to cause said sensor element to provide an output proportional to the magnitude of a force applied to one of said flanges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 8 wherein said sensor element is a piezoresistive element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 8 wherein said housing is fabricated from a first metal and said shim is fabricated from a metal having a higher temperature expansion coefficient than said first metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 9 wherein said piezoresistive element is mounted on said shim by means of a glass bond.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 11 wherein said shim is a thin planar member of an "I" configuration, with the arms of said "I" coupled to said housing and said central portion positioned across said slot, with said piezoresistive element mounted on said central portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a cylindrical housing symmetrically disposed about an axis having a top and bottom surface with a central aperture between said surfaces and disposed about said axis, a major surface of said housing extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said member between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot coaxial with said aperture, and at least one thin metallic shim coupled to said housing and positioned across said slot and at least one element mounted on said shim and positioned above said slot with the axis of said sensor element relatively parallel to said housing axis with said shim member acting as a spring member to maintain the symmetry of said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
A load cell transducer, comprising: a cylindrical housing symmetrically disposed about an axis having a top and bottom surface with a central aperture between said surfaces and disposed about said axis, a major surface of said housing extending between said top and bottom surfaces and having a narrow peripheral slot as compared to the length of said member between said top and bottom surfaces, said slot coaxial with said aperture, and at least one thin metallic shim coupled to said housing and positioned across said slot and at least one element mounted on said shim and positioned above said slot with the axis of said sensor element relatively parallel to said housing axis with said shim member acting as a spring member to maintain the symmetry of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 13 further comprising a second sensor element positioned on said shim and located above said slot with the axis of said second sensor relatively transverse to said axis of said first sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 13 further including a second thin metallic shim coupled to said housing on a surface opposite to said at least one shim and positioned transverse to and along a common diameter, said second shim having at least one second sensor element mounted thereon and above said slot with the axis of said sensor element relatively parallel to the axis of said other sensor element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 15 wherein said second shim further has mounted thereon another sensor element positioned on said shim and above said slot with the axis of said another sensor element relatively peripendicular to the axis of said one second sensor element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
165 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 13 further comprising: second, third and fourth metallic shims, said second shim coupled on said housing diametrically opposite said at least one shim and positioned across said slot, said second shim having located thereon and positioned above said slot, a second sensor with the axis parallel to said housing axis, said third shim coupled to said housing between said one shim and said second shim and positioned across said slot, with a third sensor located on said shim and having its axis relatively transverse to said housing axis, and said fourth shim diametrically opposite said third shim and coupled to said housing to bridge said slot with a fourth sensor located thereon with its axis relatively transverse to said housing axis, whereby said first and second sensors are responsive to stress in a direction parallel to said housing axis and said third and fourth sensors are responsive to stress in a direction relatively transverse to said housing axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 17 wherein said sensors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 17 wherein said sensors associated with said shims are piezoresistive elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The load cell transducer according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said top and bottom surfaces contain a peripheral flange relatively coaxial with said central aperture.
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) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |