US4084430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load measurement
Assignee: UK Secretary of State for Industry
•
Filing: 1976-09-09
•
Granted: 1978-04-18
•
Expires: 1996-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring externally applied loads on a structural member, such as a support leg of an off-shore installation, comprises one or more flexible fluid-filled cells constrained between the surface of the structural member and a casing capable of transmitting externally applied loads to the structural member through the fluid within the cell(s), the loads applied to the member being derived by monitoring the fluid pressure within the cell(s). Preferably the cell(s) and casing are comprised in a sleeve-like assembly removably mounted upon the structural member and retained in position by friction.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Bryant Boyle
- 👤 Alexander James Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said casing and the or each cell are comprised in a sleeve-like assembly so constructed and arranged as to surround and be frictionally retained upon the structural member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said assembly comprises two circumferential portions so constructed and arranged as to clamp the structural member between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein a respective electrical pressure transducer is located within the or each said cell for sensing the fluid pressure therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the cell or cells are so constructed and arranged as to extend over substantially the whole of the surface area of the structural member the load on which is to be measured.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load; said casing and the or each cell being comprised in a sleeve-like assembly comprising two circumferential portions so constructed and arranged as to surround and clamp the structural member between them and to be frictionally retained upon said member and, wherein the said two portions are hinged together at one each of their circumferential ends, the other circumferential ends of said portions including means for detachably fastening said other ends together.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load; said casing and the or each cell being comprised in a sleeve-like assembly comprising two circumferential portions so constructed and arranged as to surround and clamp the structural member between them and to be frictionally retained upon said member and, wherein the said two portions are hinged together at one each of their circumferential ends, the other circumferential ends of said portions including means for detachably fastening said other ends together.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varing with said load; said casing and the or each cell being comprised in a sleeve-like assembly comprising two circumferential portions so constructed and arranged as to surround and be frictionally retained upon the structural member, and further comprising fairings smoothly blending the contour of said casing with that of the structural member at each longitudinal end of the casing when said assembly is retained upon said member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; and a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varing with said load; said casing and the or each cell being comprised in a sleeve-like assembly comprising two circumferential portions so constructed and arranged as to surround and be frictionally retained upon the structural member, and further comprising fairings smoothly blending the contour of said casing with that of the structural member at each longitudinal end of the casing when said assembly is retained upon said member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load; and flexible spacers attached to the interior surface of said casing and serving to locate a plurality of said cells in a spaced relationship.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A device for measuring an externally applied load on a structural member, comprising: one or more flexible fluid-filled cells; means for sensing the fluid pressure within the or each cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells; a flexible casing for constraining the or each cell between itself and the surface of the structural member the load on which is to be measured, said casing being adapted to surround the structural member and to transmit the whole of the externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each cell, the pressure of said fluid thereby varying with said load; and flexible spacers attached to the interior surface of said casing and serving to locate a plurality of said cells in a spaced relationship.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of measuring a externally applied load on a structural member which comprises the steps of: constraining one or more flexible fluid-filled cells between a flexible casing which surrounds the structural member and the surface of the structural member, said casing transmitting the whole of an externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each said cell and causing the fluid pressure therewithin to vary with said load; and sensing the fluid pressure within the or each said cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of measuring a externally applied load on a structural member which comprises the steps of: constraining one or more flexible fluid-filled cells between a flexible casing which surrounds the structural member and the surface of the structural member, said casing transmitting the whole of an externally applied load to said surface solely through the fluid within the or each said cell and causing the fluid pressure therewithin to vary with said load; and sensing the fluid pressure within the or each said cell or the relative fluid pressures within different cells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said casing and the or each cell are comprised in a sleeve-like assembly and the method comprises the step of applying said assembly to the structural member so that the assembly embraces and is frictionally retained upon the structural member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the cell or cells extend over substantially the whole of the surface area of said member over which said casing extends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US750593A
Cited
US2651939A
Cited
US3496963A
Cited
US3670574A
Cited
US3940984A
Cited
US3785203A
Cited
US3853118A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |