US4429579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tie rod tension sensor
Assignee: HELM INSTRUMENT COMPANY Inc A CORP OF OH
•
Filing: 1981-10-26
•
Granted: 1984-02-07
•
Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A tie rod load sensor for a die-casting or other machine includes an axially-extending bore formed in the tie rod to receive a strain gauged sensing member. One end of the sensing member is countersunk to receive a ball which concentrates the load when it is forced against the bottom of the bore by a bolt threaded into the opening of the bore. The sensing member includes a narrow central shaft portion upon which a plurality of strain gauges are mounted. The bolt is utilized to pre-load the sensing member such that the strain gauges mounted thereon will measure changes in the tension on the tie rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. Wilhelm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:10
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B15/00; B30B15/0094; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/76; B29C45/7653; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/22; G01L5/00; G01L5/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A load sensor for measuring the tension forces applied to a rod, the rod having an elongated axially-extending bore formed in one end thereof, comprising: a ball adapted to be inserted in the bore for contacting a closed end thereof; a sensing member adapted to be inserted in the bore having two end portions each tapering towards a narrower central shaft portion between said end portions, one of said end portions being countersunk to receive a portion of said ball; strain gauge means attached to said central shaft portion for measuring the amount of force applied thereto; a spacer adapted to be inserted in the bore for contacting the other of said end portions of said sensing member; and pre-loading means engageble with the rod and said spacer for compressing said sensing member by a predetermined amount, whereby the tension applied to the rod will be measured as a decrease in the pre-loaded compression force applied to said sensing member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A load sensor for measuring the tension forces applied to a rod, the rod having an elongated axially-extending bore formed in one end thereof, comprising: a ball adapted to be inserted in the bore for contacting a closed end thereof; a sensing member adapted to be inserted in the bore having two end portions each tapering towards a narrower central shaft portion between said end portions, one of said end portions being countersunk to receive a portion of said ball; strain gauge means attached to said central shaft portion for measuring the amount of force applied thereto; a spacer adapted to be inserted in the bore for contacting the other of said end portions of said sensing member; and pre-loading means engageble with the rod and said spacer for compressing said sensing member by a predetermined amount, whereby the tension applied to the rod will be measured as a decrease in the pre-loaded compression force applied to said sensing member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A load sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said strain gauge means includes a plurality of strain gauges attached to the periphery of said central shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A load sensor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensing member, said spacer, and said pre-loading means include passage means formed therein for allowing said strain gauges to be electrically connected to an external meter by a plurality of wires.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A load sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pre-loading means includes a bolt threadably secured in the open end of the bore for contacting said spacer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of measuring the tension forces applied to a rod including the steps of: a. forming an elongated axially-extending bore in one end of the rod; b. inserting a sensing member into the bore, said sensing member including strain gauge means for measuring the amount of force applied thereto; c. inserting a spacer into the bore so as to contact said sensing member; d. inserting a pre-loading means into the bore and compressing said sensing member and said spacer by a predetermined amount; and e. measuring the tension applied to the rod as a change in resistivity of said strain gauge means indicating a decrease in the pre-loaded compression force applied to said sensing member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of measuring the tension forces applied to a rod including the steps of: a. forming an elongated axially-extending bore in one end of the rod; b. inserting a sensing member into the bore, said sensing member including strain gauge means for measuring the amount of force applied thereto; c. inserting a spacer into the bore so as to contact said sensing member; d. inserting a pre-loading means into the bore and compressing said sensing member and said spacer by a predetermined amount; and e. measuring the tension applied to the rod as a change in resistivity of said strain gauge means indicating a decrease in the pre-loaded compression force applied to said sensing member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of measuring tension forces in accordance with claim 5 further including the step of inserting a ball into the bore before said inserting of a sensing member into the bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein step d. is performed by threading a bolt into the bore to apply pressure to said sensing means.
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) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |