US4673047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strain gauge assemblies
Assignee: TRW Transportation Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-16
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Granted: 1987-06-16
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Expires: 2006-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Strain gauge transducers (15) are fitted to the leading and trailing faces of a vehicle axle between each wheel (14) and the adjacent suspension (13). They have strain gauges (6, 7, 8, 9) in balanced bridge formation and their orientation is such that their outputs can be combined in one circuit (16, 17, 18) to produce an indication of axle loading and in another circuit to produce an indication (26) of torsion, these signals not being influenced by irrelevant strains. The information from the transducers can be combined to indicate individual axle loading, and total loading, and the torsional signal can be used in an anti-skid braking system.
Inventors
- 👤 John Harbour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/02; G01G19/025; G01G19/027; G01G19/08; G01G19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A load measuring apparatus for use in measuring a vehicle load, the vehicle having a plurality of spaced apart parallel axles, each axle supporting a portion of the vehicle load at support locations on the axle, each end of each axle rotatably carrying an associated wheel, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of first strain gauge bridge means, each end of an axle having an associated first strain gauge bridge means mounted to a front side of the axle and located between a support location and the associated wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of shear strain in its associated axle; a plurality of second strain gauge bridge means, each first strain gauge bridge means having an associated second strain gauge means mounted to a rear side of its associated axle and diametrically opposed thereto, each second strain gauge bridge means generating an electrical signal indicative of shear strain in its associated axle; fuel measuring means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the quantity of fuel carried by the vehicle; tare weight signal generating means for generating an electrical signal indicative of vehicle tare weight which includes the weight of the parallel axles; and processing circuit means electrically connected to each first strain gauge bridge means, to each second strain gauge bridge means, to said fuel measuring means, and to said tare weight signal generating means for generating electrical signals indicative of (i) load on each wheel, (ii) load on each axle, (iii) total vehicle load, and (iv) vehicle payload.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A load measuring apparatus for use in measuring a vehicle load, the vehicle having a plurality of spaced apart parallel axles, each axle supporting a portion of the vehicle load at support locations on the axle, each end of each axle rotatably carrying an associated wheel, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of first strain gauge bridge means, each end of an axle having an associated first strain gauge bridge means mounted to a front side of the axle and located between a support location and the associated wheel for generating an electrical signal indicative of shear strain in its associated axle; a plurality of second strain gauge bridge means, each first strain gauge bridge means having an associated second strain gauge means mounted to a rear side of its associated axle and diametrically opposed thereto, each second strain gauge bridge means generating an electrical signal indicative of shear strain in its associated axle; fuel measuring means for generating an electrical signal indicative of the quantity of fuel carried by the vehicle; tare weight signal generating means for generating an electrical signal indicative of vehicle tare weight which includes the weight of the parallel axles; and processing circuit means electrically connected to each first strain gauge bridge means, to each second strain gauge bridge means, to said fuel measuring means, and to said tare weight signal generating means for generating electrical signals indicative of (i) load on each wheel, (ii) load on each axle, (iii) total vehicle load, and (iv) vehicle payload.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The load measuring apparatus of claim 1 wherein each first strain gauge bridge means and each second strain guage bridge means includes four variable resistors electrically connected in a balanced bridge network and arranged in a square, the sides of the square oriented approximately 45 degrees from a longitudinal axis of its associated axle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The load measuring apparatus of claim 2 wherein each first strain gauge bridge means and each second strain gauge bridge means for each axle lie in planes substantially parallel with a plane of rectilinear load vectors acting on their associated axle.
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) | 1990-06-15 | 1990-12-15 | 1991-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-12-15 | 1995-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-15 | 1998-12-15 | 1999-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |