# US 10,119,870 B2 · Actuator drive unit with load cell > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,870 B2 - Document ID: US10119870B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/047,994 - Filed: 2016-02-19 - Published: 2017-08-24 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-19 - Assignees: Goodrich Corporation - Applicants: Goodrich Corporation - Inventors: Kevin Rehfus; David Drennen; Thomas Freshour; Harald Klode; Satinder Mann; Robert French - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119870B2 ## CPC - G01L 1/2206: {Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports} - B60T 13/741: {acting on an ultimate actuator} - B64C 25/44: Actuating mechanisms - F16D 65/16: arranged in or on the brake - F16D 65/18: adapted for drawing members together {, e.g. for disc brakes} - H02K 7/06: Means for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa - F16D 2125/36: Helical cams, Ball-rotating ramps - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides an electromechanical actuator comprising an actuator drive unit housing, a relief formed in the actuator drive unit housing, a column defined by the relief positioned adjacent to a second relief, and a load cell comprising the column and a strain gauge coupled to the column. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electromechanical actuator comprising: an actuator drive unit housing; a first relief formed in an exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing, wherein a thrust bearing raceway is disposed on an exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing; a column defined by the first relief positioned adjacent to a second relief; and a load cell comprising the column and a strain gauge coupled to the column, wherein the strain gauge is flush mounted on the actuator drive unit housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein the reliefs are configured to orient a direction of force through the column. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein each relief comprises at least one of a through-hole or an indention. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is covered by at least one of a high temperature tape or silicon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein the thrust bearing raceway is positioned distally apart from the strain gauge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is mounted within a recess formed in the actuator drive unit housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein load cell wiring is routed through the actuator drive unit housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electromechanical actuator of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is in electronic communication with at least one of a sensor, an amplifier or a control unit. ### Claim 9 An actuator drive unit housing comprising: an exterior surface comprising a thrust bearing raceway; a relief formed in the exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing; and a load cell, wherein the load cell is defined by a portion of the actuator drive unit housing, and wherein the load cell comprises a plurality of columns defined by the relief positioned between adjacent columns. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The actuator drive unit housing of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of columns is configured to orient a direction of force through the load cell. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The actuator drive unit housing claim 9, wherein the load cell includes a channel to route a sensor wire. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The actuator drive unit housing of claim 9, wherein the load cell further comprises a sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The actuator drive unit housing of claim 12, wherein the sensor is flush mounted on the actuator drive unit housing within a recess. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The actuator drive unit housing of claim 9, wherein the load cell further comprises a strain gauge configured to measure a linear load through the actuator drive unit housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The actuator drive unit housing of claim 9, wherein the thrust bearing raceway is disposed on the exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing distal from the load cell. ### Claim 16 A wheel and brake system comprising: an electromechanical actuator having an actuator drive unit housing; a first relief formed in an exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing, wherein a thrust bearing raceway is disposed on an exterior surface of the actuator drive unit housing; a column defined by the first relief positioned adjacent to a second relief; and a load cell comprising the column and a strain gauge coupled to the column, wherein the strain gauge is flush mounted on the actuator drive unit housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The wheel and brake system of claim 16, further comprising: a ball nut; and a ball screw, wherein the actuator drive unit housing is partially radially inward of a ball screw, such that an actuation force load is transferred through the ball nut into the ball screw through a thrust bearing and into the column of the actuator drive unit housing.