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US 10,239,439 B2Granted
Tension monitoring and signaling system
OwnerRichard Paul Cooperinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic tension sensing and control system for cargo restraints comprises a load binder, a tension sensor, an actuator coupled to the load binder, and a control module. The control module receives signals from the sensor and can command the actuator to tighten or slacken the load binder. The system can also include an annunciator and an information storage and retrieval system.
Claims14
A tension control system comprising:
- a load binder further comprising
- a tube with first and second ends, said first and second ends each having a threaded aperture,
- a first draw rod threaded complementarily to be received within said threaded aperture of said first end of said tube,
- a second draw rod threaded complementarily to be received within said threaded aperture of said second end of said tube,
- a driven gear comprising gear teeth, with said driven gear coaxially coupled to said tube,
- a drive stud further comprising gear teeth in meshed engagement with said gear teeth of said driven gear, and
- said tensioning means further comprising a motor having a shaft rotatably coupled to said drive stud, said motor also operationally connected to said control module,
- so that motor shaft rotation changes an operating length between said first and second end effectors,
- and at least a first end effector and a second end effector;
- a tensioning means operatively connected to said load binder between said end effectors;
- at least one sensor;
- an actuator operatively coupled to said tensioning means;
- and
- a control module operationally connected between said sensor and said actuator,
- wherein said sensor provides a signal to said control module based on a tension in said load binder, said control module operating said tensioning means.
12 more elements
A tension monitoring system comprising:
- a load binder having a distal end and a proximal end,
- a first end effector affixed to said distal end,
- a second end effector affixed to said proximal end,
- a tension sensor,
- a tube with first and second ends, said first and second ends each having a threaded aperture,
- a first draw rod threaded complementarily to be received within said threaded aperture of said first end of said tube,
- a second draw rod threaded complementarily to be received within said threaded aperture of said second end of said tube,
- a driven gear comprising gear teeth, with said driven gear coaxially coupled to said tube,
- a drive stud further comprising gear teeth in meshed engagement with said gear teeth of said driven gear,
- and a tensioning device comprising a motor having a shaft rotatably coupled to said drive stud, said motor also operationally connected to said control module,
- so that motor shaft rotation changes an operating length between said first and second end effectors,
- and a control module connected between said tension sensor and said motor,
- wherein a signal from said tension sensor is compared in said control module to a reference value, and a difference value is created.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.