# US 10,371,179 B2 · Hydraulic ram with a side load sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,179 B2 - Document ID: US10371179B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/124,780 - Filed: 2015-03-12 - Published: 2017-06-29 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-12 - Assignees: Actuant Corporation - Applicants: Actuant Corporation - Inventors: Frantz D. Stanford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371179B2 ## CPC - F15B 15/14: of the straight-cylinder type - F15B 15/02: Mechanical layout characterised by the means for converting the movement of the fluid-actuated element into movement of the finally-operated member - F15B 15/1433: {End caps (F15B15/1438 takes precedence)} - F15B 20/00: Safety arrangements for fluid actuator systems; Applications of safety devices in fluid actuator systems; Emergency measures for fluid actuator systems - G01L 1/14: by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators - G01L 1/16: using properties of piezoelectric devices - F15B 2211/7053: Double-acting output members - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A hydraulic cylinder assembly, a sensor assembly for a cylinder assembly and methods of assembling and operating a cylinder assembly. The cylinder assembly may include a housing; a ram slidably mounted in the housing; and a sensor assembly mounted between the housing and the ram and operable to sense a side load. The sensor assembly may be incorporated into a bearing. In some constructions, the sensor assembly may include a capacitive sensor. In some constructions, the sensor assembly may include a piezoelectric sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydraulic cylinder assembly comprising: a housing; a ram slidably mounted in the housing; and a sensor assembly mounted between the housing and the ram and operable to sense a side load, the sensor assembly including, a first inner conductive plate extending about a first portion of a circumference of the ram, a first middle plate and a second middle plate, and a first outer conductive plate extending about the first portion of the circumference of the ram, the first inner conductive plate and the first outer conductive plate being separated the first middle plate, the first inner conductive plate and the first outer conductive plate being operable to sense a side load on the first portion of the circumference of the ram, a second inner conductive plate extending about a second portion of a circumference of the ram spaced from the first portion of the circumference, and a second outer conductive plate extending about the second portion of the circumference of the ram, the second inner conductive plate and the second outer conductive plate being separated by the second middle plate, the second inner conductive plate and the second outer conductive plate being operable to sense a side load on the second portion of the circumference of the ram. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bearing mounted in the housing between the ram and the housing, the sensor assembly being incorporated into the bearing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cylinder assembly of claim 2, wherein the bearing includes an inner wear plate engageable with an outer surface of the ram, the inner wear plate being between the ram and the sensor assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cylinder assembly of claim 3, wherein the bearing further includes an outer wear plate engageable with an inner surface of the housing, the outer wear plate being between the sensor assembly and the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second middle plates serve as dielectrics. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, wherein the first inner conductive plate, the first middle plate and the first outer conductive plate are annular. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a side wall defining a radial opening, and wherein the cylinder assembly further comprises a circuit electrically connected to the sensor assembly, the circuit including a wire electrically connected to the sensor assembly and extending through the opening to an exterior of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cylinder assembly of claim 7, wherein the cylinder assembly is a double-acting cylinder assembly, and wherein the housing includes a plug sealing the opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an end wall defining an axial opening, and wherein the cylinder assembly further comprises a circuit electrically connected to the sensor assembly, the circuit including a wire electrically connected to the sensor assembly and extending through the opening to an exterior of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cylinder assembly of claim 9, wherein the cylinder assembly is a double-acting cylinder assembly, and wherein the housing includes a plug sealing the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The cylinder assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a side wall and a stop ring providing the end wall, the stop ring being removably connected to the side wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cylinder assembly of claim 1, further comprising a circuit electrically connected to the sensor assembly, the circuit including a controller electrically connected to the sensor assembly, the controller being operable to receive a signal from the sensor assembly and to determine a side load.