# US 10,976,149 B2 · Strain gauge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,976,149 B2 - Document ID: US10976149B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/344,929 - Filed: 2017-10-25 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2021-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-28 - Assignees: Datum Electronics Limited - Applicants: Datum Electronics Limited - Inventors: Malcolm Habens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10976149B2 ## CPC - G01B 7/18: {using change in resistance} - G01L 1/04: by measuring elastic deformation of gauges, e.g. of springs - G01L 1/2206: {Special supports with preselected places to mount the resistance strain gauges; Mounting of supports} - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A strain gauge for mounting on a surface includes first and second mounting pads arranged for securing to respective first and second portions of the surface. The first and second mounting pads have respective first and second upstanding walls each arranged to extend away from the surface to a bridging portion extending between the first and second upstanding walls. The strain gauge has a strain sensing element secured to one of the first and second upstanding walls. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A strain gauge for mounting on a surface to measure strain in the surface, the strain gauge comprising first and second mounting pads arranged for securing to respective first and second portions of the surface, the first and second mounting pads having respective first and second upstanding walls each arranged to extend away from the surface to a bridging portion extending between the first and second upstanding walls, the strain gauge having a strain sensing element secured to one of the first and second upstanding walls, wherein the first and second mounting pads are configured for securing to the respective first and second portions of the surface such that relative separation of the first and second portions causes relative separation of the first and second mounting pads. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the bridging portion is thicker than at least the first or second upstanding wall to which the strain sensing element is secured. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first or second upstanding wall to which the strain sensing element is secured is thicker than the other of the first or second upstanding wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting pads are thicker than at least the first or second upstanding wall to which the strain sensing element is secured. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting pads are arranged to be bonded to the surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting pads, first and second upstanding walls and bridging portion are formed from a single piece of material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the strain sensing element is secured has generally opposed first and second sides, and wherein the strain sensing element is only provided on one of the first and second sides. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensing element comprises a plurality of sub elements and wherein a first sub element is located on a first portion of said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the strain sensing element is secured, wherein a second sub element is located on a second portion of said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the strain sensing element is secured, wherein said bridging portion extends between the first and second upstanding walls in a first direction, and wherein the strain gauge is configured such that when said surface is deformed in a direction generally parallel to the first direction, one of said first portion of the upstanding wall and said second portion of the upstanding wall undergoes compressive deformation, and the other of said first portion of the upstanding wall and said second portion of the upstanding wall undergoes tensile deformation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The strain gauge according to claim 8, wherein the strain sensing element comprises four sub elements connected in a bridge configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The strain gauge according to claim 9, wherein a third sub element is located on a third portion of said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the strain sensing element is secured, wherein a fourth sub element is located on a fourth portion of said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the strain sensing element is secured, and wherein the strain gauge is configured such that when said surface is deformed in said direction generally parallel to the first direction, one of said third portion of the upstanding wall and said fourth portion of the upstanding wall undergoes compressive deformation, and the other of said third portion of the upstanding wall and said fourth portion of the upstanding wall undergoes tensile deformation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensing element is encapsulated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The strain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is arranged to have a compliance which attenuates a first strain experienced between the first and second portions of the surface to a second strain experienced by said one of the first and second upstanding walls to which the sensing element is secured, wherein the first strain is substantially larger than the second strain. ### Claim 13 A strain gauge for mounting on a surface to measure strain in the surface, the strain gauge comprising first and second mounting pads arranged for securing to respective first and second portions of the surface, the first and second mounting pads having respective first and second upstanding walls each arranged to extend away from the surface to a bridging portion extending between the first and second upstanding walls, the strain gauge having a strain sensing element secured to one of the first and second upstanding walls, wherein: the first and second upstanding walls each have a proximal end that is located proximate to the bridging portion and a distal end that is spaced from the bridging portion, and the first and second mounting pads respectively have first and second base portions, the first base portion connected to the distal end of the first upstanding wall and extending away from the distal end of the first upstanding wall in a first direction, the second base portion connected to the distal end of the second upstanding wall and extending away from the distal end of the second upstanding wall in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The strain gauge according to claim 13, wherein the first and second mounting pads are configured for securing to the respective first and second portions of the surface such that relative separation of the first and second portions causes relative separation of the first and second base portions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The strain gauge according to claim 13, wherein the bridging portion extends between the first and second upstanding walls in a bridging direction, and the first and second mounting pads are configured for securing to the respective first and second portions of the surface such that deformation of the surface in a direction generally parallel to the bridging direction causes relative separation of the first and second base portions. ### Claim 16 A strain gauge for mounting on a surface to measure strain in the surface, the strain gauge comprising first and second mounting pads arranged for securing to respective first and second portions of the surface, the first and second mounting pads having respective first and second upstanding walls each arranged to extend away from the surface to a bridging portion extending between the first and second upstanding walls, the strain gauge having a strain sensing element secured to one of the first and second upstanding walls, wherein the bridging portion extends between the first and second upstanding walls in a bridging direction, and the strain sensing element is configured for measuring strain in the surface when the surface deforms generally parallel to the bridging direction.