US 11,579,010 B1Granted

Chain hoist with integral load cell

AssigneeMotion Laboratories, Inc.

InventorsPeter Herrmann, Philip Nubile

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A load cell includes a bearing element configured for a hoist that includes a hook, a suspension with an orifice that receives a shaft of the hook, a nut, and housing. The bearing element, preferably a ring, contacts the suspension, and has an orifice that receives the shaft therethrough with the nut secured to the shaft proximate to the bearing element. Strain gauges are mounted on the ring side wall being equally spaced. A second suspension orifice concentric with the first orifice receives the ring with strain gauges therein. For improved accuracy, a thrust roller bearing and two thrust washers are positioned on sides of the ring, all of which are preferably positioned in a cup member that is received in the second orifice. A clearance fit is provided with respect to each of protruding upper and lower overhanging cylindrical ring lips and the cup to protect the gauges.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of providing more accurate measurements using a load cell for off-axis loading of a hoist that includes a hook, a suspension with an orifice that receives a shaft of h hook therethrough, a nut, and a housing, said method comprising:

receiving a shaft of the hook through an orifice of the suspension;
receiving the shaft of the hook through an orifice of a compression ring bearing element of the load cell;
positioning a first side of the compression bearing element facing towards the bottom of the suspension;
positioning at least three strain gauge rosettes on a side wall of the compression ring bearing element with equal spacing between the strain gauge rosettes for forming the load cell;
securing a nut onto the shaft of the hook in proximity to a second side of the compression ring bearing element;
taking a plurality of uncorrected weight measurements using the load cell for a corresponding plurality of known weights, including a maximum known hoist weight and one or more intermediate known weights between the maximum known hoist weight and zero weight;
comparing, using electronics, the plurality of uncorrected weight measurements from each of the at least three strain gauge rosettes with the weight values for the known weights;
constructing a correction table using the compared uncorrected weight measurements and the weight values for the known weights;
and dynamically adjusting a subsequent load cell measurement for an unknown weight by interpolating using the correction table, for adjusting for off-axis loading of the hook of the hoist.

6 more elements

A load cell arrangement for a hoist that includes a hook, a suspension with an orifice that receives a shaft of h hook therethrough, a nut, and a housing, said load cell arrangement comprising:

a compression bearing element, said compression bearing element having a first side in contact with the suspension and a second side, and said compression bearing element comprising:
an orifice configured to receive the shaft of the hook therethrough for the nut to be secured to the shaft in proximity to said second side of said compression bearing element;
a plurality of strain gauges mounted on a side wall of said compression bearing element;
wherein said compression bearing element comprises a cylindrical ring;
wherein said plurality of strain gauges are located equally spaced circumferentially on said side wall of said cylindrical ring;
wherein said cylindrical ring comprises a lower overhanging cylindrical lip and an upper overhanging cylindrical lip, each being concentric with said side wall of said cylindrical ring;
wherein said plurality of strain gauges are mounted to said side wall between said lower overhanging cylindrical lip and said upper overhanging cylindrical lip;
wherein the suspension comprises:
a second orifice concentric with said first orifice, said second orifice configured to receive said cylindrical ring with said plurality of strain gauges mounted thereon in a clearance fit with each of said lower overhanging cylindrical lip and said upper overhanging cylindrical lip;
and
wherein said load cell arrangement further comprises:
a thrust roller bearing positioned between said cylindrical ring and the nut.

9 more elements

A load cell arrangement for a hoist that includes a hook, a suspension with an orifice that receives a shaft of the hook therethrough, a nut, and a housing, said load cell arrangement comprising:

a compression bearing element, said compression bearing element comprising:
a cylindrical ring, said cylindrical ring comprising:
a side wall;
and a lower overhanging cylindrical lip and an upper overhanging cylindrical lip, each being concentric with said side wall;
an orifice configured to receive the shaft of the hook therethrough for the nut to be secured to the shaft, with a first side of said compression bearing element disposed toward the suspension and a second side of said compression bearing element disposed toward the nut;
said orifice being positioned concentric with respect to said side wall;
a plurality of strain gauges mounted on said side wall of said cylindrical ring of said compression bearing element;
wherein said plurality of strain gauges are located equally spaced circumferentially on said side wall of said cylindrical ring;
wherein said strain gauges are mounted to said side wall of said compression bearing element between said lower overhanging cylindrical lip and said upper overhanging cylindrical lip;
and
a thrust roller bearing, said thrust roller bearing being positioned between said compression bearing element and the nut.

8 more elements

A load cell arrangement comprising:

a suspension, said suspension comprising:
a through hole, said through hole being centered on said suspension and being configured to receive a mounting shaft therethrough;
a load cell, said load cell comprising:
a top cup, said top cup comprising:
a disk, a cylindrical side wall protruding down from a periphery of said disk, and a hole formed in said disk being concentric with said cylindrical side wall of said top cup;
a compression ring, said compression ring comprising:
a cylindrical side wall, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole configured to receive the mounting shaft therethrough, said hole being formed concentric to said cylindrical side wall;
a plurality of strain gauges, wherein said plurality of strain gauges are mounted on said side wall of said compression ring, being equally spaced circumferentially on said side wall and positioned at a substantially central position between said
top surface and said bottom surface;
wherein a top portion of said compression ring is received in said top cup, with said top surface in contact with said disk;
a bottom cup, said bottom cup comprising:
a disk, a cylindrical side wall protruding down from a periphery of said disk of said bottom cup, and a hole formed in said disk of said bottom cup being concentric with said cylindrical side wall of said bottom cup;
wherein a bottom portion of said compression ring contacts a top surface of said disk of said bottom cup;
means for providing a clearance between each of said plurality of strain gauges on said side wall of said compression ring and an interior surface of each said cylindrical side wall of each of said top cup and said bottom cup;
a top thrust washer, a top surface of said top thrust washer positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of said disk of said bottom cup;
a thrust roller bearing, a top of said thrust roller bearing positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of said top thrust washer;
and
a bottom thrust washer, a top surface of said bottom thrust washer positioned adjacent to a bottom of said thrust roller bearing;
wherein said suspension comprises:
a cylindrical recess, said cylindrical recess being formed on a bottom surface of said suspension, and positioned concentric with said through hole, said cylindrical recess configured to receive said load cell therein in a clearance fit;
and
wherein a bottom surface of said bottom thrust washer is configured to be supported by a nut mounted to the mounting shaft.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/822,366Filed 18 Mar 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 21 Mar 2019
Granted: 14 Feb 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G01G 19/18
For weighing suspended loads: having electrical weight-sensitive devices
B66C 13/16
Other constructional features or details: applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices
B66D 3/18
Portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances: power-operated hoists
B66D 3/26
Power-operated hoists: other details, e.g. housings