# US 12,181,353 B2 · Weldable strain sensor assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,353 B2 - Document ID: US12181353B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/896,680 - Filed: 2022-08-26 - Published: 2023-03-16 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-19 - Assignees: Strain Measurement Devices, Inc. - Applicants: Strain Measurement Devices, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Shapiro; Neal Justin Wostbrock; William Easlea; Eduard Krutyanskiy; Chris Bowman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181353B2 ## CPC - G01L 1/2287: {constructional details of the strain gauges (adjustable resistors H01C10/00)} - G01L 1/2262: {involving simple electrical bridges} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A weldable strain sensor assembly configured to be joined to an instrumented component includes: a stand-off; a substrate disposed on top of the stand-off; and a sensing component disposed on a top or a bottom of the substrate; wherein the combination of the stand-off and the substrate are configured to suspend the sensing component over the instrumented component with a defined gap between the instrumented component and at least one of: the substrate; and, the sensing component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A weldable strain sensor assembly configured to be joined to an instrumented component, comprising: a stand-off; a substrate disposed on top of the stand-off; and a sensing component disposed on a top or a bottom of the substrate; wherein the combination of the stand-off and the substrate are configured to suspend the sensing component over the instrumented component with a defined gap between the instrumented component and at least one of: the substrate; and, the sensing component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the sensing component has smaller x-y plan view dimensions than the substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the defined gap is equal to or greater than 0.0001 inches and equal to or less than 0.25 inches, alternatively is equal to or greater than 0.003 inches and equal to or less than 0.009 inches, or further alternatively is equal to about 0.006 inches. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the sensing component is configured to follow a same 2D bending mode as the underlying instrumented component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the sensing component is configured to follow a bending mode that is different from a bending mode of the underlying instrumented component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the sensing component is fixedly joined to the underlying substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is configured to be fixedly joined to the underlying instrumented component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is configured to be at least edge bonded to the underlying instrumented component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is configured to be welded to the underlying instrumented component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is configured to be welded to the underlying instrumented component by a continuous weld. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is configured to be welded to the underlying instrumented component by an intermittent weld. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is integrally formed with the substrate to form a monolithic construct. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the defined gap between the instrumented component and the substrate is formed by a recess in the substrate, and a peripheral underside rim of the substrate forms the stand-off. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off is a continuous uninterrupted projection that extends upward from an upper support surface of the instrumented component, or downward from an underside of and is around an outer perimeter of the substrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections that extend upward from an upper support surface of the instrumented component, or downward from an underside of and are around an outer perimeter of the substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off comprises two or more projections that extend upward from an upper support surface of the instrumented component, or downward from an underside of and provide distributed support of the substrate and sensing component relative to the instrumented component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off comprises an outer rim at an upper support surface of the instrumented component, or an underside of the substrate that cooperates with a support surface of the instrumented component, and that surrounds a central recess in the instrumented component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off further comprises a sacrificial skirt disposed on a bottom surface of the stand-off, such that when the weldable strain sensor assembly is welded to the instrumented component, the sacrificial skirt is disposed in direct contact with the instrumented component and is consumed or embedded, post-welding, into surrounding material of the stand-off or the instrumented component. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein: the sacrificial skirt is disposed proximate an outer perimeter of the stand-off. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein: the sacrificial skirt is integrally formed with the stand-off. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein: the sacrificial skirt comprises a plurality of sacrificial nibs. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the substrate and the sensing component have a similar 2D plan view outer shape. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the substrate and the sensing component have dissimilar 2D plan view outer shapes. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the substrate, the sensing component, or both the substrate and the sensing component, have at least one structural feature disposed and configured to tailor or focus a strain profile on the sensing component. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The assembly of claim 24, wherein: the at least one structural feature comprises an edgewise notch. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the stand-off, the substrate, the sensing component, or any combination of the stand-off, the substrate, and the sensing component, have at least one orifice disposed and configured to allow venting of gases during a welding process when the weldable strain sensor assembly is welded to the instrumented component. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the sensing component comprises a number of signal terminals equal to or greater than 2 and equal to or less than 12, alternatively equal to three signal terminals, further alternatively equal to four signal terminals, further alternatively equal to five signal channels, further alternatively equal to six signal channels, and further alternatively equal to eight signal channels.