# US 2008/0184818 A1 · Force measuring device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184818 A1 - Document ID: US20080184818A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/098,255 - Filed: 2008-04-04 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-07 - Assignees: ABB AB - Inventors: Ulf A. Lifvenborg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184818A1 ## CPC - G01L 5/0004: {Force transducers adapted for mounting in a bore of the force receiving structure (G01L5/0009 takes precedence)} - G01L 1/125: {by using magnetostrictive means (magnetostrictive sensors H10N35/101)} - G01L 1/127: {by using inductive means (G01L1/122, G01L1/125 take precedence)} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A device for measuring mechanical forces comprising a sensor adapted to measure difference of stresses in two orthogonal measuring directions. The device comprises at least one force receiving element adapted to receive the forces to be measured, and the sensor is adapted to measure the forces applied to the force receiving element. The device further comprises a transducer of a tubular shape, adapted to transfer the forces from the force receiving element to the sensor and to convert the forces received by the receiving element into forces suitable for the sensor, the force receiving element comprises a flange extending outward in a radial direction from the transducer, and the force receiving element and the sensor are mounted at a distance from each other along the longitudinal axis of the transducer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for measuring mechanical forces comprising a sensor adapted to measure difference of stresses in two orthogonal measuring directions, wherein the device comprises at least one force receiving element adapted to receive the forces to be measured, and the sensor is adapted to measure the forces applied to the force receiving element, characterized in that: the device further comprises a transducer of a tubular shape, adapted to transfer the forces from the force receiving element to the sensor and to convert the forces received by the receiving element into forces suitable for the sensor, the force receiving element comprises a flange extending outward in a radial direction from the transducer, and the force receiving element and the sensor are mounted at a distance (l) from each other along the longitudinal axis of the transducer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is designed to convert uniaxial stress exerted on said force receiving element to two-axial stresses in the sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is designed to reduce the amplitude of the received force to a level suitable for the sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said distance is in the interval 5-100 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall of the transducer is in the interval 0.5-10 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer has a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer has a circular cylindrical shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the transducer and the force receiving element are rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the transducer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a second force receiving element mounted on the opposite side of the sensor along the longitudinal axis of the transducer, and at essentially equal distance from the sensor as the first mentioned force receiving element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a magnetoelastic sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a measuring body of a magnetoelastic material, and two coils enclosing at least a part of the measuring body and arranged such that the mutual inductance of the coils is essentially zero, when no force is acting on the measuring body, and one of the coils is connected to a source of current, and the other coil is connected to an electrical measuring device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a measuring body and is arranged inside the tubular transducer so that the measuring body of the sensor is in mechanical contact with a part of the wall of the transducer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the measuring bodying, the transducer, and the force receiving element are made of a magnetoelastic material, and the transducer, the force receiving element, and the measuring body are made in one piece. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be integrated in a load cell. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is suitable for measuring forces from 1 kN to 1000 kN. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein said transducer is designed to reduce the amplitude of the received force to a level suitable for the sensor.