Systems and methods for measuring wire rope tension
AssigneeAmplified Industries, Inc.
InventorsSebastien K. Mannai, Charles-Henri Clerget, Eric Zhang, Louis Creteur
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tension measuring devices for measuring tension in wire ropes, and associated systems and methods, are generally provided. Tension measuring devices described herein may use force signals related to forces applied to a tension measuring device by a laterally deflected wire rope extending therethrough to determine a tension of the wire rope. Such embodiments may allow for long term accurate measurement of tension in high load wire rope applications.
Claims27
A tension measuring device configured to measure tension in a wire rope, the tension measuring device comprising:
- a first support configured to support a first portion of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device;
- a second support configured to support a second portion of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device, wherein the first and second supports are rigidly coupled together;
- a clamp configured to be disposed against an intermediate portion of the wire rope between the first portion and the second portion of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device;
- at least one fastener configured to displace at least a portion of the clamp to laterally deflect the intermediate portion of the wire rope;
- a spacer configured to limit displacement of the clamp and the associated lateral deflection of the intermediate portion of the wire rope;
- and
- a sensor configured to output a signal related to one or more forces applied to the tensioning measuring device by the wire rope.
A tension measuring device configured to measure tension in a wire rope, the tension measuring device comprising:
- a first support configured to support a first segment of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device,
- a second support configured to support a second segment of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device, wherein the first and second supports are rigidly coupled together,
- a clamp configured to be disposed against an intermediate portion of the wire rope between the first portion and the second portion of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device, and
- at least one fastener configured to displace the clamp to laterally deflect the intermediate portion of the wire rope;
- a sensor configured to output a signal related to one or more forces applied to the tension measuring device by the wire rope;
- and
- a processor, configured to determine a tension in the wire rope based on a signal from the sensor and a diameter of the wire rope when the wire rope is disposed in the tension measuring device.
A method of determining a tension in a wire rope, the method comprising:
- obtaining information related to a lateral deflection of the wire rope within a tension measuring device;
- receiving a signal from a sensor, wherein the signal is related to one or more forces applied to the tension measuring device by the wire rope;
- and
- determining the tension in the wire rope based at least in part on the information, the signal, and a diameter of the wire rope.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.