Device for the measurement of the radial force sustained by a rotary organ

A device for the measurement of the relative radial force between a rotatable organ and a stationary support, comprising an outer annular organ to which a force is applied, the radial component of which is to be measured;

• an inner annular organ mounted concentrically within said outer annular organ;
• means for rotatably mounting said outer annular organ on said inner annular organ so that said outer annular organ rotates about a first common axis of said inner and outer annular organs in response to said force;
• a first end support flange mounted to one side surface of said inner annular organ;
• a second end support flange mounted to the other side surface of said inner annular organ and parallel with said first end support flange;
• means passing through said inner annular organ having a first end connected to said first end support flange and a second end connected to said second end support flange for mounting said end support flanges to said side surfaces of said inner annular organ;
• each of said inner annular organ, said first end support flange, and said second end support flange having an opening formed therethrough, the opening in said inner annular organ being greater than the openings in said first and second end support flanges and the opening in each of said inner annular organ and said first and second support flanges being in axial alignment;
• stationary support means for supporting said inner and outer annular organs and said end support flanges extending through each of said openings;
• and means mounted on at least one of said end support flanges and said inner annular organ for detecting deformation caused by said force, said openings in said first and second end support flanges, and said inner annular organ, said stationary support means for supporting said inner and outer annular organs and said first and second support flanges having a second common axis offset from said first common axis in a radial direction so that said first common axis, said second common axis, and said radial component of said force all lie in a common vertical plane, whereby in response to said force one of said end support flanges and said inner annular organ is deformed in response to the radial component thereof and is measured by said means for detecting.