US 5,295,399 A · Force moment sensor

Abstract

A force moment sensor for interjection in a load path comprises two rings having a common central axis joined by a resilient wall. Three or four tongue-like targets attached to one of the rings and equally spaced about the periphery of the ring project parallel to the central axis and a like number of proximity sensing assemblies attached to the other ring detect the proximity of these targets. These target-sensing assembly pairs allow sensing of forces along the central axis and torques about the two shear axes. Three or four additional tongue-like targets attached to one of the rings and equally spaced about the periphery of the ring project perpendicular to the central axis and a like number of sensing assemblies attached to the other ring detect the proximity of these targets. These target-sensing assembly pairs permit the measuring of forces along the two shear axes and torque about the central axis.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A force moment sensor for interjection in a load path comprising the following:

a rigid first reference member;
a rigid second reference member spaced from said first reference member;
a resilient member interconnecting said first and second reference members such that the spacing between said first and second reference members may vary with flexing of said resilient member;
at least six targets, each of said at least six targets for attachment to one of said first and second reference members;
for each of said at least six targets, a target proximity sensing means for attachment proximate said each target to the other of said first and second reference members so as to form a target-sensing means pair;
each said target-sensing means pair being oriented and positioned so as to provide an indication of a displacement of said first reference member with respect to said second reference member in each of the three-spatial dimensions and an indication of any pivoting of said first reference member with respect to said second reference member in each of the three-spatial dimensions.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Force moment sensor

Life of this patent

Force moment sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13