US 6,295,878 B1 · Particular strain gage orientation for a six component load measurement device

Abstract

Disclosed is a particular method of strain gage placement on a cylindrical or tubular device for measuring the three force and three moment components of a load. The prescribed parameters of this method optimize measurement sensitivity of the gages and simplify production. On any calibrated cylindrical or tubular device (e.g., a prosthetic or robotic arm), at least six strain gages shall be attached and wired independently or in an independent bridge configuration. A first set of at least three gages shall be oriented approximately sixty degrees or less from either side of the long axis of the device. Then, a second set of at least three gages shall be oriented between approximately forty-five and one hundred-twenty degrees to the first set of gages, and approximately no greater than sixty degrees from either side of the long axis of the device. Each respective gage shall be equally spaced from each other around the periphery of the device. A computer or other such calculation means shall be employed to determine the components and compensate for drift and noise.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A cylindrical load cell having a longitudinal axis and capable of measuring six load components, comprising

a) at least two sets of strain gages, each set having at least three strain gages attached to said load cell;
b) said at least three strain gages in one set of strain gages being approximately equally spaced from one another about the periphery of said load cell and oriented between approximately zero to sixty degrees relative to either side of the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical load cell;
c) said at least three strain gages of a different set of strain gages being approximately equally spaced from one another about the periphery of said load cell and oriented between approximately forty-five to one hundred and twenty degrees from the at least three strain gages of the set of strain gages defined in paragraph (b) and between zero to sixty degrees relative to either side of the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical load cell;
d) each of said strain gages in said at least two sets being wired to make an independent measurement operatively communicated to a computer processor to calculate the load components and compensate for drift and noise.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Particular strain gage orientation for a six component load measurement device

Life of this patent

Particular strain gage orientation for a six component load measurement device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2