Load-sensing multi-axis connector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorEdward A. Devine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A load-sensing, multi-axis connector is disclosed which comprises a series of complimentary leaf springs, which are connected by load cells through spherical bearings. These leaf springs resist the axial displacement of their attached load cells, but are isolated from non-axial displacements and moments due to the spherical bearings. These leaf springs are attached to a first end connector and a second end connector, which are in turn attached to the two objects that are to be connected. Using the load-sensing, multi-axis connector, two objects can be connected, even where the two objects are undergoing high displacements, and the stresses caused by the relative displacement of the two objects can be monitored.
Claims19
A load-sensing, multi-axis connector comprising:
- a plurality of first leaf springs;
- a plurality of second leaf springs wherein each said second leaf spring forms an opposable pair with its complimentary said first leaf spring;
- wherein each said first leaf spring and said second leaf spring are aligned along a common axis;
- and
- a plurality of connectors connecting said opposable pairs wherein each said opposable pair resists displacement of said connector in the direction of said common axis;
- wherein said connectors are rotatably connected to said first leaf springs and said second leaf springs through a plurality of axial motion isolation bearings.
A load-sensing, multi-axis connector comprising:
- a first vertical leaf spring having at least one prong;
- a second vertical leaf spring having at least one prong;
- wherein each said first vertical leaf spring and said second vertical leaf spring are aligned along a common vertical axis;
- at least one vertical connector connecting said prongs of said first vertical leaf spring and said prongs of said second vertical leaf spring and wherein each said vertical connector is aligned along said common vertical axis;
- a first lateral leaf spring having at least one prong;
- a second lateral leaf spring having at least one prong;
- wherein each said first lateral leaf spring and said second lateral leaf spring are aligned along a common lateral axis;
- at least one lateral connector connecting said prongs of said first lateral leaf spring and said prongs of said second lateral leaf spring and wherein each said lateral connector is aligned along said common lateral axis;
- a first longitudinal leaf spring having at least one prong;
- a second longitudinal leaf spring having at least one prong;
- wherein each said first longitudinal leaf spring and said second longitudinal leaf spring are aligned along a common longitudinal axis;
- at least one longitudinal connector connecting said prongs of said first longitudinal leaf spring and said prongs of said second longitudinal leaf spring and wherein each said longitudinal connector is aligned along said common longitudinal axis;
- a first end platform wherein said first vertical leaf spring, said first lateral leaf spring, and said first longitudinal leaf spring are mounted to said first platform;
- and
- a second end platform wherein said second vertical leaf spring, said second lateral leaf spring, and said second longitudinal leaf spring are mounted to said second platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.