Method of monitoring/measuring rigging loads
OwnerRicardo J. Bermudezinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the load in a sailboat's rigging components. A rigging component such as a turnbuckle is modified to incorporate a sensing element, such as a strain gage. Strain gages are bonded and wired into a measuring circuit. The strain gage measures the strain under a load and generates an electrical signal that is directly proportional to the tension load. The load is then monitored and/or displayed using standard data acquisition equipment. The strain gage also identifies loose rigging such as may happen with shrouds which are subject to sudden high loading with movement of the boat and allows the operator to tighten that shroud or other piece of rigging.
Claims14
A method of measuring and monitoring sailboat rigging loads comprising the steps of:
- installing strain gage equipped rigging components on a plurality of rigging elements on a sailboat;
- adjusting the tension of said rigging elements;
- taking a readout of a handheld instrument attached to each of said strain gage components in turn;
- readjusting the tension of said rigging elements according to the readout of said hand-held instrument;
- repeating the above said steps of readjusting the tension and said taking readouts of said instrument until the desired tension is obtained in each of said rigging elements;
- installing a monitor system for providing continuous readouts of strain measured by said installed strain gage equipped rigging components;
- and
- observing said continuous readouts of strain so as to determine that said readouts are within allowable limits for each rigging element.
A strain gage equipped turnbuckle comprising:
- a standard turnbuckle having a generally cylindrical body defining a central lengthwise axis;
- said generally cylindrical body having:
- an upper portion tapering to an upper end and defining a left hand threaded axial bore;
- a lower portion tapering to a lower end and defining a right hand threaded axial bore;
- a central portion between said upper and said lower portions having upper and lower slotted rigging receiving portions having inspection slots and a centrally disposed crank portion having a pair of opposed crank flats located between said receiving portions for operation to adjust said turnbuckle;
- said turnbuckle having a gage location bore located transverse to and through said crank portion;
- said turnbuckle having an instrument connector seat bore extending radially into said cylindrical body and spaced below and parallel to said gage location bore;
- said turnbuckle having an instrument wiring bore located parallel to said cylindrical axis and connecting said instrument connector seat to said gage location bore;
- at least one axial strain gage mounted within said location bore;
- a connector adapted to fit within said connector seat;
- and
- at least two conducting wires connected between said connector and said axial strain gage.
A system for measuring and monitoring sailboat rigging loads comprising:
- a plurality of strain gage rigging components operatively attached to a plurality of corresponding rigging elements;
- and
- a plurality of instruments having a plurality of corresponding displays for operable attachment to said strain gage rigging components, whereby a strain readout is obtained corresponding to strain detected by said strain gage rigging components;
- at least one of said instruments being a permanent instrument having a readout presenting a green color when the strain gage is in a safe zone, a yellow color when the strain gage is in a warning zone, and a red color when the strain gage is in a danger zone corresponding to near breaking level for the rigging element monitored;
- each of said rigging components being a turnbuckle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.