# US 7,610,158 B2 · Measuring device and method for measuring the arching of an elongate body > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,158 B2 - Document ID: US7610158B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/921,896 - Filed: 2006-06-01 - Published: 2008-10-09 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-01 - Assignees: Vendolocus AB - Inventors: Peter Stenlund; Lars Wiklund - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610158B2 ## CPC - G01N 3/20: by applying steady bending forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence) - G01M 5/0058: {of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring the arching of an elongate body. The measuring device includes an anvil member against which the elongate body is intended to be placed, a measure-collection member movable along the line of the longitudinal axis of the elongate body via a driving unit included in the measuring device, which measure-collection member is connected to a processor unit for the processing of measured values. Furthermore, the measuring device includes a force-transmission member for applying a predetermined force (F), where F>0 N, to the elongate body. The measure-collection member measures continuously, in abutment against and movement along the line of the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, a length (y) and a height (x) between the elongate body and the measuring device, and delivers a digital signal to the processor unit, which calculates the arching (A). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measuring device for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body, characterized in that the measuring device comprises an elongate beam provided with an elongate anvil member against which one long side of the elongate body is intended to be placed, a measure-collection member movable along the line of the longitudinal axis of the elongate body via a driving unit included in the measuring device, which measure-collection member is calibrated before measuring and is connected to a processor unit for the processing of measured values, the measuring device furthermore comprising a force-transmission member for applying a predetermined force (F) directed toward the beam, where F≧N, to the elongate body near the point of balance (C) of the elongate body, the applied force (F) being registered by means of a force-measuring member mounted on the force-transmission member, the measure-collection member, in abutment against and movement along the line of the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, continuously measuring a length (y) and a height (x) between the elongate body and the measuring device, where y refers to the length between the points of contact of the elongate body with the measuring device, and delivering a digital signal to the processor unit, which calculates the arching (A). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device furthermore comprises an input unit via which the predetermined force (F) is entered, as well as an actuator connected to the force-transmission member, the predetermined force (F) being applied by means of the actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam is provided with a longitudinal groove in which the measure-collection member runs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1 characterized in that the driving unit for the driving of the measure-collection member comprises a motor and notched-belt drive. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1 characterized in that the driving unit for the driving of the measure-collection member comprises an electric motor having pulse and position transducers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring device furthermore comprises a stop member adjustable along the line of the longitudinal axis of the measuring device, against which stop member one short end of the elongate body is placed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Measuring device according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring device furthermore comprises an interface member connected to the processor unit. ### Claim 8 A method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body by means of a measuring device, which method comprises the steps of: placing one long side of the elongate body against an elongate anvil member included in the measuring device and arranged along an elongate beam included in the measuring device; calibrating a measure-collection member included in the measuring device; by means of a force-transmission member included in the measuring device applying a predetermined force (F), directed toward the beam, to the elongate body near the point of balance (C) of the elongate body, where F≧0 N; by means of the measure-collection member, which abuts against and is moved along the elongate body, continuously measuring a length (y) and a height (x) between the elongate body and the measuring device, where y refers to the length between the points of contact of the elongate body with the measuring device; and that the measure-collection member delivers a digital signal to a processor unit included in the measuring device, which process unit calculates the arching (A). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 8, characterized in that the method furthermore comprises the steps of: by means of the force-transmission member applying a force (F1/2) corresponding to a person's (P) half body weight, as well as by means of the measure-collection member measuring the arching (A1/2) at this force (F1/2); by means of the force-transmission member applying a force (F1) corresponding to the person's (P) entire body weight, as well as by means of the measure-collection member measuring the arching (A1) at this force (F1); and by means of the force-transmission member applying a force (F0) that brings the arching (A0) to zero, as well as registering this force (F1). ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 8, characterized in that the method furthermore comprises the step of: moving the measure-collection member by a driving unit included in the measuring device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 8 characterized in that the method furthermore comprises the step of: entering said force (F) by means of an input unit included in the measuring device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 10, characterized in that the moving step comprises the step of: moving the measure-collection member by a motor and notched-belt drive. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 10, characterized in that the moving step comprises the step of: moving the measure-collection member by an electric motor having pulse and position transducers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 8 characterized in that the method furthermore comprises the step of: placing the short end of the elongate body against a stop member adjustable along the line of the longitudinal axis of the measuring device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) Method for measuring the arching (A) of an elongate body according to claim 8 characterized in that the method furthermore comprises the step of: connecting a display device and/or a printer to an interface member connected to the processor unit.