# US 8,770,039 B2 · Load monitoring arrangement for chain support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,039 B2 - Document ID: US8770039B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/113,653 - Filed: 2011-05-23 - Published: 2012-11-29 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-23 - Assignees: Sofec, Inc. - Applicants: Quoc Anh Dang; David Seaman - Inventors: Quoc Anh Dang; David Seaman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770039B2 ## CPC - G01L 5/101: using sensors inserted into the flexible member - G01N 2203/0244: Tests performed "in situ" or after "in situ" use - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - 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) ## Abstract An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains 38 connected to a floating structure 6. The arrangement includes a chain stopper 12 having a first portion 16 and a second portion 18. The first portion 16 has a first load bearing surface 42 and the second portion 18 has a second load bearing surface 50. The arrangement further includes at least one pin 14 arranged and designed for measuring shear loads and laterally traversing the chain stopper 12 between the first and second load bearing surfaces 50, 42, whereby, upon application of a load to the chainstopper assembly 12, the at least one pin 14 is positioned in the load path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains (38) connected to a floating structure (6), comprising: a chain stopper (12) having a first portion (16) and a second portion (18), said first portion (16) having a first load bearing surface (42) and said second portion (18) having a second load bearing surface (50); and at least one pin (14) having at least one strain gage (62) for measuring loads, said pin laterally traversing said chain stopper (12) between said first and second load bearing surfaces (50, 42); whereby, upon application of a load to said chain stopper (12), said at least one pin (14) is positioned in the load path, wherein said at least one pin (14) has a center portion (58) and two side portions (60), and further comprising at least one strain gage (62) positioned at said center portion (58), wherein said second load bearing surface (50) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said center portion (58), and said first load bearing surface contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said side portion (60), and wherein said second portion (18) includes a slot (64) in the outer surface thereof, the arrangement further comprising: at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said first portion (16) and engaged with said slot (64) of said second portion; wherein said slot (64) and said anti-lift key (46) are arranged and dimensioned to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said second portion (18) relative to said first portion (16) and to prevent rotation of said second portion (18) with respect to said first portion (16). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one pin (14) has a circular radial cross-section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1, wherein two pins (14) traverse said chain stopper (12) between said first and second load bearing surfaces (50, 42). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The arrangement of claim 3, wherein each pin (14) includes redundant strain gage bridges, thereby providing four circuits for measuring loads. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first portion (16) includes at least one hole (56) arranged and designed to accept lateral insertion of said at least one pin (14) without disassembling the arrangement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said second portion (18) has a longitudinal axis (36) and defines a passageway (34), said passageway (34) extending through said second portion (18) along said longitudinal axis (36) and configured to receive a mooring chain (38). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The arrangement of claim 6, further comprising a ratchet mechanism (44) attached to said second portion (18) adjacent said passageway (34) and configured to allow unidirectional movement of the mooring chain (38). ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The arrangement of claim 6, further comprising: a cruciform (48) arranged and designed to fit within said passageway (34) and shaped to maintain the links of the mooring chain (38) in alternative orientations in said passageway (34). ### Claim 9 An arrangement for measuring anchor chain load, comprising: a base support (16) having a base support load surface (42); an inner body (18) having an inner body load surface (50) and configured to be inserted longitudinally within said base support (16), said base support having transverse openings (56) in its sides; and at least one load-measuring pin (14) placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50), wherein said inner body (18) includes a slot (64) in the outer surface thereof, the arrangement further comprising: at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said base support and engaged with said slot (64) of said inner body (18); wherein said slot (64) is configured to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16); and wherein said slot (64) is configured to prevent rotation of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The arrangement of claim 9, wherein said at least one pin (14) has a center portion (58) and two side portions (60), and further comprising at least one strain gage (62) positioned at said center portion (58). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arrangement of claim 10, wherein said inner body load surface (50) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said center portion (58), and said base support load surface (42) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said side portions (60). ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The arrangement of claim 9, wherein two load-measuring pins (14) are placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50). ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The arrangement of claim 9, wherein said at least one load-measuring pin (14) has a circular radial cross-section. ### Claim 14 A load measuring arrangement, comprising: a base support (16) having a base support load surface (42); an inner body (18) having an inner body load surface (50), said inner body including a slot (64) in said outer surface thereof; at least one pin (14) configured to measure load and placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50); and at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said base support (16) and engaged with said slot (64) of said inner body (18); wherein said slot (64) is configured to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16); wherein said slot (64) is configured to prevent rotation of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The load monitoring arrangement of claim 14, wherein said base support (16) defines openings (56) arranged and designed to accept lateral insertion of said at least one pin (14) between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50) without disassembling said load monitoring arrangement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The arrangement of claim 14, wherein two pins (14) are placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50). ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The arrangement of claim 16, wherein each pin (14) includes redundant strain gage bridges, thereby providing four circuits for measuring shear loads. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The arrangement of claim 14, wherein said at least one pin (14) has a center portion (58) and two side portions (60), and further comprising at least one strain gage (62) positioned at said center portion (58). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The arrangement of claim 18, wherein said inner body load surface (50) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said center portion (58), and said base support load surface (42) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said side portions (60). ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The arrangement of claim 14, wherein said at least one pin (14) has a circular radial cross-section.