Tension monitoring arrangement and method

• US 10,281,347 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2017
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Chau, Albert W., Zeller, Rudolf, Mercer, John E., Tsang, Charles Yu Yat
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max H
• Application Number:
  US15/719,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20180017454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 73862391
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/905 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/54 Safety gear
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/26 Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/10 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/103 using sensors fixed at one end of the flexible member

Abstract

A tension monitoring apparatus is used for installing an underground utility by retraction that is applied to the utility. The tension monitoring apparatus includes a sensor for inground sensing of the tension force that is applied to the utility to produce a sensor signal. A processor monitors the tension force in a series of measurement intervals such that a plurality of tension force readings is generated for each of the measurement intervals. The processor stores a data set including a maximum tension force selected from the plurality of tension force readings for each one of the measurement intervals and copies the data set to a different location to create a copied data set after installation of the utility for subsequent selection and presentation of an overall maximum tension force.

Claims

1. In a system for installing an underground utility by retraction that is applied to a leading end of the utility to draw the utility through the ground such that the utility is subjected to a tension force during an installation time period, a tension monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a sensor for inground sensing of the tension force that is applied to the leading end of the utility to produce a sensor signal during said installation time period;

a processor configured at least for (1) monitoring the tension force in a series of measurement intervals such that a plurality of tension force readings is generated for each of the measurement intervals, (2) storing a data set including a maximum tension force selected from the plurality of tension force readings for each one of said measurement intervals, and (3) copying the data set to a different location to create a copied data set after said installation time period at least for subsequent selection and presentation of an overall maximum tension force.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data set includes no more than the maximum tension force for each one of the measurement intervals.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured for creating said original data set in a way which provides for detection of any alteration of the copied data set at said different location.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured for creating said original data set and adding each maximum tension value thereto in a way which provides for detection of any alteration of the copied data set at said different location.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said processor is configured for applying cyclic redundancy checking to the data set with the addition of each maximum tension value such that cyclic redundancy checking can be used on the copied data set at the different location to confirm integrity thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting at least selected ones of the tension force readings to an aboveground location.