Cover for Protecting Component from Shear Force

• US 20100300210A1
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lord Corporation (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Arms, Steven W., Churchill, David L., Mundell, Steven W., Townsend, Christoper P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,499,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/855
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/16 for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/20 formed by printed-circuit technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2268 Arrangements for correcting or for compensating unwanted effects
• 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: G01M 5/0083 by measuring variation of impedance, e.g. resistance, capacitance, induction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/223 for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity rain detectors on vehicle windows B60S1/0825
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/442 Resins, plastics

Abstract

A system includes a structure and a component. The component including an energy providing device and a protective cover. The structure has a structure surface. The protective cover has a protective cover attachment surface mounted on the structure surface. The energy providing device is located within the protective cover. The protective cover has a protective cover outer surface. The protective cover outer surface is oriented to face a first direction from which an impact load may strike the protective cover outer surface and shear the protective cover from the structure surface. The protective cover outer surface has an outer surface shape facing the first direction. At least a portion of an impact load striking any region of the protective cover outer surface facing the first direction is transferred by the outer surface shape into a compression load.

Claims

1. A system, comprising a structure and a component, said component including an energy providing device and a protective cover, wherein said structure has a structure surface, whereinsaid protective cover has a protective cover attachment surface, wherein said protective cover attachment surface is mounted on said structure surface, wherein said energy providing device is located within said protective cover, wherein said protective cover has a protective cover outer surface, wherein said protective cover outer surface is oriented to face a first direction from which an impact load may strike said protective cover outer surface and shear said protective cover from said structure surface, wherein said protective cover outer surface has an outer surface shape facing said first direction, wherein at least a portion of an impact load striking any region of said protective cover outer surface facing said first direction is transferred by said outer surface shape into a compression load.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said energy providing device includes a battery.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein said battery is sealed within said protective cover.

4. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein said battery is replaceably sealed within said protective cover.

5. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein said seal includes an o-ring.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said energy providing device includes an energy harvesting device.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor and a transmitter within said protective cover.

8. A system as recited in claim 7, wherein said sensor includes a strain sensor.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said strain sensor is adhesively mounted on said structure surface within said protective cover.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a moisture sensor within said protective cover.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a moisture barrier within said protective cover.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said moisture barrier comprises a wax material.

13. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein said wax material substantially fills said protective cover.

14. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said moisture barrier comprises a thin layer of material.

15. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said moisture barrier comprises a foam material.

16. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said protective cover attachment surface is adhesively mounted on said structure surface.

17. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a strain sensor and a transmitter, wherein said structure is subject to strain from a mechanical force other than that provided by said component, wherein said strain sensor is adhesively mounted on said structure surface within said protective cover for determining said strain from said mechanical force, wherein said transmitter is within said protective cover, wherein a moisture barrier is located on said strain sensor within said protective cover.

18. A system, as recited in claim 17, wherein said energy providing device includes a battery.

19. A system, as recited in claim 17, wherein said protective cover attachment surface is adhesively mounted on said structure surface.

20. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said protective cover is a preformed protective cover.

21. A system, as recited in claim 20, wherein said preformed protective cover includes a vent to provide pressure equalization without allowing moisture to pass.

22. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer surface shape includes convex.

23. A system, as recited in claim 22, wherein said convex shape extends from said structure surface.

24. A system, as recited in claim 23, wherein said outer surface shape includes rounded convex.

25. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said protective cover attachment surface includes a protective cover attachment surface planar portion, and wherein said structure surface includes a structure surface planar portion, wherein said protective cover attachment surface planar portion is mounted on said structure surface planar portion.